English audio guides for Tokyo and Kyoto
Quick answer: Kyochika has 39 English audio guides you can play in your browser — 19 in Tokyo and 20 in Kyoto. No app and no sign-up: open the page, put in your earphones and tap play. The first track of every guide is free; a 7-day pass unlocks all of them. Each guide stops after every spot, keeps playing with the screen off, and comes with the full transcript and sources.
Sharing one pair of earphones? The audio is mono, so each of you hears everything with one earbud.
Tokyo (19)
- East Gardens of the Imperial Palace🎧 English audio guide · 12 tracksThe East Gardens stand on the site of the Honmaru, Ninomaru and Sannomaru of Edo Castle, home of the Tokugawa shoguns. Free entry, no reservation needed. Walk from Ote-mon gate with this audio guide in your earphones.
- Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksSenso-ji is the oldest temple in Tokyo, founded on a legend from the year 628. Walk from Kaminarimon up Nakamise to the main hall with this free audio guide in your earphones: stories, legends and things to look for at each stop.
- Meiji Jingu Shrine🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksMeiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine founded in 1920 for Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, inside a man-made forest of about 100,000 donated trees. Walk from the Harajuku gate to the main shrine with this free audio guide in your earphones: stories, legends and things to look for at each stop.
- Tsukiji Outer Market🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksTsukiji Outer Market is a food district of around 460 shops near Ginza that stayed in Tsukiji when the inner market moved to Toyosu in 2018. Walk from Namiyoke-dori to Tsukiji Hongwanji with this free audio guide in your earphones: stories, legends and things to look for at each stop.
- Tokyo National Museum, Ueno🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksThe Tokyo National Museum is Japan's oldest museum, which grew out of an exhibition held in 1872 and opened in Ueno in 1882. Walk from the main gate through the Honkan to the Horyuji Treasures gallery with this free audio guide in your earphones: stories, hidden spots and things to look for at each stop.
- Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Hachiko and SHIBUYA SKY🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksThe crossing outside Shibuya Station, where up to about 3,000 people cross from every direction on a single green light, with the statue of the faithful dog Hachi beside it and SHIBUYA SKY 229 m above. See the same crossing from three heights, the street, a station walkway and the rooftop, with this free audio guide in your earphones.
- Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksZojoji, founded in 1393, is the family temple of the Tokugawa shoguns, and Tokyo Tower rises right behind it. Walk from the Daimon gate through the temple to the tower with this free audio guide in your earphones: stories, legends and things to look for at each stop.
- Ueno Park🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksWelcome to Ueno Park, where the story of modern Tokyo comes alive. Follow this free self-guided walking tour from the Park Exit of Ueno Station to the Saigo Takamori statue, the historic temple grounds, Shinobazu Pond, the museums, and Ueno Zoo. Learn how the home of powerful shoguns became a battlefield, then one of Japan's first public parks. The park is free to explore, but admission to museums, the zoo, and certain shrine areas may cost extra.
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden🎧 English audio guide · 11 tracksShinjuku Gyoen is a 58.3-hectare garden where a feudal lord's estate became an experiment farm, an imperial garden and, in 1949, a park for everyone. Walk it with this free audio guide in your earphones: stories, history and things to look for at each stop.
- Hama-rikyu Gardens🎧 English audio guide · 11 tracksHama-rikyu Gardens is an Edo-period shogun's garden with a pond fed by seawater from Tokyo Bay and two surviving duck hunting sites, right below the Shiodome skyscrapers. Walk it with this free audio guide in your earphones: stories, history and things to look for at each stop.
- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksTsurugaoka Hachimangu is Kamakura's most important Shinto shrine, closely connected to the Minamoto warriors who shaped medieval Japan. Follow the historic approach through its ponds and ceremonial buildings to discover the stories behind the birthplace of samurai government.
- Kotoku-in Temple (Great Buddha of Kamakura)🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksThe Great Buddha of Kamakura is a National Treasure and one of Japan's most remarkable surviving bronze Buddhist statues. This walking tour reveals its peaceful expression, extraordinary casting techniques, vanished Great Buddha Hall and fascinating stories of devotion.
