Top 10 Things to do Adventurous in Kyoto, Kinki

August 1, 2021 Milan Banda

The shrines and temples of Kyoto offer a rare link between modern life in the city and its very ancient past. The Shimogamo Shrine dates to the 6th century and seems suspended in time, its serenity and spiritual power still palpable. Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, then see the life-sized Thousand Armed Kannon statues of Sanjūsangen-dō. Enjoy traditional geisha performances, then savor a tranquil meal at a restaurant overlooking the Kamo River.
Restaurants in Kyoto

1. Ebisuya, Kyoto Higashiyama

Excellent
97%
Good
3%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,135 reviews

Ebisuya, Kyoto Higashiyama

Enjoy Japanese history, traditions, and the seasonal beauties from a rickshaw with our staff's omotenashi (hospitality). Our staff, with a rich knowledge of the city, will help make a special memory for your trip. We will take you to see interesting things you would not find in guidebooks or on websites.

2. Cycle Kyoto

Excellent
93%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,043 reviews

Cycle Kyoto

Cycle Kyoto organises small group bike adventures in Japan’s ancient capital of Kyoto, all in English, and all in a day. With over 2,000 temples and shrines and no less than 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites,

3. Street Kart Kyoto

Excellent
98%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 249 reviews

Street Kart Kyoto

Take On A Street Go-Kart Thru Kyoto! Extremely exciting and a must have experience when you visit Kyoto Japan. Just imagine yourself on a custom made go kart specifically tailored to realize the Real Life SuperHero Go-Karting experience! Dress up in your favorite character costume, playing the music of your choice and driving through the city of Kyoto!!

4. Samurai Kenbu Theater

35-7 Sanchome, Higashiyama-Ku GOZAN Hotel B1F, Kyoto 605-0005 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-751-2033 [email protected] http://www.samurai-kembu.co.jp/
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 787 reviews

Samurai Kenbu Theater

Kenbu, literally means 'sword dance' is one of Japanese traditional performing arts that shows the spirits and the culture of the Samurai. Samurai kenbu show and other lesson programs are available. All programs are held in English. Come and feel the traditions of the Samurai!!

Reviewed By Beenster - Yardley, United States

One of the highlights of our visit to Kyoto, learned more history than at the Nijo castle then had a chance to do some samurai training and ninja training, we added the tea ceremony to get a flavor of that as well. Fun and educational activity that provides some insight into Japanese history

5. Taiko Center Kyoto Studio

113-4 Takatsujiomiyacho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8387 Kyoto Prefecture +81 120-923-915 [email protected] http://www.taiko-center.co.jp/
Excellent
91%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 196 reviews

Taiko Center Kyoto Studio

Taiko Center offer an hour long taiko drumming class to tourists from all over the world! Taiko is a Japanese traditional drum that is often performed at festivals and ceremonies. It's loud, it's powerful, it's SUPER fun! No experience or Japanese language needed! We offer an opportunity for you to experience the local culture in first hand. Come empty handed and you will leave with an unforgettable memory! Our group lesson for foreign tourists are offered at various times on weekdays. Please check our booking page for more information and to make a reservation.

Reviewed By DLBexplores

This, hands down, was my favorite experience on our trip to Tokyo/Kyoto. I had emailed ahead of time to try to book a class. All of them were full, so I asked if I could be added to one or just go in and watch a class. The folks at the Kyoto studio were kind enough to open up a new class for me and my husband. Taiko drumming turns out to be a mix of all the things I love. It is musical and physical. The instructor, Kaede Bande, was amazing. She is a talented drummer and teacher: funny, energetic and patient. If you take one of these classes be prepared to laugh and sweat! What could be better? If you have a chance to take this class, do it!!! Loved it!

6. Geisha and Maiko Makeover Experience in Kyoto Gion Aya

499-8 Shimogawaracho, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto 605-0825 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-532-6666 [email protected] http://kyoto-maiko.com/
Excellent
89%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 190 reviews

Geisha and Maiko Makeover Experience in Kyoto Gion Aya

We love Kyoto and we love the world of the maiko! It is our pleasure to provide a lasting and fun experience through traditional Kyoto culture. At our studio you can turn yourself into a maiko complete with real traditional wigs, kimonos, obis, shoes and accessories. And then you can have a studio portrait taken, take your own photos and walk around on the amazing old streets that are just minutes from our front door. Our staffs extend a warm welcome to you. We are located in a traditional 100-year-old machiya townhouse, sitting in the heart of Kyoto's legendary Gion district. The most famous home of the maiko in all of Japan surrounded by traditional restaurants, ryokans, tea houses, shrines and more. Our make-up room and entire machiya townhouse is clean, comfortable and elegant. Our amenities and facilities were designed to create a perfect experience from start to finish. Let us turn you into a Japanese maiko. What to bring: - Your own cosmetics. We provide the cosmetics for the maiko experience but not for afterwards. - Your camera. We take studio photos but also give you time to take more photos on your own.

Reviewed By Emzshea - Welling, United Kingdom

I can't rate this place enough. From start to finish it was an amazing experience. The staff were all lovely and very attentive. The experience flowed smoothly and I had the most amazing time. The make up was fantastic and there were many kimonos to choose from. The packages are very fairly priced and the photos you get at the end are fab. No one pushes you to buy anything extra, which makes you feel at ease. I'd go back and get it done all over again if I had the time. There was an apprentice photographer who was so sweet and gave me a special photo and origami for my birthday. I'd highly recommend the experience!!!!!

