Kyoto Kitano Tenmangu Shrine & Shozan Garden Illuminated Autumn Foliage Guided Tour with Kaiseki Dinner and Maiko Performance

Experience Kyoto’s autumn beauty and traditional culture on an evening bus tour featuring illuminated gardens, a kaiseki-style dinner, and a live maiko dance performance. Travel from Kyoto Station to Shozan Garden and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, enjoying seasonal scenery and Japanese hospitality along the way.

Getting started

Arrive at the Kyoto Regular Sightseeing Bus boarding area at the Karasuma Exit of JR Kyoto Station by 4:50pm. Present your booking voucher to the guide, who will provide your seat number. The bus departs at 5:10pm, so make sure you arrive at least 20 minutes early. Your tour includes a multilingual audio guide in English, Chinese, or Korean, while a Japanese-speaking guide accompanies the group.

What to expect

• Begin with an 85-minute visit to Shozan, where illuminated autumn leaves and traditional Kitayama cedar trees create a seasonal garden setting. Enjoy a kaiseki-style Kyoto dinner, featuring seasonal Japanese cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

• During dinner, watch a maiko perform traditional Japanese dance on a platform close to the dining area. You can take a commemorative photo with the maiko and, if time permits, enjoy a brief conversation. You’ll also receive a senjafuda, a traditional votive slip presented by the maiko.

• Continue to this historic shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, associated with learning and scholarship. Spend approximately 60 minutes exploring the illuminated autumn foliage at the Odoi gardens, a historic site known for its seasonal scenery. Tea and sweets are included during your visit.

• After the shrine visit, board the bus for the return journey. The tour is scheduled to end at approximately 8:50pm at JR Kyoto Station’s Karasuma Exit. Selected hotel and subway drop-offs are also available; inform your guide on the day if you wish to use an alternative stop.