Kyoto Tours
Kyoto Casual Evening Pontocho Food Tour
5

Kyoto Casual Evening Pontocho Food Tour

By Arigato Japan
Recommended by 94% of travelers
94% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Ages 0-80, max of 10 per group
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More


  • 4 food stops
  • 2 drinks
  • Local English speaking guide
  • Historic area sightseeing
What's not included
  • Hotel pick up not included (can be arranged for an additional charge)
  • Gratuity
  • Transportation costs
  • Additional drinks or food (not included but possible to purchase at guest expense)


Start:
  • Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni, Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0076, Japan
    Meeting Point: The meeting point is in front of the Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0076, Japan You can copy and paste this to Google Maps: Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0076, Japan
End:
  • Izumoya, 173-2 KashiwayachĹŤ, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8014, Japan
    End point: Pontocho area

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Infant seats available
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 31383P45

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult. Passport information copy is required for kids 10 and above.
  • Family-friendly
  • Minimum drinking age is 21 years
  • For solo travelers, please email us
  • Changes to tours and spots we visit may occur due to schedules of restaurants, public holidays, weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances. Applicable substitutions will be made in this case.
  • Vegetarian friendly, unadvisable for Vegans and Gluten-free
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Not recommended for Vegans and Gluten-free
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 31383P45

