The Kyoto Portrait Tour offers a unique cultural experience for visitors to the ancient capital. Participants can enjoy the beauty of traditional Japanese dress by renting a kimono and posing for professional photographs at scenic locations. With a small group size and knowledgeable guide, the tour provides a personalized and insightful journey into Kyoto’s rich heritage. While some customers have noted concerns about the service, the tour’s high recommendation rate suggests it delivers a memorable experience that captures the essence of this captivating city.
Key Points

- Kyoto Portrait Tour offers a traditional kimono experience with a 93% recommendation rate based on 29 reviews.
- The tour is priced from $87.47 per person and includes professional edited photos, a guide, and kimono rental.
- The tour starts at Yasaka Jinja Nishiromon Gate and ends at Hōkan-ji Temple, providing convenient locations for easy access.
- Participants receive personalized attention with a maximum group size of 6 travelers and the tour is wheelchair accessible and pet-friendly.
- While the tour has received praise for its scenic spots and cultural insights, some customers have reported concerns regarding post-payment experiences and staff behavior.
Tour Overview

The Kyoto Portrait Tour with Kimono provides travelers with a unique opportunity to explore the historic city’s scenic backdrops while donning traditional Japanese attire.
The tour takes place in Kyoto, Japan, and features a 93% recommendation rate based on 29 reviews. Priced from $87.47 per person, the experience includes professional edited photos, a guide, and kimono rental.
The tour starts at the Yasaka Jinja Nishiromon Gate and ends at the Hōkan-ji Temple. Group size is limited to a maximum of 6 travelers, ensuring personalized attention throughout the photoshoot.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Kyoto.
Meeting and Ending Points

The tour begins at the Yasaka Jinja Nishiromon Gate, located at 625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073, Japan. Participants gather here before embarking on their photoshoot adventure. After capturing stunning images, the tour concludes at the Hōkan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda), situated at 〒605-0862 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, 清水八坂上町388.
| Meeting Point | Location |
|---|---|
| Yasaka Jinja Nishiromon Gate | 625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073, Japan |
| End Point | Location |
|---|---|
| Hōkan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda) | 〒605-0862 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, 清水八坂上町388 |
Included in the Tour
The Kyoto Portrait Tour with Kimono includes several key features that enhance the overall experience for participants.
Travelers will receive professional, edited photos from the photo session. A knowledgeable guide accompanies the group, providing cultural insights throughout the tour.
Importantly, the tour includes the rental of a traditional Japanese kimono, allowing visitors to enjoy the local culture.
The tour accommodates a maximum of 6 travelers, ensuring personalized attention.
With wheelchair accessibility and pet-friendly policies, the tour caters to the needs of a diverse audience.
Accessibility and Group Size

The Kyoto Portrait Tour with Kimono caters to the needs of a diverse audience.
The tour is wheelchair accessible, allowing travelers with mobility challenges to fully participate. Strollers are also welcome, making it suitable for families with young children.
Plus, service animals are allowed, ensuring that guests with disabilities can bring their essential companions.
The tour’s close proximity to public transportation further enhances accessibility, allowing visitors to easily reach the meeting and ending points.
The group size is limited to a maximum of 6 travelers, ensuring personalized attention and a more intimate experience.
Customer Praise and Feedback

Travelers consistently praised the friendly and accommodating photographers, such as Takuma, Mina, and Soma, who showcased their professionalism, local insights, and ability to make the experience enjoyable.
Tourists appreciated the beautiful, edited photos received promptly after the session.
The tour experience allowed participants to enjoy:
- Scenic spots throughout Kyoto
- Cultural insights from the knowledgeable guides
- Personalized attention during the photo shoot
- Prompt delivery of high-quality, edited photographs
- The opportunity to explore the city in traditional kimono attire
While the overall experience was well-received, some travelers raised concerns about customer service issues and a lack of transparency in the service offerings.
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Photographer Highlights

Photographers Takuma, Mina, and Soma consistently received praise from travelers for their professionalism, local insights, and ability to make the experience enjoyable. The photographers effectively guided participants through scenic spots, ensuring personalized attention during the photo shoot. They shared their expertise on Kyoto’s cultural heritage, enriching the overall tour experience. The quality of the edited photos was also a highlight, with travelers appreciating the beautiful, prompt delivery of the images.
| Photographer | Feedback |
|---|---|
| Takuma | Friendly, accommodating |
| Mina | Professional, insightful |
| Soma | Able to make experience enjoyable |
Photo Quality and Delivery

Along With the personalized attention from the photographers, travelers consistently appreciated the beautiful, edited photos they received promptly after the photo session.
The photo quality was a highlight, with many travelers remarking on the vibrant colors, professional editing, and natural poses captured.
The quick turnaround time was also praised, allowing participants to relive the experience shortly after the shoot.
The photo delivery aspect of the Kyoto Portrait Tour added to the positive experience, leaving customers with tangible memories of their time in traditional Japanese attire.
Key features included:
- Vibrant, high-quality photos
- Professional editing
- Natural, flattering poses
- Prompt delivery after the session
- Ability to relive the experience
Customer Service Concerns

While the majority of travelers praised the personalized attention and photo quality, a few reviews indicated concerns regarding customer service and transparency.
Some travelers reported poor post-payment experiences, including rude behavior from staff during kimono return and mishandling of personal items.
Plus, a small number of customers felt misled by the promotional materials, suggesting a lack of clarity around service offerings.
Despite the many positive experiences, these customer service issues highlight the importance of clear communication and respectful treatment of all participants throughout the tour experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bring My Own Kimono to the Tour?
Based on the information provided, it doesn’t appear that bringing one’s own kimono is an option for this tour. The tour includes a kimono rental as part of the inclusions, so participants likely need to use the provided kimono.
Is There an Option to Extend the Duration of the Tour?
The tour doesn’t explicitly offer an option to extend the duration, but you can likely request this directly with the tour operator. They may be able to accommodate an extended session for an additional fee.
Do I Need to Bring Any Special Equipment for the Photography?
No, the tour photographers provide all the necessary equipment for the photography session. Travelers can simply show up and focus on enjoying the experience without worrying about bringing their own camera gear.
How Many Photos Will I Receive After the Tour?
Participants typically receive 20-30 professionally edited photos from the photography session. The number may vary depending on the tour package or specific arrangements made with the tour provider.
Is There a Discount for Booking the Tour as a Group?
The tour offers a group discount, with a maximum group size of 6 travelers. The price per person is lower when booking as a group, though the exact discount amount is not specified in the provided information.
The Sum Up
The Kyoto Portrait Tour offers a unique cultural experience, allowing visitors to enjoy traditional Japanese attire and scenic locations. Though some customer service concerns have been raised, the tour’s high recommendation rate and professional photographs highlight its value for those seeking an authentic and memorable experience in Kyoto. With personalized attention and access to iconic sites, the tour provides an opportunity to capture the beauty of Japanese culture.
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