This was a good introduction to Buddhism and zazen meditation. Our guide Yutaka was great. He took us to several Buddhist temples and gardens. We had a nice meditative experience at one of the gardens but the last temple we were guided through a Zazen with a Buddhist monk. We learned the history of the temple and what to expect and we with a small group were led into two meditation sessions. Then we stopped for a fabulous lunch afterwards.

Very nice experience, the instructor was very nice and informative. We also talked to the monk after the meditation and the meal was delicious 😋

Great food and a very knowledgeable host. The crochet stop was probably my favorite. I don't know what else to say, Great food, Great host.

Review of Walking Tour of Three Iconic, Historic Sites in Kyoto Japan: March, 2025, led by Mona from Viator. In early March, we took a family trip to Japan. Our group of four was comprised of two people in their early 30’s and two people in their mid-60’s. We travelled first to the City of Kyoto as it has a long, rich history of tremendous significance to the people of Japan. Kyoto was the imperial capital for nearly a thousand years, from 794 to 1868, at which point the capital was moved to Edo (modern-day Tokyo). On our half-day guided tour of Kyoto we were joined by another family of four. The tour included visits to: Fushimi Inari Shrine: Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, “Inari” is one the most important of several thousands of Shinto Shrines in Japan. The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at the Kinkakuji Temple. The Arashiyama area was once a retreat for Japanese nobility during the Heian period and is now an iconic symbol of Kyoto and home to the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. This dense grove features giant bamboo stalks, reaching dozens of meters in height; walking through it is a magical experience. (The Ministry of the Environment considers it a part of the soundscape of Japan!) Kinkakuji Temple: “A renowned Zen Buddhist temple with centuries of history, the Rokuonji Temple is more widely known today as Kinkakuji Temple―a name derived from the famed Golden Pavilion and Pond that serve as the centerpiece of the temple grounds. Its three-tiered pavilion covered in gold leaf is one of the most famous and recognizable of all the historic structures in Kyoto. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple is considered a must-see destination”. Our family was very impressed by the thoughtful, historic narrative about each historic site that Mona, our guide, provided. Mona kept the two different family groups together during travel on public transportation to the three different important cultural destinations we visited, and she chose a nice place to stop in between for a break for coffee, conversation and treats. Mona did a great job of prioritizing our need to see, do and learn a lot about Japan in a short period of time. Most importantly, she is very knowledgeable and provided historic and cultural context at each stop of the tour, including the navigation of transportation by public transit. Every question from the participants of our tour was answered by Mona. She provided great cultural and historic context, sensitivity, thoughtfulness and respect for the history and culture of Japan. It was clear through the content and generosity of the answers she provided to our questions that Mona is very proud of the cultural heritage of Japan and loves sharing it with travelers from all over the world.

This tour was amazing! Yutaka was very knowledgeable and able to answer all of our questions, I highly recommend this if you are in Kyoto! And the food at the end was one of the best meals I’ve had whilst being in Japan 😋

Excellent tour with Josh. Plenty to eat and drink! Josh is a sports writer and was very personable. We highly recommend.

Fantasic tour, a lot of insights and tastings - and great fun. We went for lunch together and had a lovely day. I highly reccomand to take the tour.

My trip was guided by Eri, a very warm lady who took good care of us. She detaily introduced each garden with adequate amount of history for our information. And she's also so cheerful that made the tour so enjoyable. And for the Zen meditation guided by the monk, it was also a very calming experience that I never have in other places. And finally, the vegan meal was remarkable! Every dish is so exquisite, each of us enjoy that a lot.

Duncan was amazing! Very knowledgeable and he gives to ideas of new places to check out while you travel with him. Highly recommend!

Great evening. Host Rika and fellow guests were great company. Restaurants, food and drinks all new experiences. Saw a side of Kyoto which we wouldn’t have otherwise experienced.

Matt our tour guide was amazing, I went with 2 other friends who all work in the hospitality industry and it was a refreshing and informative experience. Couldn’t recommend more.

Had a great time exploring a suburb of Kyoto that we wouldn’t have otherwise visited. Really appreciated Mat’s knowledge of the local area too. Probably drank too much sake at the izakaya!

I had an amazing time on the Kyoto Bar Hopping Night Tour! The tour guides were not only fun and engaging but also incredibly knowledgeable about Kyoto’s history, adding an extra layer of depth to the experience. Each bar and izakaya we visited served delicious food and drinks, giving us a true taste of Kyoto’s nightlife. The atmosphere was lively, and it was a great way to meet new people while exploring hidden gems in the city. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a fun and authentic bar-hopping experience in Kyoto!

A WONDERFUL BIKE TOUR, PREFECT ARRANGEMENT INCLUDE THE CHOICE THE PATH, GUIDE PROFESSIONALISM. THE HISTORY OF EACH SPOT IS WELL EXPLAINED. A MUST JOIN TOUR IN KYOTO

Yukari was the perfect guide - friendly, positive, well informed, curious, considerate and attentive. The route was so varied and often breathtakingly beautiful. It was a great way to understand some of the layout of the city and locations of temples and parks from the ground.