Joining Food Tour Makes Your Travel Unforgettable
Are you planning a trip to Japan? Japan is a unique travel destination where each region has its own distinct cuisine and ingredients. If you are a true foodie, one of the best things to do in Japan is to enjoy the local cuisine. Kyoto, for example, is famous for its tofu, pickles, and green tea.
When visiting a place where you don’t know anyone, you may be concerned about getting caught by tourist traps.
In such a case, you may want to join a food tour organized by a local guide. You will be able to explore local restaurants, taste local cuisine, and hear stories from local guides that you won’t find in the guidebooks. Participating in a food tour is a great thing to do.
In this article, I will introduce 10 popular food tours that you should not miss if you are traveling to Kyoto.
Daytime Kyoto -Nishiki Market and Gion District Cultural Walking Food Tour
Discover Kyoto’s cuisine on a small-group tour of the city’s best food spots. Explore the centuries-old Nishiki Market, which is home to more than 130 food vendors and shops. Sample signature Kyoto dishes like pickled vegetables, Japanese pike conger eel, fried fish cakes, Japanese omelet, and mochi.
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- Duration : 3h
- Inclusions : Local and Professional guide • Food tasting • Lunch (Tofu skin, Sesame Cracker, Daggertooth pike conger eel, Sake, Tsumami, Sweets)
Kyoto Foodie Night Tour
You’ll taste get 7+ Kyoto-style Japanese food tastings, enough for a full dinner meal, served from locally-owned restaurants (Menu may vary every time based on the fresh ingredients at the market). – Two drinks as we taste local style dinner. You may also choose your drinks (Beer, sake & other drinks). Non-alcoholic beverages are also available. – Explore Kyoto, visiting popular spots as well as hidden gems. Enjoy the unique scenes of Nishiki Market, Pontocho, and Kiyamachi.
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- Duration: 3h 30m
- Inclusions: 10+ Kyoto style course meal • Sake, beer, whiskey, and soft drinks of your choice
Nishiki Market Breakfast Walking Food Tour
Stroll around Kyoto’s classic district, Gion, before enjoying breakfast. Start out the tour by enjoying morning air while walking through Gion. A local tour guide will take you around the serene and quaint morning town of Kyoto. Experience Kyoto’s “one-of-a-kind” breakfast at Nishiki Market known as the “Kitchen of Kyoto.”
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- Duration: 2h
- Inclusions : 4~5 food samplings of various market delicacies! • Photos taken during the tour • 2.5 hours with a local guide
Kyoto Arashiyama & Sagano Walking Food Tour
Explore the cultural highlights and food of two historically important districts in Kyoto on a walking tour of Arashiyama and Sagano. Cross the Togetsukyo bridge and see temples like Tenryu-ji and Jojakko-ji Temple, and stroll through a beautiful bamboo garden. Stop for tastings of typical Japanese snacks and sweets.
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- Duration: 3h 30min
- Inclusions : Lunch – Croquette, Negiyaki, Sweet Potato, Sweets • Entrance fee for Tenryu-ji Temple & Jojakko-ji Temple • Entry/Admission – Jojakkoji Temple • Entry/Admission – Tenryuji Temple
Kyoto Evening Gion Food Tour Including Kaiseki Dinner
Walk to Gion, Kyoto’s center of entertainment and traditional arts. The area is home to many invitation-only exclusive restaurants, tea houses, and traditional-style wooden buildings. Once you reach your dining destination, sit down for a 10-course Kaiseki meal, during which you will learn about the Kaiseki tradition. Kaiseki typically incorporates a combination of seasonal ingredients, prepared to maximize the harmonious blend of the flavors.
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- Duration: 3h
- Inclusions : 10 Course Dinner plus Green Tea and Dessert • One drink included
Kyoto Insider Sake Experience
The Fushimi Sake District in Kyoto is one of the biggest producers of sake (Japanese rice wine) in Japan, home to over 40 breweries. On this tour, visit the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, the largest brewery in the district, and discover the traditional brewing process on a guided tour. Complete the experience with a tasting of different sakes, each accompanied by ‘otsumami’ (traditional Japanese snacks).
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- Duration: 3h
- Inclusions : 10 Sake tasting (They are carefully selected for you to understand all sake categories from sweet to dry, freshly squeezed sake, and cloudy sake. • Snacks for pairing with sake • Cheat Sheet & Tasting Note (These will help you to choose your preferred sake in the future even you don’t read Japanese! • Snacks • Entry/Admission – Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
Kyoto Bar Hopping Night Tour
Go bar hopping walking around in the backstreets of Kyoto. You can try some authentic izakayas that serve yakitori or sashimi with crisp, cold draft beer. If you’re a sake-lover, we will help you navigate through a sake standing bar that serves Kyoto-made sake. You can enjoy the night like a local!
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- Duration: 3h
- Inclusions : 3 Drinks & 1 Food Plate (You can select from our special menu) (Vegan menu available) • Hopping 3 local izakaya bars with a local guide • Alcoholic Beverages
PRIVATE Experience Tea Ceremony wearing a Kimono in Kyoto MAIKOYA
If you’re visiting Japan for the first time, receive a cultural introduction to the country during a tea ceremony with a little Japanese snack in traditional kimonos. During the ceremony, learn about Japanese history and sample matcha green tea, a local specialty. Plus, wearing a traditional kimono means you leave the experience with fantastic photographs to commemorate your time in Kyoto.
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- Duration: 3h
- Inclusions : Kimono costume, Green tea, Utensils, Hairstyling (simple style), Snacks
The 10 Tastings of Kyoto With Locals: Private Street Food Tour
Eat your way through Kyoto’s culinary scene on a private food tour. Go on a delicious journey as you try 10 of the best food items beloved by the locals: from savory to sweet and local drinks. Enjoy tastings typical of the local cuisine and hand-picked by a local guide passionate about food like Gyozas and Japanese pepper ice cream. But that’s not it! This tour is more than just food; it’s a cultural experience! In between food stops, you’ll also find city highlights making this experience.
Know Before You Go
- Duration: 3h
- Inclusions : 10 Food & Drinks Tastings
Kyoto Casual Evening Pontocho Food Tour
Go beyond the typical Kyoto tourist experiences and see the city from a local’s perspective on this walking tour of Pontocho and Gion Shirakawa. Stroll ancient streets and pop into tea houses and restaurants to sample traditional dishes while learning about the culture and history of the area.
Know Before You Go
- Duration: 3h
- Inclusions : 5 food stops, 2 drinks, Historic area sightseeing
Joining Kyoto food tour is the best way for travelers to discover the cities unique, culinary culture. And with its rich history, it makes the perfect place to learn about Japanese cuisine! Hope you enjoy this article!
