Cultural & Theme Tours in Kansai

Get a taste for the traditional Japanese arts in Kyoto during this 4-hour, small-group cultural performance complemented by an authentic Japanese-style dinner. Enjoy a diverse range of performances covering Japanese arts including 'maiko' dancing, flower arrangement, 'gagaku' court music, puppet theater and much more. Finish your experience with an atmospheric tea ceremony, conducted by candlelight, followed by a delicious dinner. This small-group event, limited to just 24 guests, also includes a guide and round-trip transport by taxi to select Kyoto hotels.

Save time by taking part in three traditional Japanese activities in just a few hours on this cultural experience. Put on a kimono and spend roughly half an hour each on Japanese calligraphy lessons, a tea ceremony, and an onigiri - rice ball - cooking class. The lessons take place in a centuries'-old temple with lovely gardens.

Cycle the picturesque shores of Lake Biwa, enjoying jaw-dropping views and mouth-watering homemade food, during this this 6.5-hour bike trip. Pedal past sights like Shirahige Shrine and the nearby 'Torii' gate. Once you've worked up an appetite, take a scenic taxi ride to a mountain village in the nearby Hata district, enjoying a country-style lunch prepared by an 'Obaachan' (elderly woman), lively conversation and a chance to stroll the village's charming streets. A guide, bike and helmet, lunch and train from Kyoto are covered.

Kyoto is one of Japan's most popular travel destinations and with over 50 million annual visitors, it can get busy. This tour makes an early start so you can avoid the crowds and cram much more into your day. Stroll around the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before the tour groups arrive, visit Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion) right as it opens, and walk through the torii gates of Fushimi Inari (Shrine) before the midday heat.

How about walking around Nara must-see spots with a highly experienced guide?This tour visits three must-see spots in deer park area, Nara. Kasuga-taisha shrine - praised for its beautiful vermilion constructions and three thousand of stone lanterns and hanging lanterns, Todai-ji temple - renowned for its Great Buddha originally created in the eighth century, and Kofuku-ji temple - closely related to Fujiwara family, a noble family once at the summit of its prosperity. Along the way, other scenic spots of Nara, such as Mt. Kasuga, Tobihino hill, Ukimi-do gazebo, and Suikinkutsu (a buried pot that makes harp-like sound with water drops) will also attract your eyes and ears. At the end of the tour, we will take the time to experience Japanese cultures such as origami or kumihimo braiding. This tour is recommended not only for first-time visitors to Nara but also for repeat visitors to discover new charms of Nara.

This whirlwind Sakura tour is the perfect way to get the most out of your Japan trip. You'll travel in comfort on a private coach, and visit 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Mt. Fuji, Nara and Hiroshima. Save time waiting in lines, as all entry fees are included and you'll visit many top attractions such as Asakusa, and Kinkakuji temple. Your private guide will ensure you don't get lost, and accommodation is included too.

If you're only in Hiroshima for a short time, make the most of it on a private, personalized tour of Central Hiroshima and Iwakuni. Your guide shows your small group the city's beautiful treasures and historic highlights, from the Peace Park Museum and its history to the unique Kintaikyo bridge. Explore local street food - your guide points you to the best delicacies and unusual bites. End your day with a delicious, authentic dinner with your choice of yakiniku or sushi. Convenient round trip van transport from your hotel.

When visiting the beautiful island of Miyajima, you'll see women walking around in authentic kimono. If you want to try wearing kimono yourself, this tour is for you. Choose your favorite print from a wide selection of silk and designer kimono. Experienced staff help you dress in traditional style. You'll then be able to wear your kimono to appreciate Miyajima's historical sights and take photographs.

Stroll the back alleys of Kyoto, missed by many visitors, as dusk falls and they are at their most atmospheric on this private guided tour. In the company of just a guide and your party, see how ancient tradition blends with contemporary culture as you explore the enchanting wooden alleyways lit with traditional paper lanterns in the historic Gion district and the picturesque streets of old Pontocho, where, with luck, you might spot a geisha or two.

