The 15 Best Food Tours in Kyoto

1.Kyoto Night Foodie Tour in Gion (9+ dishes + 6 Sake tastings)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,762 reviews · from $163Our pick

Spend 3.5 hours eating through Gion and Pontocho with a small group of up to seven. Expect Kyoto vegetable dishes, local specialties, drinks, and sake tastings, plus stories about geisha districts, architecture, and Kyoto life from guides such as Jimmy, Emma, Rika, and Yuki.

“Ok experience. The guide was knowledgeable about the area. Too much politics were discussed for my taste,”

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2.Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 704 reviews · 3 hours · from $87

Meet an English-speaking sake expert at Fushimi’s Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum. Walk through the brewing process, compare 10 or more sake styles, then taste them with otsumami in a dedicated room. You’ll learn how to read labels, choose hot or cold sake, and order with confidence.

“Kyoko was an excellent tour guide. Not only was she extremely knowledgeable about all things sake, she was a very kind and funny tour guide. Learned so much about sake, its history, and what kind exactly that I would like. Definitely would recommend this tour if you’re interested in sake and its history.”

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3.Kyoto Nishiki Market Food and Culture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 412 reviews · from $80

Explore Nishiki Market with a guide such as Keiko, Takuma, Annie, or Atsu, tasting Kyoto foods while learning about Shinto worship, Buddhist temples, and local shopping streets. The six-person maximum keeps the walk personal, though food choices are not suitable for strict dietary restrictions.

“Fantastic sprint thru Nishiki market where we ate some amazing food and left stuffed (the Kobe minced meat pies were unbelievable!).”

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4.Gion Food Tour 13 Dishes at 4 Eateries

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 408 reviews · from $72

Spend about three hours sampling Kyoto specialties such as obanzai, yuba, takoyaki, sushi, local drinks, and sweets at four eateries. Guides including Yuvia, Alessio, Amy, Pedro, and Mehrab may lead the evening. Expect walking, small venues, and no vegan or gluten-free options.

“Pedro was a great host taking us through Pontocho Alley for some delicious foods. His knowledge of the area and Japanese food culture was very insightful. Would recommend”

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5.Kyoto Foodie Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 376 reviews · from $102

Start at Nishiki Market, then follow a local guide through Kyoto restaurants for obanzai, izakaya dishes, sake, and beer. Guides such as Sora, Chikako, Leandra, Yui, and Taishi are praised for food knowledge and warm company. Expect three and a half hours, lots of walking, and a very full evening.

“This tour was excellent. Leandra was friendly and enthusiastic taking us to hidden spots we’d never find on our own. Every dish was delicious. Great mix of street food, local favorites, and cultural insights. Highly recommended — come hungry!”

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6.Gion & Pontocho Food Tour with 13 Dishes

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 235 reviews · 3 hours · from $82

Walk from Yasaka Shrine through Gion Shirakawa and Pontocho, then settle into an izakaya and restaurant for up to 13 Japanese dishes and two drinks. Guides such as Tomoko, Takuma, Mia, and Kohtaro explain geisha culture, food customs, and sake in clear English. Groups are limited to eight.

“Our guide Masa was very knowledgeable about both food, drink, and Geisha district sites. We loved eating and drinking with fellow travelers and we did happen to spot a Geisha as we waited to go inside the second restaurant. Masa was especially adept at showing us multiple sake varieties and explaining their differences. we would recommend this tour to all.”

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7.Gion Local Food Tour (Taste 15 Dishes)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 171 reviews · from $94

Spend three evening hours eating through Kyoto’s Gion district with a local guide who handles ordering and translation. You’ll sample 15 dishes at three stops, including yakitori, tonkatsu, sushi, and tempura, plus two drinks. Guides such as Ryu, Misaki, and Jay add food and cultural context along the way.

“Jay was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide and helped us navigate through the crowded streets and food options of Gion. While the food we tried was pretty standard fare, it was nevertheless still delicious and helpful to have a guide to explain things to us.”

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8.Local Food Tasting Tour at the Nishiki Market

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 135 reviews · 3 hours - 270 minutes · from $78

Explore Nishiki Market with an English-speaking guide such as Ayu, Toshi, or Takuma, tasting yuba, obanzai, hamo tempura, wagyu steak, and other Kyoto treats. The walk also visits shrines, shopping arcades, and traditional streets, with an optional 90-minute tea ceremony afterward.

