Where to Start: the 11 Best Temple Walking Tours in Japan

1.Asakusa Walking Tour with Sensoji Temple Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,583 reviews · 2 hours · from $22Our pick

Explore Asakusa, Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Street, and local food lanes on a two-hour guided Tokyo walking tour.

“A great tour, giving us an insight into the historical and cultural significance of the temple and surrounding markets. Our guide, Keiko was fun and friendly, and really knowledgeable. She gave us lots of good tips about how we can enjoy our trip to Japan not just in Asakusa, but around Tokyo and beyond. A really good introduction to Japan, would highly recommend.”

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2.Kyoto Arashiyama Walking Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys, Gardens & Secrets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,216 reviews · from $65Top rated

Review of Kyoto’s Arashiyama walking tour, covering bamboo, temples, gardens, Togetsukyo Bridge, and the Monkey Park hike.

“The glory of nature in the green bamboo forest and in the almost- autumn leaves of trees in the gardens! Our guide, Aron, had surprise stops for us, to sake tasting and the kimono park. We walked through alternative, less crowded routes and covered more sites without feeling rushed. A great guide, a great tour!”

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3.Asakusa Senso-ji Temple and Old Tokyo Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 560 reviews · from $20

Explore Asakusa on a two-hour small-group walk covering Senso-ji, shrine rituals, old shopping streets, Hoppy Street, and Sumida River views.

“Our tour guide was amazing! She knew a ton about Buddhism and Shinto and was able to answer all of our questions. She gave us recommendations on shopping and food in the area as well! Highly recommend if you want to spend some time in Asakusa.”

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4.Meiji Shrine Walking Tour — Shinto & Imperial System

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 266 reviews · 90 - 135 minutes · from $23

Explore Meiji Shrine with an English-speaking guide, learn Shinto customs and imperial history, and walk through Tokyo’s quiet forest for $23.

“The tour was great and very informative. Yuuka was a great host.”

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5.Meiji Jingu Shrine and Shinto Culture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 245 reviews · 2 hours · from $19

Review of Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu walking tour, with Shinto rituals, sacred forest, Imperial Garden, guide quality, value, and practical tips.

“We had a fantastic time with our guides Minori and Nicholas. They were very engaging, knowledgeable and friendly. Minori did a great job of explaining the history of the Meiji Shrine and educating us about Shinto and Buddhist teachings. The shrine and surrounding grounds are beautiful. We had such a lovely time with Minori and Nicolas and thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Both also shared favorite local restaurant recommendations and places to visit in Tokyo. Highly recommend!”

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6.Meiji Shrine and Shinto Culture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 225 reviews · from $18Best value

Explore Meiji Jingu with a local guide, learn Shinto customs, and understand Tokyo’s most famous shrine on this affordable two-hour walk.

“Our family of four attended the cultural walking tour in June 2025. Sara, our guide, met us on time at the designated meeting point, the Starbucks Coffee With Harajuku. Sara was fun and interactive. Besides informing us about Meiji-jingu Read more”

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7.Meiji Shrine Walking Tour — Shintoism & Imperial System

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 209 reviews · from $21

Review of Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine walking tour, with Shinto rituals, imperial history, forest paths, guide details, price, and practical tips.

“I loved Meiji shrine. It was my favourite attraction in Tokyo. Even in the hot summer it felt cool due to the foliage. I strongly recommend this tour if you are interested in Japanese history and religion. I really loved the tour guide Nonoka. She was very friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgeable.”

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8.Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Kiyomizu-dera Temple Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · from $109

Review of Kyoto’s small-group Kiyomizu-dera walk and tea ceremony, with temple views, local snacks, practical tips, and honest value advice.

“Great cerimonial and great views and sightseeing experience … history and also scenery all together …”

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9.Fushimi Inari Shrine Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · from $39

Review of Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari walking tour, with shrine insights, fox folklore, forest trails, views, price, timing, and practical tips.

“Hugely busy for the evening tour and quite a climb but the guided tour was excellent, providing useful context to the shrine”

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10.Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $91

Explore Nagano’s Zenkoji temple town through oyaki, sake, matcha, local shops, and quiet back streets on this intimate three-hour tour.

“Our family had a great tour with Masa while on a stopover in Nagano. The food was delicious, and it was interesting to get a more personal perspective on the sights we visited. We would definitely recommend this one to anyone!”

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11.Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Walking Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 18 reviews · from $34

Review of Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari walking tour, with certified guides, public transport, Sekiho-ji Temple, costs, timing, and practical tips.

“The guide was very friendly, knowledgeable, and had clear communication. It was a very nice tour and we specially enjoyed walking in the local neighborhood and visiting the Zen garden.”

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