Unlike any other city in Japan, Kyoto embodies the cultural concept of “Wa 和”, with its peaceful setting amongst naturally beautiful surrounds. It’s a destination brimming with traditional cultures that is an essential stop on every traveler’s Japanese itinerary.
But aside from ticking off temples, how can you truly experience the essence of Kyoto and its age-old traditions?
In this article, we’ll introduce some of the hands-on experiences that are available in Kyoto. Not only will they contribute to your understanding of Japanese culture but you’ll come away with some unique souvenirs to take home.
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01
Kimono rental experience
Kimono rental experience
One of the most popular ways to experience Kyoto and the historic streets surrounding the Kiyomizu Temple is dressed up as a geisha or maiko (geisha apprentice).
There are numerous rental kimono shops in the area where you can select a kimono of your choice and be professionally dressed by their friendly, English-speaking staff. It’s a classic way to experience Kyoto and capture memorable photos at the same time.
Kimono rental experience
Popular tours： Rent Kimono/Yukata in Kyoto and receive Japanese Candies! (Voyagin)
- 京都きものレンタル麗
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- 京都府京都市東山区祇園町北側317 ソニアビル3F
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- 0755311890
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02
Japanese cooking class
Japanese cooking class
Japanese cooking class
If you love Japanese food, why not learn how to make it back home during a cooking class. Combining an information session with a practical cooking class, these culinary experiences will not only teach you how to make Japanese dishes but also the history of the country’s cuisine and table etiquette.
Roll your own sushi or make teriyaki chicken and okonomiyaki, accompanied by miso soup, rice and dessert.
Japanese cooking class
Popular tours： Rent Kimono/Authentic Japanese Cooking Class (Voyagin)
- เกียวโต เกสท์เฮาส์ โรจิยะ
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4.5
รีวิว 100 -
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- 22-58 Nishinokyo Ikenouchi-cho, Nakagyo-ku Kyoto
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- 0754328494
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03
Kiyomizu ware painting and Pottery experience
Kiyomizu ware painting and Pottery experience
Craft your very own piece of Kiyomizu pottery 清水焼 at the Mori Pottery Museum, which runs pottery making and painting experiences.
Kiyomizu ware was first produced along Gojozaka near the Kiyomizu Temple. You can paint a classic scene from Kyoto on your pottery or recreate a memory from your Japanese trip, making for the perfect souvenir.- พิพิธภัณฑ์เครื่องปั้นดินเผา โมริ
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3.5
รีวิว 2 -
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- เกียวโตเมืองเกียวโตฮิกาชิยามะคิโยมีซุ2-254
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- 0755613457
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04
Japanese sweets making experience
Japanese sweets making experience
Japanese sweets making experience
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then don’t miss the opportunity to take a wagashi 和菓子(traditional Japanese sweets) making lesson. These colorful sweets are often intricately designed and in this workshop, you’ll discover the secrets behind their creation.
After grinding tea leaves to make matcha, you’ll then create sweets using wasanbon 和三盆 (a special type of local sugar) before experiencing an Otemae tea ceremony with your tea and sweet creations.
Japanese sweets making experience
Popular tours： Make Matcha tea by grinding & make Japanese sweets, Kyoto (Voyagin)
- 甚松庵
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4.0
รีวิว 11 -
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- 京都府京都市下京区万寿寺町135 ベルク烏丸2F
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- 08093071873
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05
Matcha making experience
Mitsuboshien Kanbayashi Sannyu Honten
Mitsuboshien Kanbayashi Sannyu Honten 三星園上林三入本店
Want to make matcha at one of the most legendary tea shops in Uji? Mitsuboshien Kanbayashi Sannyu Honten 三星園上林三入本店 has been crafting tea for Japanese Emperors dating back hundred years and now runs workshops where everyone can learn the art.
Step into the third-floor tea room “Sankyuan 三休庵” where you’ll grind your own tea while hearing stories from this iconic matcha-making house. Don’t miss the second-floor museum where there’s a small exhibit dedicated to the history of the shop.
Fukujuen
Fukujuen 福寿園
Fukujuen is a leading name when it comes to authentic Japanese tea, with their flagship store on the 4th floor of Kyo no Chaan 京の茶庵 in Shijo.
Here, they run matcha experiences where you can learn how to make a delicious cup of Japanese tea.
Led by a certified Japanese tea instructor, you’ll discover how to make gyokuro 玉露 (premium Japanese tea) and sencha 煎茶.
Select teas from their extensive range and discover how to blend the tea leaves to suit your taste before having it packaged in a special tea box.- Mitsuboshien-Kanbayashisannyu-Honten
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4.5
รีวิว 48 -
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- Kyoto Uji-shi Uji Renge 27
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- 0774212636
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- ฟุคุจุเอ็น สาขาใหญ่เกียวโต ชั้น 2 “เคียวโนะจะเรียว”
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4.5
รีวิว 40 -
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- เกียวโตเมืองเกียวโตชิโมะโย4โจโดริโทมีโนะโคจิ
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- 05031522902
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Get crafty at Fujinomoriryo 藤森寮
Fujinomoriryo
Fujinomoriryo
Fujinomoriryo
A former student residence at Ritsumeikan University has been transformed into a handicraft shop known as Fujinomoriryo where you can find unique gifts and souvenirs. It features two large dormitories which are connected by a Japanese-style courtyard and are filled with ateliers.
