Japan · TEMPLES AND SHRINES

The 15 Best Temple & Shrine Tours in Japan

178 tours  ·  ★★★★★★★★★★ 4.8 average  ·  from $18

Torii gates by the thousand, moss gardens, halls that predate the country's capital moving. These 15 tours put a guide beside you for the parts a plaque cannot explain, priced and timed, with the early starts flagged.

[Kyoto & Nara Day Tour] Sagano Scenic Railway & Nara Park & Fushimi Inari Taisha Thousand Torii Gates & Togetsukyo Bridge & Bamboo Grove & Kimono Forest (Departing from Osaka) - Fushimi Inari: a walk beneath thousands of gates
Day Trips, Day Trips in Kyoto, Kimono and Cultural Dress, Kimono Experiences in Kyoto, Kyoto Tours, Temples and Shrines, Temples and Shrines in Kyoto, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

[Kyoto & Nara Day Tour] Sagano Scenic Railway & Nara Park & Fushimi Inari Taisha Thousand Torii Gates & Togetsukyo Bridge & Bamboo Grove & Kimono Forest (Departing from Osaka)

1.[Kyoto & Nara Day Tour] Sagano Scenic Railway & Nara Park & Fushimi Inari Taisha Thousand Torii Gates & Togetsukyo Bridge & Bamboo Grove & Kimono Forest (Departing from Osaka)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 10,942 reviews · 9 hours · from $45Our pick

Travel from Osaka or Kyoto for a guided day among Nara’s deer, Fushimi Inari’s red gates, and Arashiyama’s bamboo paths and bridge. The day runs about nine hours, with an optional Sagano Scenic Railway ticket package. Guides vary; names include Cicy, Carter, Rex, and Sarah.

“We had an absolutely fantastic day tour, and it was entirely thanks to our incredible guide, Rex, and our wonderful driver! Rex was the perfect tour guide-exceptionally kind, patient, and attentive to everyone in the group. He kept us well-organized, provided clear and helpful updates throughout the day, and ensured we never felt rushed at any of the beautiful stops. He even went above and beyond with thoughtful gestures like taking great photos for us and giving us lovely postcards as a souvenir. His energy and warmth made the whole trip so memorable! Our driver also deserves a huge thank you. We felt completely safe and comfortable the entire day.…”

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Mount Fuji & Hakone - Lake Ashi Torii Gate, Hakone Shrine, Hakone Pirate Ship, Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani, Lake Yamanaka & Oshino Hakkai Day Trip: Sea, Land, and Air Panoramic Tour from Tokyo - Hakone Shrine and the torii at Lake Ashi
City Tours and Sightseeing, Day Trips, Mount Fuji Tours, Temples and Shrines, Tour Reviews, Tours

Mount Fuji & Hakone – Lake Ashi Torii Gate, Hakone Shrine, Hakone Pirate Ship, Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani, Lake Yamanaka & Oshino Hakkai Day Trip: Sea, Land, and Air Panoramic Tour from Tokyo

2.Mount Fuji & Hakone – Lake Ashi Torii Gate, Hakone Shrine, Hakone Pirate Ship, Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani, Lake Yamanaka & Oshino Hakkai Day Trip: Sea, Land, and Air Panoramic Tour from Tokyo

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 7,989 reviews · 11 hours · from $49

Travel from Tokyo to Hakone and the Fuji area by shared vehicle, stopping at Hakone Shrine, Lake Ashi, Owakudani, Lake Yamanaka, and Oshino Hakkai. You can add the pirate ship and ropeway at extra cost. Guides speak several languages, with English and Chinese options available.

“Thanks to tour guide Yuan Yang and driver Ban Nei, we had a wonderful time on this trip.”

