Tofuku-ji Temple Tours
8 Reviews

Few places on earth are more breathtakingly beautiful than Fall in Tofucku-ji Temple. During cool autumn months travelers and locals make the journey to this Zen temple in southeastern Kyoto that’s known for its incredible colors and brilliant Japanese maples. Visitors climb to the top of Tsutenkyo Bridge, which stretches across a colorful valley full of lush fall foliage in fiery reds and shocking oranges.
Visitors who make their way to Tofuku-ji other times of year can still wander beautiful temple grounds and explore places like the Hojo, where the head priest used to reside. Well-kept rock gardens provide the perfect spot for quiet contemplation and a stone path near the Kaisando is lined with brightly colored flowers and fresh greenery that’s almost as beautiful as the Japanese maples this temple is famous for.
Practical Info
A large part of the temple grounds are free to visit, although the bridge does require travelers to pay a small fee. Colors usually reach their peak in mid to late November. Travelers can expect to find bigger crowds and congestion on the Tsutenkyo Bridge, but most agree it’s still worth a visit.
Address: 15-778 Hommachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
15 Tours and Activities to Experience Tofuku-ji Temple
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Kyoto Private Custom Walking & Sightseeing Tour
Take control of your Kyoto sightseeing and visit only the sights you wish to see on this private walking tour. Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour lets you customize a half-day or full-day itinerary. Opt to visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Nijo Castle, or to stray from the beaten path to see an alternative side of Kyoto. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
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From
$157.00
per group
From
$157.00
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Biking Tour in Kyoto
For those short on time and high on energy, join us for a one day all-you-can-Kyoto bike tour!
Experience the tranquility of one of world's largest wooden buildings, learn about the history of Kyoto at the Imperial Palace Park, reflect on life at the stunning Golden Pavilion, enjoy a traditional sit-down lunch, capture the essence of Kyoto in the Gion geisha district and discover the majesty of the mighty Fushimi Shrine.
Our shop is a 2 minute walk from Kyoto central station, our groups are small, our bikes are top quality 'Giant' hybrids, and our guides are relaxed, bilingual, experienced and safe!
Sit back and let Cycle Kyoto show you around town!
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From
$124.39
From
$124.39
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Beautiful Private Nara Day Trip with a Local: Deers, Temples & Shrines
Ready to discover one of Japan’s hidden gem towns? Located a mere hour train ride from Kyoto, Nara is the ideal destination for a day trip. On this private day trip, you’ll be left in awe at the sight of Buddhist shrines, temples, and the ancient architecture of Japan’s first permanent capital city. And the cherry on top, deers!
Once the center of Japan during the 8th century, Nara contains some of Japan’s most ancient sites and is now considered one of Japan’s most notable destinations. Together with your local host, you’ll visit some of Nara’s many Buddhist temples and shrines, including the towering Daibutsu (Great Buddha) and some of Japan’s oldest and largest temples. Take a trip back in time as you explore Nara and get a peek into the nation’s ancient past!
Experience the natural beauty of Nara with a visit to the Kasuga Primeval Forest in Nara Park and Sarusawa-ike Pond. Nara Park is home to friendly deer that allow people to feed and even pet them.
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From
$203.66
Price varies by group size
From
$203.66
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour
-Hike through a secret path into Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Even though there is Fushi-inari station, we start the tour from Tofukuji station because we enter Fushi-inari shrine from back side of main entrance.
-Journey into a secret bamboo forest
We will discover a natural bamboo forest, and a small Inari shrine hidden from tourists. Fushimi Inari's main entrance is hard to navigate due to a lot of people, but by walking through the mountains, we will see Fushimi Inari from a new perspective, away from the crowd.
-Return to civilization after a breathtaking view atop the mountains of Fushimi Inari
From here on, we will explore tourist areas on the way to the top of the mountain. Tour routes may vary, but it will end somewhere around the main shrine.
Magical Trip is a local tour operator with the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence that offers various types of small-group tours throughout Japan! Check out our Trip Advisor Page for more tours and our reviews!
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From
$59.16
From
$59.16
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

South Kyoto in a Nutshell: Gentle Backstreet Bike Tour!
Join Cycle Kyoto for a morning bike tour around south Kyoto's most beautiful locations. Stay safe riding on quiet backstreets, explore the mighty Fushimi Inari Shrine as well as a host of specially selected locations.
Starts with a visit to the temples of central Kyoto before following the Takase Canal and Kamo River into Gion. After weaving through the backstreets of Kyoto’s famous geisha and teahouse district, we head up to the spectacular Tofukuji Temple for pictures. We then roll down to the other side of the slope and straight into Fushimi Inari Shrine (The most visited attraction in Japan!). After a stroll around the famous orange Torii gates, we head home
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From
$72.56
From
$72.56
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

The Alternative Fushimi Inari Walking Tour
If you’re interested in a deeper understanding of the shrines and temples of Japan, take this tour of Fushimi Inari with a real insider. Go past the tunnels of red tori gates. Learn fascinating stories, history and folklore. See temples, shrines, forest-bathing sites and a zen garden, and get access to sites not on the official map.
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From
$60.68
From
$60.68
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Lonely Planet Experiences: City of Culture Private Afternoon Tour
Japan’s former capital Kyoto is known for being Japan’s city of culture. By going on a private tour, you have a more personalized experience. Don't worry about getting lost as you explore the city with a guide. Save time waiting in line, as entry to Tofukiji Temple is included. Your guide takes you to multiple beautiful sites including the filming location of 'Memoirs of a Geisha'—Fushimi Inari Shrine and Gion District.
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From
$162.85
Price varies by group size
From
$162.85
Price varies by group size
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms

