Private Tour
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Join the Early Bird Experience and beat the crowds!
We take you to the top sightseeing spots in Kyoto while the rest of the city is still waking up! Let us put each place in context and teach you more about local customs and history while we enjoy a beautiful morning together. See all the highlights of Kyoto comfortably with your knowledgable and friendly guide.
This experience is perfect for those who naturally rise in the early morning, or for those who just want to have a unique experience and don't mind getting up early for it. It can also be an amazing way to take advantage of your jet lag!
Along the way, we give you insights about Buddhism, Japanese garden design, history and more. We are also happy to help you with any questions you have about Kyoto or Japan and can even help you plan your days ahead. Beat the crowds on the Original Early Bird Tour of Kyoto.
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
We take you through this maze of sacred torii gates stopping to take some epic photos and explaining the history behind this very special place.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Considered an icon of Kyoto, this is also the most famous temple in Japan and has sweeping views of the city. Simply breathtaking in the early calm of the morning.
All Fees and Taxes
Taxi fares
9 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
77pamq,,Jan 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
This excellent, private tour started at dawn from the easily accessed train station opposite Fushimi Inari. From there our friendly guide introduced us to Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu temples - before the hordes of tour groups arrived. He managed the logistics & provided excellent information. This delightful private tour ended at a tiny, outdoor coffee shop - optional coffee - it was excellent. And the guide then made a number of really useful suggestions to enhance our stay in Kyoto & made sure we found the bus stop for our ride back to our hotel.
pmccurry,,Jul 18, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
You may think it's crazy to get up early when you are on vacation, but this tour was certainly worth it. We met our guide Shanda and immediately headed to Fushimi-Inari, arriving before the crowds and able to score some fabulous solo photos. More important than the photos though was Shanda's positive energy and deep knowledge of the culture and traditions behind everything we saw. She added tremendous value to our experience providing deep insights and lessons that will last a lifetime. My daughters (late 20's) and I had a wonderful morning and think of this tour as one of the highlights of the trip. Kyoto Fun is great to work with and their guides are excellent English communicators.
betsyh2014,,May 25, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
We did two private tours in Kyoto with Kyoto Fun - both were fantastic! Kevin B. took us for a 6 hour tour in the west part of the city. He was a lot of fun and gave us great information. Two days later, we did the early bird tour with Shanda. This tour was about 3 hours long and she was an excellent guide, so full of knowledge about the beautiful shrines and temples we saw. Both guides were friendly and had a great rapport with our college age sons. We highly recommend them and the private tours - you get to see so much of the city!
evajud,,Oct 30, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
Kevin gave us a great introduction to Kyoto. He showed us around the metro and took is to a lovely small restaurant for lunch which was delicious. He also followed up with an email with more suggestions of places and restaurants to visit and where to get good coffee! As a fellow European he understood our needs!!
hannaha756,,Oct 19, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
Best way to see Kyoto!!!! Most delightful day riding around seeing the most gorgeous sites. Best tour guide too!
Sheri B,,Aug 1, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
Nial is THE BEST guide we had in Japan. He knew soo much about Kyoto and the history and constantly feeded us with nice stories. We visited places where tourist never come and heard stroies you cant find on the Internet. Highly recommended!






L3204HRbrianc,,Nov 10, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
Taking the Early Bird Tour was the best decision we made during our short stay in Kyoto. We went to the right place, at the right time, with the right guides. The Kiyomizu Monastery, the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the thousand-gate trail are must-sees. The early morning start avoids the crowds and the morning light enhances photos. Niall and his team delightfully conveyed the history, culture, and customs of Kyoto for us newbies. We finished the tour smarter and smiling! We had so much fun that we booked the Nishiki Foodie Tour and Gion Night Walk (Geisha walking tour) too. Thank you Niall, Maya, Philipe, and Ai!

AnnL3153,,Oct 27, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
The bike tour of Kyoto was a superb choice! Niall's humorous and thoughtful explanation made for my daughter and I a memorable morning. My daughter said the bike tour was the most enjoyable part of the trip. Niall would choose the route and pace according to our situation. He also offered to take photos for us to keep our memories. Thank you so much! I will recommend to my friends!

ianmC579HB,,Oct 13, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
Absolutely first class, we have been on a lot of tours around the world and this is up there with the best. Niall was the pefect guide, friendly, knowlegable and understanding of our delicate condition (self inflicted). We went to places that we would have never have seen otherwise, incuding coffee shop and a fantastic local cafe for lunch. If you do one thing when in Kyoto make sure it's the Kyoto Fun bike tour thanks again Niall
Operated by Kyoto Fun