Immerse yourself in the rhythms and traditions of life in a Japanese village during this 3-hour visit to the town of Ogi, including a 'mochi'-making lesson (Japanese rice cakes). Walk amidst the terraced rice fields of this picturesque town, discovering its more than 1,300 years of rice farming history. Then visit the home of a local farmer, learning the techniques to make 'mochi' while enjoying the warm hospitality of this friendly resident and his wife. A guide, plus lunch, mochi class and train from Kyoto are included.

Visit the enchanting district of Arashiyama, renowned for its thick bamboo groves, resident monkeys, and well-preserved sacred shrines. On this personalized excursion, you'll join a local guide to explore the stunning region, which lies at the foothills of the Arashiyama Mountains. Tours include admission tickets to four local temples as well as Okochi Sanso Villa, a traditional Japanese home and garden inscribed as national cultural properties.

This day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima is the easy way to see many sights in a single day, some of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Travel by comfortable air-conditioned coach to important World War II-era places in Hiroshima, and the iconic red gates of Miyajima's Itsukushima Shrine, which appear to float on water. You'll learn all about the history and culture of these attractions from your English-speaking guide and through an audio-guide on board your bus.

Night owls who enjoy the spooky side of their travels won't want to miss this haunted ghost tour of Kyoto. If you dare, you'll walk through a little-known side of the city. Get past the tourist traps and walk through tunnels, visit temples, and explore areas where ghost hunters like to play. Hear history and stories that are guaranteed to chill your bones.

Dress in traditional Japanese attire in this kimono and yukata experience in Kyoto. You won't have to worry about wearing the clothing incorrectly as you'll have a professional fitting session. Stroll around Gion, and visit nearby shrines such as Kiyomizu-dera and Heianjingu Shrine. The experience is flexible, and different time slots are offered throughout the day. You can also upgrade your experience to include makeup, and hair styling.

Together with the No.1 sightseeing spot of Japan, Fushimi Inari Taisha in the early morning,you can enjoy visiting representative spots of Nara as well. It is an efficient tour that is perfect if you wake up early from the time difference, if you want to visit Fushimi Inari with fewer tourists, or if you want to enjoy other activities in the afternoon.

It's not only temples and shrines to visit in Kyoto.Learning and experiencing Japanese new and traditional culture enables you to understand Japan and its people better and deeper.

Learn the intricate arts of Japan during a small-group origami class or calligraphy lesson, taught by an instructor inside an authentic Kyoto home during a 1- or 1.5-hour lesson. Choose between a calligraphy session, involving the methodical practice of applying brush to paper, or try your hand at origami, the delicate skill of paper folding. You can also upgrade your origami session with an optional dress-up in a traditional kimono. No matter your choice, you'll receive personal attention during this small-group lesson, limited to just 7 participants.

This guided tour helps you discover lots of Kyoto's dispersed temples, shrines, and cultural attractions in one day. You'll save time researching and planning your trip, by having the itinerary organized for you. You'll travel in an air-conditioned coach, and it'll be a hassle-free day with a guarantee to skip the lines. Highlights include Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, the Inari Shrines, Sagano Bamboo Forest, and Kyoto Cultural Forest.

See the highlights of Hiroshima in a personalized private walking tour. A private tour means you can customize your experience and choose your own itinerary. You'll be picked up in a private vehicle, and your guide will accompany you so you don't get lost. Possible Hiroshima attractions include Itsukushima Shrine, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the Peace Memorial.

For outsiders, Japanese culture can be difficult to grasp but this guided tour offers the chance to get a locals' eye view of one of the most traditional of Japanese settings. Accompanied by a guide, stroll through the historic streets of Kyoto's Gion district, famed for its scenic cobbled streets lit by paper lanterns, traditional architecture, and association with geiko and maiko culture. Visit Pontocho alley, one of Japan's oldest nightlife areas, and stroll by geisha teahouses as your guide offers insights into local culture.