Private Kyoto Tour by Car with Optional Nara or Osaka Add-Ons
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This private car tour allows you to create your ideal day in Kyoto by choosing from three flexible options: a Kyoto 1-Day Highlights Tour, a Kyoto & Nara cultural journey, or a Kyoto & Osaka adventure. Every itinerary is fully customizable to match your interests and pace. If there are places you'd like to add—or locations you've already visited—we will adjust the route to design the perfect day for you.
Travel comfortably by private car with a friendly local guide who brings history, culture, and local stories to life. Whether you want to explore the bamboo forest of Arashiyama, admire the Golden Pavilion, meet Nara’s sacred deer, or enjoy Osaka’s lively streets, you can experience Japan’s most iconic sights at your own rhythm, without rushing or following a set schedule.
This tour is ideal for first-time visitors, families, and couples who want a smooth, personalized, and unforgettable sightseeing experience. Discover Kyoto—and beyond—in the most flexible and enjoyable way.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Arashiyama
We will explore Japan’s most famous bamboo forest. If you would like this itinerary, please select the “Kyoto one day ” option when making your reservation.
Kinkakuji Temple
We will visit Golden Temple "Golden Pavilion". If you would like this itinerary, please select the “Kyoto one day tour option” option when making your reservation.
Options
Kyoto and Osaka Tour Option
Kyoto Osaka Private Car Tour: We will visit some places in Kyoto and mainly spend our time in Osaka. Pickup included
Kyoto One Day Tour Option
Kyoto 1-day Private Car Tour : This is the 1-day private car tour in Kyoto. We will take you around very flexibly from famous highlights to quiet local spot Pickup included
Kyoto and Nara Tour Option
Kyoto Nara Private Car Tour: We will visit Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto and Nara Deer Park. Pickup included
What‘s Included
Air-conditioned vehicle
Fuel surcharge
Parking Fees
Breakfast
Lunch
Bottled water
Admission fees to temples and shrines are not included
Pickup points
Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma
397 Gojokarasumacho, Karasuma-dori Kyoto Japan
Hilton Kyoto
416 Shimomaruyacho, Nakagyo Ward Kyoto Japan
Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto
4-450-1 Gojohashi Higashi, Higashiyama-ku Kyoto Japan
Kyoto Century Hotel
680 Higashi Shiokoji-Cho, Shimogyo-Ku, Kyoto Japan
Ace Hotel Kyoto
245-2 Kurumayacho, Nakagyo-ku, ShinPuhKan Kyoto Japan
Fauchon Hotel Kyoto
406 Nambacho Kawaharamachidori MatsubaraSagaru Shimogyo-ku Kyoto Japan
Kyoto Ryokan Shoei
128 Nishishinyashiki Kaminocho, Shimogyo-Ku Kyoto Japan
Hotel Granvia Kyoto
Shiokojisagaru, Karasumadori, Shimogyo-Ku, JR Kyoto Station Central Gate Kyoto Japan
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
64 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour to start Kyoto visit
Anders M,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent guided tour on our first day in Kyoto. We got to see 4 of the main sites around Kyoto by our friendly guide with detailed knowledge of the city and sites. Driving tour is a great way to see sites a bit outside main city. Got great follow up with ideas for what to do in the following days.
Must take this tour in Kyoto!! Worth it!!!
Abby R,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had THE best day with Katsu. We got to see alllllllll the sites on my list AND take a stop at the top shaved ice place in Kyoto. Make sure Katsu takes you- it’s phenomenal. He’s going to laugh if I send tons of people asking for shaved ice vs temples but again , we got To see the entire city. He took amazing photos of us and was a great guide. The car was super nice and clean and he was also kind and quite funny!!
Best Tour
Marc E,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Katsu was the absolute best! This was such a comfortable and easy tour. Katsu allows you to customize your experience how you’d like and was very kind and fun. My son absolutely loved him, would recommend to anyone looking to see Kyoto.
Fantastic
Karla N,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Super wonderful tour. Very friendly and perfect English!! Katsu was amazing!! Can’t wait to come back. We saw all the sites! Arigato Katsu!
Awesome Kyoto and Nara day
NINH P,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Katsu is fantastic. Great day seeing the deers in Nara and Kyoto highlights. Katsu picked us up at the Kyoto station and took us to all the spots we wanted to see. He took really nice photos for us. He can be a professional photographer if he wanted to. Having Katsu as our private tour guide is like having a local family member take you around. We had a wonderful time sightseeing and eating lunch together at a local restaurant versus a tourist trap eatery. Highly recommend Katsu. He was born and raised in the area and speaks perfect English. Very courteous and professional. We are going to book with him again next year when we return to the area .
Only If there was a way...
Eddie W,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Only If there was a way to give Katsu-san a ten star rating! Katsu-san was able to tailor our tour to what we wanted to see. Very informative of all the areas we saw, and provided alternative areas to avoid a few very crowded areas. Highly recommend his tour and hospitality.
Excellent private tour
Michelle B,May 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Katsu was a great guide. He was an excellent driver and the air-conditioned car was very comfortable. Between Katsu and us, we were able to cover all the locations we particularly wanted to see. It was especially good having a driver for the areas further out from the city. He explained the places we visited and also took photos for us throughout the tour. One very helpful tip he gave us was about feeding the deer — he warned us that they can become quite forceful, so it’s best to not feed them. We were very glad he mentioned this after watching other visitors trying to get away from them. At the end of the tour, Katsu also provided us with a useful list of things to do and see, along with great recommendations for places to eat. Highly recommended.
Get the most out of a full day exploring Kyoto!
Annie J,May 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What a treat to move through the city with a kind, informed, and flexible guide and driver. We wanted to avoid crowds, as much as we could, hitting just a few major attractions and seeing some interesting, less obvious places. Katsu offered lots of ideas and was totally into accommodating our wish list of sights—and the suggestions he made enhanced the day. He’s fun, interested and engaged, and was great with communications (in English) before the tour day and during our time together. We highly recommend spending a day, at least, seeing Kyoto with Katsu!
We had an excellent...
Alexei C,May 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an excellent experience with our private guide Katsu. He was incredibly accommodating, knowledgeable, and provided a very personal approach throughout the tour. He adjusted the itinerary to suit our needs and made sure we were comfortable at all times. The vehicle was very comfortable, and his friendly, easy-going personality made the experience even more enjoyable. We would highly recommend Katsu to anyone looking for a private tour. Alexei and Elena.
Best day!!
Christy B,May 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Katsu is the best! We had such fun and he provided great information on the sites, in addition to many tips for our visit in Kyoto. We had a fantastic lunch at a local spot we never could have found. Don’t hesitate to book this tour, it is like spending the day with a friend, he is fun and very kind. Definitely a day the we will always remember! Thank you Katsu!
Related Experiences
Operated by japa-kon