Experiences
Tea ceremony, zazen, workshops, volunteering and exchanges — hands-on things to do in Kyoto.
Next 30 days
Sat, Oct 17
18:30
"Solo Going" Kyoto International Party
Runs Oct 17 – Dec 26
20:00
Kōun-ji Weekly Saturday Zazen
Runs Oct 17 – Jan 9
Sun, Oct 18
10:00
KYO-TOMODACHI Sunday English Cafe
Runs Oct 18 – Dec 27
—
Updated Oct 12May have changedSource ↗ kuramadera.or.jp
Thu, Oct 22
18:00
Nihongo Meetup – Every Thursday in Kyoto
Runs Oct 15 – Dec 31
Sat, Oct 24
18:30
"Solo Going" Kyoto International Party
Runs Oct 17 – Dec 26
20:00
Kōun-ji Weekly Saturday Zazen
Runs Oct 17 – Jan 9
Sun, Oct 25
06:00
Nanzen-ji Dawn Zazen
Runs Oct 25 – Dec 13
10:00
KYO-TOMODACHI Sunday English Cafe
Runs Oct 18 – Dec 27
18:00
Confirmed by organizerUpdated Oct 14Source ↗ eventbrite.com
Thu, Oct 29
18:00
Nihongo Meetup – Every Thursday in Kyoto
Runs Oct 15 – Dec 31
Sat, Oct 31
18:30
"Solo Going" Kyoto International Party
Runs Oct 17 – Dec 26
20:00
Kōun-ji Weekly Saturday Zazen
Runs Oct 17 – Jan 9
—
Kyoto Modern Architecture Festival
Runs Oct 31 – Nov 8
Sun, Nov 1
10:00
KYO-TOMODACHI Sunday English Cafe
Runs Oct 18 – Dec 27
—
Kyoto Modern Architecture Festival
Runs Oct 31 – Nov 8
Thu, Nov 5
18:00
Nihongo Meetup – Every Thursday in Kyoto
Runs Oct 15 – Dec 31
Sat, Nov 7
18:30
"Solo Going" Kyoto International Party
Runs Oct 17 – Dec 26
20:00
Kōun-ji Weekly Saturday Zazen
Runs Oct 17 – Jan 9
—
—
Kyoto Modern Architecture Festival
Runs Oct 31 – Nov 8
Sun, Nov 8
06:00
Myōshin-ji Ichizankai Monthly Zazen
Runs Nov 8 – Jan 8
06:30
Nanzen-ji Dawn Zazen
Runs Oct 25 – Dec 13
07:30
Kennin-ji Senkōkai Monthly Zazen
Runs Nov 8 – Jan 10
09:00
Tenryū-ji Sunday Zazen
Runs Nov 8 – Jan 10
10:00
KYO-TOMODACHI Sunday English Cafe
Runs Oct 18 – Dec 27
—
Kyoto Modern Architecture Festival
Runs Oct 31 – Nov 8
Thu, Nov 12
18:00
Nihongo Meetup – Every Thursday in Kyoto
Runs Oct 15 – Dec 31
Sat, Nov 14
18:30
"Solo Going" Kyoto International Party
Runs Oct 17 – Dec 26
20:00
Kōun-ji Weekly Saturday Zazen
Runs Oct 17 – Jan 9
Sun, Nov 15
10:00
KYO-TOMODACHI Sunday English Cafe
Runs Oct 18 – Dec 27
Ongoing
17:00
Autumn Special Night Viewing
Runs Oct 23 – Dec 13
Anytime
体 · Experiences
Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
嵐山モンキーパークいわたやま
adults ¥800, children 4-15 ¥400, under 3 free
Heads-up. Wild monkey habitat; 20-min uphill climb. Feed only inside the hut; don't stare at or touch monkeys. No strollers.