You can experience a glass-making workshop over a gas burner or browse the cute potteries and lacquered goods on show, as well as shop for specialty herbal teas.- ฟุจีโนะโมริหอพัก
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- เกียวโตเมืองเกียวโตคิตะมูราซากีโนฮีกาชิฟุจีโนโมริโจ11-1
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- 075-600-0149
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07
See the sights of Kyoto on a cycling tour
See the sights of Kyoto on a cycling tour
One of the best ways to experience a lot of Kyoto in a short amount of time is on a cycling tour, accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide.
The trails that wind along the banks of the Kamo River are particularly popular to explore on two wheels, with cherry blossoms igniting the way in springtime and autumn colors in the fall. Discover the city’s historic sites and lesser-known treasures as you pedal your way through the streets of Kyoto.
See the sights of Kyoto on a cycling tour
Popular tours： Kyoto Fun: Cycling Tour (Voyagin)
- KON'SCYCLEทาโกยาคุชิ
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- เกียวโตเมืองเกียวโตนากะโยทาโกยาคุสิโดริโทมีโนะโคจิฮิกาชิอิริอาบุรายาโจ141
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- 0752313011
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08
Maiko makeover
Maiko makeover
Aside from getting dressed up as a geisha or maiko, you can also be made up as a maiko. These authentic maiko makeup experiences are led by former geisha apprentices who will share with you their insider knowledge about how to walk and dance like a maiko, as well as showing you how to pose during a studio photo session.
Keep in mind that this is an indoors-only experience and should you want to go out walking, opt for the walking plan.
Gion Aya
Popular tours： Maiko Makeover in Kyoto Gion (Voyagin)
- Maikotaikenshogiwonirodori
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5.0
รีวิว 188 -
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- Shimogawara 499-8 town go down Kyoto, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City Shimogawaradori Yasaka Toriimae
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- 0755326666
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09
Teahouse experience with a maiko or geisha
Teahouse experience with a maiko or geisha
If you don’t want to get dressed up but still want to experience the art and culture of geisha and maiko, you can opt for a teahouse experience instead.
You’ll be treated like a VIP as you’re served a seasonal kaiseki meal in a beautiful old teahouse, then entertained by authentic geishas and maikos. Accompanied by an English-speaking guide, you can ask questions about the lives of the women and their long-established traditions.
Popular tours： VIP Teahouse Banquet with Geisha in Kamishichiken, Kyoto (Voyagin)- โมเสค มะชิยะ เคเอสเค
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5.0
รีวิว 58 -
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- 702 Shinsei-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
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- 0754660510
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Incense making at Shoyeido 松栄堂
Incense making at Shoyeido
In Arashiyama, you can also create your own scent while making incense at Shoyeido. This company manufactures some of the highest quality and most natural incense in the world, with its headquarters based in Kyoto.
Under the guidance of one of their skilled incense makers, you’ll select your own ingredients to make a fragrance of your choice, then combine them into an odor bag or scented bookmark to take home.- ร้านเครื่องหอมเจ้าเก่าแก่ โชเอโด รันซันคะเคียว
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- เกียวโตเมืองเกียวโตอุเกียว
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- 0758735590
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11
Japanese calligraphy experience
Japanese calligraphy experience
Ever wanted to learn the art of calligraphy?
Well, in Higashiyama you can do just that. Japanese calligraphy experiences include an introduction to the history of the art and its Zen-like sitting meditation, as well as the opportunity to create your own artwork to take home. Adding to the experience is its setting within an elegant old machiya (traditional house) where you can experience old-world Kyoto first hand.
Popular tours： Experience Japanese Calligraphy in Kyoto (Voyagin) -
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Braiding experience at Adachi Kumihimo Kan 安達くみひも館
Braiding experience
Situated adjacent to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the Adachi Kumi Strings Hall is the place to head if you want to learn their unique braiding technique.
It was recently popularized during the animated film “Kimi no Na Wa”(Your Name), with visitors now flocking here to make braided bracelets and hair accessories.
Learn how to weave the colorful threads into a design of your inspiration while making a unique souvenir to take home.- อาดาจิคุมิฮิโมะคัง (Adachi Kumihimo Gallery)
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4.0
รีวิว 1 -
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- เกียวโตเมืองเกียวโตคามิโยเดมีซุถนนคาราซูม่านิชิอิรุนาคาเดมีซุโจ390
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- 0754324113
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Kyoyuzen kimono dyeing at Marumasu-Nishimuraya 丸益西村屋
Kyoyuzen kimono dyeing
Discover the traditional kimono dyeing art of Kyoyuzen 京友禅 during a workshop at the long established Maruma-Nishimuraya.
Under a master craftsman, you’ll learn first hand the techniques of Kyoyuzen and the motifs such as birds, trees and flowers that have long been used in traditional Japanese painting.
Aside from Kyoyuzen workshops, Marumasu-Nishimuraya also runs Furoshiki (box wrapping) workshops and has a cafe where you can just watch the world go by.- สตูดิโอประดิษฐ์งานฝีมือเคียวยูเซ็น มารุมาสุนิชิมุรายะ
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- เกียวโตเมืองเกียวโตนากะโยโอกาวะโดริโออิเกะมินามิอิรุ
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- 0752113273
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14
Go-kart experience
Go-kart experience
If you’re short on time but want to see as much of Kyoto as possible, then a go-kart driving experience might be for you.
Drive around the Kyoto Tower, Arashiyama and Yasaka, with a professional guide pointing out sights along the way. You can even dress up in cosplay as your favorite character and opt for a GoPro-style sports camera shoot for what is a uniquely Japanese experience.
Popular tours： Go-Kart in Kyoto (Voyagin)- 公道カート 京都
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- 京都府京都市南区東九条上御霊町23
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