Tours in Kyoto

This is a guided private custom Kyoto tour using by chartered taxi. Pick up at a hotel in Kyoto city. For the tour destination, choose four places where you are interested in Kyoto from the list below for your tour! Karesansui Rock Garden, Arashiyama Bamboo Groves, Togetsu Bridge, Kinkakuji Temple,Tenryuji Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple, Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Sanjusangendo. Enjoy the ancient temples , shrines and wonderful bamboo groves with historical explanations by professional guides. You will receive an email after booking your tour from this web page. Please reply to the email with the 4 tourist sites you want to visit. For details of the tour, you can look at inclusions excursions section of this web page.

We show you around beautiful shrines and temples in Kyoto city with our vehicles. For example, we will offer things as below. ○ Secret bamboo streets away from crazy crowds. ○ The meaning and value of Japanese culture ○ Places where we can go only by vehicle ○ Nice Japanese local food for lunch No need to worry about changing trains or buses anymore. The guides are all Japanese native and English speakers. Just sit back and relax, enjoy your day. We guarantee a safe drive. We are happy to share Japanese Shintoism philosophy as a Shintoist and talk about our cultural aspects and daily life. Look forward to hearing from you. Feel free to let us know where you would like to visit if you have a specific place. We will take you to nice local shrines & temples avoiding tremendous crowds. if you are interested. Any plan is welcome. We hope that every guest has a beautiful day throughout the tour.

- You’ll be guided by knowledgeable locals who share stories, history, and cultural context you might miss if exploring on your own. - Go beyond the typical tourist spots. Discover quiet temples, traditional villages, and scenic spots only locals know about. - With a small group size, you’ll enjoy a more intimate, personalized experience — no rushing or crowding. - From bamboo forest to heritage sites and seasonal landscapes, this tour is full of postcard-perfect views. - You don’t just see the sights — you feel the soul of Kyoto through stories, architecture, and nature. - Escape the busy tourist paths and soak in the calm, timeless beauty of Arashiyama at a slower pace.

Enjoy the highlight of Arashiyama, the bamboo forest, at an unique vantage point from the comfortable seat of the traditional rickshaw. Sit back and relax as your guide navigates carefully and safely through the traffic as you pass by other iconic sights of Arashiyama such as the Togetsukyo Bridge, the river side with Mt Arashi, charactaristic neighbourhoods and townhouses. Venture north to a quiet and traditional neighbourhood along a pilgrim path leading up the mountain. Get off the rickshaw to enjoy the preserved, traditional houses and landscape at your own pace. Visit one of those Machiya houses (Archive Hall) from the inside. Your guide will continue to explain the sights to you as you make your way to the comical and unique Otagi-Nenbutsuji Temple. On your way back to the rickshaw, stop at one of the thatched tea house for a cup of matcha or traditional sweets (optional). Back on the rickshaw head to your preferred finishing location.

This tour is conducted by an English-speaking guide only. Let's explore the traditional areas of Nara, which include Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. The Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple is one of the most famous and historically significant landmarks in Nara. It stands at a height of around 15 meters. Todaiji Temple boasts the title of having the largest wooden structure in the world. In Nara Park, you can enjoy the sight of friendly and charming deer. Kasuga Taisha Shrine is an important historical site in ancient Nara. We can visit the main sanctuary for general worship. (Please note that the special worship of the main sanctuary, Kasugataisha Museum, and Botanical Garden are not included.) Let's have a delicious Japanese-style lunch. The restaurant also has a shop where you can buy local souvenirs. After lunch, you can do a little shopping to bring back some mementos or souvenirs to remember your visit!

Kyoto has been an important place to the world of confectionery as the refined practice of tea ceremony demands first-class sweets to accompany green tea. Meet an artisan who has been up to that task for over decades creating top notch Japanese sweets and give yourself a try to make those edible arts.

When it’s comfort time to leave Kyoto to a domestic flight, end your trip the easy way with this departure transfer by shared transfer to Osaka ITAMI Airport (ITM) from your hotel in Kyoto city. Your driver will pick you up from your Kyoto city hotel, help with your luggage and drive you directly to the airport in a comfortable our van/coach. It’s that easy! Book a seat in this shared ride door‐to‐door transfer for a comfortable ride.

