Kyoto Tours

Kyoto has many beautiful places to visit. I especially would like to take you to the most exciting spots in Kyoto in 1 day. Please pick a few of the options from the following sightseeing places and I will take you as many places as possible at a reasonable price.

My Favorite Golden Route: Kyoto One-day Tour

This tour is designed for those who would like to visit major scenic sites in Kyoto and off-the-beaten spots as well in a single day. The route is the one that has been favored and admired by many of my guests for the past few years. The itinerary mainly consists of three areas; Kitayama, Arashiyama and Fushimi areas. You will surely have unforgettable memories through the tour with me.

Kyoto's most popular sightseeing spots tour and enjoy a various kinds of Kyoto's specialities

This tour covers 3 must-see sites and Nishiki Market. You can experience the most renownd sites such as the Golden Pavilion, the rockGarden at Ryo-anji Temple where you may find an elegant beauty in its simplicity Nijo-castle ,the luxurious palace of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Sanjyu-sangendo is one of the three must -see sightseeing spots in kyoto.The thousand life-size statues and the Principal statue( height 3.5 meters) lining along the longest corrider in Japan , with a length of 120meters or 390 feet make you feel like you are in a forest of Buddhas! Every one who visits this temple says " Woow ! , It's amazing ! It's awesome ! It's awful ! " . Lastly visit Nishiki Market,where you can enjoy Kyoto’s specialities such as charming sweets , high quality tohu and Sake etc.

The tour covers 4 must-see sites in Kyoto

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This tour covers 4 must-see sightseeing spots in Kyoto. Firstly, we visit Fushimi Inari Shrine. If you walk through in the countless Trii-gates in the late evening , you must be feeling getting into a mysterious world. Sanjyu-sangendo temple where you can see the magnificient main statue and one thousand life sized Kannon statues. Every people says " I'ts awesome !" "I am in a forest of Buddha!!" Kiyomizudera-temple is one of the most oldest and famous temples in Kyoto. About 4mllion tourists visit this temple every year ! Lastly, we visit Nijyo-jyo Castle where you can enjoy the finest architecture and artworks and Shogun's private life in the Edo period. them we head for Gion area or flower town . If you have a good chance, you can meet a Maiko-san or a Geisya-san walking around the town.

Kyoto Art, Culture, & Historical Tours

Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto

There are so many great places in Kyoto that you probably want to visit but perhaps not enough time. Also, Kyoto is getting very crowded due to a lot of foreigners visiting there. It is best to have a local person guiding you to come up with a plan that suits your preference. I can create a tour with you which includes not only popular places like the Golden Pavilion and Fushimi Inari but small temples with Wabi Sabi such as those in Sagano and the oldest Japanese sweet shop in Murasakino.

Kyoto Highlight- Zen & Pure Land Gardens in Kyoto, Ryoanji, Kinkakuji & more

Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years. There are a lot of places to visit there including 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Kinkaku-ji, Tenryu-ji and Ryoan-ji. This tour focuses the most visited places in Kyoto. Choose 3-4 places from the itinerary that interest you, then I will customize a tour upon requests. Let me know if you have any other requests besides the list. I will customize the tour for you.

Kyoto Kiyomizu and Fushimi Tour

This tour is designed for the tourist, who is interested in the atmosphere of ancient capital, and cultures. This is walking tour of Kiyomizu area through Yasaka Shrine, where the ancient atmosphere is well remained. We plan to visit Nishimi Food Market street to see the food culture of Kyoto people also.

Fully customizable private half day tour in Kyoto

View all Art, Culture, & Historical in Kyoto

There are so many great places in Kyoto that you probably want to visit but perhaps not enough time. Also, Kyoto is getting very crowded due to a lot of foreigners visiting there. It is best to have a local person guiding you to come up with a plan that suits your preference. I can create a tour with you which includes not only popular places like the Golden Pavilion and Fushimi Inari but small temples with Wabi Sabi such as those in Sagano and the oldest Japanese sweet shop in Murasakino.

Kyoto Day Trip Tours

Your most memorable tour in Kyoto

Kyoto is an ancient capital that has existed for over 1000 years. There are many shrines and temples, and you can also see traditional Japanese culture such as tea ceremony and flower arrangement. You can also see the beautiful scenery that will take your breath away. Please feel Kyoto, which can be said to be the origin of Japan, with all five senses.

Charming must -see in north west area of Kyoto city

This tour covers 4 must-see sightseeing spot . Firstly, we visit the golden pavilion. We go to Arashiyama. We walk through Tenryuji garden and bamboo forest. In the afternoon, we'll visit Nijo castle. (We enjoy watching a live demonstration of Japanese sweet making with green tea(Mattcha).Finally you can learn about Kyoto’s traditional and wonderful kimono

Kyoto Highlight-Golden Pavilion, Rock Garden, the Bamboo Forest and more - from Osaka

9 hours

In Kyoto, there are a lot of cultural properties. Of them, seventeen temples and shrines are included in World Heritage as “Historic Monuments of Ancient Capital of Kyoto”. On this tour, we will visit some of them Osaka to feel the profundity and splendor of Kyoto. Choose 3 places from the list that interest you, then I will customize a tour for you. Let me know if you have any other requests besides the list. I will customize the tour for you.

