Get Your Guide's signature exclusivity, creativity, and affordability make their new Kyoto offerings unmissable.
Kyoto often plays second fiddle to the bright lights and vibrancy of Tokyo, but it’s the perfect destination for travelers eager to visit the country. Its storied history, natural beauty, and modern-city feel make it an ideal first-timer’s trip. But where to begin? If you’re feeling daunted or overwhelmed, use a trusted travel platform that gives you quintessential yet respectful experiences in the city. Enter GetYourGuide.
The Best Way to Explore Kyoto
You might’ve heard of or even used GetYourGuide before. Often times travel platforms and booking sites leave much to be desired with get-what-you-pay-for, lackluster experiences a la Airbnb Experiences. But GetYourGuide gives you access to bucket list-level activities, curated and led by experts, with reasonable price points.
They’re adding a new “Originals by GetYourGuide” running now through November 2023. These experiences are exclusive to the platform alone and give travelers an incredible portrait of Kyoto culture.
What I loved most about their unique and exclusive experiences in Kyoto is that they highlight sacred and historic Japanese practices. Tradition is intrinsic to Japanese culture, and by understanding and experiencing it firsthand as a Westerner, it’s easy to grasp the reverence and joy it evokes from Japanese people.
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Exclusive Experiences Make All the Difference
While the activities included for most tour guides are often special and unique, the reason GetYourGuide tours are elevated is the personalized and private access travelers get to the attraction.
GetYourGuide(d) Meditation On
I would love to be the type of person who meditated twice daily and was able to embrace my inner zen. But alas, I am not. However, I did get a crash course in meditation, from a Zen monk no less. A chronic, obsessive scroller, ping-er, and push alert-er, when our GYG group entered the absolutely stunning Jōju-ji Temple, I was excited at the prospect of turning off my brain and tuning into my inner peace. What I did not know is that we’d be meditating for a solid hour, but when in Rome Japan!
Initially, focusing on clearing my thoughts proved wildly difficult, but every time I began to drift, I followed the advice of our Zen meditation guide and returned to my breathing and soon ten minutes became 30 became an hour. I left the practice so relaxed I almost fell asleep in the temple. Need to turn off and tune in? This experience is a perfect introduction to Japan that will set the tone for the remainder of your trip.
From $139.41 per person
Head to a Theater in Gorgeous Mountain Scenery
For a peaceful and powerful experience, head to the nearby village of Ohara for serene mountain-side beauty. Here you’ll be invited to a prominent Noh theatre performer. Noh theatre is an ancient Japanese performance art style that combines ornate theatrical masks, storytelling, and song that dates back to the 14th century. Like kabuki, it’s recognized as one of Japan’s dramatic theatre traditions. You’ll take in a personal performance amongst the splendor of Japanese hilltop beauty, relax in the private garden, and learn tales of ancient warriors and heroes, all via poetic dance and movement.
From $131.51 per person
Visit a UNESCO Temple, Play With Candy, and Attend a Tea Ceremony
Japanese people take their sweets and treats very seriously. Walk into any 7/11 or Family Mart and that sentiment will be abundantly apparent. Viral candies and confections like glazed strawberries and matcha tiramisu are Kyoto-based for a reason. Learn more about the art of wagashi (Japanese sweets) in a dream-like setting hidden amongst the sakura trees and moss-laden pathways of Ninna-Ji.
Here you’ll open the gates of the UNESCO World Heritage temple and explore the palatial estate, once home to Japan’s emperors. Not only will you get access before the temple opens, but you’ll be guided by a Buddhist monk there to answer questions and impart historical context. This incredible tour opens with a wondrous wander of the property, where you’ll find your way to your Wagashi class (my sakura flower marzipan looked more like a portabella mushroom, but still tasted delicious) and finally, wrap the tour up with a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, which is worth the price of admission alone. Ask questions, sip quietly, and enjoy.
From $348.79 per person
Play Drinking Games with a Geisha
In this wildly delightful and insightful GetYourGuide experience, one of my first questions for our maiko (essentially a geisha-in-training, usually under the age of 17) was “What do you think people get wrong about being a geisha?” After a graceful pause, our maiko told our translator that, “It’s not like Memoirs of a Geisha.” In fact, our experience with a geiko (a professional, working geisha who has essentially “graduated” from training) and maiko was like a PG-rated college night out.
GetYourGuide highlights the storied tradition of geisha by setting up a geisha-hosted eve of entertainment, full of drinks, food, and best of all, comically precious drinking games. In this experience, you’ll do all of the above. My favorite was a fast-paced one-on-one hand game versus your geisha, where you’ll try to best her (you won’t.) You also won’t be able to get the drinking songs out of your head. But most importantly, your idea of what a geisha is and what they represent in Japanese culture will likely shift. Make sure you hang onto your geisha’s business card, they make sweet and sentimental souvenirs.
From $411.57 per person
Need More Recommendations?
Want to add more experiences to your Kyoto trip? GetYourGuide offers more uniquely Kyoto opportunities like Sake Brewery Tours and Tastings, a Food Crawl and Tour of the Historic Gion District, and an Izakaya Cooking Class. All of the above are affordable, respectful, and give an authentic flavor and feel of Kyoto. You can see all of GetYourGuide’s amazing Kyoto experiences here.