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Kyoto Private Day Tour from Tokyo by Shinkansen with Hotel Pick-Up

Cover page

0. Mt. Fuji from the Shinkansen

1. Map of Miyabi Route

1. Miyabi: Romon Gate of Fushimi-inari Shrine(National Treasure)

1. Miyabi: One thousand Torii gates of Fushimi-inari Shrine.

1. Miyabi: Sanjysangen-do Temple (National Treasure)

1.Miyabi 1001 Buddha in Sanjusangen-do Temple (This photo is taken from 仏教リンク）

1. Miyabi: Kiyomizu-dera Temple (World Heritage)

1. Miyabi: Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Golden Buddha)

1. Miyabi: Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Three story Pagoda)

1. Miyabi: Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Water fall)

1. Miyabi: Yasaka Pagoda

1. Miyabi: Miyagawa-cho (out of no photo area)

1.Miyabi: Gion area (out of no photo area.)

1. Miyabi (optional) :Tea ceremony by a Maiko

2. Map of Golden Route

2. Golden: Romon Gate of Fushimi-inari Shrine (National Treasure)

2. Golden: One thousand Torii gates of Fushimi-inari Shrine.

2.Golden: Arashiyama Togetsukyo Bridge

2.Golden: Arashiyama area

2.Golden: Tenryu-ji Temple (World Heritage)

2.Golden: Sogenchi Pond of Tenryu-ji Temple

2. Golden: Bamboo forest in Sagano area

2. Golden Kinkaku-ji Temple in late afternoon with

3. Map of History Route

3. History: 1001 Buddha in Sanjusangen-do Temple (This photo is taken from 仏教リンク）

3. History: Gate of Nijo Castle (World Heritage)

3. History: Ninomaru Hall of Nijo Castle

3. History: Ninomaru Garden of Nijo Castle

3. History: Seiryu-en Garden of Nijo Castle

3. History: Main gate of To-ji Temple (World Heritage)

3．History: Japanese Garden and the five story Pagoda in To-ji Temple

3. History: Statues of Buddha in 3D Mandala in To-ji Temple

4. Map of Ohara route

4. Ohara: Sanzen-in (Gate)

4. Ohara: Sanzen-in (Inner Garden)

4. Ohara: Sanzen-in (Moss garden))

4. Ohara: Sanzen-in (Stone lantern))

4. Ohara: Housen-in (Garden)

4. Ohara: Housen-in (Garden in a frame)

Kyoto Private Day Tour from Tokyo by Shinkansen with Hotel Pick-Up

Name: Tokyo Guided Tours
Brand: GoWithGuide
Price: 285 USD
Rating: 5.0 (432 reviews)

Day Trip

Joined 2014

Yuki K.

4.80 / 5

(432 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Tokyo

English

13 hours

Private tour (only you and Yuki K.)

Up to 5 people

This tour is for those who want to visit Kyoto and return to Tokyo within a day. We will use the fastest bullet train "Nozomi" for our round trip to Kyoto station, which costs about 30,000 JPY per adult (you and the guide), in addition to my guiding fee. You can't use the JR Pass for this tour due to its restrictions. You can choose one route from the list bellow. 1. Miyabi route (Most popular places) 2. Golden route (Most scenic places) 3. History route (Most quiet and historical places)

Itinerary

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

08:00 AM

Meeting Point

at your hotel in Tokyo

- I will meet you near the reception. I will show your name on my iPad. I will contact you via WhatsApp, so please have your phone ready. We can find our phone numbers at the bottom of the itinerary two days before the tour date.

08:00 AM

8:00-9:00: Move to Tokyo station

Move to Tokyo station to take the Shinkansen.

09:00 AM

9:00-11:30: The Shinkansen to Kyoto station

The Shinkansen to Kyoto: We will take the bullet train from Tokyo about 9:00AM to Kyoto. I will book our seats on the train on the Mt. Fuji view side so please pay me about 30,000 JPY per adult, including our return trip (you and the guide) in cash. Otherwise, we won't get good seats together as the bullet trains are busy with business trips in the morning. Moreover, I can get the tickets for the green seats (1st class) with 20-25% discount for you if you book me more than three days in advance.

11:30 AM

11:30-18:00: In Kyoto, you can choose one of the following four routes (1. Miyabi, 2. Golden, 3. History and 4. Tradition)).

1. Miyabi: This route covers Fushimi Shrine, Sanjusangen-do Temple, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and Gion. They are very popular places in Kyoto, but a lot of walking.