Customized Private Tour in Kyoto

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This is customized private tour in Kyoto which guests can create easily by selecting any spots from a list of popular tourist destinations. The list consists of 16 tourist destinations (S01-16) that are very popular especially among foreign tourists. After the guest's selection the guide will arrange best itinerary with tour cost and feedback proper offer to the guest for formal booking.

Kyoto Unique Experience Tours

Your very own Kyoto Tour!

7 hours 30 min

This tour is the one and only for you. Kyoto was an ancient capital of Japan for over 1200 years. Embedded in centuries of history and culture, it offers too much to see in one visit. Here the ancient world is integrated with the modern. The phenomenal concentration of history and legend coexists with an equally phenomenal concentration of people busily going about their everyday life. Please tell me your interest, and I will make an itinerary exclusively for you!

Koto Lesson in Nijo,Kyoto

1 hour 20 min

Let's learn Japanese instrument Koto at cozy Kyo-machiya house! Koto, Japanese traditional instrument, seems difficult to play and try for beginners. However, at Soushunan, the lesson by the professional instructor enables you to play one song in 80min.

Half day Guided tour and memorable Photo shooting in Kyoto

I would like to introduce you Highlights of Kyoto city with my authentic portrait lens equipped camera.I will send you memorable shoots after the tour.

Nishiki Market & Gion District including Yasaka

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Let's walk around Nishiki Market and Gion District, including Yasaka Shrine & Kenninji Temple. Nishiki Market is 6 block long and offers you dellcious food in Kyto, and at Gion District,you realize traditional wooden houses of Geisha houses, restaurants. Yasaka is Guardian Shrine of Gion and Kenninji temple offers several beautiful gardens and cultural assets.

Kyoto Nature & Outdoor Tours

One Day Tour with the Magnificent View in Saga Arashiyama

Saga Arashiyama is located in the northwest of Kyoto city, which was an ancient capital of Japan. It is famous for its scenic beauty. There are many picturesque places such as bamboo groves, mountain ranges, bridges, rivers, historical temples and shrines , scenic trains, and a 'Kimono Forest'. On this tour we will walk down the mountainside, visit some peaceful temples, see the beautiful bamboo groves and attractive gifts (pottery, cocoon dolls, handmade bamboo products) there.

Be a Monkey Experience

Tired of big cities and historic sites? Then how about surrounding yourself with wild monkeys in a beautiful mountain? In this monkey mountain, you can enjoy monkeys right beside you with no cages!! They would casually walk right by you. It takes about 15-20min. walking to get to the top of the mountain, where you can feed monkeys and enjoy the breathtaking view. There's no place like Monkey Mountain on Earth!! Beside the mountain, you can enjoy the famous Bamboo Forest and Togetsu Bridge!

Arashiyama Sagano Bamboo Forest

I from Arashiyama to Sagano, one of the finest spots in Kyoto. In particular the view form Togetsukyo Bridge crossing over Katsura River is very impressive. Arashiyama is populary known for cherry blossoms in spring and beautifully changing colors of autumn leaves in autumn. You can enjoy walking through bamboo forests. They give us a sense of coolness, especially on May and June they grow lushly.　 We visit Otagi and Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple with many small unuque statues.

Cherry Blossom Viewing Walking Tour

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The tour starts at JR Kyoto Station at 9 AM. You will go to Demachi Yanagi Station by JR Nara Line and Keihan Line. From there you will begin walking. The main tourist attractions of this tour are Ginkaku-ji Temple ( the Silver Pavilion ), the Philosopher's Path, Nanzen-ji Temple, Heian Jingu Shrine Garden and Maruyama Park. The tour ends at Gion Shijo Station of Keihan Line.

Kyoto Off the Beaten Path Tours

Kyoto Hiking tour Fushimi Inari to sanjusangen-do

Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for many torii gates like an orange tunnel. But most tourists just visit only the entrance. I would like to show you the deep inside of Fushimi Inari Shrine through tunnel and take you to the top of mountain. From Inari mountain, we will walk a part of “Higashiyama Trail” hiking course, then we will visit the family temple of imperial house and Sanjusangen-do temple.

[Ichijou street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto

There are many old streets in old capital Kyoto area. I design a walking tour set of 31 streets.You can see the true Kyoto in this tour which is not in tourism like 30 years ago.In some streets, You could see traditional dying shops for Yuzen which is a traditional dyeing Kimono method of Kyoto.You can visit some of the shops and I will interpret between the shop owner and you.

Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour

First and foremost, I do not want to provide a typical tour to the standard fair of tourist attractions. As with the majority of visitors to Kyoto, you do not really need a guide to visit such places. Instead, what makes my tour special is that I can show you the unique places of Kyoto with the addition of a historical and cultural background. Lunch at local restaurants, visit temples of the beaten path, go to local shopping arcades for unique products. Enjoy Kyoto without the crowds.