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ monkeypark.jp
体 · Experiences
BEAUTIFUL PLANET Kansai Cleanup Volunteers
BEAUTIFUL PLANET 関西ゴミ拾いボランティア
Free (transport at own expense)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ activo.jp
体 · Experiences
Board game cafe bar Hide Out
ボードゲームカフェ バー Hide Out（四条店）
~JPY 1000-1999 avg spend
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ cafe-hideout.com
体 · Experiences
Chion-in Wajun Kaikan (Temple Stay)
知恩院 和順会館（宿坊）
From about ¥15,708 per room for 2 (live Rakuten Travel rate, for reference only)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ livejapan.com
体 · Experiences
Chishakuin Kaikan (Shukubo)
智積院会館（宿坊）
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ chisan.or.jp
体 · Experiences
Daisen-in Private Zazen (Daitoku-ji)
大仙院（大徳寺塔頭）貸切座禅
Premium course from ¥30,000/group (1–7 people, ~90 min: zazen + garden tour + matcha); Standard course from ¥45,000/group (up to 80 people)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ daisen-in.net
体 · Experiences
Daisenji Lodge-ing (Temple Stay near Imperial Palace)
大仙寺 Lodge-ing（宿坊）
From about ¥22,838 per room for 2 adults
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ livejapan.com
体 · Experiences
Demachi Masugata Shotengai (Tamako Market anime pilgrimage)
出町桝形商店街（「たまこまーけっと」聖地）
Free entry
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ likeafishinwater.com
体 · Experiences
Early Morning Buddhist Service & Meditation at Higashi Honganji
東本願寺 早朝勤行・瞑想体験
About US$30 per person (booking platform price)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ getyourguide.com
体 · Experiences
Gion Matsuri Zero-Waste Project Volunteer (祇園祭ごみゼロ大作戦 ボランティア)
祇園祭ごみゼロ大作戦 ボランティア
Free (no pay, transport, or meals provided; staff wear and badge supplied)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ giongomizero.jp
体 · Experiences
Glass Fusing Experience in Kyoto (Glass Studio May)
ガラスフュージング体験（西陣）
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ klook.com
体 · Experiences
Haha to Ko no Mori Autumn Nature Class (Kyoto Gyoen)
京都御苑 母と子の森 秋の自然教室
100 yen per person (per summer edition flyer)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ env.go.jp
体 · Experiences
Hanazono Kaikan (Myoshin-ji Temple Lodging)
花園会館（妙心寺 宿坊）
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ accessible-japan.com
体 · Experiences
Heian Gyokuo Touen — Kyo-yaki / Kiyomizu-yaki Pottery Experience
平安玉王陶苑 陶芸体験
Potter's wheel experience ¥6,600 per person, tax included (from Jan 2026)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ en.activityjapan.com
体 · Experiences
Hitotsubu no Zen (Candy Zen) at Taizo-in, Myoshin-ji
退蔵院 ひと粒の禅
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ note.com
体 · Experiences
Keibunsha Ichijoji
恵文社一乗寺店
Free entry
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ wanderboat.ai
体 · Experiences
Kintsugi Workshop in Gion (Traveling Tokyo)
金継ぎワークショップ（祇園）
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ getyourguide.com
体 · Experiences
Kizakura Kappa Country
黄桜 カッパカントリー
Free entry; tasting set about ¥600
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ kizakura.co.jp
体 · Experiences
kokoka Kids' Spaces Story Time
kokoka キッズスペース おはなし会
500 yen per child per session (per KCIF page)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ kcif.or.jp
体 · Experiences
Kyoto Aquarium
京都水族館
Adults ¥2,600, high school students ¥2,000, junior/elementary students ¥1,400, children aged 3+ ¥900 (revised Feb 2026)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ kyoto-aquarium.com
体 · Experiences
Kyoto City Zoo
京都市動物園
adults ¥750, junior high and under free (per third-party listing)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ zoo.city.kyoto.lg.jp
体 · Experiences
Kyoto Global Hangout Mingle Night
¥1,000 (students free with ID)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ meetup.com
体 · Experiences
Kyoto Gyoen Nature Class (Autumn: Mushrooms)
京都御苑 自然教室（秋：きのこ）
¥100 per person
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ env.go.jp
体 · Experiences
Kyoto Natural Indigo Dyeing with Local Masters
天然藍染め体験（京都西部工房）
From about US$107 per adult (booking platform price)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ getyourguide.com
体 · Experiences
Kyoto Okazaki Tsutaya Books
京都岡崎 蔦屋書店
Free entry
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ store.tsite.jp
体 · Experiences
Kyoto Prefecture Simultaneous Mountain Cleanup (府下一斉清掃登山)
府下一斉清掃登山（京都府山岳連盟）
Free (volunteer activity)
Heads-up. Mountain cleanup requiring hiking gear; meeting times vary by course. Info in Japanese only—confirm with organizer; canceled in bad weather.
