Kyoto Private Tours

Tour will start from the Hotel in Kyoto. Frst visit is Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavillion ),then, to Ryoanji tmple where is famous for rock garden. Tour will stop at Arasiyama area to take lunch and visit Togetsu bridge, Bamboo grove, Tentyuji temple and others. The last visit is NIjyo castle. As these places are normally crowded. using chartered taxi is highly recommended in order to effectively use your valuable time in Kyoto.

Perfect Trip in Kyoto

Do you want to visit the most popular places in Kyoto in 1 day? If your answer is “YES”, this is the tour for you ;) We will visits the famous temples and shrines and enjoy the nature around and learn the history and legends behind them. Let’s explore the old capital of Japan Kyoto and learn more about Japan!!

Kyoto 1 Day Tour covering Most Popular Spots

This tour covers the most popular spots in Kyoto with scenic beauty.The spots are selected from Fushimi area, Arashiyama area, and Kitayama area of Kyoto.From the point of scenic beauty, you will see Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine, Arashiyama Bamboo grove, and Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, whereyou can take memorable pictures. You will visit the major scenic sites in one day effectively. These three areas are apart from each other, but can be travelled by JR-train and bus in relatively short time.

Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.

View all Highlights in Kyoto

Arashiyama is the hottest tourist destination. It is incredibly beautiful in spring and fall because of its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. In the fall, the leaves turn brown or red! In the outstanding Tenryuji, you will see a beautiful garden with beautiful mountains in the background. There are many other beautiful places with touching stories in this area. On the way back to downtown, we can visit two world heritage sites, Kinkakuji and Ryoanji. What a wonderful route!

Kyoto Art, Culture, & Historical Tours

Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest

There are a lot of Buddhism temples and Shinto Shrines in Kyoto. This tour focuses on three UNESCO World Heritage temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari Shrine which is famous for a lot of red Torii gates and Bamboo Forest in Arashiyma to feel the profundity of Kyoto. If you are interested in the places which are not listed here, like Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Gion, Nishiki Market, Sanjusangen-do, Kiyomizu-dera and others, just let me know, I will customize a tour for you.

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 Alley Walking Tour (Half Day)

3 hours 30 min

Kyoto served as a capital city where the Emperor resided between 798 and 1868. The ancient capital city has been designated as a UNESCO cultural heritage. This walking tour gives you a fun time to experience strolling in the backstreets where few tourists visit. You can walk in the famous Geisya quarter including Miyagawacho and Gion, Keninji Zen Temple and Shirakawa riverside.You have a fun walking in the alley in Kyoto. You can encounter Geiko (Geisya) or Maiko if you are lucky.

Private tour Fushimi Inari, Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market Start form Kyoto or Osaka

View all Art, Culture, & Historical in Kyoto

Kyoto is the ancient and modern blend seamlessly. Join me on a private tour to explore two of Kyoto's most iconic landmarks: Fushini Inari, Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion and Nijo Castle, culminating in a vibrant exploration of Nishiki Market. Enriching journey through Kyoto's past and present, where each moment promises a new discovery.

FROM$249/ per group

Akari Y.

Kyoto Day Trip Tours

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

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.

Customized Private Tour in Kyoto

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.

Le tour de KYOTO

View all Day Trip in Kyoto

Ce circuit couvre certaines des attractions touristiques les plus célèbres de Kyoto. Dites-moi, s'il vous plait, ce que vous intéresse. Nous pouvons changer certaines de ces destinations pour d'autres endroits comme votre convenance.

Kyoto Nature & Outdoor Tours

Kyoto Early Bird Trekking Ending with Ramen

3 hours 30 min

Departing from Kyoto City Subway’s Keage Station, we will pass by Himukai Daijingu Shrine before making our way towards Mt. Daimonjiyama. As we ascend to the mountain's peak, you'll be greeted with panoramic views of Kyoto, stretching as far as Osaka. After descending towards Imadegawa Street, our journey will conclude at a charming local ramen restaurant.

