5 Best Kyoto Night Tours
Kyoto is beautiful during the day, and it’s a ton of fun at night! We highly recommend taking a night tour while you’re in the city, because this can be a fantastic way of discovering the city’s best food, drink, and entertainment after dark.
In fact, we tested out several night tours while we were in Kyoto, and now we’ve rounded up our top 5 picks for you! From walking tours to local bar crawls and foodie experiences, there are lots of fun experiences to choose from, and we’ve shared our honest thoughts to help you make the right decision. You can’t let a night in Kyoto go to waste, so let’s dive in!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE night tour was this food tour in Kyoto. We explored historic areas with our guide, tried lots of traditional foods, and even had a sake tasting! This was a great introduction to Kyoto and super fun!
Check out the 1,200+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here.
1. Kyoto Night Time Foodie Tour
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 5 or 6 pm
- Highlights: exploring two traditional Geisha districts, visiting izakaya’s, full kaiseki dinner, matcha dessert, trying sake
- Inclusions: food, 3 different types of sake, tour photos, English-speaking guide
- Rating: 4.8 stars (check 1,200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
There are so many reasons why this specific tour is our top choice of night tours in Kyoto! What initially drew us to it (aside from the glowing reviews) was that it explores Gion and Pontocho, two of Kyoto’s well-known geisha districts. We loved exploring all of the historic narrow streets and alleyways with a local who knew where to go.
It was so interesting learning about geisha culture from our guide, Natsu, as we explored, and we even saw some geishas walking through Gion. We also stopped off at three izakaya’s over the course of the tour, none of which we would ever have found without Natsu!
At the first spot, we enjoyed some sake and appetizers, and then at the second izakaya we got a full kaiseki dinner. This is a multi-course haute cuisine meal and enjoying at least one kaiseki dinner is a MUST while you’re in Japan! Finally, we got a yummy matcha dessert before ending the night at a standing room bar, where we decided to stay for a few more drinks with our fellow travelers.
This tour was so much fun and an amazing introduction to Kyoto and its cuisine. In fact, I would suggest booking this tour for your first evening in Kyoto, as you not only get tons of delicious food, but you also get to explore some of the city’s most iconic areas. We had the best time, and would highly recommend this tour to anyone!
Book this tour with over 1,200 5-star reviews here!
2. Small Group Night Tour of Gion with Dinner and Drinks
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 6:30 pm
- Highlights: exploring Gion, learning about geishas and modern-day hostesses, trying lots of different foods
- Inclusions: dinner, two drinks, local guide
- Rating: 4.7 stars (check 400+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
We loved this evening tour of Gion, which is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district. Gion is a thriving entertainment district, so it really comes alive at night, but it’s definitely best to go with a guide who can ensure that you don’t miss any of the top spots!
Our guide, Andres, taught us so much about geisha culture and we learned a lot about modern-day Japanese hostesses, known as kyabakura. He also took us to two fantastic izakaya’s, where we got to eat so much delicious local food, including sashimi, tempura, and rice-wine infused tofu! We actually booked the upgraded version of the tour which included Kobe beef and we’re so glad that we did. It was absolutely sensational!
We also got a drink at each spot, which meant we got to try some fantastic local craft beer, although we could have opted for sake, shochu, or non-alcoholic drinks instead. Andres also took us strolling along the Kamogawa River after dark, which was pretty magical, and we also explored the famous Kawaramachi shopping street and the nearby Pontocho area.
It was so much fun soaking up the nighttime atmosphere and learning about the history of all of these places, and the time really did fly by.
We think that this small group tour is ideal for solo travelers, couples, and groups of friends. It’s the ideal way to experience Kyoto’s buzzing entertainment scene like a local, and hopefully glimpse a geisha or two along the way!
Book this tour here to get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
3. Kyoto Gion Nighttime Walking Tour
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 5 – 6 pm
- Highlights: exploring Gion’s backstreets and hidden hotspots, visiting temples and shrines, learning about geisha culture
- Inclusions: water, a snack, English-speaking guide
- Rating: 4.7 stars (check 250+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
This nighttime walking tour of Gion is our top choice for families visiting Kyoto! It’s a fun walking tour that explores the historic streets of the famous Gion district. Gion is incredibly charming, with lots of wooden buildings, traditional tea houses, and tucked-away izakayas, and we loved exploring with a guide who was able to explain the history and culture to us.
We particularly enjoyed exploring Hanamikoji Street, which is super picturesque and is home to tea houses that date all the way back to the Edo period! We also got to admire the Yasaka Shrine (also known as the Gion Shrine). We loved seeing the shrine’s ornate vermillion gate, and all of the lanterns hanging from the eaves of the main hall.
Our guide, Jasmine, taught us so much about not just Gion’s geisha culture, but also the Shinto religion and Japanese Buddhism, and how the two coexist in modern-day Japan. We did manage to glimpse some geishas out and about, too, and Jasmine even took us to the Gion Starbucks. This may not sound that exciting, but this branch is actually really cool because it’s housed in a traditional Japanese wooden building with tatami seating, so it’s totally unlike any other Starbucks we’ve ever visited!