From
$236.00
per adult
Select date and travelers

Similar experiences

Itinerary
  • Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0076, Japan
    Meeting Point: The meeting point is in front of the Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0076, Japan You can copy and paste this to Google Maps: Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0076, Japan
  • 1
    Let's meet there and then enjoy a walking tour of Pontocho and Gion Shirakawa areas.
    Pass by
    Tatsumi Bridge
    Tatsumi Daimyojin Shrine
    Statue of Izumo no Okuni
    Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine
    Gion Corner
    Nishiki Market
  • 173-2 KashiwayachĹŤ, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8014, Japan
    End point: Pontocho area
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
  • Arigato Japan
    134
    Japan
    Joined in February 2016
  • 645michip
    0 contributions
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unprepared and not worth the cost
    We were so excited as we love Matcha and were ready for a great experience. When we arrived, it was hard to tell if our guide was really with Arigato Tour. There was no branding on his shirt or bag and the folded-up sign he was holding was a crinkled piece of paper in a sheet protector. Our Guide Russ was doing the best he could with the first Rainy day he's had in his 6 years of being a guide. Arigato tours should have their guides set up for things that may come up. We booked through 3 companies while in Japan- Arigato Tours, Viator and Get Your Guide. Arigato Tours was the least professional and least prepared and by far the most expensive. Most of the tour was outside and there was no umbrella's provided by the company- Russ gave up his personal umbrella and stood in the POURING rain to start the outdoor tour. He felt bad and we could tell he wasn't sure what to do. Due to this pouring rain and all of us being soaked, we sidetracked and did the Matcha making first. They said they could accommodate the time-change, which they could not. We could tell the attention the tour should had have was not there. First there was a small intro/history of this Oldest Matcha Making company and we had a QUICK tour with the owner. Then a group came in and they whisked us off to the matcha making room where there were 3 set-ups (there were four of us that paid for the tour)- we mixed our newly ground matcha then moved to another seat. We were then scooped Matcha powder from a container and NOT our matcha we just freshly ground. They then pumped water from a countertop dispenser. It would have felt more authentic if we had been served our hot water from something as simple as tea kettle. The Matcha treats were, one wrapped cookie and one wrapped candy. The worst part - and there were many, was the lunch (see photos below to compare). What we got was noodles and a piece of fish. That was not the meal we were expecting. We then went to the temple which was fine. Then we went for Matcha Ice Cream which was delicious. We were then to go on another walking tour- still a bit rainy- and we passed as did the other 2 - there was no chance of this tour getting any better. Don't waste your money. Go on your own, there was nothing on this tour you can't go and do yourself for 1/4 of the cost.
    Written October 25, 2024
  • 243aaronk
    0 contributions
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not worth the cost for mediocre food.
    We have had Kaiseki dinners previously in both Tokyo and Kyoto and have had incredible culinary experiences. AS we only had one evening in Kyoto with my sister who had never been to Japan, we decided to book the tour to see Gion and learn about the preparation and cultural significance of the Kaiseki dinner. At almost $300 each, we expected a fine dining experience. Previously we paid up to $200 each for an excellent dinner, including high end sake and drinks. The 90 minute tour of Gion was fine but that could be done separately for well under $100 each. The dinner was mediocre at best, typical of what you'd pay about $50 per person at other locations. Some dishes were of the same quality of what you'd buy at a food court. We did not learn anything about the history and culture of the Kaiseki dinner. The dinner only included one drink, basically beer or cheap wine or sake. The were out of white and plum wine. We had to pay for a second beer. Our advice is to book a tour of Gion lseparately and ask your hotel concierge for advice on restaurants.
    Written October 15, 2024
  • 271quyn
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Terrific Tea in Uji
    Atsuko was our tour guide and she is amazing! I would definitely recommend her. She was very knowledgeable and taught us a lot of the history of the temple and shrine we visited on the tour. She is very organized and made sure we were having a good time. She had a binder to make sure she talked about everything and even gave us recommendations on where to eat while in Japan. She is what made the tour one of the best we’ve taken. The lunch was delicious and we got to pick what we wanted from a local restaurant and the matcha making part was very informative.
    Written October 8, 2024
  • ST-52718
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must do tour when travelling to Uji especially for first timers
    Had an amazing day with Atsuko with my family. She have shared history and cultures about Uji and goes into depth with the religious places and their practices. Had a great time making the matcha and the correct way to drink it. And ending the tour with an awesome lunch and matcha ice cream.
    Written September 10, 2024
  • Sunshine01485450336
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing tour! Don’t miss out!!
    Our tour with Sae was amazing! Truly one of the highlights of our trips. We had a rainy day but still had a great tour. Sae was so knowledgeable on the area, the culture and the history of not just Kyoto but all of Japan. It was so cool to learn about all the nuances of the Geisha district and of Kyoto itself. Besides the cool walking portion, the Kaiseki dinner was amazing, and being talked through it and all the work that goes into it made us appreciate it even more. We learned a lot in the most fun way, Sae was the best guide we could ask for, so fun and kind and answered all our questions! On top of it all we were lucky enough to see some Geisha rushing past us at the end!
    Written September 2, 2024
  • pp432
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Nishiki Market tour with Thomas
    Departing Tokyo, the next stop for our family in Japan was Kyoto. Our guide Thomas got us off to a fantastic start there with our late morning experience in the “kitchen of Kyoto,” Nishiki Market. He expertly navigated us through a crowded market to sample one delicious item after another, all the while providing great context and background for what we were seeing and trying. He delighted not only us parents but also our two boys and kept them engaged throughout the tour. Some of the highest praise we can give is that we were all so absorbed and enjoying the tour that three hours flew by before we knew it! A third great experience with Arigato on our Japan trip. Thanks Thomas for getting our Kyoto adventure off to such a great start!
    Written June 29, 2024
  • Nikelin
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Thank you Mickey!
    Our guide Mickey was super friendly, and did such a good job finding good vegetarian options for us to enjoy during the tour. She was also very considerate of me being pregnant. We were very surprised and impressed to learn that she has lived 3 years in Oslo and still speaks some Norwegian. The group was quite small, which made it easy to be social with everyone, and we really enjoyed exploring the nishiki market together. Thank you for a great tour!
    Written June 20, 2024
  • Go10029553696
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun night in Kyoto
    Very fun evening with Yoshiko. She was super friendly and knowledgeable about local traditions.
    Written May 22, 2024
  • Dreamer59157935457
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unforgettable Night with Yosiko in Kyoto
    Our Kyoto Evening and Geisha Food Tour was awesome - sugoi! Thanks to our wonderful tour guide, Yoshiko. She showed us all the beautiful sceneries of the city. She was knowledgeable of each place's history. Best of all, we had a great time during our traditional Japanese dinner. We ate as a family, learning and sharing each other's culture and traditions. Yoshiko was very friendly, polite, warm and beautiful. We would love to have her as our tour guide on our next visit, and spread good words about her to friends/relatives who would tour Japan. Thanks Yoshiko for giving us a very memorable night in Kyoto! Take care.
    Written April 17, 2024
  • W6125NJchrisc
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sae was amazing!
    Our guide Sae was amazing! We had a great experience trying all sorts of different and interesting foods, and along the way Sae throughly and engagingly explained everything about the market and the food we were sampling. She was so happy to share her extensive knowledge and was very patient with our (very) tired children. We would highly recommend Sae to anyone visiting Kyoto!
    Written April 8, 2024
  • Brianna V
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent experience!
    We had an excellent time on our Sake Brewery tour! We learned a lot about different types of sake and how they are made. Sae our tour guide was wonderful and very knowledgeable. I would recommend this tour to anyone!
    Written April 6, 2024
  • Spar10av8or
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fascinating experience with a gifted guide
    Sae was a fascinating guide with impeccable manners and was truly gracious, making us feel incredibly welcome and appreciated.
    Written March 28, 2024
  • Ian O
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Awesome evening
    Yoshiko was a phenomenal tour guide. We saw some beautiful side streets in gion, learned about miyako and geisha culture, and had an incredible, unforgettable kaiseki meal that left us stuffed to the gills. I went with my four sisters, and Yoshiko felt like a member of our family. We were all laughing and trading stories throughout the night. I couldn’t imagine a better night exploring old Kyoto. Thank you so much!!!
    Written March 25, 2024
  • amlt2024
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best food tour with Thomas
    Booked this tour back in November with Thomas, and we had such an amazing time! Thomas was brilliant and gave a very thoughtful and really fun trip! He clearly knew all the ins and outs of Kyoto, and balanced being smart with being super personable. The dinner is amazing it’s like omakase but with more substantive food so definitely recommend coming hungry! Really recommend the tour!
    Written January 14, 2024
  • 765mkf
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    So beautiful
    Had a wonderful time in Kyoto Cute scenes Yoshi my tour guide was incredible - very helpful and informative !!
    Written January 11, 2024
See all 134 reviews
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles18 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
0
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0