Spend a few hours in the tranquil town of Fushimi indulging in sips of the best sake Learn about the history of Fushimi and its connection to the water Visit the Gekkeikan Sake Brewery and see traditional sake making tools and methods Taste 18 sakes from 18 breweries at the Fushimi Sake Village See the sacred Gokonomiya Shine, renowned for its pure spring water

I will for sure surely enjoy it and be able to make you a great memory since you can bike without feeling tired. 6 PM after the tour without any extra fee. You may visit the places we have already stayed again or find your own way! For a more personal tour experience, we have a small tour group.

Let's visit famous Fushimi Inari-Taisha shrine, Kiyomizu Dera temple and Kinkakuji temple on a one day! This tour will depart from Kyoto Station and travel with experienced guide with a strong knowledge about Kyoto! We will take you to go 3 popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto with English speaking guide. Let's explore together on foot! Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of the most popular place in Kyoto nowadays. You can go through the one thousand Torii gates. Kiyomizu Temple is a UNESCO world cultural heritage site. This temple is one of the most and popular temples in the Kyoto city. You can enjoy the panoramic view of Kyoto city from the temple. Kinkakuji is temple of the golden pavilion is one of the Buddhist temples in Kyoto and a must visit landmark in Kyoto.

The Kyoto Imperial Palace, once the residence of Japan's imperial family before the capital moved to Tokyo in 1869, is located in Kyoto's Gyoen National Garden. Known for its traditional Japanese architecture and scenic gardens, the palace complex includes several buildings, such as the main hall (Shishinden) and various other structures used for ceremonies and official functions. Explore stunning traditional architecture, serene gardens, and historical landmarks with our expert guide. An insightful journey through Japan’s royal past awaits you here.

Come with us on foot to visit the historic streets of Gion, Kyoto, for 4 hours! We start with a walk along the Kamo River, popular among the locals. Then we discover Shirakawa Street, which marks the entrance to the traditional town. We visit the Yasaka Shinto Shrine, a sacred site dating from the 7th century. We walk through the old town via Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, where traditional Kyoto awaits us. We then pass through Maruyama Park. This park is ideal for enjoying nature. Especially when flowering cherry trees in spring or autumn leaves! Finally, we end our visit with a stroll down Hanamikoji Street, where the kyomachiya, traditional houses of Kyoto, transport us back in time. After this midday, you will learn more about the history and culture of Gion, and Japan. You will also be full of memories with this traditional cityscape! Are you coming? We are waiting for you!

Visit three significant Kyoto temples: Honganji, Sanju Sangendo, and Chishaku-in to see impeccable views of the city, beautiful historic gardens, iconic statues, and traditionally painted national treasures with a nationally-certified tour guide-interpreter. Highlights of the tour include: ◆ View Kyoto from above at Kyoto Station’s rooftop garden ◆ Walk the grounds of Higashi Honganji, a head temple of the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism ◆ Walk along Takase River with its historic townhouses to see the daily lives of the Kyoto locals ◆ Visit Higashi Honganji Temple’s Goeido, one of the largest wooden buildings in the world ◆ Be among 1,001 Buddhist statues at Sanjusangen-do Temple ◆ See Chishaku-in Temple’s gorgeous painted screens, designated as National Treasures of Japan

This tour covers all famous spots to visit in Kyoto. The itinerary we mention is just a sample. You can customize some parts or even the whole program. Please ask us for the itinerary in advance.

Enjoy a fully customizable 4-hour private tour of Kyoto’s world heritage sites, tailored to your preferences. Choose your attractions, set the start time, and explore with a friendly, knowledgeable guide who provides cultural insights and local tips. Visit iconic landmarks like Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, and Kiyomizudera Temple, or let your guide help you craft the perfect itinerary for an unforgettable experience.

A trip to meet your favorite sake by visiting the sake brewery or tasting, tasting the sweets made with sake, is a premonition that any liquor master will discover "something". On this tour, you will also take a Fushimi Jikkokubune Boat Cruise where you can enjoy the port town of Fushimi while being blown by the gentle breeze. ★Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum is a renovated sake brewery in the late Meiji era, where you can learn about the history of Fushimi sake brewing and the laurel wreath. There are various highlights such as an exhibition of sake action tools designated as a tangible folk cultural property of Kyoto City! ★"Fushimi Jikkokubune Boat Cruise": You can enjoy a waterside trip with a row of sake breweries and willow trees as if you had traveled back in time to the Edo period. ★Kizakura Kappa Country is a traditional izakaya operated by a famous brewery. Here you will experience a comparison of 9 types of Kizakura-Sake.

