Kyoto Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular destinations, so sightseeing can be very crowded during the day. In this tour, we start early to beat the crowds and visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkakuji, and Arashiyama.
⬇︎ PLEASE READ CAREFULLY ⬇︎
▶️ This is a walking tour using public transportation (not a bus tour) and requires about 12,000 steps.
▶️ The tour is approximately 5.5 hours and may vary by about 30 minutes.
▶️ When booking, please provide a WhatsApp-reachable phone number (travel agents must enter the guest’s number).
▶️ Late arrivals cannot join the tour and no refund will be given.
▶️ Maximum group size: 8 guests.
Activities (held at MUTEKI Kyoto Geisha Show Experience Gion)These 2 options begin at 5:30PM the day of your Kyoto Walking Tour, there will be time after the tour to explore!
1. Mochi Making: Enjoy a fun mochi pounding and tasting experience.
2. Sushi Making: Learn to make authentic sushi with simple, hands-on guidance using fish brought from 5 star restaurant.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Travel time is included in total tour duration.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
English-Speaking Guide
Public Transportation Fare (About 1240 yen)
Food and Drinks
Kinkakuji Temple
What To Expect
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Explore the enchanting Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of the most famous shrines in all over Japan. Walk through thousands of striking red gates, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere. It's a must-see spot that offers a beautiful and unforgettable experience. Don't miss the chance to visit this incredible place during your trip!
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.
Options
Kyoto Early Morning Tour with English-Speaking Guide
Limited for Winter: 9AM Start
Duration: 6 hours: Just for the winter season when you have a hard time waking up, we have a 9AM starting plan! Same tour as Kyoto Early Morning
Mochi Making After Kyoto Tour
Mochi Pounding and Tasting: Starts at 5:30PM. Experience Japanese mochi-making using a wooden mallet and mortar. Try out the mochi that you made!
Sushi Making After Kyoto Tour
Fresh Sushi and Beverages: Starts at 5:30PM. In this hands-on workshop, you learn how to prepare authentic sushi with easy step-by-step guidance!
Reviews
1,362 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A young local's perspective on Kyoto/ Japan history
Ashanbhogue,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were a family of 4 traveling with 2 boys 10 and 13 and our guide was Aya. It was lovely getting to know parts of Kyoto through a local. We would have probably just visited these shrines and temples without knowing it's significance or history. She's young, knowledgable and patient. Took time to chat with everybody, spoke fluent English and answered questions that we all had. I would definitely recommend this tour.
Excellent and efficient tour!
Jennifer M,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a clearly communicated and helpful tour of three significant areas in Kyoto. Our guide Arame was friendly and helpful - and the 7:15 tour gave us the opportunity to enjoy the spots without enormous crowds. We enjoyed taking local transport…there is a lot of walking so be prepared, although it was nicely paced.
Had a great tour with Aya...
Peter S,
Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Had a great tour with Aya - showed us a lot about Kyoto and really great overview of all the temples, etc. Also explained the background of a variety of places. Highly recommend booking!
Kyoto - Stress free tour of the Amazing Sites
Mark R,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was brilliant and would thoroughly recommend. Our guide Suzuka was amazing. She was incredibly knowledgeable and very helpful with negotiating our way around Kyoto during the tour. I had travelled to Japan for business but had a free day. The tour gave me a chance to soak up the culture of Japan without the pressure of planning how to visit the key sites.
Relaxing way to be ahead of the crowd
anthony sugiharto,
Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour is an excellent choice for anyone looking to be ahead of the crowd in Kyoto’s most popular tourist spots. Particularly beneficial for photographers looking for clean shots. What amazes me is that we still managed to have a relaxing tour despite always being about 1-2 hours ahead of the big tourist crowd. I love the schedule of the trip - the bathroom & cafe breaks were spot on. Soichiro had been very attentive to our needs throughout the trip & also provided us with comprehensive information on each location. He is very easy to talk to & very approachable. He certainly made the trip enjoyable for us!
Three of the main Kyoto sites without too much crowd
Nomad53701545321,
Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour if you want to see essential sites, without the crowds. Aya was great, very knowledgeable and full of information, she also answered all our questions. It was definitely worth it for us.
Fun and learning-filled half day tour with Hina!
elifkw,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I would highly recommend this tour with Hina, as she is an excellent guide! I was traveling with my husband and two young daughters and we all had a great time. Hina is incredibly helpful - carefully describing everything we needed before the tour and even helped us get our IC cards. She is also very knowledgeable- we learned tons of information about each site we toured and the cultural context surrounding the sites. She also knew the best spots to take pics and took many amazing family photos for us! The tour was seamless as she guided us exactly where we needed to go on public transit. And she is extremely friendly - my daughters loved her - and also gave great local restaurant recommendations. Cannot recommend Hina more - she is amazing!!
Excellent tour and guide
kdandy,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Booked this trip with Get Your Guide designed to beat the crowds. The whole experience was excellent. Met Soichiro at Kyoto station, we were a small group of 3 and Soichiro’s English was excellent. We hopped on a train using our Suica card (essential for a trip to Japan) and got to the Fushimi Sheine ahead of the crowds so we could take in the spectacle of the Tori gates - but lots of other people had the same idea! We didn’t complete the whole circuit due to time constraints, so headed back into town and another train to the bamboo forest which was definitely worth a visit. Finally we went to the Golden Temple, and able to take lots of photos despite the crowds. An excellent tour, we finished on time at 1pm including a seated coffee break mind morning Soichiro was a kind, thoughtful guide who was responsive to the areas of interest we were interested in, and managed our trip effortlessly. This is a full on morning, as well as the Suica card, wear comfortable shoes and plan a relaxing afternoon!!
Early morning without the crowds
muchado18,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went on the early morning tour with Hina and met in Nara. The communication, professionalism and pace of the tour guide was on point. She was well prepared with historical information and led us from temple to temple explaining cultural and religious facts. She was very personable and connected well with us. She made sure we got to experience all that Nara has to offer and gave us many recommendations for eating in Nara and Kyoto. We had a great morning with her! Thanks so much!
Early morning tour with Akari
Timothy O,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a wonderful early morning tour! Despite the rainy weather our guide Akari made the experience for my family and friends so much fun. We never felt rushed as Akari guided us to and through each location, explaining the history and other interesting facts. We would definitely recommend this experience!
From ¥15,700
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