maren2016
Stellenbosch, South Africa15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
Wonderful food tour with Tomas , who expertly weaved history and Japan info with amazing street food and new tastes in the atmospheric Gion and Pontocho areas ! We tasted food we had never seen before - and it was delicious! Highly recommended
Written April 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for this fantastic review. We are so glad you enjoyed!
Written May 1, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Fernando
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2024 • Couples
We had a wonderful evening with our guide Eduardo and learned a lot of interesting things about life and food in Kyoto. The food stops were awesome, more delicious food than we could eat. Most of the stops were places we would be too shy to go in as tourists or would not have thought about. Overall it was such a fun experience that we booked another tour with the same company in Osaka.
Written October 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

annkreit
Scotch Plains, NJ29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
Arigato food tours soar above all others. Expert local guides. Personable, knowledgeable and most welcoming!
Written October 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WOW thank you for this LOVELY review. Can we quote you LOL such a nice way of describing us!
Written January 7, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Graham F
Houston, TX14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Yoshie was an excellent guide. We were the only two on the tour, so we got very personal service. The food and sake was very good

We enjoyed Yoshie’s easy going personality. She was so easy to talk to and was easy to understand. Wish we had time to take a tour with her.
Written October 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YAY. So glad you had a great tour! Yoshie is a rock star. We love her so much!
Written November 5, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sparkinheart
Riverside, CA50 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
So many great moments on this food tour! Go with Russ Mainwaring he was a great, super informative about Kyoto history and with extensive knowledge about the street taking us though lots of areas otherwise missed by every day tourist. The food was great and they are very good at making adjustments if someone in your group has food allergies. This is definitely a tour with taking.
Written January 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great review and yes we all love RUSS he is a super guide- so glad you enjoyed! Thank you for mentioning the allergy part as we really try our best which can be a challenge in Japan but we want to make sure our guests can enjoy as much as possible.
Written January 7, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Kiki444421
Tulsa, OK8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Family
This is a great food tour. We had an awesome time with Russ. Russ is very knowledgeable about the local customs. Loved the food and the places he chose to take us! You will definitely not go hungry on this tour!
Written December 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YAY! So happy you had a great tour with Russ, He is a terrific story teller. Kyoto has so much history and adding a food tour is a great way to see it from a different perspective.
Written December 29, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mariana Pinto
Cascais, Portugal14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Couples
Our guide was Masaki. He was really nice and made this the best experience we've had in Japan. 
We went to 6 different places and tasted really good food - that we probably wouldnt have otherwise.
Along the way we talked about the food, Japan's history and culture and a lot of other things and got to see a few typical Kyoto neighbourhoods. 
It was a really fun afternoon (that because Masaki was so nice was actually a bit more than the 3 hours) and we really advise everyone to do this :) Thank you Masaki!
Written July 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WOW thank you for this lovely review. We really appreciate your kind comments and for sure this will help other guests know about our tours. Glad that you enjoyed the food and the information!
Written August 13, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

davetheguide
Tel Aviv, Israel5,671 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Couples
It was an average food tour - and I've taken many around the world. Decent but not outstanding. The guide did go over and beyond and remained with us for a longer duration than we expected.
Written April 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Julie B
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Great tour with Daniela. Excellent food choices and really enjoyed the Pontcho area. Daniela was very knowledgeable and helpful. Would thoroughly recommend this tour
Written September 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Liz H
Boston, MA34 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
Spencer gave us a terrific tour of Kyoto food culture. We particularly appreciated the historical aspect--what was in vogue during different periods of Japanese history--and his ability to connect what we were eating to the culture and agriculture of that part of Japan. We also enjoyed learning about Japanese dining culture--not just the food, but the etiquette & the way it fit into Japanese life. & of course, the food itself was great and we were taken to off-the-beaten-path places that we would never have found ourselves.
Written June 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Kyoto Casual Evening Pontocho Food Tour provided by Arigato Japan

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