Private Tour
10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
If you have only one day in Kyoto and want to see all the top 10 must-see spots of Kyoto, this tour is the best for you.
A professional local guide shows you the best, comfortable and convenient way to the spots. And you can enjoy walking along with the beautiful sceneries, paths, and back alleys only the local people know.
We use taxis 3-4 times to save you time and energy. This tour is a mixture of public transport and taxis.
Thanks to taxis and a friendly local professional guide, you can visit the 10 most famous attractions such as the Fushimi Inari shrine (thousands of Torii gate), Golden Pavilion, Kiyomizu temple (with huge balcony), bamboo forest, Geisha district, and so on.
If you check the spots you can visit on this tour, you can notice that all must-see points in Kyoto are included!!
Please enjoy the top ten spots with the beautiful stories of your guide.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
You will visit so many places only one day so you can not change the itinerary, lunch place and starting point.
If you have some food you can not eat, please inform us when you book this tour
This tour will take you to not only tourist attractions, but also to nice Japanese-style streets and back alleys. Please wear comfortable shoes.
Many places in Kyoto such as temples and taxis do not accept credit cards. Please be sure to have some Japanese yen ready before joining the tour.
＊On very hot summer days, it is recommended to change to Plan B course, which requires fewer steps and takes you to Chishakuin Temple( a hidden gem indoor temple) and Sanjusangendo Temple(famous for a forest of Buddhist statues).
The cab can accommodate four people. 3 guests + a guide, so if there are 4 guests, two taxis are required.
Important: Guests arriving by cruise ship must be able to travel to Kyoto Station on their own.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Kinkakuji Temple
You can see the shining golden pavilion which used to be the political center of the Shogun(the head of Samurai warrior).It is one of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites in Kyoto.
Bamboo Forest Street
You will go through the Bamboo forest. This beautiful bamboo forest appears many times in the advertisement poster of Kyoto.
What‘s Included
Infants under 3 years old are free of charge.
English speaking Professional Guide
Age 3 and up are charged the same rate as adults.
Pick up service: not included
for all temples(1500yen par person)
＊This tour uses both taxi and public transportation(1000yen per person)
Taxi: (7000 〜9000 yen per cab for all rides) If You are 4 or more people, you need two cabs.
Options
UP to 7 people
Reviews
1,231 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A full day, private tour, in Kyoto with our tour guide KK
nancyoN6778RZ,May 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful experience with our guide KK. She was pleasant, knowledgeable and gave us insight into Kyoto’s history that we could never have learned on our own. The tour had us traveling by bus, taxi and tram giving us a true sense of the city. She graciously offered to take pictures of our family at the many sites we visited and they now give us great memories of our time in Kyoto! I highly recommend KK if you are looking for a day tour in Kyoto.
Great Tour!
MilagrosM646,May 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed our private tour with Kaori (KK). She reached out to us a few days before the tour, which we really appreciated. We met her at Kitaoji Station, and my husband and I accidentally exited through the wrong gate. KK graciously let us know she would come meet us where we were. KK was so sweet and friendly throughout the tour. She even made adjustments to our itinerary when she learned that some of the sites overlapped with another tour I had booked. We loved visiting the temples, the castle, and the gardens—everything was absolutely amazing and beautiful. By the end of the day, we had logged 25,000 steps, and it was completely worth it!
It Was A Great Day!
Mark M,May 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed our private tour with Kaori (KK). She reached out to us a few days before the tour, which we really appreciated. We met her at Kitaoji Station, and my husband and I accidentally exited through the wrong gate. KK graciously let us know she would come meet us where we were. KK was so sweet and friendly throughout the tour. She even made adjustments to our itinerary when she learned that some of the sites overlapped with another tour I had booked. We loved visiting the temples, the castle, and the gardens—everything was absolutely amazing and beautiful. By the end of the day, we had logged 25,000 steps, and it was completely worth it!
Mieko is the best and this tour is the best
Q1354GPkathleenm,May 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience. Mieko was the very best. We just loved the whole experience. It is a lot to cover in a day but she really got us where we needed to go efficiently. Her knowledge was great and she knew all the best spots to take a picture. She also explained the customs and we could never have done it on our own. Best tour and best tour guide!
Kyoto: A Timeless Journey Through Culture and Calm
Skywarlock,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kyoto is one of those places that feels almost timeless. Walking through the city, you get a strong sense of Japan’s history—traditional wooden houses, quiet temples, and carefully maintained gardens create an atmosphere that’s calm and reflective. Areas like Gion are especially memorable, where you might catch a glimpse of geisha moving between appointments, adding to the city’s unique charm. One of Kyoto’s biggest strengths is its balance. It’s peaceful without being boring. You can start your morning at a serene temple, spend the afternoon exploring bustling markets like Nishiki Market, and end the day enjoying some of the best traditional cuisine in the country. The food alone is worth the trip—everything from delicate kaiseki meals to simple street snacks is prepared with incredible care. Nature also plays a huge role in Kyoto’s appeal. Whether it’s the famous bamboo grove in Arashiyama or the explosion of cherry blossoms in spring, the scenery changes with the seasons and always feels intentional and beautiful. Autumn is just as stunning, with fiery red and orange leaves covering the temples and mountains. That said, Kyoto isn’t perfect. It can get quite crowded, especially during peak tourist seasons like cherry blossom time and autumn foliage season. Some of the most popular sites lose a bit of their tranquility because of the crowds. Getting around can also be slightly confusing at first, as buses are often packed and trains don’t reach every major attraction directly. Overall, Kyoto is a destination that lives up to its reputation. It’s ideal for travelers who appreciate culture, history, and slower-paced exploration. Even with the crowds, it manages to hold onto a sense of quiet beauty that makes it truly special.
Kyoto Tour
LEO Y,May 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our day could not have been better. Akiko is an amazing guide! She is very experienced and thoughtful. My wife mentioned that she likes Ghibli films, and Akiko took us to a Ghibli souvenir store along our tour. We enjoyed learning about the historic sites and the history behind them. I would highly recommend Akiko as a tour guide for anyone wanting to explore Kyoto.
Highlight of our Japan trip!
Eric M,May 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was the highlight of our entire trip in Japan. We were so lucky to have Chihiro as our guide! Her English was perfect and she made every effort to make sure we had an unforgettable experience.
The perfect way to see Kyoto on our first day!
kathy G,May 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a long day for sure! Wear some good walking shoes. The transportation was mostly Subway and a few taxis. So have cash with you. Our guide was incredible, really tailoring the experience to what we would enjoy. It was very rainy that day so we made some last-minute adjustments that ended up being perfect for us!
We had a blast and walked all over kyoto area
Clayton S,May 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour itself was fantastic,we saw everything we wanted to see. Go awesome pictures and background behind what were looking at to boot! 1 thing to keep in mind is the fares whether they be taxi, train, or bus are not included and neither are the exhibit entrances.. it cost us about 12k more yen on top on the tour.
Mie was fantastic for a one day tour of Kyoto!!
Carolyn G,Apr 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mie was fantastic!! She was very knowledgeable, interesting and kind. I saw and learned so much about Kyoto in one day without feeling rushed. I am so very glad this tour was available as I only had one day and I was blessed to have Mie as my tour guide. She helped me navigate around Kyoto using public transportation and taxis. She was a great tour guide as we visited all the sites I wanted to see and more!! I highly recommend Mie and this tour!!
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