Tokyo to Kyoto: Private Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour with Customizable Itinerary

Experience the best of Kyoto on a private full-day guided sightseeing tour from Tokyo. Customize your itinerary and explore top attractions like the Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Bamboo Forest Street - Explore Kyoto’s natural and cultural treasures with our tour featuring the Bamboo Forest, Nonomiya Shrine, and Tenryu-ji Temple Garden. Begin your journey in the Bamboo Forest, where towering green stalks create a tranquil and otherworldly atmosphere, perfect for a peaceful walk.

Next, visit Nonomiya Shrine, a historic Shinto shrine known for its serene setting and ancient traditions. Discover its beautiful architecture and lush surroundings.

  • Kinkakuji Temple - Discover the breathtaking beauty of Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto’s iconic Golden Pavilion, shimmering brilliantly against its serene pond backdrop. Stroll through the exquisite gardens, reflecting the harmonious blend of nature and artistry that defines this UNESCO World Heritage site. Perfect for culture enthusiasts and photographers, this tour promises an unforgettable glimpse into Japan’s architectural splendor and tranquil elegance.
  • Nishiki Market Shopping District - Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen”. Dive into the culinary heart of Kyoto at Nishiki Market, a bustling five-block marketplace brimming with over a hundred vibrant stalls and shops. Savor the flavors of fresh seafood, local delicacies, and unique snacks while exploring traditional Japanese ingredients and gourmet treats. Perfect for food lovers and cultural explorers, this tour offers an unforgettable taste of Kyoto’s rich culinary heritage.
  • Pontocho District - Pontocho Alley is one of Kyoto’s most atmospheric streets, known for its narrow lanes lined with traditional wooden buildings and vibrant nightlife. This historic area runs parallel to the Kamogawa River and is famous for its many intimate restaurants and teahouses. Visitors can experience authentic Kyoto cuisine, including kaiseki and yakitori, in a charming, old-world setting. In the evening, the alley comes alive with glowing lanterns and the possibility of spotting a geisha or maiko making their way to an appointment. Pontocho offers a glimpse into Kyoto’s rich cultural past while providing a modern culinary experience.
  • Gion - Stroll through the Gion district, Kyoto’s renowned geisha area. Immerse yourself in the charm of traditional Japanese culture as you wander along narrow streets lined with wooden machiya houses, teahouses, and shops. Gion is one of the few places where you can spot geiko (geisha) and maiko (apprentice geisha) dressed in exquisite kimonos, bringing the past to life. The district offers a perfect blend of cultural elegance and history, making it an essential stop on your Kyoto journey.
  • Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Embark on a spiritual journey at Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its thousands of iconic red torii gates that create a mesmerizing path through lush forest trails. Discover the beauty and mystique of this ancient Shinto shrine, dedicated to the deity of rice and prosperity, with stunning views and serene surroundings. Perfect for hikers and culture enthusiasts, this tour offers an unforgettable blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage in Kyoto.
What's Included
  • Expert tour guiding
What's Not Included
  • Transportation(cash): up to 5 travelers:¥100,000,more than 5: let me know
  • Guide extra expenses from Tokyo: ¥50,000 (In case of Tokyo station pick up,cash to the guide).
  • Transportation fee (from Tokyo to Kyoto and back): You pay your own pullet train tickets.
  • Lunch , entrance fees
  • Gratuities are always appreciated but never expected (In case your experience was exceptional)
Additional Information

Tour itinerary is planned based on hiring a car/ van for 9 hours to cover (cash to the driver):5 passengers: ¥100, 000, 7 passengers: ¥125, 000,more than 7 please let me know in advance)

Tour covers the top sightseeing spots of Kyoto. Itinerary is shown here, however, you can still customize it in arrangement with the guide.