Half-day eastern Kyoto off the beaten track

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There are a lot of wonderful places in Kyoto, especially in the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons. But, because of that, such places are so busy. So I escort you to not busy, but still beautiful places. Sometimes I wonder why tourists don't visit those places. This tour is to visit such places and I don't walk on a busy road. In the end, I'd like to recommend a restaurant, considering your allergy or preference.

Kyoto Food & Drink Tours

One day tour From Gion to the Nishiki Market

Kyoto is an ancient city, which used to like be the capital of Japan for 1000 years. There are about 1600 temples and 400 shrines and beautiful gardens. It also has a lot of traditional crafts,such as kimono, fans, Japanese artistic sweets. There are a lot of things to do and experience. First of all I will take you to Gion area.I will take you to Yasaka Shrine and Kenninji Temple. Then let's move to the Nishiki market. and have sushi lunch in the market. Gion is the area of entertainment, where there are many bars and taverns. Some important business and political talks have been conducted. You may run across Maiko and Geiko, Japanese entertainers in kimono. If you want to wear Japanese costume in Gion, I can arrange with extra charge. NIshiki market is the kitchen of the Kyoro, where local people buy their everyday food. Fish stores, vegetable stores, pickles stores and so on. A friend of mine owns a Yuba shop in the market. Yuba is vegan, dairy-free ,gluten free,preserve-free, additive-free and protein rich. You can see the yuba making process.

Japanese foods introduction tour

I can show you Japanese traditional food and local food at Nishiki market and downtown after hearing your preference. Let's explore Kyoto foods together!!

Fushimi & Uji -Local Delicacy of Sake and Green Tea!

While the tour covers the popular Fushimi Inari Shrine and Uji Byodoin Temple, we'll also spend some time in Fushimi sake district for sake tasting and local lunch at an old sake brewery. In Uji, the home of the best Japanese tea, we'll visit traditional tea houses and enjoy their special tea that many eminent Shoguns also appreciated. PLEASE MESSAGE ME BEFORE BOOKING

KYOTO - A Tailor-Made dining experience for you

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Japan has a very unique cooking style and set of table manners. Learn about the food culture and culinary history of Japan and visit local restaurants in Kyoto which offers a rich and diverse culinary tradition.

Kyoto Nightlife Tours

Kyoto Night Walking Tour

1 hour 30 min

Would you stroll Gion, Kiyamachi, Ponto-cho, Shirakawa,Yasaka Shrine with me, which are Kyoto entertainment areas ? Old wooden houses and narrow alleys such as old townscape exist as they are. Some areas are lighted up and many poeples will gather there after 18:00pm Please feel the night enthusiasm, today.

Kiyomizu temple and Gion night guided tour - Kyoto

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This tour explores the famous Kiyomizu-dera temple along with the neighboring Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka paths and the historic Gion area, including visits to Yasaka shrine,Maruyama park and Hanamikoji street for Gieko and Maiko spotting.

Kyoto Shopping Tours

Exclusive tour for handmade-lovers and Ginkakuji Temple

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6 hours

There are many flea markets held in Kyoto on only one day in every month. In this tour, first, we will visit Ginkakuji Temple, and then, another temple where the famous handmade flea market is held. If you are interested in handmade, you will surely have a lot of fun! Only held on the 15th day of every month.

Day Trips from Kyoto

Osaka

Nara

Kobe

Hyogo

Shiga

Kyoto Tour Reviews

Lynda E.

5 / 5

Jul 26, 2024

Tour on July 12

Customized

Jul 26, 2024

“Kazu is amazing ”

We were extremely lucky to have Kazu as our guide for Kyoto. He was so very patient and accommodating as we kept on changing our plans. Being a group of 11, we were his largest group he had ever worked with and we were probably very difficult to wrangle and organize. Kazu was always positive and patient. He was extremely knowledgeable about Kyoto, the culture and the landmarks. We would all recommend Kazu to anyone who is visiting Japan.

Kazuhiko G.

(168 reviews)

Hello, Thank you for the nice review. I hope you are not too tired from the hot weather. I enjoyed guiding this tour as well. I hope this tour will be a memorable one for all of us. Thank you!!

Michel M.

5 / 5

Jul 26, 2024

The tour covers 4 must-see sites in Kyoto

Jul 26, 2024

“"Unforgettable Cultural Experience in Kyoto??”

We had the opportunity to participate in a guided tour in Kyoto with an exceptional private guide. Not only Hiroshi was kind and funny, but he also communicated the history and culture of Japan in a captivating way. His passion for his country and his deep knowledge of Kyoto enriched our travel experience in an unforgettable way. Thanks to his detailed and lively explanations, we were able to fully appreciate the richness of the history and traditions of this beautiful city. We highly recommend Hiroshi to anyone looking to discover Kyoto in an authentic and enriching way. An unforgettable cultural experience guaranteed!

Martin P.

5 / 5

Jul 25, 2024

Kyoto City Tour 2024-07-07