- Hasedera Temple (Hase Kannon)🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksHasedera is one of Kamakura's most beloved Buddhist temples, famous for its towering Eleven-Headed Kannon and gardens overlooking the sea. Discover stories of compassion, ancient legends, thousands of small Jizo statues and a mysterious cave hidden in the hillside.
- Enoshima Island🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksEnoshima is a small island in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, where ancient religious traditions meet spectacular coastal scenery. Follow the island's historic pilgrimage route through three sacred shrines, a botanical garden, a lighthouse and sea caves shaped by the Pacific Ocean.
- Engaku-ji Temple🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksFounded in the year 1282 by the powerful samurai ruler Hojo Tokimune, Engaku-ji is one of Kamakura's most important Zen Buddhist temples. Walk through historic gates and quiet gardens, discover a sacred relic of the Buddha, and climb to one of Japan's greatest temple bells.
- Kencho-ji Temple🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksFounded in the year 1253 by the powerful samurai ruler Hojo Tokiyori, Kencho-ji is Japan's first major temple established specifically for Zen training and ranks first among Kamakura's Five Great Zen Temples. Discover ancient trees, a seven-hundred-year-old bell, remarkable wooden buildings, a cloud dragon, and peaceful gardens surrounded by green hills.
- Meigetsu-in Temple🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksKnown as Kamakura's Hydrangea Temple, Meigetsu-in combines brilliant blue flowers with centuries of samurai and Zen Buddhist history. Discover a medieval rock-cut tomb, a beautiful circular window, and a hidden garden that changes with the seasons.
- Hokoku-ji Temple🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksFounded in the year 1334, Hokoku-ji is a historic Rinzai Zen temple famous for its beautiful grove of approximately 2,000 bamboo plants. Discover medieval samurai history, rock-cut tombs, a traditional dry landscape garden, and a peaceful teahouse surrounded by towering bamboo.
- Komachi-dori Shopping Street🎧 English audio guide · 10 tracksKomachi-dori is Kamakura's lively shopping street, running from near the East Exit of Kamakura Station toward Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Discover traditional sweets, local crafts, small side streets, and the surprising connection between modern shopping and the city's medieval samurai history.
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Kyoto (20)
- Kiyomizu-dera🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksA Walk Through Time with Pochika and Pochikichi. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Fushimi Inari Taisha🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksThrough the Gates of Time with Pochika and Pochikichi. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Kinkaku-ji🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksThe Golden Pavilion and Its Hidden Stories. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Arashiyama🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksBamboo, Poetry, and a Bridge Across Time. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Ginkaku-ji🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksThe Silver Pavilion That Never Shone Silver. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Nijo Castle🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksThe Palace That Heard History Change. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Sanjusangendo🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksA Thousand Faces of Compassion with Pochika and Pochikichi. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Nanzen-ji🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksZen, Tigers and a Secret Waterway with Pochika and Pochikichi. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Tofuku-ji🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksBridges, Fiery Maples and Zen Gardens with Pochika and Pochikichi. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Eikan-do (Zenrin-ji)🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksThe Buddha Who Looked Back. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- To-ji🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksKyoto's Tower of Time and Living Mandala with Pochika and Pochikichi. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Byodo-in🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksThe Palace of Paradise on a 10-Yen Coin with Pochika and Pochikichi. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Kitano Tenmangu🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksSacred Cows, Flying Plum Trees, and Kyoto's God of Learning with Pochika and Pochikichi. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Tenryu-ji🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksThe Dragon, the Zen Garden, and the Mountains with Pochika and Pochikichi. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Ryoan-ji🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksFifteen Stones, One Hidden Truth. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Daigo-ji🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksA Thousand Years of Faith, Cherry Blossoms and Hidden Gardens with Pochika and Pochikichi. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Heian Jingu🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksA Palace of Red Gates and Hidden Gardens with Pochika and Pochikichi. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Kyoto National Museum🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksA Thousand Years of Treasures with Pochika and Pochikichi. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Yasaka Shrine🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksThe Heartbeat of Gion with Pochika and Pochikichi. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.
- Chion-in🎧 English audio guide · 9 tracksGiant Gates, Singing Floors and Seven Mysteries with Pochika and Pochikichi. Pochika, visiting from Tokyo, and her Kyoto brother Pochikichi walk you through, telling you where to look and what stood here centuries ago.