08:30(In case of Tokyo station meeting, extra ¥50,000, please notify the guide 2 days before the tour about the meeting point wether Tokyo or Kyoto) Tokyo Station (Gin-no-Suzu Square -Silver Bell Square-, the most well-known meeting place in Tokyo Station), help you to buy the bullet train tickets and heading to Kyoto using bullet train (Shinkansen)
11:00 Arriving Kyoto station and meeting the van rented
11:30 Bamboo grove and Tenryuji temple garden
12:30 Kinkaku-ji temple
14:00 Nishiki Market-Lunch break with Pontocho walk
15:30 Gion area and Geisha spotting streets
17:00 Fushimi Inari shrine
18:00 Back to Kyoto station, and take bullet train to Tokyo

Location
Bamboo Forest Street
Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo-Ku
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(13 Ratings)
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Elizabeth_m
Jun 26, 2024
Ahmed rocks Kyoto! - Ahmed was awesome. Both knowledgeable and super great company. I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking to explore Kyoto and/or Tokyo. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and friendly demeanor made the tour not only educational but also incredibly enjoyable. I’ll definitely be seeking him out for future tours.
Review provided by Viator
Brittanybobrowski
Jun 12, 2024
Great day trip - Very good tour, very accommodating as this was a private tour. Great experience for our family. Guide was kind and informative.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mike_s
Mar 8, 2024
If you like shrines and temples, Kyoto is for you! - Our day long trip to Kyoto was full of delight from end to end. We left Tokyo Station on the bullet train at 6:30 am, arrived at Kyoto Station at 8:30 am and we were with our tour guide, Midori before 9:00 am. Midori was an excellent guide. She packed in as much as possible between 9:00 am and 7:00 pm, and she was wanting to show us more if we had time. Site included Bamboo forest and Tenryuji Temple, Kinkakuji Temple, Nijo Castle, Fushimi Inari shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. We came hoping we would “see enough” and left believing “there was little left to see”. The only drawback of a single day-day trip to Kyoto from Tokyo is that if you prioritize the shrines and the temples it leaves little time for shopping if that’s of interest.
Review provided by Viator
Fahad_a
Dec 31, 2023
A wonderful experience - This tour was the best for visiting amd exploring the beautiful city of kyoto in one day. The guide felt like a family member, she was aware of the history, Local attractions, amd walked us through all of the city's major attractions. My first time in kyoto, and she helped us in covering everything in a day and was so helpful. Would definitely recommend this tour if you want the best for your family. 1. The transportation provided was excellent. 2. They spoke arabic, english, amd Japanese, so this was very helpful. 3. They gave us options and asked about our dietary needs. 4. Made sure that we finish everything on time and to guide us through the train station.
Review provided by Viator
Aj10150422
Dec 12, 2023
AMAZING EXPERIENCE! - We had the most amazing exper9ience with our private tour guide, Noriko. She was knowledgeable in the history of each city, shrine, and park we visited and her personality was welcoming and kind. Each step of this guided tour was easy to follow and translated to us in detail. We loved the flexibility of choosing where we wanted to go along wtih Noriko's guidance where and when we weren't sure. Our driver was polite, promt, safe, and well versed in the city grids. Our organizer, Ahmed started us out on the right track with an early departure and clear directions to access the Shinkasen (bullet train). Overall 10/10 experiene for me and my teenage daughters!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mandibsnjd
May 21, 2023
Our guide Yukari was... - Our guide Yukari was amazing. She was knowledgeable and very fun! Yukari took us to fabulous historical locations and provided wonderful stories about each. If possible ask for her as your guide.
Review provided by Viator
412jtt
Mar 6, 2023
15 hours. Tokyo to Kyoto with Ahmed - Ahmed was a fabulous host. Very knowledgeable about Kyoto, the history and significance of each Temple/Shrine and sight we visited. He planned out a full, but logical day, that ended perfectly at sunset. Highly recommend his service. Spoke fluent English and
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeanjacques_b
May 11, 2024
Kyoto one day! - our story From Tokyo to Kyoto has been wonderfull with guides very helpfull, specially in Kyoto where we enjoyed so much the day in this extraordinary city. Our guide was perfect!!!
Review provided by Viator
Robin_b
Mar 30, 2024
Fun Family Day - We enjoyed the tailored tour, sights, and our tour guide. Overall, I would recommend. However, I suggest reading thoroughly the entire description and be prepared to pay two to three times more than the actual fee for travel costs alone.
Review provided by Viator
Annette_n
Dec 28, 2023
A memorable trip to Kyoto - We had a wonderful time on our quick trip to Kyoto from Tokyo. Midori, our guide was thoughtful and knowledgeable. She accommodated our requests for an authentic local Japanese meal as well as picking up separately arriving family members. The tour managed to fit in many of the Kyoto must-see sights in a limited amount of time. Midori is also a very good photographer. The car rental in Kyoto was luxurious and the driver skillful; but, very expensive and not included in the cost of the tour.
Review provided by Viator
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September 2024
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