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 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.
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.
What‘s Included
Pick-up and Drop-off to Hotel
Pick-up options available from Osaka and Nara charging an additional fee.
English-Speaking Driver
Air-conditioned vehicle
Private transportation
Food not included
Admission tickets are not included. Travelers can purchase these directly at location.
Pickup points
Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto
7 Seikanji Ryozan Cho, Higashiyama Ward Kyoto Japan
Options
Pick-up and drop-off at Kyoto
Pick-up and drop-off at Kyoto
Pickup included
Reviews
138 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Malik was an excellent guide. And he knew exactly where to take the best pictures!! Never rushed us and was always very amicabl
Jorge Y,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very professional and friendly guide
Made navigating Kyoto easy
mathews4vt,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was the best. We were in Kyoto for just the day from Tokyo. Guide (Sean) picked us up at train station, we asked for a later pickup, they accommodated. Tour included a driver and guide. Dropped us close to shrines and temples. Sean toured us through them and gave good information. We could have done what we wanted or they have preset itinerary. Nice to have someone choose for you. Drop off at train station and helped us find restaurant for dinner. For the cost this was excellent!
The locations were...
Jennifer C,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The locations were wonderful. Our guide was friendly, punctual and a good driver. However, he did not volunteer much information about the area unless prompted. I love this tour, I have done the same one a few months ago ths ago with a different guide.
Disappointing
KC3376,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Was happy with the sites we went to see however would recommend going with a different tour company. Yes the guide could speak English although was very difficult to understand, not much knowledge about the sites (or not much knowledge provided) and the van, which we spent a lot of time in, was uncomfortable due to personal hygiene of the guides. Unfortunately I should have researched the tour company more thoroughly and gone with a Japanese agency.
Our day in Kyoto with friends
RosanaandManuel B,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00fantastic! Shawn showed us many places we would not have the opportunity to see in our own. He was very kind person and also help us understand everything about Kyoto history.
Perfect Kyoto tour
PreethaChatterjee,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a wonderful Kyoto tour with Malik covering the top sights. Malik helped us customize the tour to our needs as we had elderly folks with us and was very flexible in accommodating our impromptu requests. He accompanied us to each spot and shared its history with us - enabling us to have a truly wonderful time.
Customizable private car
seanfgunduz,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dhanu was a great guide, flexible, kind and very helpful. He is not a trained professional tour guide but he knows the essentials about the places we visited. He joined us in some of the sites and took great pictures.
Great experience in Kyoto
P9853SVstevenj,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00With only one day in Kyoto, my wife and I were very pleased with the decision to take the Private Guided Tour of Kyoto. Our guide “Malik” was great! He confirmed our pick up time and location on the prior day and was right on time for pick up on the day of the tour. Malik was very friendly and knowledgeable, he allowed us to experience all the sites included in the tour (or we requested) at our own pace. I would highly recommend this tour with Malik, especially if you only have a short time to experience Kyoto.
Last minute Kyoto tour
jdd310,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were able to book the service on very short notice. And our driver who showed up the next day was very accommodating to us switching some of the activities to fit our schedule and some our passengers specific needs. I would recommend the tour. The driver especially. Kavishka, our driver, is overqualified for this type of activity so book him while you can as he probably will be running a company someday.
Driver was very accommodating
Diane D,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience. We were following the standard itinerary, but my kids wanted to pivot to Monkey Park and Pokemon centers rather than complete the temple/shrine visits. Malik was very accommodating and we had a great time!
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Operated by Ashan Global Tours