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Kyushu One-Day Tour: Yufuin no Mori Train & Yufuin Town & Nyoirin-ji Temple & Dazaifu & Hell Hot Springs (Departing from Fukuoka) - Route B: a frog-filled temple and a short mountain stop
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Kyushu One-Day Tour: Yufuin no Mori Train & Yufuin Town & Nyoirin-ji Temple & Dazaifu & Hell Hot Springs (Departing from Fukuoka)

3.Kyushu One-Day Tour: Yufuin no Mori Train & Yufuin Town & Nyoirin-ji Temple & Dazaifu & Hell Hot Springs (Departing from Fukuoka)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 4,474 reviews · 10 hours · from $44

Spend a long day from Fukuoka exploring Yufuin and Beppu with a bilingual guide. Choose Route A for the Yufuin no Mori train and Dazaifu, or Route B for Nyoirinji Temple, Mount Yufu, and two Beppu hot spring sites. Guides such as Eiichi, Li Jing, Daisy, and Carson are praised for clear explanations and practical food tips.

“The tour guide was enthusiastic and professional, and the weather was great too. I will definitely join a Klook tour again next time.”

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Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour - Kiyomizu-dera and the classic Kyoto view
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Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour

4.Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,316 reviews · 510 minutes - 9 hours · from $122

See Kyoto’s major temples, shrines, bamboo grove, and Golden Pavilion in one well-organized day by coach with an English-speaking guide.

“It was excellent. At Chan was a fabulous guide. She provided excellent information, was engaging and was present and aware of everyone. The places we went to were all very interesting and enjoyable. Highly recommend this tour.”

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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu - Finding Sakaguchian on foot
Kyoto Tours, Tea Ceremonies, Tea Ceremonies in Kyoto, Temples and Shrines, Temples and Shrines in Kyoto, Tour Reviews

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu

Kyoto Nara Day Trip │ Kiyomizu-dera Temple + Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine + Nara Park (Departing from Osaka/Kyoto) - Kiyomizu-dera: temple views and old Kyoto lanes
Day Trips, Day Trips in Kyoto, Kyoto Tours, Temples and Shrines, Temples and Shrines in Kyoto, Tour Reviews

Kyoto Nara Day Trip │ Kiyomizu-dera Temple + Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine + Nara Park (Departing from Osaka/Kyoto)

6.Kyoto Nara Day Trip │ Kiyomizu-dera Temple + Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine + Nara Park (Departing from Osaka/Kyoto)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,408 reviews · 9 hours · from $44

This full-day group trip links Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera district and Fushimi Inari with Nara Park and Todai-ji. You travel by shared vehicle, then explore each stop on your own. Guide language depends on the package you choose. Temple entry, lunch and other personal costs are extra, and the return is to Osaka, not Kyoto.

“For Shine: Thank you so much Shine!! We're the ones from Group 12, Row 7 - 3 persons who had the tour , Oct. 6, 2026. We had such a wonderful experience and we're so happy that you were the one who guided us. You explain things and the places we're going to visit so clearly. Thank you! Marilou S. and Joey S. and Atty.Arce”

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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple - The purification ritual and its meaning
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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

Kyushu Takachiho One-Day Tour | Takachiho Gorge Boat Ride-Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine/Takachiho Mini-Train-Mount Aso-Kusasenri (Departing from Kumamoto) - Takachiho Gorge: cliffs, river and Manai Waterfall
Boat Trips and Cruises, Day Trips, Temples and Shrines, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Kyushu Takachiho One-Day Tour | Takachiho Gorge Boat Ride-Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine/Takachiho Mini-Train-Mount Aso-Kusasenri (Departing from Kumamoto)

8.Kyushu Takachiho One-Day Tour | Takachiho Gorge Boat Ride-Kamishikimi Kumanoza Shrine/Takachiho Mini-Train-Mount Aso-Kusasenri (Departing from Kumamoto)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,609 reviews · 10 hours · from $44

Travel from Kumamoto to Takachiho Gorge, Kusasenri and Mount Aso on a 10-hour shared tour with a Chinese-speaking guide. Choose a package with or without the gorge boat ride. The sightseeing train, boat availability and volcano access can vary, so check what your selected option includes before booking.

“The tour guide was great, but the overall value for money was low for the rest of the experience.”

