Private Tour

Private Kyoto Customizable Day Tour with English Speaking Driver

Overview

Mobile ticket

Explore Kyoto in Comfort and Style!

Discover the timeless beauty of Kyoto on our exclusive, private day trip by car. Tailored just for you, we create a personalized itinerary based on your interests, allowing you to enjoy Kyoto’s iconic sights at your own pace. Visit renowned landmarks such as Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, and the tranquil bamboo forest of Arashiyama all in one day!

The itinerary can be customized based on your requests.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

This experience includes an English-speaking driver

Special rides, cruises, and admission tickets aren’t included and can be purchased directly at each location.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Pick-up and Drop-off to Hotel

English-Speaking Driver

Air-conditioned vehicle

Private transportation

Food not included

Admission tickets are not included. Travelers can purchase these directly at location.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto

7 Seikanji Ryozan Cho, Higashiyama Ward Kyoto Japan

Your driver can pickup you in Kyoto area and pick-up options available from Osaka, and Nara charging an additional fee of 20000 yen. This is a tour with an English-speaking driver.

What To Expect

Arashiyama

Arashiyama, located in western Kyoto, Japan, is a picturesque district renowned for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. It is best known for the iconic Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where visitors can walk through a mesmerizing pathway lined with towering bamboo stalks. The area is also home to the historic Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning gardens, and the scenic Togetsukyo Bridge, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Arashiyama’s charm is especially captivating during the cherry blossom season in spring and the vibrant autumn foliage, making it a popular destination year-round.

2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Not Included

Kinkakuji Temple

Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, was originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. After his death, the villa was converted into a Zen Buddhist temple. The structure reflects a blend of traditional Japanese and Chinese architectural styles. Although the original building was destroyed by arson in 1950, it was rebuilt in 1955, with the top two floors covered in gold leaf, symbolizing purity and enlightenment.

1 hour • Admission Not Included

Options

Pick-up and drop-off at Kyoto

Pick-up and drop-off at Kyoto
Pickup included

Reviews

4.68

34 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Tour the history of Kyoto
Leroy P,
Sep 3, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Very interesting and educational. This is a must do when visiting Kyoto. The shrines and temples were a sight to be seen. Having a guide who has the knowledge of the sights and area is a plus. One important thing is that one must be ready to hike.
BE AWARE!! This is NOT a guided tour.
Irka P,
Aug 23, 2025
- Viator
1.00
I want to share my experience so others know exactly what they are booking. I booked what I thought was a private guided tour for six people in Kyoto, which was quite pricey. I made the reservation five days before the tour, and the night before (around 8 p.m.) I received a message with the “conditions.” That’s when I learned this is not actually a guided tour. The driver is not a professional tour guide, he does not provide explanations, and technically he isn’t supposed to leave the car. That’s not what I had in mind when I booked, and honestly it was my mistake for not catching it sooner, because the way it’s worded makes you think you’re getting a tour. In reality, you are hiring a driving service to take you to the main highlights of the city—nothing more. At that point, I couldn’t cancel either, because if I did, I wouldn’t get a refund. You have to cancel at least 24 hours in advance, and by the time they told me, it was already too late to cancel and get the refund. Having said that, our driver was kind and did go out of his way to walk us to the entrance of each site, then told us to come back when we finished. I appreciate that effort. But I want people to know: if you’re looking for a true guided tour, where someone explains the history and culture of what you’re seeing, this is not the right choice. If you only want transportation, then it might work for you. Personally, when I book a tour, it’s because I want to learn about the places I’m visiting. If I only needed a ride, I would just get a taxi or drive myself.
Awesome experience with...
Sunil Y,
Aug 16, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Awesome experience with the guide Nadu, he covered all the major spots in Kyto and shared details on each location and made sure the tour was enjoyable
Good option for a quick trip.
Saad U,
Aug 8, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Good tour overall, driver was very friendly, not a native or tour guide though. I would recommend if you have just one day and want to hit the high notes in Kyoto.
Nini was a great licensed...
Archana D,
Aug 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Nomi was a great licensed tour guide and driver. He was knowledgeable, fun and a fantastic photographer! He was also super flexible with our schedule which was much appreciated! We saw so much in just one day!

From $490.00