All in all, this tour was a fantastic way to get to know Gion. We opted to join the group tour, but you can actually book a private walking tour if you prefer, which we think would be ideal for families!
Book this tour with HUNDREDS of glowing reviews here, before it sells out!
4. Kyoto Local Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi Area
- Duration: 3 hours
- Time: 7 pm
- Highlights: exploring Kawaramachi, visiting local bars and izakaya’s, exploring Kiyamachi pedestrian street
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 150+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
This local bar crawl is the ultimate Kyoto night tour for anyone who wants to party! We had so much fun discovering the city’s buzzing nightlife in the Kawaramachi area, which is basically THE place to party in Kyoto.
We kicked things off with a visit to a local izakaya where our awesome guide, Kazuto, ordered some yummy bar snacks for us including fried chicken and yakitori skewers. We should add that food and drinks are on your own account on the night, but it’s so worth booking this tour to have a local guide to show you where to go and plan a fun evening!
We also visited standing room-only bars and explored Kiyamachi, a vibrant pedestrian-only street that runs parallel to the river. Here, we visited more izakaya’s where we had plenty of sake and local draft beers, before ending the night at a karaoke bar. Needless to say, that was an absolute blast.
Kazuto kept the energy high for the entire night and he even stuck around to spend time with our group for a while after the tour had officially ended. We’re honestly so glad that we did this tour because it was such a fun way to blow off some steam after a busy day of sightseeing. And hey, what better way to learn about a culture than to party like a local?
This tour is ideal for solo travelers, couples, or groups of friends looking for a fun night out in Kyoto.
Check availability and book this tour in advance here!
5. Kyoto Foodie Night Tour
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Time: 5 pm
- Highlights: tasting a variety of foods, visiting Nishiki Market and multiple izakaya’s, walking through Pontocho mini geisha district
- Inclusions: 7-10 food tastings, at least 2 alcoholic drinks, English-speaking guide
- Rating: 4.9 stars (check 175+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: no
- Price: Check price here!
If you want to explore Nishiki Market and Pontocho like a local, this is the perfect tour for you! We found this tour to be a fun way to kick off a night out in Kyoto, starting out with a sake tasting.
This tour really stands out in terms of food quality. We enjoyed fresh sashimi, miso-glazed tofu skewers, and, best of all, hoba miso, which is miso grilled on a magnolia leaf. We even got to grill it ourselves!
We started by exploring the Nishiki Market and trying lots of street food snacks, before moving onto a few different izakaya’s where we tried some different obanzai dishes. Our guide explained to us that for a dish to be obanzai, at least half of its ingredients must come from Kyoto, which we found really cool!
Then, we wrapped up the tour with a quick walk around Pontocho, the “mini geisha” district. It’s not quite as famous as Gion, but it’s still one of Kyoto’s five thriving geisha districts. We loved the atmosphere here, and there are plenty of fun izakaya’s for those looking to continue their night out!
All in all, we think that this tour is a fantastic choice for those who are short on time, because you get to experience so much in just a few hours! From exploring the market to checking out izakaya’s and exploring one of Kyoto’s coolest districts, we thought that this tour did a great job of showcasing Kyoto’s food scene and character.
Secure your spot on this tour here to access flexible payment and cancellation options!
Where to Stay in Kyoto
Looking for the perfect place to stay in Kyoto? We’ve got you covered! There are tons of great hotel options, and Kyoto is very well connected by buses and trains. So if you’re staying downtown or a little outside of the city center, you’ll still be able to get around!
Here are my top three picks:
Luxury – $$$
A trip to Kyoto isn’t complete without a traditional Japanese stay, so Kyoto Ryokan Kinoe is an excellent option! This Ryokan is set in the best area of Kyoto, within walking distance from the Gion geisha district. The rooms have that traditional charm with futon beds, fresh tea, and access to public baths and the charming stone garden.
Prices vary by season but average around $300 USD per night. Check availability and book this stay online here.
Mid-range – $$
Located in the Shimogyo district, Hotel Resol Kyoto Shijo Muromachi is a comfortable stay at a moderate price point. The rooms are spacious and modern, ranging from Hollywood twin to double rooms. You can enjoy the onsite restaurant or you’re a quick walk from downtown Kyoto’s top spots.
Rooms start around $120 USD and can get to $250+ USD. Check prices and book this hotel in advance.
Budget – $
Miro Kyoto Nijo Hotel is a fantastic budget option, offering simple yet clean and comfortable rooms. Situated in the Nakagyo area, this hotel is conveniently located next to the JR station and the bus station so you can easily get around Kyoto. They offer twin or double rooms, ranging from about $50 to $150 USD.
Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
For more options, check out all of the hotels in Kyoto here!
Thanks for reading!
Kyoto truly comes alive at night and we had so much fun exploring on a night tour. There are a lot of different options to suit any type of traveler, so I know you’ll have a fantastic time no matter which tour you go with!
Make sure to check out all of our Japan blogs before you take off! We have lots of resources to share from things we wish we knew before we visited to our favorite places, and can’t miss experiences.
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