9 Best Hidden Kyoto Food Tours 2025: Eat Like a Local in Secret Gion & Pontocho and more
Kyoto, boasting over a thousand years of history, is a city where you can experience the essence of Japanese culture alongside the scenery of four distinct seasons. Beyond the famous temples, shrines, and gardens that attract tourists, the food culture is one of Kyoto's greatest attractions. In the hidden restaurants tucked away in back alleys and local izakaya known only to residents, the flavors and atmosphere that have been passed down through long years continue to thrive.
In Kyoto, food tours are gaining popularity. With local guides leading the way, these tours offer special experiences that cannot be obtained through sightseeing alone. This article introduces recommended food tours available in 2025 by type, helping you choose the perfect plan for your needs.
Types of Kyoto Food Tours Overview
Kyoto Food Tours vary greatly in their enjoyment depending on the area and style. For those wanting to fully enjoy nighttime Kyoto, food hopping in the Gion, Pontocho, and Kawaramachi areas is recommended. You can savor Kyoto cuisine, Obanzai (Kyoto-style home-cooked dishes), and Japanese sake while walking through atmospheric alleys with Japanese charm.
On the other hand, the "Nishiki Market Walking & Food Tour" is popular for those who want to combine it with daytime sightseeing. In this market, also called "Kyoto's kitchen," you can learn about the background of Kyoto's food culture while sampling seasonal Kyoto vegetables, yuba (tofu skin), sweets, and more as you walk around.
From adult-oriented tours featuring night views and local sake to casual tours where families can participate with peace of mind, choices are available to match your purpose and length of stay.
Comparison of Recommended Kyoto Food Tours Featured in This Article
Tours where you can enjoy food hopping in Pontocho
| Kyoto Night Foodie Tour | Kyoto Food Night Tour | Kyoto Bar Hopping Nightlife Tour in Pontocho | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Overview | Explore hidden gems in Gion and Pontocho while savoring Kyoto cuisine and Japanese sake | A casual food tour offering a wide-ranging experience of Kyoto's nighttime food culture | Tour bars and izakaya in the Pontocho area while enjoying local drinks and cuisine |
| Features | Guides take you to hidden gems unknown to tourists Enjoy both sightseeing and dining |
Explore three popular neighborhoods, each with its own unique atmosphere | Sample over 15 varieties of authentic Kyoto cuisine Visit local bars and taverns Connect with locals |
| Place to Visit | Gion Pontocho |
Nishiki Market Pontocho Kiyamachi |
Pontocho |
| Number of Reviews | 1,491 | ー | 659 |
| Rating | 4.9 | ー | 4.9 |
| Booking Site | Official Site TripAdvisor |
Official website | Official website TripAdvisor |
| Estimated Cost (As of August 2025) | $151 | $109.00 | $121.07 |
| Recommended For | People who want to enjoy hidden culinary gems and nighttime strolling simultaneously | People who want to enjoy Kyoto cuisine in a relaxed, casual setting | Drinking enthusiasts who want to experience Kyoto's nighttime social culture |
Tours where you can enjoy food hopping in Gion
| Kyoto Izakaya Food Adventure | Kyoto Evening Gion Food Tour Including Kaiseki Dinner | Kyoto Night Foodie Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Overview | A tour of local casual izakayas | Experience authentic kaiseki cuisine at a high-end restaurant in Gion | Explore hidden gem restaurants in Gion and Pontocho while enjoying local cuisine and drinks |
| Features | Visit restaurants and eateries beloved by locals Enjoy interactions with local people |
Experience traditional Japanese kaiseki course meals Learn about Kyoto's history and culture |
Experience Kyoto's daily life through food Learn about deeply rooted local history and culture |
| Place to Visit | Gion | Gion | Gion・Pontocho |
| Number of Reviews | 32 | 41 | 1,491 |
| Rating | ー | 4.8 | 4.9 |
| Booking Site | Byfood | TripAdvisor | Official Site TripAdvisor |
| Estimated Cost (As of August 2025) | $91.09 | $276 | $151 |
| Recommended For | People who want to experience local izakaya culture | People who want to experience traditional Japanese fine dining | People who want to fully enjoy both sightseeing and cuisine |
