Private Tour
Kyoto & Nara Private Customized Tour with English Speaking Guide
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Discover Kyoto and Nara on a private family tour. Walk through Arashiyama's Bamboo Grove, enjoy a hands-on origami experience, and feed the deer at Nara Park.
Start your day with a convenient pickup from your hotel in Kyoto, Osaka or Nara by your English-speaking driver-guide. Then head straight to Kyoto's tranquil outskirts for a walk through Arashiyama's Bamboo Grove, where kids can spot monkeys and explore scenic riverside paths.
Continue on to Fushimi Inari Shrine, with its iconic red gates winding up the forested hills - an exciting and walkable adventure. Then enjoy a casual local sweets tasting at a lesser-known Kyoto shop loved by families.
After lunch, journey to Nara, where you can free-roaming deer of Nara Park - always a hit for families.
Throughout the trip, the pace is set around you - whether you need rest breaks, snack stops, or extra time at favorite spots. This tour isn't built for large groups or tight schedules. It's built for you.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Nara Park
Nara Park is famous for the 1,200 or so wild deer that live freely within the park. Within Nara Park you will find the Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Originated from Kinshozan-ji Temple, which was built in 728 (the 5th year of the Jinki era) to mourn the death of Emperor Shomu's crown prince, Imperial Prince Motoi. Although the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two-thirds of the original temple hall's size, Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall), Todaiji's main hall, is one of the biggest wooden structures in the world. The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas, is residing in this temple. Read more about - Full Day Excursion: Kyoto and Nara Highlights from Kyoto/Osaka - https://www.viator.com/tours/Osaka/Day-Trip-by-Bus-to-Kyoto-and-Nara-from-Osaka/d333-20415P6?mcid=56757
Arashiyama
Immerse yourself in the enchanting charm of Arashiyama. Visit to the renowned Bamboo Grove, a magical forest of towering green stalks that create a serene and otherworldly atmosphere. Wander through this captivating path, where the light filters through the dense bamboo, creating a unique and tranquil experience. For travelers who choose the lunch option, savor a delicious meal at "Kyoto Wasabi," a historic Kyoto townhouse with a rich legacy of over 120 years. Delight in an exquisite Kyoto traditional meal set featuring Kyoto pork and tofu shabu-shabu, a classic Japanese hot pot dish with thinly sliced pork cooked in a flavorful broth. (50 mins) For travelers who choose the no-meal option, you will have a total of 120 minutes in Arashiyama to explore local dining options and enjoy the picturesque surroundings at your own pace.
What‘s Included
WiFi on board
Air-conditioned vehicle
Lunch
All Fees and Taxes
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Osaka, Nara and kyoto private tour with English speaking Guide
Pickup included
Reviews
105 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Book This Tour!
Pathfinder599165,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour—highly recommended! Our guide/driver was the best we’ve had in Japan out of several experiences. He provided detailed information about the sites, answered all of our questions, drove well, and was very pleasant company for the day. We altered the tour to focus on Nara, and had a genuinely top-notch experience. We will definitely rebook for a future Kyoto tour.
Great experience!
U7904HIdianeb,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an unforgettable day on this Kyoto & Nara Private Customized Tour! Our English-speaking guide was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible, perfectly tailoring the itinerary to our interests while covering all the highlights—like feeding the deer at Nara Park, exploring Fushimi Inari Shrine, and admiring the golden pavilion at Kinkakuji—without any rush. The comfortable air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi made travel between Osaka pickup and the sites completely stress-free, and everything ran smoothly from start to finish. Highly recommend for a personalized, hassle-free experience—worth every penny!
Best tour guide
Traveler716241,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hamzah is very knowledgeable and knows Kyoto inside out. His command of English is excellent and we had no problem communicating with him. He is also very talented and took some great pictures for us. We are retired and travel quite a bit. Among all the guides we had, he is the best so far. Great work Hamzah, keep up the great work!
Best Nara/Kyoto tour with Hamzi
Brian K,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had the tour guide Hamzi and he was fantastic! Fluent English. He picked us up at 9:00 at our hotel. We went around to multiple shrines and attractions and he knew the secret ways and areas where there were not as many tourists around. He took the best photos of our family and was super knowledgeable about all the places! He was fun to talk to and be around. I recommend this tour and the guide! I would book this again.
Great Day In Japan!!
Chris K,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Hamzah was great!! We did everything we wanted plus more. He was very knowledgeable on all of the locations and made a memorable experience we will cherish.
Simply the best!
Peter C,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hamzah our guide was amazing. So knowledgeable and so accommodating to our requests. We saw everything we wanted to see and we did not feel rushed at all. My mum is over 80 years and he was very mindful not to take us on walks that might be a little challenging. There was a bonus at the end of the tour we requested to go to a Japanese restaurant in Osaka not too far from our hotel and it turned out to be our best wagyu meat experience ever! Thank you Hamzah for an unforgettable tour!!
Excellent Kyoto/Nara trip with Hamzah
160amirar,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our trip to Nara and Kyoto was great! Hamzah was an excellent guide and driver. He was welcoming, prompt, knowledgeable and flexible. He made sure we had a wonderful experience! I would highly recommend him. Thank you, Hamzah!
Only Visited Nara and 1 Other Spot - Not Worth the Money
kensP3802QS,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00I am sorry to say but our experience was more like hiring a driver then a guide. I do not remember him providing his name but my son said that he did but he could not remember it either. He just drove us to Nara and gave a quick reference to 2 places to see and said to message him when we were ready to go. After that, he drove us to one other place and once again said to message him when we were done. We did not go anyplace else. I paid twice as much for this private tour then for another one we went on for Mt. Fiji and this one was not worth the money spent. I would not recommend this tour based upon my experience and the cost.
Great tour
damonv940,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hamza was a great guide. The traffic was very busy but he always found a way around it. Hazma was very friendly and told us about the places we visited
Family Fun
Kerry C,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Depending on when you go, it will be quite crowded. For Nara Deer Park please ensure you are watching your lil ones. The male deer can be quite aggressive. Hamzah was an amazing tour guide and maybe everything literally easy and understandable for myself and my family.
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