Arashiyu, a Japanese-style relaxation salon located just off Arashiyama Station. It is a shop where you can heal your tired feet slowly. You can enjoy drinks and tea pastries while you are immersed in footbath, and then enjoy foot massage.

Do you want to explorer the most popular place at night time in Kyoto, Japan? The knowledgeable guide will take you to peaceful night walk and explaining about Japanese culture and Fushimi Inari, Shinto Shrine. Fushimi Inari is the most popular destination in Kyoto and night time is the great timing to avoid crowds.

Embark on a captivating journey through Japan's cultural heartland with our Uji and Nara 1-Day Tour. This immersive excursion combines the serene beauty of Uji with the ancient wonders of Nara. Begin in Uji, the heart of Japanese tea culture, with an authentic tea ceremony and a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Byodo-in Temple. Marvel at its restored Phoenix Hall, showcasing vibrant ancient architecture. The afternoon takes you to historic Nara. Be awestruck by the Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple and explore Kasuga Taisha Shrine's lantern-lined corridors. Enjoy a unique experience in Nara Park, where friendly deer roam freely.

Do you want to explorer the most popular place in Kyoto, Japan? The knowledgeable guide will take you to cultural walk and explaining about Japanese culture and Fushimi Inari, Shinto Shrine. Fushimi Inari is the most popular destination in Kyoto. The bright vermilion torii gate looks great in photos. And you will understand the meaning of gates and also differences of Buddhism and Shintoism. After we saw there, we walk through residential area about 20 minutes to Tofukuji Temple. Tofukuji is the one of Zen temple in Kyoto and we will see the Zen Rock garden. Tour duration including the walking time from Fushimi Inari Shrine to Tofukuji Temple about 20 minutes and also Tofukuji Temple to Tofukuji station about 10 minutes.

Enjoy two days of private 6 hours tours with one of our guides in Kyoto! Our guides are licensed, experienced, and speak English! By choosing this tour course, you will have the same guide for both days. Temples, shrines, and tea ceremonies. The traditions of ancient Japan are still alive and well in the old capitol, Kyoto. Walking around this beautiful city can feel like you are in a time machine as its architecture has been preserved for centuries. Kiyomizu Temple towers over the historical Gion district, famous for its rich history of geisha. There is much history in this city that you don’t want to miss so book our Government Licensed and Experienced English-speaking guides for a walking tour of Kyoto! Note*1: The booking is for two consecutive days only. Note*2: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. You can choose 3 to 4 sites from the list on each day. You can also mix and match the lists.

In Japan, tea ceremony is more than just drinking tea—it’s about experiencing the essence of beauty. While we often associate beauty with outward appearances, in the tea ceremony, we appreciate the inner beauty of nature, which leads us to the concept of "Wabi-sabi." Wabi-sabi is a traditional Japanese aesthetic that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness, influenced by Zen Buddhism. Words like "matcha" and "tea ceremony" are frequently heard in Kyoto, where many tourists come to experience authentic tea culture. Our knowledgeable guides will lead you through Kyoto, sharing the philosophy and traditions of the tea ceremony, while letting you truly feel the essence of "Wabi-sabi." This unique experience will leave a lasting impression you won’t forget!

Kobe, a vibrant city in Japan known for its blend of cultural heritage, stunning natural scenery, and delicious cuisine, offers a wealth of experiences. Customizing your tour allows you to focus on what interests you most, whether it's history, nature, food, or shopping. A customized tour of Kobe allows you to tailor your experience to match your interests and preferences, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable visit. Whether you're exploring historical sites, indulging in local cuisine, or immersing yourself in natural beauty, Kobe offers something special for every traveler. This tour is great for any types of travelers, such as adventure seekers, families with children, etc.

Join a unique cultural experience led by Misato Takahashi, an Otsu native and daughter of Wado Takahashi, an Otsu-e artist originally from the Otsu-e master family, Takahashi Shozan. Misato is fervently committed to preserving the important local tradition of Otsu-e painting, a form of traditional folk art that originated in this area about 400 years ago. This unique cultural experience provides an excellent opportunity to delve into Japan's artistic heritage, immersing yourself in the creativity and artistic expression that has enriched Otsu's local culture for centuries. And with only a 10-minute train ride from Kyoto Station, you can relax in the cozy lakeside town of Otsu while exploring the city's rich history and treasures.