Best of · KYOTO FOOD TOURS
Good food tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
At Ramen Factory Kyoto, you make noodles by hand, mix your own broth, prepare toppings, and eat the finished bowl for lunch. Instructors such as Mahiro, Moeka, Haruka, Fuku, and Hiro guide the class with humor and patience. Vegetarian, vegan, and Halal options are available by request.
“I had an amazing time learning from Moe how to make Ramen. She is an amazing instructor and knows what she is doing!”
Spend about three and a half hours eating your way through Gion and Pontocho with a local guide. Expect Kyoto vegetables, regional dishes, small bars, Japanese sake, and plenty of neighborhood history. Groups are limited to seven. Guides such as Jimmy, Kumi, Rika, Yuki, and Emma are praised for making the evening friendly and easy to follow.
“Ok experience. The guide was knowledgeable about the area. Too much politics were discussed for my taste,”
Spend about three hours walking from Shijo Bridge through Pontocho and Nishiki Tenmangu to Kyoto’s Nishiki Market. A guide such as Yuki, Yusuke, Chie, or Hikaru leads up to six people through seven tastings and a sit-down brunch, with tour photos provided. Expect local food, cultural context, and a crowded market.
“It was disappointing😞. While the tour guide Aina was helpful, pleasant and spoke clearly, the food selections were poor. Tasting tours on other countries go to different restaurants and we get a drink with the food. Meat stick shown in the picture was not even an option. Just a large bazaar food court and we didn’t do that many tasting unless you count rice and a sip of black bean tea. Only two tastings were of a reasonable size. I couldn’t tell you if we got any more than two. The only other tasting were tiny samples given out to everyone stopping by. The brunch was one of three small…”
At Sushi Master Kyoto Kawaramachi, you learn sushi basics, shape nigiri and rolls, and eat what you make. English-speaking instructors such as Kioko and Rio guide beginners, families, and couples through a roughly 90-minute class. Ingredients are supplied, drinks cost extra, and the tucked-away second-floor location takes careful map reading.
“Our teacher was friendly and skillful and made this experience fun. We had a great time learning how to prepare sushi!”
Spend about three hours in Fushimi learning how sake is made, visiting the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, passing historic Teradaya, and tasting 18 Kyoto-made sakes at a local restaurant. Guides such as Matt, Rika, Ayu, and Yukari add history, tasting tips, and personal recommendations.
“We had the best experience with our guide (Eri), she was so sweet and interactive! Highly recommend this tour to anyone who loves Sake or wants to gain more knowledge and taste a wide variety of local sakes”
Walk from Minamiza Theatre through Yasaka Shrine, Gion, Kamo River, and Pontocho with a Spanish-, English-, or French-speaking guide. Sample small plates at two local restaurants, enjoy two drinks, and learn how Kyoto’s geisha districts work. Groups are limited to six, with Kobe beef available by advance request.
“Our tour was fantastic! The guide Andres was brilliant, so funny and knowledgeable. He got the group talking and put us at ease. The historical tour was great and super interesting. We got to go to two different eateries and had a range of food that was all yummy and tried Japanese drinks too. It was so great to go to izakayas that we otherwise wouldn’t have gone to as tourists and experience the authentic Japanese evening. 10/10!”
At Kyoto’s Ramen Factory, English-speaking instructors such as Sakura, Fuku, and Akemi guide you through making noodles, seasoning chicken, choosing broth and sauce, and building your own bowl. The 90-minute class is lively, beginner-friendly, and suited to families, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who wants a practical souvenir beyond a photograph.
“it was wonderful. the staff were very friendly and showed and explained everything in detail. they heloed us to take pictures and videos . the ramen was very delicious. they provided us with souvenirs. the location was easy to find. we learned a lot and had fun. the place was clean and pretty. we enjoyed every moment. thank you. it was a great experience and we would like to do it again.”
In central Kyoto, you’ll prepare miso and shoyu ramen, pan-fried gyoza, and shaped onigiri in 90 minutes. English-speaking instructors such as Nori and Kairi guide the small class, with pre-measured ingredients, cooking tips, and recipes for ramen and gyoza. The class is hands-on and filling, but it cannot handle vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, or other special diets.
“We really enjoyed learning about and making the two ramens and gyoza”
At Atelier SUSHI near Kiyomizu-dera and Gion, Kana and her English-speaking team guide you through seasoned rice, nigiri, and maki in a restored Kyoto townhouse. The 90-minute class includes a full sushi meal, tea, apron, and gloves. Expect close instruction, cultural conversation, and perhaps a sushi mat or notes to take home.
“Kana was amazing! We had such a great time, learned more about the culture and history of Japan, and got some delicious food too. Highlight of our time in Kyoto so far, thank you for having us!”
Spend about three hours with a guide such as Keiko, Takuma, Annie, or Toshi around Nishiki Market and central Kyoto. Taste local foods, learn shrine customs, browse Teramachi and Shinkyogoku, and see how everyday shopping, religion, and cuisine fit together. The group is capped at six, but dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated.
“I rarely leave negative reviews, but this experience was so disappointing—and frankly exploitative—that I feel obligated to warn others before they waste their time and money. This so-called "food tour" of Nishiki Market was nothing more than Read more”
Walk through Gion and Pontocho with an English-speaking local guide, stopping for up to 13 Japanese dishes, two drinks, and a sake tasting. You’ll visit Yasaka Shrine, Shirakawa Lane, two atmospheric dining spots, and a shrine linked with geisha culture. Guides such as Tomoko, Takuma, Mia, and Kohtaro add history and practical food advice.
“Mia was a great guide. Really fun evening, highly recommend.”
In a traditional Kyoto townhouse, an English-speaking instructor such as Hama, Maya, Ryo, or YO guides you through making gyoza wrappers, choosing a filling, shaping 10 to 12 dumplings, and cooking them with a professional baking machine. You can also learn about samurai culture and try on armor for photos. The class lasts about 90 minutes, though some sessions run closer to two hours.
“Hama was the best! She was an awesome teacher! We are so exited to go home and make more Gyozas! They were so delicious and easy to make, we had such a great time and we enjoyed the experience so much. Thank you Hama from the bottom of our hearts!”
In a restored Kyoto townhouse near Kiyomizu-Gojō Station, Kana and her team teach up to eight people how to season sushi rice and shape nigiri, gunkan, and maki. The 90-minute English class includes fresh local fish, miso soup, your handmade lunch, and a gift bag with a mat, chopsticks, and recipe card.
“Fantastic activity, fantastic poeple! Thank you Kana for your kindness, calmness, professionalism and passion. A big thanks to your great team !”
Walk Kyoto’s 400-year-old Nishiki Market with an English-speaking local guide and sample five specialties, including yuba, obanzai, hamo tempura, and wagyu steak skewers. The small group is limited to six, with stops at nearby shrines and shopping arcades. You can also add a 90-minute tea ceremony with kimono dressing.
“We have Toshi, our guide, to thank for a fun time. His positive and enthusiastic personality made this tour fun. He added a nice balance of food, culture and history to his tour. Thank you.”
At Musoshin Ramen in Kyoto, you’ll spend about an hour making noodles by hand with instructors such as Shin, Yaya, Pati, Momo, or Shima. Depending on your booking, you can paint a spoon or bowl, then enjoy ramen and a drink at the restaurant. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, and a custom bowl can be kiln-fired for free.
“Learnt loads about what goes into making ramen noodles. Dinner after class was delicious!”
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