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Kyoto Private Tour - ”Thousand Torii Gates” of Fushimi Inari Shrine
”Thousand Torii Gates” of Fushimi Inari Shrine
Kyoto Private Tour - Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama
Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama
Kyoto Private Tour - The garden of Tenryu-ji Temple
The garden of Tenryu-ji Temple
Kyoto Private Tour - The view of Hozu River
The view of Hozu River
Kyoto Private Tour - Kinkakuji Temple
Kinkakuji Temple
Kyoto Private Tour - Kamishichiken Geisha Destrict
Kamishichiken Geisha Destrict
Kyoto Private Tour - The plum tree garden of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
The plum tree garden of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Kyoto Private Tour - Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Kyoto Private Tour - Honda Vezel 4 seaters
Honda Vezel 4 seaters
Kyoto Private Tour -

Kyoto Early Bird Highlights with Car Service

Car Tour (driving guide)
Kyoto Tour Guide - Kanae O.

Joined 2023

Kanae O.
5.00 / 5
(75 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Kyoto
English, Japanese (Native)
6 hrs 30 mins
Private tour (only you and Kanae O.)
Up to 4 people

Join me on this tour as we explore five of Kyoto's must-see sights, starting early to beat the crowds. You'll enjoy the convenience of transportation between locations, with your knowledgeable guide driving you to each site. This allows you to save valuable time and energy for fully immersing yourself in the beauty and history of each location.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

07:30 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel or JR Kyoto station

- I will pick you up at your hotel if it is located in Kyoto city. Otherwise, please meet me at JR Kyoto station, or Yamashina station, which is the next station east of JR Kyoto station.

08:00 AM

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Kyoto’s most iconic Shinto shrines, famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form a stunning pathway up Mount Inari. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, prosperity, and business success, the shrine dates back to 711 AD. It serves as the head shrine of the many Inari shrines across Japan. Visitors can explore the scenic trails, admire fox statues (Inari’s messengers), and experience a mystical atmosphere, especially in the early morning or late evening.

09:00 AM

Arashiyama Area (Bamboo Forest)

Once a cottage country for aristocrats and priests, this area still retains its charming rural atmosphere today. Despite being a popular tourist destination, the allure of a bamboo forest draws many visitors. Amidst the crowds, I'll lead you to some of my favorite small yet authentic temples, offering a quieter and more genuine experience.

11:00 PM

Kinkakuji-Temple (Golden Pavilion)

Originally an aristocrat's cottage, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu transformed this site into his renowned retirement villa in 1397, later converting it into a temple. Over the centuries, it has become one of Kyoto's most iconic temples, drawing countless tourists each year. The temple's garden is also famed for its beauty. As you stroll through the promenade-style garden, you'll marvel at the views of the pavilion and Kyoko-pond, also known as the 'mirror-lake pond,' from various vantage points. The temple was designated as UNESCO's World Heritage site in 1994.

12:00 PM

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and Kamishichiken Geisha District

Nestled in the northwest of Kyoto city, the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine boasts a rich history spanning over 1000 years. This shrine holds the distinction of being the very first in Japanese history to enshrine an actual person as a deity, renowned for his love of plum blossoms. As a result, the shrine features a stunning plum tree garden where visitors can revel in the beauty of the blossoms during March.

Adjacent to the shrine lies Kamishichiken, one of Kyoto's five Geisha districts. Unlike more touristy areas, Kamishichiken offers an authentic glimpse into traditional Geisha culture, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in its genuine charm.

Ending Point

Your hotel or a destination of your preference

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guide fee

Hotel pick-up, toll, fuel, parking

Transportation between locations by Honda Vezel 4 seaters

What‘s not included

Admission fees for temples (about 500-700 yen per temple, please bring cash)

Travel insurance (The guide is not responsible for any accidents that occur during the tour)

Tour Important Information

*Although the guide will drive you between sites, please be aware that the tour entails a considerable amount of walking. Therefore, it's advisable to wear comfortable shoes.

* The car can accommodate four people besides the driver; however, you may find the rear seat to be somewhat cramped and less comfortable. If your group has more than four people, please contact the guide before booking.

* If your hotel does not have sufficient parking space, I may ask you to wait in front of your hotel for pick-up.


