AIRBNB EXPERIENCES

Cultural tour activities in Kyoto

Book unique activities hosted by local experts on Airbnb.

Top-rated cultural tours

View our most highly rated experiences, loved by guests.

4.9 out of 5 average rating, 2060 reviews

Explore Kyoto in a Kimono

Choose a kimono, get styled, and explore Kyoto's historic streets. ＊Please note that we cannot dress pregnant women

4.99 out of 5 average rating, 189 reviews

Kyoto Gion Walk with Local: Culture & Geisha World

Explore Gion with Michael’s local guide team, from Shirakawa and geisha culture to historic temples, shrines and Nene no Michi. Discover the stories and traditions behind Kyoto’s iconic district.

4.94 out of 5 average rating, 87 reviews

Kyoto Arashiyama Chopstick Making Workshop

Create your own wooden chopsticks in a hands-on workshop in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district. Learn about the cultural significance of chopsticks in Japan and take home a unique souvenir.

4.97 out of 5 average rating, 1666 reviews

Experience kyoto's tea culture

Join me for a unique tea ceremony and learn about our culture through the art of matcha.

4.84 out of 5 average rating, 32 reviews

Handcraft Your Own Japanese Chopsticks in Osaka

Traditional Chopstick Making with a Local Artisan in Osaka. Guided by an English-speaking instructor, carve and finish your own unique set. A perfect, practical souvenir and cultural experience!

4.94 out of 5 average rating, 2482 reviews

Learn tea ceremony in traditional Kyoto townhouse

Recently matcha tea has become popular all over the world. Matcha plays a very important role in a traditional tea ceremony. However, learning it means much more than just learning to make matcha.

4.99 out of 5 average rating, 298 reviews

Kimono Photoshoot in Kyoto Gion

We are photography studio and based in Kyoto with more than 14 years of experiences. For casual, pre-wedding, or other types of photoshoot in other locations, message us. Ins: boonchenglimphotography

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 264 reviews

Kyoto tea town for matcha lover　

Walk Uji’s histric district, grind matcha, taste sweets, and join a tea ceremony.

4.96 out of 5 average rating, 864 reviews

Cycle through hidden Kyoto

Ride through Kyoto’s best-kept secrets—from tranquil Zen gardens to magnificent temples. Departures at 8:30, 9:00, 12:30 & 1:00. Arrive 15 min early—late arrivals may miss the tour.

4.94 out of 5 average rating, 928 reviews

Hidden Osaka Red Light Tour & Culinary Adventure

The only in-depth tour of the Hidden Red Light District of Osaka with authorized tour guides, as well as retro theme parks of Shinsekai, followed with a local dish (skewers!) ※Small Groups of 8 People

Latest Activities

Explore new local experiences, activities for everyone.

New place to stay

Amagasaki Castle, charming Shitamachi Teramachi and shopping streets, and a local food guide tour with a local history navigator

Let's go on a trip to experience history and the atmosphere of an old downtown area in Amagasaki, just a stone's throw from Osaka. After visiting Amagasaki Castle, which has been beautifully rebuilt with state-of-the-art facilities, we will explore the quiet temple district, which still retains a strong sense of the Edo period, and the historic Ebisu Shrine. I know the area inside and out through my work with the local government and volunteer activities, and I will explain the history and culture of the area in an easy-to-understand way. I will also take you to shopping streets loved by locals and hidden gems, offering you a special time to deeply experience the charm of Amagasaki.

New place to stay

Osaka: Painting Daruma doll Eye, Katsuo-ji Temple

Explore the 1,300-year-old Katsuo-ji Temple on a guided tour from Osaka. Learn about the temple's history, choose to participate in the daruma eye-painting ritual, and add a hike to Minoh Waterfall.

New place to stay

Osaka & Nara Highlights: Full-Day Private Car Tour

Move seamlessly by private car from castle grounds to bustling food stalls, neon canals and midcentury streets, then step into Nara Park and Todaiji temple.

New place to stay

Explore Osaka: Must-See Highlights Private Tour

Circle moats and stone ramparts, step onto the Umeda Sky Building views, then thread through Kuromon market, Shinsekai, Namba Yasaka Shrine and Dotonbori lights.

New place to stay

Dotonbori Family Tour & Photoshoot with Frame Gift

Explore Dotonbori's neon and Hozenji's lantern-lit lanes with a local guide who photographs your whole group along the way. 50+ edited photos by the next morning, plus a framed print.

New place to stay

Step back in time to a romantic evening in old Japan. A journey to immerse yourself in the story of Japanese dance and encounter Japanese beauty and the spirit of Zen

Would you like to step into a night of romance in old Japan? Step into an actual Japanese dance studio that has been in use for 60 years. Beginning with a quiet meditation with incense and bells, you will follow the love story of one woman and experience the choreography of Japanese dance that expresses traditional love divination and storytelling. After that, you will watch a performance by a certified Japanese dance master up close. Finally, you will use ink to paint your feelings on a single sheet of coloured paper. Take home the beauty of Japan along with the lingering impression of the story.

New place to stay

Tea Ceremony in a 120-Year-Old Kyoto House

Experience Japanese tea culture in a Kyoto townhouse over 120 years old, located on Ninen-zaka near Kiyomizu-dera Temple. We introduce the basic etiquette in an easy-to-understand way for beginners, including the history of the tea ceremony and tea, how to behave in a tea room, and how to handle tea bowls. In addition to matcha, you will compare sencha and hojicha, which come from the same tea plant, and learn about the differences in aroma and flavour resulting from their different production methods. Finally, use a bamboo whisk to prepare matcha yourself and enjoy it with seasonal Japanese sweets.

New place to stay

Sumo Show & Full Course Meal of Wagyu Beef or Tuna – Kyoto Food and Culture Experience Tour

This tour allows you to enjoy a sumo show and challenge along with an authentic Wagyu beef or tuna course meal. First, the MC will give an explanation of the history of sumo, then the wrestlers will appear and recreate their training. Next, watch the sumo wrestlers compete in a best-of-three match. Finally, everyone who wants to can try their hand at sumo wrestling. After the show, you can enjoy a Wagyu beef or tuna set meal with all-you-can-drink for 2 hours. * The 7:15 p.m. plan starts with the meal and then moves on to the show.

New place to stay

Kyoto: Custom-Made Japanese Samurai Replica Sword

Craft your own Japanese replica sword in a hands-on workshop in Kyoto. Cast the blade, choose your scabbard and handle, and learn about the history of Japanese swords.

New place to stay

From the evening sky of the City of Water to spectacular night views. A tour on a high-end British-made bicycle Sophisticated Night Cycling in Nakanoshima, Osaka

Nakanoshima, the water city where culture and elegance come alive, is the birthplace of Osaka, the commercial capital. Ride along the river on a high-end British bicycle as the day transitions from evening to night. Experience the exquisite cityscape created by grand modern architecture and sparkling contemporary skyscrapers with all your senses. At the climax of the tour, enjoy a breathtaking view of the city you've just cycled through from the observation deck on the 16th floor of Dojimahama Tower. We offer a one-of-a-kind premium evening where you can discover the "sophisticated side of Osaka" hidden beneath the surface of this friendly city.

More from Airbnb

Airbnb homes

Book a vacation stay

Airbnb services

Make your stay more special