Tours where you can enjoy food sampling in Nishiki Market
| Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour | Kyoto Nishiki Market Food and Culture Walking Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Tour Overview | A food tour featuring seasonal ingredients and regional cuisine. Beyond just eating your way around, you'll also learn about Kyoto's food culture and the stories behind the ingredients. | In addition to exploring markets, you'll visit surrounding historic shopping districts and shrines, allowing you to enjoy both food and culture. |
| Features | Experience ingredients unique to Kyoto Enjoy sightseeing while having meaningful interactions with local people |
Enjoy sightseeing while learning about Kyoto's food culture Visit hidden gem spots outside the market as well |
| Place to Visit | Nishiki Market | Nishiki Market Shinkyogoku Arcade St. |
| Number of Reviews | 1,127 | 275 |
| Rating | 4.9 | 4.9 |
| Booking Site | Official Site TripAdvisor |
TripAdvisor |
| Estimated Cost (As of August 2025) | $59.86 | $88.29 |
| Recommended For | People who want to sample food while enjoying fresh ingredients and market atmosphere | People who are interested in both food and history |
Join the Author's Highly Recommended Food Tour to Savor Traditional Kyoto "Obanzai" and Sake!
What the author recommends is Magical Trip's "Kyoto Night Foodie Tour," which has high traveler satisfaction. This tour is a small-group tour with high TripAdvisor ratings. English-fluent local guides take you to hidden famous restaurants in Gion and Pontocho, teaching you about the charm of Kyoto cuisine and local sake.
Since you can taste while learning about the cultural background of the region, you can have a valuable experience that goes beyond just eating around. Below, we'll introduce the attractions of this tour in more detail.
Content That Earned No. 6 Among All TripAdvisor Tours in 2024
This Kyoto Night Foodie Tour was highly evaluated, earning 6th place among all tours on TripAdvisor in 2024. The reason for the high rating lies in the fulfilling content that allows you to enjoy both sightseeing and gourmet experiences, as well as its high quality.
The biggest feature is not just enjoying meals, but walking through the streets of Gion and Pontocho with a guide and hearing episodes related to the region's history and culture. Additionally, being able to visit restaurants that tourists and first-time Kyoto visitors would have difficulty entering is possible only because of guides who know the local area well.
The 3.5-hour tour includes a full dinner course with dessert and three drinks, guaranteeing a highly satisfying food experience.
Savoring Kyoto's Exquisite Local Dish "Obanzai"
A major highlight of this tour is being able to taste Obanzai. Obanzai refers to side dishes that have been commonly prepared in Kyoto households. Using familiar ingredients such as seasonal vegetables, tofu, and dried foods, it features simple yet flavorful seasoning that brings out the natural taste of the ingredients.
This time experiencing the daily dining table of locals in Kyoto, which cannot be easily accessed through sightseeing alone, is a special moment as if you were living in Kyoto. Furthermore, this tour includes a tasting comparison of three types of Kyoto-produced Japanese sake. You can enjoy the marriage of Obanzai's gentle umami flavors with the delicate aroma and sweetness of Japanese sake.
For the Finale, Choose Between a Sake Bar or Matcha Bar According to Your Preference
The end of the course can be concluded in a style that matches your personal preferences. For sake lovers, further savoring Kyoto's famous sake at a local sake bar is also recommended. The taste of Japanese sake varies greatly depending on the rice variety and the quality of the brewing water. You can enjoy different expressions with each cup - some highlighting the sweetness of rice, others with a clean aftertaste, and some with rich aromas.
On the other hand, for those who don't drink alcohol or want to conclude with something sweet, a matcha bar is also available. Matcha and Japanese sweets enjoyed in an atmospheric café represent the taste of traditional Japanese culture. This flexibility to enjoy at your own pace until the end further enhances the tour's satisfaction level.