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ kyoto-gakuren.jp
体 · Experiences
Kyoto Zen Meditation & Garden Tour with Lunch (MagicalTrip)
京都 禅寺坐禅＋庭园＋精进料理半日游
About US$93–108 per adult, lunch included (booking platform price)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ tripadvisor.co.za
体 · Experiences
LEX&CO Japanese Conversation Meetup
LEX&CO 日本語会話ミートアップ
one drink order
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ meetup.com
体 · Experiences
Nintendo Museum
ニンテンドーミュージアム
JPY 3300 (adult); JPY 2200 (12-17); JPY 1100 (6-11); preschool free
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ livejapan.com
体 · Experiences
Nishihonganji Temple Monpo Kaikan
西本願寺 聞法会館（宿坊）
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ trip.com
体 · Experiences
Nishijin Weave Lampshade Experience (Sousen Tsuzure-en)
西陣爪掻き本綴織 ランプシェード織り体験
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ en.activityjapan.com
体 · Experiences
OKADA — Kata-Yuzen Dyeing Workshop
岡田 型友禅染め体験（東山）
From about £66 per person (booking platform price)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ getyourguide.com
体 · Experiences
Pokémon Center Kyoto
ポケモンセンターキョウト
free entry
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ magical-trip.com
体 · Experiences
Puhuu — Kyoto Meeting for Foreign Women to Talk about Life in Japan (Paruyon)
外国人女性のための何でもしゃべれる会「プフー」（京都）
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ meetup.com
体 · Experiences
Ryosokuin Zazen Experience
両足院（建仁寺塔頭）坐禅体験
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ ryosokuin.com
体 · Experiences
Shakyo (Sutra Copying) at Shourinji Temple
勝林寺 写経体験
About ¥1,500 when booking directly at the temple; platform packages about ¥13,000 per person
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ veltra.com
体 · Experiences
Support Phone/Chat for Foreign Women (Paruyon)
外国人女性のためのサポート電話・チャット（パルヨン）
Free (phone/chat support)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ paruyon.jimdofree.com
体 · Experiences
teamLab Biovortex Kyoto
adults ¥3,800+ (dynamic), 13-17 ¥2,800, 4-12 ¥1,800, under 3 free
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ teamlab.art
体 · Experiences
Temple Yoga & Sacred Spring Water Day (Tranquwell)
寺院プライベートヨガ＋名水巡り（Tranquwell）
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ en.activityjapan.com
体 · Experiences
Temple Yoga at Shoko-ji (Kawaramachi)
正光寺 テンプルヨガ（河原町）
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ evendo.com
体 · Experiences
Uji Sound! Euphonium anime pilgrimage spots (+ guided bike tour)
宇治「響け！ユーフォニアム」聖地巡礼
Free (pilgrimage walk)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ nerz.jp
体 · Experiences
UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE (Toei Uzumasa Eigamura)
東映太秦映画村 / UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE
adults ¥2,800, junior/high school ¥1,800, children 3+ ¥1,600
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ global.toei-eigamura.com
体 · Experiences
WORLD CLEANUP DAY Japan
WORLD CLEANUP DAY（世界クリーンアップデー）日本
Free; advance registration required
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ worldcleanupday.jp
体 · Experiences
YUSAI Tea Ceremony & Wagashi Making (Gion, chair style)
祇園 遊彩 茶道・和菓子体験
From about US$60 per adult (booking platform price)
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ tripadvisor.co.za
体 · Experiences
Zazen & Matcha with the Abbot at Jusho-in (Myoshin-ji)
妙心寺 寿聖院 座禅＋抹茶（住職指導）
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ getyourguide.com
体 · Experiences
ZEN Chopsticks & Kintsugi Workshop (Gion)
禅 ZEN 箸作り・金継ぎワークショップ（祇園）
Updated Oct 11May have changedSource ↗ klook.com
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