Top 4 Garden Tours in Kyoto

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

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

Explore Kyoto’s Zen temples, practice zazen with a monk, view a dry garden, and enjoy a Buddhist lunch on this small-group tour.

“Highly recommended, especially if you are seeking a quiet and reflective experience in Kyoto. Perfect for solo travellers like myself. Yukata was my guide and he treated us like VIPs. We walked the streets of Tofukuji, visiting the famous shrine Read more”

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

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

Explore Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, Zen temples, quiet gardens, and Kyoto-style lunch on a small-group walking tour of up to seven.

“We were the only two people on the tour so our guide, Kana, gave us a personalized experience. We learned so much about the history of the temples, the gardens, and enjoyed walking through the Bamboo forest on the trail. It was a beautiful and peaceful tour- highly recommend!”

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3.Kyoto Kiyomizu Tea Ceremony with Scenic Garden Views

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

Review of Kyoto’s intimate Kiyomizu tea ceremony, with garden views, two matcha servings, sweets, cultural insight, price, and practical tips.

“This tea ceremony was a beautiful experience. Our guide was so polite, kind and engaging. She explained the process so well as the tea master performed the ceremony. An hour ceremony was the perfect amount of time for us.”

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4.Japanese Gardens Private Customizable Tour

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

Explore Kyoto’s finest Zen gardens with a private guide, custom route, and six hours to match temples, seasons, and your interests.

“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.”

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