Total Kyoto - Full Day Kyoto by Day and after Dusk Small Group Tour
On this small group tour, you’ll save time researching Kyoto highlights by having a guide to show you top attractions (such as Tofukuji Temple), as well as hidden sites that locals love. You’ll cover a lot of ground, and see multiple districts, including Kyoto’s Geisha district—Gion. Kyoto comes to life at night with lantern-lit streets, so this tour makes sure you don’t miss out on that by having an ‘after dusk’ section too.
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From
$182.92
From
$182.92
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms

Kyoto Half-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide
Explore Kyoto, one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, accompanied by one of our nationally-licensed, experienced multilingual guides, who will help you efficiently enjoy a four-hour tour, introducing both modern and traditional sides of this dynamic and ancient city.
Your guide will pick you up at your hotel, or anywhere else at your convenience, and will take you to a number of Kyoto's famous spots.
Let us know what you would like to experience and we will arrange a tour that's best for you!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
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From
$93.29
Price varies by group size
From
$93.29
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Discover the beauty of Kyoto on a bicycle tour!
1. Bicycle is by far the best way to get around Kyoto’s crowded streets.
Kyoto has a great geography for two wheels. Why wait for crowded buses or be stuck in traffic with an expensive taxi when you have the freedom to move around at will like the locals do.
2. We take you on scenic routes which are chosen with your safety in mind.
Riding a bike alone you might get lost or end up on very narrow streets. We know the best way to get around and give you tips on staying safe. We also know quiet side streets with lots of character and charm.
3.We tell you stories of the city’s past and give you background knowledge along the way.
Learn about the world of the shogun and samurai, the geisha house and even get a background on the shinto and buddhist beliefs. Learning about the cultural legacy of old Kyoto is a great insight to Japanese customs and culture.
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From
$121.36
From
$121.36

Tour by car with a Kyoto native away off touristy|a local show you secret places
We show you around Kyoto with our vehicles.
No need to worry about changing trains or buses any more.
Guides are all fluent English speakers. No language barrier.
Just sit back and relax, enjoy the tour.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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From
$590.87
per group
From
$590.87
per group

Private Tour - A Tour to Visit Classic Tourists Spots in Kyoto!
Is it your first time being in Kyoto? If yes, there is no way of missing this plan!
You will first visit Fushimi-inari Taisha which is famous for its red gate of the shrine since there are many of them in a row (usually there is only one gate). This is really famous a spot that almost every tourist visit, but your guide will tell you an anecdote which not many people know.
You will next visit Tofukuji: which is a temple with a beautiful garden and a bridge. Relax in the beautiful garden which is like a piece of art!
Sanju-Sangen-do Temple is also a must to visit for Kyoto beginners! It is famous for its long corridor and the Buddhist saints!
Book your tour and become a Kyoto expert!
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From
$133.12
From
$133.12
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands

1-Day Kyoto Private Custom Tour from Osaka by Chartered Vehicle
This is a full-day custom tour ideal for small group. After selecting your preferred choice of transportation from an alphard, van or bus, your group will explore the World Heritage-listed Kyoto and visit the must-see sights at your own pace, and customise the day to see only what you want to, all with the help of a guide/driver.
Design your own itinerary and experience the region’s nature and culture.
Example Tour Route:
Route A: Kinkakuji Temple -- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine -- Kiyomizu-dera Temple -- Sannenzaka Ninenzaka -- Gion and Hanamikoji Street
Route B: Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine -- Sanjusangendo Temple -- Nijo Castle -- Kyoto Imperial Palace -- Gion and Hanamikoji Street
Route C: Togetsukyo Bridge -- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove -- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine -- Gion and Hanamikoji Street
Route D: Kifune Shrine -- Sanzen-in Temple -- Gion and Hanamikoji Street -- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
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From
$827.24
per group
From
$827.24
per group
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Face masks provided for travelers
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

Private All Inclusive Kyoto Station Area Deep Dive
Kyoto Station is often seen as merely a way to and from one's final destination on one's travels. However, the station area offers many of Kyoto's finest treasures. Immerse yourself in it's rich nature, history, and contrasts. See amazing zen architecture, gardens, and 1001 gold plated, hand carved, ancient Kannon statues that glisten brighter than Kinkakuji in the longest wooden building in the world.
Other than breathtaking temples, Kyoto's south side also houses Kyoto's most overlooked neighborhood. Learn about the less discussed history of Japan's hidden underclass, the Burakumin by going off the beaten path in the Sujin district bordering Kyoto Station. See Kyoto from old to new, change and hope in the less explored south side.
This tour is all inclusive so no need to worry about any hidden fees.
If you also want to hike Kyoto's most famous shrine, Fushimi Inari, check out the Fushimi Foxes and Lunch option. Note that the Fushimi add-on starts at 11:30 at JR Inari Station.
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From
$157.77
Price varies by group size
From
$157.77
Price varies by group size

Kyoto Japanese Garden Lover's Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide
Traditional and historical Japanese gardens are best sites to see Japanese aesthetics. Both artistic landscape gardens with seasonal plants and dry landscape gardens at Zen temples help you get relaxed for meditation. Visiting various styled gardens and experiencing traditional Japanese spirits which are represented in plants, rocks, and total design.
Our nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual guides will help you efficiently enjoy a one-day private tour of the best Japanese gardens in Kyoto.
Select gardens from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. In addition to gardens, you may also choose any famous site in Kyoto for a truly memorable experience!
Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary.
Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
…More
From
$123.26
Price varies by group size
From
$123.26
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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