Recommended Food Hopping Tours in Pontocho - Where Kyoto's Finest Cuisine Gathers
Kyoto Bar Hopping Nightlife Tour in Pontocho
This is a drinking tour that takes approximately 3 hours to visit 3 establishments in Pontocho. The greatest appeal is being able to visit taverns frequented by local regulars together with a local guide. In back-alley izakayas and standing bars that tourists alone would never reach, you can enjoy yakitori and sashimi with cold draft beer and Kyoto-produced sake.
Through conversations with shop owners and local customers, you can naturally blend into the daily life of the neighborhood - this is unique to this tour. For those who want to fully savor a night where alcohol takes center stage, there's no better choice.
While there may be other participants on this tour, if you toast together and get excited, you'll create new encounters unique to travel destinations.
Meeting point: Gion Shijo Station, right outside of Exit 5, in front of Izumo no Okuni Statue
Tour area: Pontocho
Start time: 17:30
Kyoto Food Night Tour
Source:Ninja Food Tours
This tour allows you to walk through popular Kyoto areas with different atmospheres - Nishiki Market, Pontocho, and Kiyamachi - while sampling over 15 types of Kyoto cuisine in small portions at 3 restaurants.
At Nishiki Market, you'll see colorful ingredients and longtime established specialties. In Pontocho, you'll savor Obanzai at atmospheric shops nestled in scenic back alleys. In Kiyamachi, you'll encounter dishes that blend tradition with modern arrangements.
While there's a fair amount of walking, you can experience the different character of each area. This plan is recommended for travelers who want to enjoy a good balance of sightseeing and gourmet food through these exceptional Kyoto Food Tours.
Due to the limited number of guides for this tour, please book early if you have preferred dates.
Meeting point: Apple Kyoto or Plaza
Tour areas: Nishiki Market, Pontocho, Kiyamachi
Start time: 17:00
Evening in Kyoto Pontocho Food Tour
Source:Byfood
This food tour visits 4 establishments while strolling through Pontocho and Gion at night.
You'll enjoy a diverse array of cuisine including charcoal-grilled meat and seafood skewers, fragrant charcoal-grilled chicken, handmade noodles showcasing artisan skills, and Kyoto-produced sake at local sake tasting shops.
Both refined traditional flavors and popular, lively food culture are all important elements that shape Kyoto. Through this tour, you can learn about aspects of Kyoto's food culture that go beyond just Kyoto cuisine.
While wandering through Pontocho's alleys and around Gion, you can spend your Kyoto evening feeling like a local regular through these immersive Kyoto Food Tours.
Please note that this tour requires a minimum of 2 people to book.
Meeting point: Will be notified by email after tour booking
Tour areas: Pontocho, Gion
Start time: 16:30
Recommended Food Tours Through Gion Area - Featuring Historic Kagai Heritage and Atmospheric Streets
Kyoto Izakaya Food Adventure
Source:Byfood
This is a vibrant experience walking through Gion and downtown nightlife, visiting local izakayas and food stalls.
The places you'll visit aren't high-end traditional restaurants, but casual dining establishments that locals frequent regularly. This is precisely why tourists can sit down without feeling intimidated and naturally blend into Kyoto's daily life.
You can taste gyoza, yakitori, and seasonal specialty dishes with beer, enjoying Kyoto's night from a local perspective. Hearing about the history and behind-the-scenes stories of kagai (traditional geisha entertainment districts) is another attraction of these authentic Kyoto Food Tours.
The tour is in private format, so itineraries and destinations can be flexibly adjusted. Please note that additional transportation costs may be required if the itinerary is changed.
Meeting point: Kyoto Kawaramachi Station Exit 6
Tour area: Gion
Start time: 18:30
Kyoto Evening Gion Food Tour Including Kaiseki Dinner
Source:Tripadvisor
This is a luxurious tour where you can thoroughly savor Kyoto's evening with a traditional kaiseki course. Walk along the Kamo River with an English-speaking guide, observe locals relaxing at kawayuka (riverside dining platforms), and head to Gion while taking in the scenery of Pontocho, which has flourished as a geiko (Kyoto geisha) district since the 16th century.
