BEST OF · KYOTO FOOD TOURS
Good kyoto food tours run small groups and fill up weeks ahead. Below: the 14 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Make ramen from scratch in Kyoto with hands-on noodle making, custom broth, toppings, and a halal-certified class for all diets.
“My family had a great experience at the Ramen Factory. The cooking class was well organized and fun. All of the staff was friendly and helpful. We would highly recommend taking this class. The ramen was great!”
Kyoto Gion night food tour with 9+ dishes, sake tastings, small-group walks through Gion and Pontocho, and local cultural insight.
“A great combination of history and food. We walked through Gion and had dinner at a place that I would never have found myself. And two fun bars in Ponto”
Explore Kyoto’s Nishiki Market with seven tastings, brunch, Gion sights, and a small-group guide who brings local food to life.
“This was a great way to explore the market without being intimidated. We tried so much food that we wouldn’t have tried on our own.”
Learn to make nigiri and sushi rolls in a friendly English-language Kyoto class, then eat your creations with optional sake.
“Our teacher was friendly and skillful and made this experience fun. We had a great time learning how to prepare sushi!”
Explore Kyoto’s Fushimi sake district, visit the Gekkeikan museum, and taste 18 local sakes with a small-group guide.
“We had a great time on the tour. Our guide was lovely, very knowledgable about sake and guided us around the breweries. She was also great company during the tasting, and there was plenty of sake to taste! She also helpfully gave us some suggestions on other places to visit during our stay as well as sharing links and pictures after the tour. Thank you very much!”
Explore Gion by night with dinner at two local restaurants, Yasaka Shrine, Pontocho, drinks, and a small group guide for $101.
“Our guide Joshua provided a very personal and detailed explanation of all aspects of our food tour. The two tiny restaurants were off the tourist circuit, and the food was obscure, local and delicious.”
Make fresh noodles, customize ramen, and take home a souvenir in this fun 90-minute Kyoto cooking class near Demachiyanagi.
“This is a must do in Kyoto. Our instructor was very funny and informative. And we can customize our ramen to our likings.”
Make ramen, gyoza, and onigiri in Kyoto with English-speaking instructors, then enjoy your meal and take home practical recipes.
“We had an amazing time with Nori and Kairi. They were knowledgeable and friendly, ensuring we had an enjoyable experience. This is a great way to understand and experience Japanese culture. Would highly recommend this for an immersive and fun experience. You also are able to enjoy the food you make! Thank you again to Nori and Kairi.”
Learn nigiri and maki in a historic Kyoto townhouse with an English-speaking instructor, fresh fish, tea, and a small group of eight.
“What an amazing experience, Kana is such an impressive human and beyond kind. You prepare so much fresh sushi that is so tasty. I was struggling to find authentic food in an touristy area and this was definitely everything I wanted and beyond. Better to book through email [email protected] as a way to support a woman owned small business.”
Explore Kyoto’s Nishiki Market with local food tastings, shrine visits, and cultural insight on a small-group three-hour walking tour.
“Not a foodie tour at all. Our guide was great, but the food was average, and I would prefer stopping at numerous stalls/food spots - this one you only stop at 3 in 3 hours. It’s extremely overpriced for the food you get. Was the biggest let doRead more”
Explore Kyoto’s Nishiki Market with a local guide, five food tastings, shrines, shopping arcades, and an optional tea ceremony.
“The tour lived up to all of our expectations. It was fun. It was educational, and it was delicious! Our guide was kind, wise, and made sure that we understood the importance of the places we visited and the way that it contributed to the growth and development of Kyoto.”
Make noodles, paint a ramen bowl, and enjoy Michelin-nominated Musoshin ramen in this family-friendly Kyoto workshop.
“Learnt loads about what goes into making ramen noodles. Dinner after class was delicious!”
Paint a ramen bowl, assemble Michelin-nominated Musoshin ramen, and enjoy a family-friendly Kyoto workshop with free kiln firing.
“Both the hosts were lovely and attentive. Exceptional quality of food, a lot of preparation to make the activities easy and fun yet taste like restaurant quality food. Would highly recommend, was a fun way to learn more about ramen and the culture.”
Explore Kyoto’s Nishiki Market and Daimaru Depachika with a local guide, sampling regional foods, sweets, tofu skin, tempura, and more.
“Was fab to taste local food in the Nishiki market. Fab guide 🤩”
Pick a street, a market or a kitchen.
