Kyoto Early Bird Tour Tokyo Round Trip Shinkansen Option
Overview
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Discover the timeless beauty of Kyoto on this carefully curated day trip from Tokyo. Travel comfortably by Shinkansen and explore the city’s most famous landmarks, including the stunning Fushimi Inari Shrine, the golden pavilion of Kinkaku-ji, and the scenic bamboo groves of Arashiyama. Led by an expert guide, this tour offers deep cultural insights, local recommendations, and a seamless experience, allowing you to enjoy Kyoto’s rich history and traditions without the hassle of planning. Perfect for travelers who want to maximize their time and see Kyoto’s highlights in just one day.
・Choose from multiple early AM tour options for flexibility
・Enjoy a calmer experience with a maximum of 8 per group
⭐️Customers may choose to stay at Kyoto or go back to Tokyo Station. Please note that prices will differ, whether if you choose one-way trip or round trip from Tokyo.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
Shinkansen Ticket Fee (One Way or Round Trip OPTION)
Transportation Fee in Kyoto
Admission Fee to Kinkaku-ji
English-Speaking Tour Guide
Food and Drinks
What To Expect
Arashiyama
Discover the serene Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where towering bamboo shoots create a tranquil ambiance, swaying gently in the breeze. This natural wonder provides a captivating experience for enthusiasts and photographers alike. Embrace the elegance of Arashiyama, an essential destination for those seeking both tranquility and exploration in Kyoto.
Kinkakuji Temple
Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Temple, is a true gem among Japan's temples. Its remarkable golden structure makes it an iconic and must-see destination in Kyoto. Prepare to be enchanted by the breathtaking elegance of this renowned site during your visit to Japan.
Options
Round Trip Shinkansen Fee
One Way Shinkansen Fee
Reviews
11 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Exceptional
Auhood B,
Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very nice tour , beautiful scenery and landmarks , I highly recommend it, our tour guide Rin made it even more enjoyable !
Excellent tour with Kai....
George M,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour with Kai. Very interesting tour well led by Kai who was very good, explaining the history and culture at each venue, plus answering any questions you had. Would recommend.
Best Kyoto
zinaida l,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was amazing from beginning to the end very organized Genki Fukushima our tour guide was excellent knowledgeable professional excellent interpersonal skills That was the best trip 100% worth off every penny spent
Excellent tour, recommended to 100
Angie S,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00I must admit that at first it seemed like a high cost activity, but I was encouraged to buy it because I definitely wanted to know Kyoto and to tell you the truth it was an amazing experience. My guide was Rina Tanaka who made every moment an unforgettable experience!!! The attention 100% personalized, took pictures of everything and beautiful!!! The truth is that it is VERY WORTHWHILE and of course I recommend you take this tour if you have little time to know Kyoto and want to take unforgettable memories. Rating 10out of 10✨thanks
A wonderful tour with the perfect host.
Dennis H,
Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A trip on the Shinkansen is a must when visiting Japan and this tour to Kyoto is just the right length to experience this wonderful train. You may even get to see Mount Fuji on a clear day, as we did. We were met outside the station and guided to the train (essential!) A great start to a wonderful, although quite tiring, day. We were met on the platform by Amaye and we cannot sing her praises highly enough. Throughout she was lovely, warm and friendly and being a Kyoto resident, very informative. Her English was perfect, as a child she lived in england for 7 years! The tour gave us a flavour of the real, old, Japan, something we didn’t feel we’d experienced in Tokyo, with the highlight at the final stop being the Shoguns golden shrine with its beautiful gardens and lake. A perfect day provided by a lovely host. Thank you Amaye!
A wonderful trip
609elal,
Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A fantastic trip, very well organized. In Tokyo, we were escorted to a specific train, and in Kyoto, a guide was waiting for us on the platform. She accompanied us throughout the day and gave engaging stories about the places we visited. I highly recommend it! The staff was incredibly friendly. We had a great time. Thank you.
Love this tour!
Dustin G,
Aug 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely loved this tour! Aya was our guide and she was fantastic. Extremely knowledgeable and very sweet. She took us all over Kyoto and we had a blast. She even made sure we didn't get lost on our way back to Tokyo. If you want to experience the amazing history of Kyoto, I highly suggest this tour.
Great cultural walking tour!
Elda M,
Jul 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We loved this tour! Lots of great cultural info and it was nice having a local tour guide. Note, there is quite a bit of walking and different trains and buses to use to get to all three destinations. It was extremely hot during our tour in July and most of the tour is in direct sunlight—prepare accordingly. We walked about 4.5 miles throughout the tour.
You will be surprised!
guidemej,
Jul 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour allows you to escape all of the confusing procedure needed when riding a shinkansen! We met up with our host at Tokyo, then she took us all the way in front of the doors of the shinkansen, then at Kyoto our guide welcomed us as soon as we got off! The system behind this is so satisfying, and props to the company who made this happen so stress-free.
Absolutely worth it!
Inspire27559620675,
Jul 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Me and my wife booked this trip because we didn’t have much time in Japan. We booked the round trip because we could only spend one day in kyoto but we were able to see all of the major sites! The host and guide were absolutely amazing and we recommend them!! Thank you!!
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