2. Golden: This route covers Fushimi-Shrine, Tenryu-ji Temple, the bamboo forest, and Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion). They are my recommendation to those who visit Kyoto for the first time.

3. History: This route covers Sanjyusangen-do Temple, Nijyo Castle, and To-ji Temple. This route is suitable to those who are interested in Japanese history. They are not so popular abroad so not so busy and relatively quiet.

4. Ohara: This route covers Sanzen-in Temple and Hosen-in Temple in Ohara village. This route is suitable to those who wants to visit moss gardens, hidden germs of Kyoto. They are not so popular abroad so not so busy and relatively quiet.

Please take a look at the photos of these routes from the following link.

https://gowithguide.com/japan/tour/tokyo-one-day-door-to-door-tour-of-kyoto-from-tokyo-1201

11:30 AM

1. Miyabi: 11:30-11:40 Local train

Local Train: We will take a local train to Fushimi Shrine.

11:40 AM

1. Miyabi: 11:40-12:40 Fushimi Shrine

Fushimi Shrine; The most popular place in Kyoto according to Trip Adviser. This shrine was established in 8th century by Hata family. It brings about divine help on harvest and business. Many companies made donations and get one of the Torii gates in return. There are more than 10,000 Torii gates now. We will visit its main shrine and walk through the 1,000 Torii Gates area. (Admission free)

URL: https://inari.jp/en/

12:40 PM

1. Miyabi: 12:40-13:10 Lunch

Lunch: We will have a quick lunch near Fushimi Shrine. Inari Sushi is the specialty of the area which is a piece of vinegared rice wrapped with a fried tofu cooked with sweet soy. They have casual Japanese lunch such as noodle and donburi as well. (Lunch from 1,000 to 2,000 JPY)

01:10 PM

1.Miyabi: 13:10-13:40 Subway

Subway: We will take a subway to Sanjusangen-do Temple.

01:40 PM

1. Miyabi: 13:40-14:10 Sanjusangen-do Temple

Sanjusangen-do Temple; This temple was established in the 12th century by Kiyomori Taira under the order of Emperor Emeritus Goshirakawa to save people from suffering. There are 1001 statues of golden Buddha in the building. They are Kannon Bosatsu with 11 heads and 40 extra arms. Note: Taking photos are not permitted in the worship hall.

(Admission: 600 JPY per adult)

URL (Japanese): https://www.sanjusangendo.jp/

02:10 PM

1. Miyabi: 14:10-14:30 Taxi

Taxi: We will take a taxi to avoid walking up the long slope to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. (Taxi about 2,000 JPY)

02:30 PM

1. Miyabi: 14:30-15:30 Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple: This temple was the oldest temple in Kyoto established in 778 and was very influential during the Heian period.

Current building was constructed in 1633 during the Edo period. It is famous for its large balcony to overview Kyoto city. The renovation of the balcony was completed in 2020.

(Admission: 500 JPY per adult)

URL: https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/

03:30 PM

1. Miyabi: 15:30-16:30 Nostalgic street walking

Nostalgic street walking: We will walk down along the nostalgic streets of Kyoto from Kiyomizu-dera Temple to Gion via Yasaka Pagoda. There are many souvenir shops and traditional houses along the street.

04:30 PM

1. Miyabi: 16:30-17:00 Gion area

Gion area: It is a Traditional Kyoto Street, good for shopping. There are many Miko (young Geisha) houses in this area, but it will be difficult to see them. Note: Taking photos are not permitted to protect their privacy in the main area but I can take you the other area where you can take photos.

04:00 PM

1. Miyabi (optional) : 16:00-17:00 Tea ceremony and dance by Maiko

Tea ceremony and dance by Maiko: Instead of visiting Gion area and shortening the nostalgic street walking, you can enjoy a tea ceremony and a Japanese dance performance by a Maiko. You can talk with a Miko and take photo with her.

This experience is available on only limited days, so please let me know if you want. I'll check whether it is available or not on your date.

(Admission 13,000 JPY per adult)

URL: https://mai-ko.com/tour/gion-walking-tour-see-a-real-geisha/

05:00 PM

1. Miyabi: 17:00-17:40 Subway

Subway: We will talk two subways to Kyoto station

11:30 AM

2. Golden: 11:30-11:40 Local Train

Local Train: We will take a local train to Fushimi Shrine.