7. L'Escamoteur Bar

138-9 Saisekidori, Shijosagaru, Saitocho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8012 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-708-8511 https://www.facebook.com/pages/L-Escamoteur/1392735951033939?sk=timeline
Excellent
88%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 234 reviews

L'Escamoteur Bar

Vintage Cocktails, Old-Time Atmosphere, Magic House, Elixirs and Mystery. Are you ready to take a step into the unknown?!

Reviewed By gracecyl - Singapore, Singapore

My boyfriend and I absolutely enjoyed our time here at L’escomoteur. Seriously the ambience and setting is FANTASTIC!! All the tools and props are wonderfully curated to fit the intended aesthetics of this magical bar. The cocktail menu was insane. Very thoughtfully crafted with interesting ingredients you never thought would go well together to give multi-dimensional drinks that was so full of depth and flavour. We both had 6 drinks in total and we would have more if we didn’t spend our dinner time queuing and had to rush off before all the other restaurants closed for dinner. This place is such a gem and I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone coming to Kyoto!!! Please. This is absolutely one of the highlights of my entire Japan trip. Thank you Christophe!

8. Ninja Dojo and Store

528 Hakurakutencho, Shimogyo-Ku 2f, Kyoto 600-8422 Kyoto Prefecture +81 70-2289-2228 [email protected] http://ninjadojoandstore.com
Excellent
96%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 641 reviews

Ninja Dojo and Store

Ninja hands-on training in english and ninja items store in down town Kyoto. Original and unique training which ninja actually used to train in the distant past. You can learn ninja arts, techniques, wisdom, spirits and survival skill. Experience authentic, traditional, historical, educational and cultural ninja training with ninja clothes, ninja meditation, ninja walking ,shuriken(ninja stars), ninja sword, kunai(dagger) and other ninja weapons. We provide two level of lessons. Entry level (1-hour lesson / 8,500 JPY per person) is basic ninja training. Elementary level (2-hour lesson / 12,500 JPY per person) is based on the entry level lesson and additional 5 more techniques. Ninja training is good for Group, Couple, Solo, Kids, Family, Activity, Martial arts, Workout, Exercise, City, Indoor, Rain and All seasons. At the store like a museum there are various ninja arms, tools, clothes and items that you couldn't find at other places. Feel the ninja spirit!

Reviewed By MaryH804

This was recommended by our travel company and I am so glad we booked it. It was an awesome experience for our family of 5. Kids ages 5, 8 and 11 all loved it. From the ninja outfits, the excellent instructor ( a woman- love my daughters and son getting great female role models) through a nice variety of information about ninjas from weapons and stealth walking, the hand movements regarding strength and the willingness to take as many photos as we wanted. It didn’t feel rushed or touristy at all. It was such a nice change from temples and shopping. Thank you for a great memory. The only negative- not having a T-shirt in my sons size!!

9. Maiko Antiques Kyoto

157 Komatsucho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0811 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-541-2626 [email protected] http://maiko-antiques-kyoto.strikingly.com/
Excellent
92%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 26 reviews

Maiko Antiques Kyoto

Our store not certain when are store days off. It vary each week. Please make a reservation with us three days in advance since we are only able to check E-mail every two days, it is not possible to answer immediately with short notice. When upon visiting our shop, we suggest that it is best to make a reservation with us three days in advance. The shop closes during rainy days, and therefore we like to ask for three possible visiting dates when making reservation. Maiko Antiques is packed with geisha items, kimono,Vintage accessories, clothing, photographs, dolls, books, postcards, jewelry, masks, one-of-kind oddities, and other vintage and retro Japanese treasures. There are plenty of specials bargain vintage item in the garage sale outside the store. These are ideal for souvenirs. Kimono can find many rare clothes from 500 yen. &Tax free shop.

Reviewed By monroehome

We were on our way back from the crowded streets near the Kiyomizu Shrine when we saw some kimonos outside a quiet little shop on the back roads. It was different from any of the other shops, odd things at crazy good prices ( bought a vintage kimono for 20 US dollars.) Inside the shop was a tiny wonderland of old things, from prints on the ceiling, to dolls, jewelry, books, pottery, masks, you name it. We did 90% of all our gift and souvenir shopping here. But we both are artists with a pension for the old and weird. Great place!

10. SagaradenNomura

26 Sagashakado Daimoncho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8422 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-871-4353 [email protected] http://sagaraden.com/en/
Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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5.0 based on 95 reviews

SagaradenNomura

Get your own handcraft with Raden and Makie! In our class, you can get hands on experience to make either a tray or a couple coasters. We hope you have a wonderful time to experience this beautiful japan art. We have an English-speaking instructor. You can book the class from our HP. Only 5 min from bamboo grove and 10 min from JR SAGA ARASHIYAMA St. Raden means handcrafts of lacquer ware with seashells and Makie means a traditional lacquer ware technique with gold powder to decorate.

Reviewed By bechyy - Spencers Wood, United Kingdom

My boyfriend and I visited today and made some beautiful trays. We were seated in the traditional workshop, and made our trays alongside the 4th generation family who run the shop, and have been making their artwork for over 100 years. Nick also showed us some of the beautiful pieces his grandfather had made which were exquisite, alongside all the beautiful newer pieces in the store! Nick was an incredible host, and very informative and accommodating, with excellent English. If you are in Kyoto, would highly recommend this class, it’s easy to book on the website and is only a 5 min walk from the bamboo forest and temples. Thank you again, Nick!

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