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1-Full Day Private Experience of Kyoto for 1 Day Visitors
As you only have 1 day in Kyoto, I can show you the must-see spots in Kyoto visitors would need at least two days to explore. Kyoto is the old capital of Japan, so with this tour you will be able to enjoy the top temples, shrines and historic, cultural and natural scenes in Kyoto.
Meeting Point
Any place inside Kyoto city ,including your hotel
Meeting at the pickup place (Kyoto)
We can pick you up at any place in Kyoto city, includinf your hotel.
Bamboo forest groove in Arashiyama
A district on the western side of Kyoto that is designed as a nationally designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty. Arashiyama's Sagano Bamboo Forest, or Bamboo Grove, is both locally famous and world-renowned. Visitors can stroll paths lined with endless rows of towering bamboo.
Kinkaku-ji temple
Also known as the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, built in 1397 as a three-story Zen temple in northern Kyoto. The temple is famous for having its top two floors completely covered in gold leaf and framed by pine trees, with its reflection glistening in a pristine pond. The temple had an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond and is registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
Nijo castle
A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site and one of the most famous spots in Kyoto. The castle functioned as a second home for the Tokugawa shogun who stayed here when he visited Kyoto and was the first shogun of the Edo period (1867-1603). His grandson Imitsu completed the castle palace buildings 23 years later and further expanded the castle by adding a five-story castle. Nijo castle is a perfect place where passing by the numerous halls and rooms will make you get a feel of the local heritage and political changes that happened in Japanese history.
Lunch break
Fushimi Inari Shrine
A 1300-year-old gorgeous shinto shrine and a beautiful piece of Japanese history. This shrine is one of the most iconic sights in Japan and the most visited shrine in Kyoto. The shrine has many great attractions including the 10, 000 vermilion torii gates and foxes’ statues that are great to see and walk through. The walk through the thousand gate (senbon torii) walk offers some spectacular views.
Kiyomizu-dera temple , old streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka around Kiyomizu-dera
A stunning Buddhist temple and a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa waterfall, hence the name “Pure water” temple. The temple is very well known for its 13-meter-high wooden stage, gorgeous statues inside, highest 3 story pagoda and the most iconic views over the Kyoto skyline beside it. The pedestrian only street that leads up to the temple and the area around the temple has a lot of souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes and snack shops that offer Japanese green tea sweets and traditional food.
Gion area and Geiko and Maiko spotting streets
Kyoto city's entertainment district, particularly for the refined performers known as Maiko and Geisha who have enthralled patrons for centuries. Gion is full of handsome, understated townhouses and teahouses, restaurants serving traditional Kyoto cuisine, and venerable temples and shrines.
Tour finish in Gion
We can drop you off in Gion where you can have dinner and spend the rest of your night, or take you back to the hotel.
Ending Point
Any place inside Kyoto city,including your hotel
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Tour guiding and management, pick up in Kyoto city
Tour itinerary is planned based on hiring a car/ van for 8 hours in Kyoto. Transportation fee (in Kyoto)-Cash to the driver on tour day: Up to 5 passengers: ¥125,000, Up to 7 passengers: ¥145,000, if more than 7 please let me know in advance.
If you want a pickup and drop off at Cruise Ship Port, then you have to pay for the guide time and transportation, and itinerary may change accordingly. Another option is a car arrangement to bring you from the port to Kyoto and back. Please, inquire me for a quote.
Other cash needed:
Kiyomizu-dera entry fees : ¥400 / person
Nijo castle entry fees : ¥1350 / person
Kinkaku-ji entry fees : ¥500 / person
Lunch : ¥1,500 / person
Tour Important Information
Tour itinerary is planned based on hiring a car/ van for 8 hours in Kyoto. Transportation fee (in Kyoto)-Cash to the driver on tour day: Up to 5 passengers: ¥125,000, Up to 7 passengers: ¥145,000, if more than 7 please let me know in advance.
Important message from the guide
See the calendar for availability
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Kyoto Tour Reviews
Joe B.
1-Full Day Private Experience of Kyoto for 1 Day Visitors
“Ahmed - hugely helpful in the face of a big mistake!”
I booked a 1-day Kyoto tour with Ahmed for TWELVE people about 3 months before our trip. Awhile later I changed our arrival date to Kyoto, but forgot to update Ahmed. The night before our scheduled tour, he sent me a message making sure we were set for "tomorrow" .. but we weren't scheduled to arrive until the following day! Long story short... Ahmed went to great lengths to solve the problem, rescheduling the driver and then standing-in himself for the original guide (who was unavailable a day later). Overall -- it was FANTASTIC that he was able to solve this with just a day of notice! we had a fun and interesting day with Ahmed, I would definitely recommend.
“My client had a great time with Ahmed.”
He was my client’s guide in Kyoto and showed them around Gion, Pontocho and Nishiki market areas. They enjoyed the tour very much and appreciated the tips for good restaurants and food from him. Thank you!
Reem T.
1-Full Day Private Experience of Kyoto for 1 Day Visitors
“Ahmad is the BEST”
Ahmad was exceptional . One of the BEST tour guides we came across in Japan . He took us to the most popular attractions of Kyoto. His knowledge of the city history is remarkable. We highly recommend Ahmad