11:40 AM

2. Golden: 11:40-12:40 Fushimi Shrine

Fushimi Shrine: The most popular place in Kyoto according to Trip Adviser. This shrine was established in 8th century by Hata family. It brings about divine help on harvest and business. Many companies made donations and get one of the Torii gates in return. There are more than 10,000 Torii gates now. We will visit its main shrine and walk through the 1,000 Torii Gates area. (Admission free)

URL: https://inari.jp/en/

12:40 PM

2. Golden: 12:40-13:30 Local Trains

Local Trains: We will take two trains to Arashiyama via Kyoto station.

01:30 PM

2. Golden: 13:30-14:30 Lunch

Lunch: We will have a Japanese lunch with Kyoto cuisines.

02:30 PM

2. Golden: 14:30-14:45 Arashiyam area

Arashiyama area: It is a scenic area with the Katsura River and Arashiyama mountains. We will walk the popular traditional Togetsukyo bridge to enjoy the view.

02:50 PM

2. Golden: 14:45-15:10 Tenryu-ji Temple

Tenryu-ji Temple: This temple is the World Heritage and has been the rank No. 1, Zen temple in Kyoto. It was first established in the 14th century by Takauji Ashikaga who started the Samurai period of Muromachi. We will walk through the temple including the popular Japanese garden Sogenchi pond. (Admission: 500 JPY per adult)

URL: https://www.tenryuji.com/en/

03:10 PM

2. Golden: 15:10-15:30 Bamboo forest

Bamboo forest: We will walk through the trail in the bamboo forest in Sagano to enjoy its unique view.

03:30 PM

2. Golden: 15:30-16:00 Taxi

Taxi: We will have a taxi for 30 min. to move to Kinkaku-ji Temple to save time. (about 4,000 JPY per a taxi)

04:00 PM

2. Golden: 16:00-17:00 Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)

Kinkaku-ji Temple: The World Heritage, first built in the 14th century by Yoshimitsu Ashikaga who was the leader of the Samurai who governed Japan. It is popular for its golden three story pagoda and Japanese garden with a mirror pond. We will visit the Temple in late afternoon when it looks the most beautiful with a reflection of the golden pagoda on the pond by a lowering sun. (Admission: 400 JPY per adult)

URL: https://www.shokoku-ji.jp/en/kinkakuji/

05:00 PM

2. Golden: 17:00-17:40 Bus & Subway

Bus & Subway: We will take a bus & subway to Kyoto station

11:30 AM

3. History: 11:30-12:00 Bus

Bus: We will take a bus to Sanjusangen-do Temple. We may take a taxi when the bus is very crowded with a long waiting line at Kyoto station.

12:00 PM

3. History: 12:00-13:00 Sanjusangen-do Temple

Sanjusangen-do Temple: This temple was established in the 12th century by Kiyomori Taira under the order of Emperor Emeritus Goshirakawa to save people from suffering. There are 1001 statues of golden Buddha in the building. They are Kannon Bosatsu with 11 heads and 40 extra arms. Note: Taking photos are not permitted in the worship hall.

(Admission: 600 JPY per adult)

URL (Japanese): https://www.sanjusangendo.jp/

01:00 PM

3. History: 13:00-13:40 Subways

Subways: We will take two subways to Nijyo Castle.

01:40 PM

3. History: 13:40-14:30 Lunch

Lunch: We will have lunch at my favorite ramen noodle restaurant near the Nijyo castle.

02:30 PM

3. History: 14:30-15:30 Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle: This castle is the World Heritage which consists of traditional buildings with many Japanese paintings as well as beautiful Japanese gardens.This castle was built in early Edo period as the residence of Shogun in Kyoto. It was renovated to invite the Emperor in 1626 and famous for the announcement of termination of the Tokugawa shogunate at the end of Edo period. (Admission: 1300 JPY per adult)

URL: https://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp/?lang=en

03:30 PM

3. History: 15:30-16:00 Taxi

Taxi: We will take a taxi to save time.

(about 2500 JPY)

04:00 PM

3. History: 16:00-17:00 To-ji Temple

To-ji Temple: This temple is the World Heritage which was established about 1,200 years ago. This temple practices the esoteric Buddhism (Shingon sect), which was brought by monk Kukai (Kobodaishi) from China. We will see the 3D Mandara, which is the organization chart of Buddhism with numerous statues of Buddha. (Admission: 500/400/300 JPY per adult)

URL (Japanese): https://toji.or.jp/

05:00 PM

3. History: 17:00-17:30 Train

Train: We will take a local train to Kyoto station.

11:30 AM

4. Ohara: 11:30-13:00 Subway&Bus

Subway&Bus: We will take a subway and a bus to Sanzen-in Temple in Ohara village. We may take a taxi when we miss the bus.

