Private Tour
Kyoto Full-Day Excursion from Kobe (Osaka) Port
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
I live in Kyoto—a city I truly love. Kyoto reminds me of something I had forgotten. In the rush of everyday life, I often find myself pressed for time. There are a few places I visit from time to time. A quiet garden surrounded by trees, and a five-hundred-year-old temple steeped in history and tradition welcome me. There are hardly any people around. The flowing water, the falling petals, the moss-covered gardens—all these simple beauties make me pause and notice what I’ve overlooked. Quiet Kyoto touches the soul. This is the Kyoto I want to share with my guests—not just the famous landmarks, but the hidden sanctuaries where the heart can breathe. All you have to do is put yourself on the side of nature. I'm sure you will feel the heart of Kyoto through these encounters.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Gion Shirakawa
Furukawa Local Market and Shirakawa Riverside Walking
Shoren-in Temple (Shoren-in Monzeki)
Shoren-in: The fire that occurred downtown 300 years ago destroyed almost the whole city. The Imperial Palace burnt down. The emperor moved to the east of Kamogawa River and lived here for some years. So Shorenin used to be the emperor's residence. You can see Kyoto's Imperial Palace only from outside but here in Shorenin you can see the emperor's room inside. Its cultural value is priceless.
What‘s Included
port pickup
entrance fee, your transportation fee, food and drink
Lunch
Private transportation
Options
Kyoto Full-Day Excursion from Kobe (Osaka) Port
Reviews
7 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
What tour?
Brian D,,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00I can't really review the tour as it didn't happen. According to the guide, he cancelled the tour a week after our booking. I could not find a reference to that. But at any rate, the guide did not inform Viatour, and Viatour continued to inform us of our upcoming tour long after the alleged cancellation. At this point, we are still out approx $500.
Great tour
Ann P,,Aug 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Mike was a great guide. Had a wonderful experience. Learned a lot about Japanese history and culture along with the sites
Great guide, great tour
Jacqueline F,,Apr 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Mike was a wonderful guide. Our ship arrived at noon so our full day tour was extended to two days. We enjoyed Kyoto, missed the crowds and saw many sites. He shared history and the spiritual side of historic places. A tour we will not forget
Full day tour of Kyoto with a knowledgable guide.
Maria G,,Apr 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We spent a wonderful day with Rieko Ohmura , our tour guide She was patient, instructive and immersed us in the history of the sites that we were able to visit. She helped us navigate the Bullet train back to our destination. Truly a very pleasurable experience and day spent with Rieko. Definitely a way to spend a day in Kyoto.
Best of Kyoto in 1 Day
Carl C,,Apr 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We saw four great sites with Mike--more than you could ever see on a ship tour. Mike was very knowledgeable and accommodating. He also helped us buy our bullet train tickets back to Kobe. Overall a great day (but taxis were expensive due to all the traffic).
Kyoto with Mike
Torsten G,,Apr 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an absolutely incredible experience on the Kyoto tour led by Mike! The destinations were thoughtfully selected, highlighting the most breathtaking and culturally rich spots in Kyoto. Mike was an outstanding guide—his deep knowledge, infectious enthusiasm, and impeccable attention to detail made every moment truly special. His passion for Kyoto’s history and culture shone through, creating a memorable and engaging journey. I wholeheartedly recommend Mike’s phenomenal tour to anyone exploring Kyoto!
A great tour of Kyoto with Mike
JOHN D,,Apr 15, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Mike was the best. He took us around to visit Nijo Castle, Kinkakujiyu Kinkakuji, and Shoren-in Temple. We learned much about Japanese culture, the struggle and harmony between the emperor and shogun and samurai, Shinto and the zen gardens and its five elements. Fascinating! Thanks to Mike for taking care of our senior group of four and myself, and making sure we got back to our ship safely. We highly recommend doing this tour with Mike.
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