Best Kyoto Garden Tours — Our Top 4

1.Kyoto Zen Meditation & Garden Tour at a Zen Temple with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 441 reviews · from $110Our pick

Spend about 4.5 hours exploring Kyoto’s Tofukuji area with a local guide such as Yutaka or Hikari. Visit Zen temples and a dry garden, learn zazen from a monk, and eat a traditional Buddhist lunch. The group is limited to seven, with temple admissions included.

“It was a excellent zen experience with japanese garden and temple. I learned about zen and Buddha and Buddhism. Also vegetarian lunch was a excellent choice”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo forest & Garden Half-Day Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 413 reviews · from $129

Spend about five hours walking through Arashiyama with a certified guide and no more than seven people. Visit Hokyoin, the bamboo forest, Okochi Sanso Garden, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Tenryuji Temple. Your fee includes temple and garden admissions, lunch, matcha, a small tea snack, and tour photos.

“Josh is an amazing tour guide. He explained great details about the history and the culture during the tour, he was humorous, and told the stories in a fun and memorable style. The lunch was delicious, elegant, and fancy. I enjoyed very much. I would highly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Kyoto Kiyomizu Tea Ceremony with Scenic Garden Views

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · from $50Best value

At Tea Ceremony SAKAGUCHIAN near Kiyomizu, a tea master guides you through the gestures, tools, and customs of Japanese tea. You will watch one preparation, learn to make matcha yourself, and enjoy two cups with wagashi sweets while looking onto a seasonal garden. The session lasts about 45 minutes and welcomes no more than 12 people.

“Extremely kind and professional staff, very knowledgeable about tea ceremonies and excited to answer questions!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Japanese Gardens Private Customizable Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 18 reviews · 6 hours · from $151

Spend six hours exploring Kyoto gardens with a private English- or Japanese-speaking guide. Choose temples such as Ryoanji, Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji, Nanzenji, or Tofukuji, or let your guide plan the day. You’ll walk through Zen gardens, seasonal plantings, and dry rock gardens, with transport and entrance fees paid separately.

“It covered everything we discussed and shoji was very knowledgeable and informative. He spoke English well and was very well travelled outside of Japan so had an informed perspective on almost anything we discussed. Was willing to share his perspective easily. Easy to be with. As well. Also, gave just the right amount of information. Not too much and not too little.”

Check availability →Read our full review