01:00 PM

4. Ohara: 13:00-14:00 Lunch

Lunch: We will have a Japanese lunch in Ohara.

02:00 PM

4. Ohara: 14:00-15:00 Sanzen-in Temple

Sanzen-in Temple: Sanzen-in Temple was started in late 8th century. This temple was originally established as a hermitage by Saicho (767-822), when he founded Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei, Shiga Prefecture. This temple, also known as one of the five Tendai Monzeki temples, and certain members of the imperial family served here in the priesthood throughout the temple’s history. Admission: 700 JPY

URL: https://www.sanzenin.or.jp/en/

03:00 PM

4.Ohara: 15:00-16:00 Hosen-in Temple.

Hosen-in Temple: This temple was started in 12th century as a residence of monks who worked at Shourin-ji Temple next here. This temple is famous for its garden that looks like a picture in a frame when viewed from its room. Admission:1000 JPY with powdered tea and sweet

URL: http://hosenin.net/midokoro/season_page3/

We will visit Jikko-in Temple nearby if we have enough time.

04:00 AM

4. Ohara: 16:00-17:00 Bus & Subway

Bus & Subway: We will take a Bus & Subway to Kyoto station.

We may take a taxi when we miss the bus.

06:00 PM

18:00-20:30 Shinkansen to Tokyo station

Shinkansen to Tokyo station: We will return to Tokyo station by the Shinkansen.

09:00 PM

At your hotel

End of the tour

Ending Point

at your hotel in Tokyo

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 (no charge)

What‘s not included

The other cost will be about 33,000 JPY per person in total.

Please refer to the following for details.

1. Transportation cost of you and the guide (about 30,000, including that of the Shinkansen)

2. Lunch (from 2,000 for you and guide, most places take major cards & Pay)

3. Entrance fee of youin JPY (cash only, no charge for the guide)

# Miyabi route:

-Sanjusangen-do Temple: adult 600 JPY, high school 400, middle & elementary school 300, child free

-Kiyomizu-dera Temple: adult 400, middle school 200, elementary 200, child free

# Golden route:

-Tenryu-Ji Temple: adult 500, junior high 300, elementary 300, child free

-Kinkaku-Ji Temple: adult 500, middle school 300, elementary 300, child free

# History route:

-Sanjusangen-do Temple: adult 600, high 400, junior high & elementary 300, child free

-Nijojo Caste: adult 1300, middle school 400, elementary 300, child free

-To-Ji Temple: adult 800, middle school 400, elementary 300, child 500

# Ohara route:

-Sanzen-in: adult 700

- Hosen-in: adult 1000 with powdered tea and sweet

Tour Important Information

This tour uses public transportation and we have to depend on trains and buses in Kyoto.

This tour is for those who stay in Tokyo area.

I will book your seats of the bullet train if you agree to pay me about 30,000 JPY per adult for you and the guide in cash at our tour.

We might have to use a taxi to save time.

The tour guide is not available on Mondays and Fridays.

We can't use JR pass because of the following reasons.

-We can't take Nozomi by JR Pass, which is 30 min faster than Hikari available by JR Pass.

-We need previous reservation of our seats, but I can't reserve yours if you use JR Pass.

Not available on Mondays and Fridays.

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

Joined 2014

Yuki K.

4.80 / 5

(432 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Yuki K.

I was born and grew up in Yokohama. I used to work in Tokyo for more than 20 years. I became the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English in 2013. At first, I had attended a volunteer group which provided a tour of the Imperial Palace East Gardens until 2015. I guided more than fifty times in the garden as a volunteer and studied about Japanese history and culture. Based on this experience, I became a tour guide of this online site in 2015.

Since then, I have guided more than 500 tours in Tokyo as well as Yokohama, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Nikko, etc., while improving my tours. My tours are very flexible and I always do my best to customize them according to the interests of my guests. I studied about the places and will provide you knowledge to appreciate them deeper than just visiting there by yourself or a member of big group tours. I like foods and I know many restaurants which provide typical Japanese lunch with reasonable price without waiting too long. Therefore, I am sure that I can provide you the best tours customized to your interests. It will be my great pleasure to help you to enjoy your stay in Japan. So please be my guest!!

Reviews

Mehul P.

5 / 5

Aug 17, 2026

Tokyo À la Carte Private Tour – Choose from 50+ Destinations

Kyoto Private Day Tour from Tokyo by Shinkansen with Hotel Pick-Up

Itinerary

Want to personalize this tour?

Inclusions & Exclusions

Tour Important Information

Cancellation Policy

About Tour Guide Yuki K.

Reviews