Ryoan-ji Tours and Tickets

Learn about Japanese garden landscaping on a Kyoto walking tour, led by a local expert. The 3-hour experience takes in an array of the country's different garden designs, from the intricately constructed gardens of emperors to the stylish Zen Buddhist temple grounds. Wander around the Golden Pavilion's Mirror Pond, and then admire Ryoan-ji's lauded Karesansui Garden and the grounds of Ninna-ji. This tour runs with a maximum of just six people for a small-group experience.

Explore Kyoto with your own photographer, and take home professional photos of you at sights such as the Nijo-jo Castle, Ryoanji Temple, and Kinkakuji Temple. Stop at Nishiki Market for lunch, and then head to the Philosopher's Walk, a picturesque canal path that's lined with cherry trees. Hear the history behind the sights as you explore, and then leave with an SD card of unedited photos to impress friends and family back home.

Discover the Japanese traditions of landscape and garden design on this 3-hour private walking tour of Kyoto with a local scholar. Learn about the principles behind the highly-stylized garden designs of Japan from your guide, a practice which has shaped the intricate outdoor spaces of emperors, nobles and monks for hundreds of years. Then visit some of the best examples of the practice in Kyoto, including the mirror pond at Kinkaku-ji, the Karesansui Garden at Ryoan-ji and the elaborate rock and water creations of Ninna-ji.

Marvel at the some of the top UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples and palaces of ancient Kyoto on this 4.5-hour tour. This quick introduction to the sights of Kyoto, covering the Nijo Castle, golden Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavillion) and the Japanese Emperor's former Imperial Palace, is the perfect way to see the city if you're short on time. Your morning Kyoto excursion also includes pickup from select hotels, transport between sites by coach, entrance fees and an English-speaking guide.

A professional photographer guides your to some of Kyoto's most stunning and photogenic sites on this private full-day photoshoot and city tour. Visit the Golden Temple - considered one of the most famous buildings in Japan - as well as the Ryoanji Rock Garden, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and more, all while your guide snaps posed and candid photos in front of these top Kyoto attractions. Take home an SD card full professional-quality photos at the end of the tour.

Make the most of your time in Kyoto by booking a customized private tour with an expert guide. Create your own sightseeing itinerary, choosing from among dozens of cultural and historic landmarks, including 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Nijo Castle or Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion), and Fushimi Inari Shrine. Choose either a half-day or full-day itinerary and travel via public transport accompanied by your guide. Transportation and lunch is included on this comprehensive and flexible Kyoto tour.