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Tokyo: Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, Skytree Bus Tour and Cruise - Starting in Shinjuku, with Tokyo moving past the windows
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Tokyo: Meiji Shrine, Asakusa, Skytree Bus Tour and Cruise

Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available) - From Tofukuji toward the mountain
Hiking and Trekking, Kyoto Tours, Temples and Shrines, Temples and Shrines in Kyoto, Tour Reviews, Tours

Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available)

10.Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,750 reviews · from $63Top rated

Escape Kyoto crowds on a guided 7km forest hike to Fushimi Inari, with bamboo, quiet shrines, castle views, and expert local help.

“After a day in Kyoto, we started to tire of the tourist crowds, so this small group tour was absolutely brilliant. Our guide N. was knowledgeable and ever so nice. The hike was easy and as we approached the Tori gates from the back, we avoided other people right to the end. N was also an expert at taking super arty photos of us esp in the bamboo forest. Can’t recommend the tour enough.”

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Kyoto Kimono Rental Experience (Optional Exquisite Hair Styling/Japanese Makeup/Photography) (Ookini Kiyomizu-dera Main Store) - Choosing a kimono without losing half the morning
Kimono and Cultural Dress, Kimono Experiences in Kyoto, Kyoto Tours, Temples and Shrines, Temples and Shrines in Kyoto, Tour Reviews

Kyoto Kimono Rental Experience (Optional Exquisite Hair Styling/Japanese Makeup/Photography) (Ookini Kiyomizu-dera Main Store)

11.Kyoto Kimono Rental Experience (Optional Exquisite Hair Styling/Japanese Makeup/Photography) (Ookini Kiyomizu-dera Main Store)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,700 reviews · from $18Best value

At Ookini’s Kiyomizu-dera shop, choose a kimono or yukata, get dressed with help from a professional dresser, and head out toward Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka, and Gion. Plans vary: some include hairstyling, while makeup and photography are optional extras. Free return options can save you a trip back to the shop.

“The shop is located near Kiyomizu-dera Temple, making it very convenient to visit Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka, and Sannenzaka after getting dressed in a kimono. There are many kimono styles in the shop with a truly wide selection, communication with the staff was easy, and the overall experience was wonderful.”

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Tokyo: Asakusa Walking Tour with Sensoji Temple Visit - Meeting beneath the Thunder Gate
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Tokyo: Asakusa Walking Tour with Sensoji Temple Visit

Nikko: Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji & Toshogu Temple - Shinkyo Bridge, Nikko’s red gateway
Temples and Shrines, Temples and Shrines in Tokyo, Tokyo Tours, Tour Reviews

Nikko: Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji & Toshogu Temple

13.Nikko: Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji & Toshogu Temple

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,577 reviews · 11 hours · from $89

Review of Nikko’s 11-hour day trip from Tokyo, with Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, lunch, guide tips, and value advice.

“Believe the tour was quite well organized, giving you just enough time and slightly more to see all the attractions. Our tour guide was Melody, and she was quite helpful with questions as well as told some—at least for me—great jokes 😄😄 p.s. after seeing now Toshogu, I confirm by belief that few things come close to Tokugawa wealth - lel”

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Tokyo: Kamakura & Enoshima Day Trip including Temple Tickets - Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and the old samurai capital
Day Trips, Kamakura Tours, Temples and Shrines, Tour Reviews

Tokyo: Kamakura & Enoshima Day Trip including Temple Tickets

14.Kamakura & Enoshima Day Trip including Temple Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,375 reviews · 9 hours - 570 minutes · from $58

Explore Kamakura temples, the Great Buddha, Komachi Street, and Enoshima on a guided Tokyo day trip with tickets included.

“A very nice tour to the highlights of Kamakura. Our Guide Yuki had the best tips and a lot of interesting information for us and got us to the best spots. It was a very hot day, but a very enjoyable one.”

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Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour - Nara Park: an hour with the sacred deer
Kyoto Tours, Temples and Shrines, Temples and Shrines in Kyoto, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour

15.Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,275 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $52

Review of a $52 Kyoto and Nara day tour featuring deer, Fushimi Inari’s torii gates, Arashiyama bamboo forest, and guided bus travel.

“amazing bus tour with the guide Christine 🤗The places we visited were interesting and Christine is very nice (she even helped me pick my own kimono ☺️) and a good guide!! I recommend it, we had so much fun and going by bus makes it comfortable.”

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