Kyoto Full-Day Bicycle Tour

We'll visit 5 amazing places in Kyoto. From Fushimi Inari Shrine and its amazing red torii gates to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Toji Temple, and its 5-layered pagoda. The Imperial Palace (former residence of Japan’s emperors) is on our list, and then onto Kinkakuji Temple (The Golden Pavilion) while you gaze at the glimmer of gold as it reflects on the water off the pond in front. Lastly, Gion, the most famous Geisha/Geiko/Maiko area and district in Kyoto. And, SO MUCH MORE!

FROM$192/ per group

Jodie C.

Kyoto: Bamboo, Mountains and Markets [8 hours]

The tranquility of a meticulously maintained bamboo forest, a mountain shrine with vibrant red torii gates, and a breathtaking view of the city from a mountaintop temple. In this adventure we will explore the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, visit the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, and wander through the Tofuku-ji temple (especially beautiful in Fall or Spring). Later, we check out Kiyomizu-dera and walk through Yasaka Shrine, Gion, Shirakawa Lane, Pontocho, Teramachi, and over to the Nishiki Market.

Kyoto back road trail/behide the major temples

View all Nature & Outdoor in Kyoto

There's numbers of trails around Kyoto where people's life and forest are closely coexist. In this tour, guests will be guided half-day tour which starts from just beside one of the famous tourist spot "Silver temple". The trail starts from well-maintained road, getting gently increase in slope. Then we suddenly jump into an open space which is called "Hidoko (fire bed)" where Kyoto's biggest festival ”Okuribi (bonfire)" is held. Great panoramic view of Kyoto city is also available here.

Kyoto Unique Experience Tours

One day bike tour to southern part of Kyoto, Uji and Fushimi

8 hours 30 min

In this tour, we can visit all the must-see places in the southern part of Kyoto together. Fushimi, known for the Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousand torii gates and sake breweries, and Uji, famous for its matcha and the Phoenix Hall, each hold a unique position in Kyoto. During this tour, I, who have lived in Uji for three years and now work in Fushimi, will share the charm of these two towns from a local's perspective, as we explore by bicycle.

Let's enjoy early morning Kyoto and maiko experience

Kyoto is one of the most popular places to visit, but so crowded. If you want to enjoy quiet Kyoto, I recommend you visit there early morning. In this tour, you can enjoy bamboo grove, morning coffee at a Japanese style coffee shop and beautiful river and mountains scenery from a wooden bridge. After that, why don't you try 'washoku', or Japanese cuisine and maiko, or cute apprentice geisha's dancing? My special early morning tour will give you wonderful and unforgettable memories in Japan!!

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.

Koto Lesson in Nijo,Kyoto

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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.

Kyoto Off the Beaten Path Tours

Kyoto Murasakino ( Daitokuji ) to Kamigamo tour ( peaceful tour with no hassle with crowd )

This comfortable way is highly recommended for seniors who are looking for peace and tranquility. This is a guide course of visiting my own home town of Murasakino area. I know the most efficient way to move around. We are starting our tour from Daitokuji Temple to Imamiya shrine where you can enjoy at the oldest tea house in Kyoto. Later on, move on to Kamigamo by a bus which is never crowded from this point. I'll be showing you to a town-scape of historic Kyoto. Let's travel in a peace.

Kyoto Hiking tour Fushimi Inari to sanjusangen-do

5 hours

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.

Ancient Wizard of Kyoto [4 Hours]

4 hours

A thrilling ancient tale of a formidable Japanese sorcerer, who wielded unimaginable power over a thousand years ago. Join us as we venture to a sacred shrine dedicated to his memory, and explore the eerie abode of his otherworldly assistants. Be amazed as you encounter a collection of mystical religious talismans and amulets, each intricately decorated with symbols that will leave you spellbound. Don't miss out on this extraordinary journey into the realm of magic and mystery!

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

View all Off the Beaten Path in Kyoto

5 hours

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.

