Private Tour
Kyoto and Nara Customizable Private Tour with English Driver
Overview
10 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the best of Nara and Kyoto on this immersive tour. In Nara, visit Tōdai-ji Temple, home to the Great Buddha, and stroll through Nara Park, famous for its friendly deer. In Kyoto, explore iconic sites like the Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of red torii gates, and the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), a stunning Zen temple covered in gold leaf. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it an unforgettable journey through Japan’s ancient capitals.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Pick-up options available from Osaka, and Kobe charging an additional fee of 20000 yen.
Air-conditioned vehicle
Private transportation
Parking Fees
Lunch
Any Special Ride or Cruise not Included in this Package
Admission Tickets
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
What To Expect
Arashiyama
Arashiyama, located in western Kyoto, Japan, is a picturesque district renowned for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. It is best known for the iconic Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where visitors can walk through a mesmerizing pathway lined with towering bamboo stalks. The area is also home to the historic Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning gardens, and the scenic Togetsukyo Bridge, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Arashiyama’s charm is especially captivating during the cherry blossom season in spring and the vibrant autumn foliage, making it a popular destination year-round.
Kinkakuji Temple
Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is a famous Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. It is renowned for its stunning golden exterior, which reflects beautifully on the surrounding pond. Originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, it was later converted into a temple. The top two floors are covered in gold leaf, symbolizing purity and spiritual harmony. Kinkaku-ji is a UNESCO World Heritage site and attracts visitors year-round, especially during autumn and winter when the scenery becomes even more breathtaking.
Options
Kyoto and Nara Customizable Private Tour with English Driver
Pickup included
Reviews
7 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Our guide Sunny was...
Tracey P,
Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Sunny was fantastic, told us about each sites history as we arrived at each place. He showed us where to buy our tickets and where he would meet us when finished. He was very chatty.
Perfect Day Touring Kyoto and Nara with Dhanush
Rebeccah B,
Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Perfect day touring Kyoto and Nara with Dhanush as our guide. He was fluent in English and highly knowledgeable about the culture and history of sites we visited. He was friendly and polite and individualized our tour such that we were able to see all the sites we wanted and spend as much time as we needed. He was on time, dependable, and took exceptional care of us. He was an excellent iPhone photographer who knew all the perfect spots to capture and commemorate our trip. His car was spotlessly clean, cool, and refreshing on a very hot and humid day. It was a wonderful and unforgettable day exploring Japan.
Great Kyoto/Nara Cultural Package
Desiree F,
Jul 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Nadu was knowledgeable and patient. Accommodating a family of 6 is not an easy task but he made it a full day of great memories. Highly recommend!!
Ultra efficient and comfortable way to see the sites in Kyoto
briankS9122IO,
Jul 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00As you may know July gets very hot in Kyoto. It was our first time and we didn't want to find ourselves trying to figure out how to work public transportation or taxi rides as well as figure out what and where to go at each landmark... all while sweating in the oppressive heat. Enter - Nomi! Nomi was our personal driver and guide from SLJPAN Tours. He was very knowledgeable on our tour stops even knowing how and where to take pictures for our family. Nomi went above and beyond by acting as a guide when there was need for guidance on how to see things and catch the highlights as well as drop away to allow us time to explore and spend family time together. He operated like.a seasoned pro, making sure to bring your attention to all the highlight while keeping us on schedule. He always gave options on how much you want to explore as well as feedback on how he thinks the best ways to spend your time at each stop. On top of that he's knows all the photo spots and is a great photographer, so you will end up with some great photos! All in all, it felt like we were able to purchase an extra couple days on vacation with this tour because we were able to get through some much the "Kyoto, Must See" check list in a single day. Thank you again SLJAPAN tours and Nomi!
Exceptional Service and a Stress-Free Day with Nadu!
894ncc,
Jun 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our private tour with Nadu exceeded expectations from start to finish. He was not only an excellent driver but also a thoughtful guide—helping us plan the perfect route and adjusting smoothly when we wanted to make a few spontaneous stops. His local knowledge helped us avoid crowds and make the most of our time. We really appreciated how he made everything easy, even walking us to entrances when needed. Courteous, reliable, and warm—Nadu made our trip unforgettable. Would absolutely book again!
Excellent Day
bcampbelljones,
May 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our driver , Nadun was outstanding. He was pleasant and kind . He made our trip enjoyable and customized it to our liking. Our pick up and drop off was seamless . Thank you for a wonderful day!
Great time exploring kyoto and Nara
Connector34105368276,
May 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful tour! Nadu assisted us in viewing all five of our Kyoto/Nara itinerary items; and also accompanied us on several of the walks. He was very knowledgeable about the area. I would book again! He was kind and caring and overall an excellent driver/ guide!!!
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Operated by SLJAPAN Tours