Along the way, if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of kimono-clad geiko walking through the tea house district.
The meal consists of a 10-course kaiseki featuring seasonal ingredients. You can dine while learning about the delicate aesthetic sensibilities embedded in the tableware and presentation.
This tour is more formal than others and is recommended for travelers who want to spend a relaxed, leisurely time. Since this tour has a fixed number of participants, you need to confirm the group size requirements when making a reservation.
Meeting point: Japan Kanji Museum & Library
Tour areas: Pontocho, Gion
Start time: 17:00
Two Kyoto Food Tours for Food Walking at "Nishiki Market" in Central Kyoto
Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour
This tour allows you to experience Kyoto's food culture through food walking and brunch while exploring Nishiki Market, known as Kyoto's kitchen, with a local guide.
At Nishiki Market, which stretches 400 meters with approximately 130 shops and is called Kyoto's kitchen, you'll see locals shopping early in the morning and staff from traditional restaurants and eateries sourcing fresh ingredients.
During the tour, you'll enjoy food walking with seafood, Japanese sweets, pickles, and more, while the guide explains the market's history and Kyoto's culture. You can learn about the charms of Kyoto's Nishiki Market that you might miss if visiting individually.
While food and drink costs are included in the tour price, you might find other interesting items while walking through the market. Additional purchases are possible, but since many shops in the market don't accept cards, it's recommended to bring cash.
Meeting point: In front of the Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni, right outside Exit 5 of Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line)
Tour area: Nishiki Market
Start time: 9:30
Kyoto Nishiki Market Food and Culture Walking Tour
Source:Tripadvisor
This is a tour that deeply explores the food and culture of Nishiki Market, thoroughly exploring the market with over 130 shops.
In this market filled with diverse Kyoto gourmet foods, you'll enjoy food walking with dishes recommended by the guide. Additionally, you'll visit nearby attractions and experience Kyoto's daily life and religious culture.
The market is still a place where many professional chefs visit for sourcing, and learning about ingredient quality and cooking methods is one of its attractions.
Since the tour also visits shops selling food-related items like hocho (Japanese kitchen knives) and tableware, it's recommended for those interested in Japanese cuisine or cooking enthusiasts.
Since Nishiki Market has narrow paths and gets crowded, participating with light clothing and minimal luggage will make the experience more comfortable.
Meeting point: DAIMARU KYOTO or KYOTO Takashimaya department store
Tour area: Nishiki Market
Start time: 9:45
For Creating Special Memories in Kyoto, a Tour with Dinner Alongside Maiko is Absolutely Recommended!
If you want to spend a special evening that can only be experienced in Kyoto, a dinner tour with maiko is recommended.
Maiko are figures who carry on Kyoto's kagai culture to this day, and their graceful demeanor and gorgeous kimono appearance can be said to symbolize Japanese culture.
However, there are almost no opportunities for direct interaction with maiko during regular travel. Originally, interaction with maiko takes place in high-class traditional banquet rooms, and even Japanese people find it difficult to dine together without proper introduction.
This tour is arranged so that anyone can safely enjoy this precious experience.
First, you'll explore Gion town with a local guide and learn about maiko history, culture, and the formation of kagai. After the exploration, you'll move to a restaurant to savor visually beautiful Kyoto cuisine.
Then comes the appearance of the maiko. The maiko will perform traditional dance and create a warm atmosphere with simple games. The guide teaches interaction etiquette beforehand, so even first-timers can enjoy with confidence.
Dinner with maiko is a special time where you can experience Kyoto's history, culture, and human connections all at once. As a travel highlight, this is definitely a tour you'll want to include in your itinerary.
Meeting point: In front of Izumo no Okuni Statue, right outside of Exit 5 of Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line)
Tour area: Gion
Start time: 18:30
