Discover Western Kyoto Full Day Private Tour
This is a full day tour of western Kyoto, ancient capital for over 1,000 years. We will visit must-see places in western Kyoto such as Nijojo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and Nishiki Market.
Nijojo Castle and Kinkakuji Temple are World Heritage Sites. It will literally be great fun to stroll along Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and Nishiki Market as well where you’ll see a variety of Kyoto's signature foods/crafts.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Kyoto or Tourist Information Center at JR Kyoto Station, 2nd floor
Kinkakuji Temple
Visiting World Heritage
Kinkakuji Temple, built in 1397, is world famous for its gold foiled straucture on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
Kinkakuji Temple and Arashiyama Bamboo Forest are both located in the western part of Kyoto.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest plus lunch
Arashiyama, located in the south-western part of Kyoto, is the time-honored beautiful place where you will feel the atmosphere of the Heian Perion aristocrats from the 8th to 12th centuries. You will surely feel the elegance and grace of the ancient nobility.
Nijojo Castle
Visiting World Heritage
Nijojo Castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, 1st shogun in the Tokugawa shogunate government, in 1603 as his residence in Kyoto. The last shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, announced the return of government power to the emperor here in 1867.
Nishiki Market
Exploring "Kyoto's Kitchen"
Nishiki Food Market, narrow arcade in Kyoto's central part, is so-called "Kyoto's Kitchen" with a bunch of local foods. There are some eat-in corners, so you can try anything you like. 100%!
Ending Point
At your hotel in Kyoto or your convenient place in Kyoto
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee, hotel pick-up in Kyoto
Transportation fee (about 2,000 JPY per person, you and guide), lunch, dinner, entrance fee (2,000 JPY per person, you only)
Tour Important Information
This tour is subject to change due to traffic congestion especially in the tourist season.
We will walk for several hours on this tour. So sneakers might be recommended. Plus please take out insurance in preparation for a possible injury.
Please check my availability before you ask me in oder to save your precious time. Also note insurance is excluded.
Important message from the supplier
I can also guide you in Hiroshima (Peace Memorial Park, Miyajima), 1-day tour. My transportation fees to/from Hiroshima cost about 20,000 JPY, return.
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
About Tour Guide Shogo K.
Hi! I'm Shogo, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English. "Shogo"? Looks a little bit hard to pronounce. So if you are interested in Samurai or Busho, call me "Shogun". (rather humble and hen-pecked at home, though.:)
Just a little bit information about myself. I was born and grew up in Himeji, about 50km west of Kobe. When a child I quite often visited world-famous Himeji Castle. So it's like "MY castle." As a student, I lived in Kyoto for four years. I'm a father of three, and have lived in Kobe with my family for over 30 years.
So I'm quite familiar with various tourist spots/attractions in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, Kobe and the like, all in western Japan. Also I've lived in Lawrence, Kansas, for two years in my 20s as a Jayhawk. Great old memory!:)
Here are some of my specialties.
First, I can show you around popular historical sites and relics in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Himeji. You'll surely feel the depth of Japanese culture by visiting these places. Second, I can offer you special tours of fancy sake breweries in Kobe, Nara and Kyoto. Third, I also guide you around Hiroshima, including magnificent Itsukushima Shrine.
My goal/dream as guide interpreter is to help you explore and understand Japan and its culture with warm hospitality or Omotenashi. So please reach out to me any time, 24/7. For your super memorable trip, "Always with YOU" Shogo!:)
Reviews
Rebecca N.
“Wonderful Kyoto”
Had a fantastic day visiting the sights of Kyoto. Can’t believe we saw so much in one day. Shogo is a wonderful guide. Highly recommend
Rebecca N.
“Fabulous day in Osaka ”
Shogo is fantastic guide. Took us from port to many amazing sights. Highlight was a beautiful lunch of okonomayaki in beautiful restaurant. Osaka is lovely place to visit and Shogo is great.
Rebecca N.
“Fabulous morning in Kobe. ”
Even with wet weather we still had a wonderful time with Shogo. Visited China town and sake brewery. Shogo is a wonderful guide. Lots of patience when we stopped to look in shops. Highly recommend
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Shogo K.
Dear Rebecca, I am so glad that you wrote nice reviews about our 3-day tour. I enjoyed guiding such a wonderful group, really. I was deeply touched by your super heart-warming consideration towards your family and me, as well. Thanks to your cooperation, we were able to visit all the places in our itinerary, every place was so busy though. I sincerely hope our three-day straight tours were quite memorable for all of you. Thank you so much for everything, Rebecca. From Shogo
$315/ per group
More tours by Shogo K.
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Kyoto Full Day Private Tour
This is a one-day tour of Kyoto. Kyoto is an ancient capital for over 1,000 years. You will visit Kinkakuji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari Shrine. All of these places are World Heritage Sites. You will also stroll around Gion in central Kyoto, where you might come across with a beautiful Maiko/Geiko by chance.
Kyoto Full Day Private Tour
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Bustling Osaka & Ancient Nara Full Day Private Tour
In this tour we will visit must-see places in Osaka and Nara. Nara used to be a capital of Japan in the 8th century. We'll visit Todaiji Temple, housing the gigantic Great Statue of Buddha, and Kasuga Grand Shrine. Let's go see nearby fancy Naramachi area, if time permitting. Osaka Castle was built in the 16th century. Let's go up to the top of the castle tower. You will feel as if you were a shogun. We also visit bustling Dotombori Downtown Osaka.
Bustling Osaka & Ancient Nara Full Day Private Tour
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Awesome Osaka Full Day Private Tour
This full-day private tour includes must-see tourist spots in Osaka. We will visit Osaka Castle, Osaka Museum of Housing nd Living, Kuromon Market plus Dotombori both downtown Osaka. In this tour we will see the present and past of Osaka and its energetic people.
Awesome Osaka Full Day Private Tour
Discover Kyoto Highlights Full Day Private Tour
In this tour you'll visit three must-see places in Kyoto, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kinkakuji Temple, and Arashiyama. Emperors & Empresses lived in the Kyoto Imperial Palace for 540. You'll sense Kyoto's true history which Japan takes pride in. Kinkakuji was built in 1397. Used as a Zen Buddhist temple. The golden pavilion reflected in the pond is out of the world. Arashiyama famous for its Bamboo Forest ever since 9th century has long been a resort area for the high profile Kyoto people.
Discover Kyoto Highlights Full Day Private Tour
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Kyoto
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Kyoto's must-see attractions and World Heritage sites in one day.
Perfect for those with limited time, this well-organized tour allows you to experience Kyoto’s most iconic sights efficiently. The itinerary includes the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji, Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge. While these popular spots can be crowded, we utilize taxis to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey through this culturally rich city.
Kyoto's must-see attractions and World Heritage sites in one day.
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One day tour in Kyoto (Arashiyama area)
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.
One day tour in Kyoto (Arashiyama area)
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Discover Kyoto with a Local – Learn Japanese Culture Through Real Stories & Sights
Discover Kyoto’s cultural heart in just one day with a local guide. Visit three iconic spots: the golden beauty of Kinkaku-ji, the stunning hillside temple Kiyomizu-dera, and the peaceful bamboo groves of Arashiyama. Along the way, you’ll learn real stories, traditions, and the deeper meaning behind each place. This tour blends famous sights with local insights, giving you more than just photos — it gives you a true connection to Kyoto.
Discover Kyoto with a Local – Learn Japanese Culture Through Real Stories & Sights
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Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.
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!
Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.
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