“My guide, Annie, was knowledgeable and personable. She is a gentle teacher and encouraged me to try new things (that were always good!). We also laughed quite a bit. Highly recommended.”

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9.The Award-Winning PRIVATE Food Tour of Kyoto: The 10 Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 100 reviews · from $207

Spend three hours with a private Kyoto food guide, sampling 10 local foods and drinks such as gyoza, sushi, wagyu, hamo tempura, and sansho pepper ice cream. The route may include Nishiki Market, Kennin-ji, Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, and Hanamikoji Street, with vegetarian options available.

“We love Ted! He was an exceptional guide. We thoroughly enjoyed his company & ge was a wealth of knowledge. We commend him.”

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10.Kyoto Food Tour of 10 Tastings with Wagyu, Mochi & More Surprises

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · from $142

Walk from Karasuma to Gion while sampling 10 Kyoto-style foods and drinks, including katsudon, Wagyu sushi, yuba tofu, fish cakes, mochi, sake, beer, and matcha. Guides such as Yuma and Tomoro have earned praise for their friendly manner. Expect about 3.5 hours of walking and eating.

“We were disappointed with this tour - poor selection of food - too much fried, not enough fresh. The guide although very sweet was too quiet and did not have strong enough English to provide sufficient detail on meals experienced.”

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11.Gion & Pontocho Food Tour with 13 Dishes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · from $105

Start at Yasaka Shrine, then walk through Gion and Pontocho with a local guide before sitting down at one restaurant and one izakaya. Expect up to 13 Japanese dishes, two drinks, and plenty of help with menus, customs, and local food. Guides connected with recent departures include Kohtaro, Yuna, Meiko, Moto, and Takuma.

“I enjoyed the food tour in Gion, especially the variety of dishes we tried, and getting to know a local guide originally from Kyoto. Thank you!”

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12.Nishiki Market and Depachika Food Tour with a Local

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 76 reviews · 2 hours · from $42

Meet your English-speaking guide at Apple Kyoto for a small-group walk through Daimaru Kyoto’s depachika food hall, Nishiki Market, and Nishiki-Tenmangu Shrine. Sample yuba sashimi, a soy milk donut, Nishiki gyoza, and hamo tempura. Guides such as Mao, Jasmine, Ai, and Boris add local food knowledge.

“Tour guide spoke English, very knowledgeable; pleasant, friendly and very professional! Explained the various foods as we went through the tour encouraged us to ask questions of some foods we sampled took us to unique food places - very educational thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Worth the dollar spent! Thank you.”

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13.Replica food making experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 70 reviews · 1 hour · from $22Best value

In a small Kyoto workshop near Nishiki Market, you’ll use hot wax and water to shape shrimp and pumpkin tempura, with lettuce available as an option. English and Japanese instruction, patient hands-on guidance, and a packaged replica to take home make this a memorable one-hour activity for families and curious food lovers.

“I loved this experience!! The replica food is such an unique Japanese art which was very interesting to learn more about and try making some myself. It was so much fun and the guides were very friendly and helpful! Would recommend this to anyone travelling to Kyoto as it's a very fun and unique hands-on experience in Japan.”

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14.Nishiki Market Tour with a Local Foodie & Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 67 reviews · 1h 30m · from $67

Meet your English or Japanese-speaking guide at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine, then walk through Teramachi Street and Nishiki Market. Expect 90 minutes of shrine stories, local food advice, and tastings that may include seafood, sweets, pickles, sake, tofu, and other Kyoto specialties. Drinks cost extra.

“Kaito was very informative and eager to show us around! Very friendly guide who was easy to ask questions to and have a chat with. Food taken to was amazing and definitely worth the price of the tour!”

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15.Kyoto Evening Gion Food Tour Including Kaiseki Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · from $276

Spend about three hours walking from Gion through Shirakawa and Pontocho, learning about maiko, geiko, shrines, and Kyoto food. Guides such as Yoshiko, Akari, Thomas, and Sae lead small groups of up to 10 to a 10-course kaiseki dinner with green tea, dessert, and one drink.

“Our guide Tomas was great! Despite not being Japanese, he passionately explained the making of geishas, the sweets we tasted, and finally the tradition of the Kaseiki dinner. All in the beautiful Gion district of Kyoto. A lovely evening well worth the cost.”

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