* The guide does not pick up guests outside Kyoto city or from the Cruise terminal.

This tour does not include a designated lunch break. However, if you’d like something to eat, we can stop at a food shop or a restaurant during the tour.

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 Guide - Kanae O.

Joined 2023

Kanae O.
5.00 / 5
(75 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Kanae O.

Hello! I am Kanae, a nationally licensed guide. While working full-time as a lecturer at a local university in Kyoto, I have also been guiding for two years.


Born and raised in Kyoto, I am excited to share the beauty and culture of my hometown with my customers. Kyoto is an enchanting city, and even as a local, I am continually fascinated by its many charming spots. Whether it's the serene temples, vibrant markets, or hidden gems, there is always something new to explore and appreciate in this wonderful city.


Also, since my home is close to Shiga Prefecture, I am very familiar with the area. While Shiga may not be as popular as Kyoto, it offers a wealth of attractions for tourists. From historical sites such as temples and shrines to the stunning natural beauty of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, there is much to see and do. I am passionate about promoting Shiga and sharing its unique charm with visitors.

Reviews

Kyoto Tour with Exceptional Care

We had a wonderful experience with Kanae. She was an excellent guide—very knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible throughout the day. She tailored the itinerary to our interests and gave us great local recommendations that we truly appreciated. What stood out most was how accommodating she was to my mother, who has difficulty walking long distances. Kanae made sure everything was comfortable and accessible for her, which made the experience stress-free and enjoyable for all of us. Overall, it was a memorable and well-organized tour, and we’re very grateful for Kanae’s care and professionalism. Highly recommend!

Janice H.

Kanae O.

Janice, thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review. It truly means a lot to me. I’m very glad I had the opportunity to spend the day with you all. Your mother did an amazing job throughout the tour. I was really impressed by her effort and positive spirit. It was a pleasure to be with her. I also really enjoyed our time together and appreciate your warm company. I hope the rest of your stay in Japan was just as enjoyable, and I would be delighted to see you again if you return. Thank you again for choosing me as your guide.

Memorable Tours of Kyoto, Wazuka and Shiga

I was very fortunate to have Kanae as my guide for three days. Kanae is a very thoughtful guide who always thinks of what is best for her clients. She is flexible and able to offer helpful suggestions based on her experience. Kanae speaks English very well and is easy to understand. She is a safe driver and since Kanae drives between attractions, it's very convenient and a timesaver. It's important to see the major attractions in Kyoto such as Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama area, Kinkakuji Temple and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine because each place is quite unforgettable and the memories will last a lifetime. I would also recommend taking time to explore the scenic town of Wazuka to view the cultivated tea fields which look like works of art. We had a delicious lunch at a cafe which was reasonably priced and overlooking the beautiful tea fields. Shiga Prefecture also offers the beautiful scenery of Lake Biwa. The traditional merchant town of Omihachiman was interesting to see and La Collina has nature-style architecture with vast grounds featuring gardens, shops and cafes. The reasonably priced Omi beef sukiyaki lunch was very delicious and the baumkuchen layered cake was moist and very tasty. I would highly recommend Kanae as a tour guide. She is very friendly and knowledgeable about the Kyoto, Wazuka and Shiga areas.

Nan C.

Kanae O.

Nan, thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful review. It was truly a pleasure spending three days with you, and I really enjoyed our conversations and exploring Kyoto, Wazuka, and Shiga together. I hope we will meet again someday.

Excellent guide and day of sightseeing

Kanae was a wonderful guide, who made our day of sightseeing around Kyoto very special. She was flexible and open to our destination suggestions, and was very knowledgeable about the sights and city. We appreciated her warm hospitality, and very much enjoyed her company. We also loved that she took us to a hidden gem temple at the end of our visit that we would not have discovered without her help! We highly recommend Kanae and this tour.

Kerry B.

Kanae O.

Kerrv, thank you so much for taking the time to write such a generous and kind review. I’m truly happy to know that you enjoyed the tour with me. It was a pleasure spending the day with both of you, and I really appreciated your enthusiasm for learning about Kyoto and Japanese culture.I hope to have the opportunity to guide you again whenever you return to Kyoto.

Want to Personalize?

$264/ per group

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