Private Tour
Hidden Gems of Osaka Kyoto Nara - Private Car Tour by Local Guide
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
The most off-the-beaten and atmospheric temples of the Kyoto/Osaka area are here!!
This private guided car tour takes you to magical temples and super-unique shrines in a comfortable car
A great temple with thousands of Japanese traditional dolls sitting literally everywhere, a shrine worshiping an enormous 1000-year-old camphor tree in an industrial area, and nostalgic paths of temples lit by countless lanterns at night
The local expert drives you to the spiritual world with his wide and deep knowledge of Buddhism and Japanese culture
Book this tour and you are promised to have an unforgettable day in Japan!
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
There are walks and some stairs to some temples
Some of the itinerary may change by the season or other circumstances
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Katsuo-ji Temple
This temple located in the mountain area between Osaka and Kyoto is often picked up on the instagram with its unrivaled scenaries made by thousands of Japanese Daruma dolls placed everywhere in the temple!
Experience the spirit of Shintoism which worships nature itself and contributed to Japan maintaining beautiful Japanese nature primitive since the ancient ages. Mitsushima Shrine is a very small local shrine located in a suburb city of urban Osaka, called Kadoma City. Although it's not even well-known by the local Osaka people out of small Kadoma City, you'll be amazed by the enormous lord of this shrine, one of the biggest camphor trees in Japan, worshipped for more than a thousand years. Its thickness is around 13 meters with a height of 25 meters. It's selected as a National Natural monument of Japan.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Parking Fees
Entry fees
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Private Convertible (max 1)
Mini Cooper Highgate
Pickup included
Private Minivan (max 6)
Nissan Serena
Pickup included
Reviews
14 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing sites with amazing sights!
Marco442,,Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an amazing tour that went to some incredible places. Daiki-さん has truly discovered some really cool treasures. The first site was popular with tourists and locals but still really great! And so out of the way we would never have made it there on our own. The other places were truly hidden treasures! We were the only people at these other places - great god trees, temples and shrines, glowing lanterns, ancient bells and clear water pools for purification. And Daiki- さん is also a treasure! Do knowledgeable and willing to share what he knows, so considerate and kind, so flexible. He was an amazing guide and host, and enjoyed each trip as much as we did! We will definitely take other tours with him when we are back in Osaka.
Great experience
Alfonso F,,Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great experience. The temples were beautiful and the night tours were fantastic. Thanks Daiki for all the great detail and information sessions.
Amazing and authentic
paolabM2399NQ,,Sep 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Best tour guide I have ever had. He had tons of historical information but also answers all my questions about the Japanese culture in general. I liked that he was quick and effective in every spot because we got to see a lot in a limited amount of time. Both of the tours we did with him were special and insightful. We are a family of four we fit comfortably in his van and our luggage fit seamlessly. I highly recommend this tour provider.
Highlights of Kyoto
363gerrik,,Mar 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Daiki was an amazing tour guide. He shared a lot of knowledge about Japanese history and culture. Things you can't find in books. We went to the best places in Kyoto, and I was thankful he was an excellent driver. The streets are very narrow and the traffic was overwhelming. He even found some cherry and plum trees blooming early so we felt like we got the full experience!
The best tour of our Japan trip !
ShireenD25,,Mar 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend! This was our favourite tour over our 2 week trip to Japan. Daiki was our guide and it was seamless from the moment I booked. Communication was easy via phone and Daiki catered to our needs for the entire trip, stopping to get treats and food along the way. The kids loved having Daiki as our tour guide and private van. Daiki was very knowledgeable and friendly. The places we visited were amazing and something we wouldn’t have done easily on our own especially visiting the temples/ shrines around dusk. It was incredibly beautiful. I would recommend this tour to any and all travelers.
Great!
Rita L,,Sep 15, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Daiki is a very great guide. He is really funny and take you cool places. A different way of traveling tk Osaka and its surrounding.
Excellent
gill c,,May 21, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00We have never been to Japan before so booked this tour to getbaround t9 some of the hidden gems as the tour suggests. We were not disappointed this was a highlight of our trip . We were able to leisurely get to places that were literally hidden gems and that were not over crowded and we were able to get some beautiful photos. Our guide was Daiki he was so knowledgeable and we had some good conversations around Japan or country and the old and new. I would recommend this tour if you really do want to get the unique and hidden gem Japan . Thankyou Daiki we had a great time . If you are ever in Southwet England then please do give us a shout and ee can take you around for the day
Beautiful trip exploring temples and shrines
FeliciaCucuta,,Jan 11, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was absolutely fabulous! Breathtaking views, beautiful temples and shrines that sometimes, in the evening, you get to explore almost on your own, without the masses of other tourists. Daiki is a brilliant tour guide: very kind and generous, funny and knowledgeable, he did a wonderful job explaining the background of the spots we visited and so much more. I loved his passion for the places we visited, his patience and easygoing attitude. Thank you!
Unique Shrines/Temples of Osaka & Kyoto Tour.
kafe2021,,Nov 24, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience my husband and son loved the tour. The host was great, and conveniently dropped them at train station after tour for the bullet train back to Toyko. Awesome time had in Osaka & Kyoto.
Wonderful Tour
Kristin N,,Nov 7, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a wonderful tour! So great seeing places without mass tourists/crowds---and the places were beautiful! Daiki was a great guide with lots of information on each location. I would definitely recommend this tour!
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Operated by WadaF Tours