Kyoto Food & Drink Tours

Kyoto Fushimi Sake & Food Tasting Experience

4 hours

After visiting the renowned Fushimi Inari Shrine, we will explore some of the sake breweries in the Fushimi area, known for its long history of sake brewing in Kyoto. You’ll enjoy exploring the local neighborhood while tasting sake and sampling delicious food.

Let's enjoy "yuba" cuisine and Toji Temple!

Do you know "yuba"? It is very healthy Japanese food. Yuba is soy milk skin and you can taste "yuba kaiseki" at an old yuba restaurant. After enjoying the healthy cuisine, you can also enjoy watching the yuba factory!! Near the restaurant, there is an old temple, Toji and its branch temple, Kanchiin Temple. I'm sure you will have a wonderful and rare experience in Kyoto!!

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!!

KYOTO - A Tailor-Made dining experience for you

View all Food & Drink in Kyoto

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-dera Temple and Gion District Exploration

View all Nightlife in Kyoto

Join our tour for a captivating journey through Kyoto's historic and cultural highlights. Begin with a visit to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, renowned for its stunning architecture and panoramic city views, beautifully illuminated as twilight descends. Next, immerse yourself in the charm of the Gion District, Kyoto’s famous geisha quarter. Wander through its traditional streets, lined with historic wooden machiya houses and teahouses.

Kyoto Kids & Family Friendly Tours

Matcha, Mochi, and monument: An Forgettable Day Exploring Kyoto & Nara

View all Kids & Family Friendly in Kyoto

9 hours 40 min

Embark on a full-day tour from Kyoto to Nara discovering Japan's rich heritage start with the iconic Fushimi inari taisha famous for its thousands of red torii gates Experience the traditional art of matcha in uji, then explore Nara's majestic Todaiji temple, home to the great Buddha. Enjoy the serene Nara Deer Park. Finally experience the lively traditional of making mochi. This memorable journey blends history, culture, and authentic Local experience for a truly unforgettable day

FROM$147/ per group

Menshawi F.

Kyoto Shopping Tours

Exclusive tour for handmade-lovers and Ginkakuji Temple

View all Shopping in Kyoto

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

Mel C.

5 / 5

Dec 21, 2024

One day tour in Kyoto (Arashiyama area)

Dec 21, 2024

“Fantastic, experienced guide for families”

We are two young families with kids and Yasu-san was an absolute gem. Firstly he has superb time management. Even with meltdowns, bruised knees and a ton of crowds at peak tourist season coming with the territory, he still managed to get us through a ton of sights and get us to great vantage points for photos. Also, his knowledge is fantastic, every sight was explained with care and he even shared some of his exciting life experiences with us. The children took to him instantly and he was very gracious with them.

Yasuhisa K.

Dear Mel Thank you very much for nice words for the tour on 6 Dec. I am also very happy to know that you have enjoyed the tour. You have nice children. They were so cute! It was an interesting topic that we were managed to go in Kinkakuji at the closing its door as the last group. Yasu

Taylor F.

5 / 5

Dec 20, 2024

Customized Private Tour in Kyoto

Dec 20, 2024

“Best day in Kyoto with Kenji!! ”

Today was my husband and my first day in Kyoto and we feel so grateful that Kenji was able to show us around. Kenji arranged the perfect day for us and provided ample information, wonderful supplemental materials and was able to answer all of our questions. He is incredibly kind and has a great sense of humor, and he took us to lunch at a delicious local Soba restaurant. We would 100% recommend him to anyone visiting Kyoto. Thank you Kenji!

Kenji M.

Taylor-san, Thank you for your great review of our customized private tour in Kyoto. I'm very glad that you liked my guiding , local restaurant and the most popular tourist spots we visited. I could also enjoy spending a wonderful time with you and your husband today. As we have many fascinating sites whose charms differ in each season, I recommend coming back to Japan in future, Arigatogozaimashita!! Kenji

Vig S.

5 / 5

Dec 20, 2024

Fully customizable private half day tour in Kyoto