Best of Kyoto with vehicle(private tour)
I'll take you to the best of Kyoto! I'll drive you to the Kyoto highlights that are impossible to see by train or on foot in half a day!
I will show you Kyoto's nature, temples, food, and experiences that you have never seen before.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
The hotel where you are staying
- l will pick you up from your hotel. You won't need to walk to the station or wait.
Kinkaku-ji Temple
Kinkaku-ji Temple is one of the constituent assets of the World Heritage Site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto" and is one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations. It is the three-story reliquary hall known as "Kinkaku" (Golden Pavilion), which shines with gold leaf. The entire exterior of the second and third stories is covered in gold leaf, and the reflection of Kinkaku in the pond, combined with the scenery of the four seasons, creates a very impressive landscape.
Arashiyama Bamboo forest
A rickshaw ride through the Arashiyama bamboo forest is an experience that lets you fully immerse yourself in the essence of Kyoto. There are plans that take you along a path exclusively for rickshaws, cruising through the quiet bamboo forest. Since you'll be going along a route that's inaccessible on foot, you can avoid the crowds and enjoy the scenery at your own pace.
Nishiki Market and lunch
When you want to enjoy street food and the atmosphere of a market in the heart of Kyoto, Nishiki Market is often the first place that comes to mind.
Taking photos with geisha in Gion
The "Geisha Art Museum" in Gion offers a program where you can enjoy watching geiko and maiko dances and take commemorative photos.
Ending Point
The hotel where you are staying
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 fees
hotel transfers fees
gasoline fees
highway tolls
parking fees
Private transportation (Lexus)
Kinkaku-ji Temple entrance fees
Lunch fees:One person (around $10, including myself)
personal expenses
Tour Important Information
This is a tentative plan and can be changed if you wish. I am also flexible with the tour times! Please make a reservation.
Important message from the supplier
The tour runs from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM or 10:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and I will guide you around Osaka's great spots or the area of your choice in my car. Since we are traveling by car, we will travel efficiently using the shortest route. People with disabilities or those who don't like walking are also welcome.
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 Tatsuya M.
Nice to meet you! My name is Tatsuya. I was born and raised in Osaka. I love traveling the world and communicating with all kinds of people. I also have a caring personality, so I would love to share the charms of Osaka, its people, and its food with people all over the world!
I provide sightseeing tours not only in Osaka but also in Kyoto and Nara. I offer transportation services for hotels, cruise ships, and airports as well!
Reviews
Samar M.
“Best day ever!!!”
We had so much fun with Tatsuya!!! He took us everywhere we wanted and more!! He took us to eat amazing food, got us his favorite snacks. Hes really a great guy. We made a new friend. Thank you so much for making our day special and great! Dont hesitate to book with him!!
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Tatsuya M.
Thank you for the wonderful time! Everyone was so friendly, and I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves. The time spent enjoying Japanese cuisine and the One Piece shop were definitely highlights! Let's meet again! I hope the rest of your trip to Japan is fantastic!
Teia T.
“Best Guided Tour to Osaka and Kyoto”
Osaka & Kyoto with Tatsuya! We had an absolutely wonderful guided tour of Osaka and Kyoto with Tatsuya, and we can’t recommend him highly enough. From the very beginning, he crafted a perfect itinerary that made our day feel smooth, engaging, and genuinely memorable. Fantastic planning & smooth pickup: Tatsuya picked us up from our hotel early in the morning in an **air-conditioned car that was very roomy and comfortable. Efficient and enjoyable full day: We spent about 11 hours with him, and somehow it never felt rushed—just well-paced and thoughtfully arranged. Great cultural experiences: We visited a few temples and experienced Osaka and Kyoto in a meaningful way, not just as a checklist of tourist stops. Authentic traditional lunch: We enjoyed a traditional Japanese lunch in Kyoto at a restaurant where we had to remove our shoes and sit at a lower table. The food was pretty good, and the whole experience felt authentic and special. Invaluable translation support: We were especially thankful that Tatsuya was there to translate—it made everything easier to understand and helped us feel comfortable throughout the day. Even though I can’t recall every single place we visited, what I do know is this: we truly couldn’t have done as much on our own. Tatsuya’s knowledge, organization, and welcoming presence made all the difference. Thank you so much, Tatsuya! We’re looking forward to seeing you in Chicago very soon!
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Tatsuya M.
The time I spent with you was truly meaningful; our conversations were enlightening. I was so happy that you enjoyed the rickshaw ride through the bamboo grove in Arashiyama. Hearing such high praise makes all the effort worthwhile for a guide! I look forward to seeing you in Chicago.
Kate T.
“Osaka sighseeing with a local”
It was a cool and enjoyable tour, I had a lot of fun!! We moved across Osaka in a good air-conditioned car, so +41C heat was not a problem at all. Due to knowledge of shotcuts and best routes, we've managed to see all the key spots quickly and in comfort and not being impacted by the heat. Other highlights include visiting the best shopping spots on demand, having a delicious dinner in a local spot and visiting non-tourist places. Highly recommended!
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Tatsuya M.
Thank you so much as well. It was a fun day with you. We not only visited tourist spots, but we also talked about all sorts of things, and I enjoyed talking about denim. Let's meet again sometime, and let's go out for a delicious meal again.
$376/ per group
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