Private Tour
Private Kyoto Tour: Explore the Most Iconic Sights
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Forget the Ordinary — This Is Your Journey!
Tailored to your interests, your Kyoto adventure takes you to iconic sights like the Golden Temple, Kiyomizu-dera, the Bamboo Forest, and Fushimi Inari Taisha… and that’s just the beginning.
The best part? You call the shots!
Want to add more places? I’m all ears. Have questions? I've got the answers. Together, we'll create unforgettable memories — your way.
Personalized Service, Your Language
Our guides come from all over the world — Japan, the US, and Spanish-speaking countries. Tours are typically conducted in English, but if you’d like a guide who speaks your native language, we can arrange it for an additional fee.
Convenience Without Hidden Costs
We don’t charge for a car — we’ll use taxis as needed for comfort and efficiency. This way, you only pay for the actual transportation used.
Explore the Hidden Beauty of Kyoto — A Tour Like No Other!
Let’s make your adventure in Japan truly one of a kind.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Travel Time was included on the total duration of the tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
We will use taxi and public transportation if needed.
Bamboo forest
Air-conditioned vehicle
Parking Fees
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Lunch is not included.
Temple Entrance fee - 8USD to 10USD
What To Expect
Kinkakuji Temple
Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is a renowned Zen Buddhist temple located in Kyoto, Japan. Officially named Rokuon-ji, this iconic structure is famous for its top two floors that are entirely covered in gold leaf, giving it a stunning and reflective appearance. Originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, it was later converted into a temple by his son. The temple is set within a beautiful Japanese strolling garden and overlooks a large pond called Kyōko-chi (Mirror Pond), which reflects the building's golden image. The surrounding landscape includes carefully arranged rocks, islands, and plantings that complement the pavilion's aesthetic. Kinkaku-ji has undergone several restorations, most notably after a fire in 1950. It remains one of Japan's most visited and photographed landmarks, symbolizing the country's rich cultural heritage and architectural beauty.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
The Buddhist temple, with a history spanning 1200 years, holds prestigious UNESCO World Heritage status and is renowned as one of Japan's most iconic temples. Your admission fee covers the visit. Following your temple exploration, I'll guide you along a concealed mountain path perfect for hiking.
Options
Private Kyoto and Nara Tour
Duration: 10 hours
Pickup included
Bridge In Heaven
Amanohashidate: The Amanohashidate Sandbar (bridge in heaven). It is ranked among Japan's three most scenic views.
Pickup included
Explore Kyoto with Nas
Pickup included
Reviews
11 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The guide Riku was...
Elizabeth F,
Jun 23, 2025
- Viator
5.00The guide Riku was awesome and very knowledgeable. Answered all questions and he was so pleasant to be around
Good tour in busy, busy Kyoto
Kerrie G,
Mar 5, 2025
- Viator
5.00Our tour guide was so much fun! His English was excellent. He showed us all of the sites we wished to see. He was very accommodating and a careful driver. The car was clean and reliable. I would highly recommend this tour.
Definitely SKIP!
NICOLE M,
Jan 1, 2025
- Viator
1.00I booked this tour three days before via a call with a live Viator agent. I needed their assistance to accommodate a party of 10 (vs 9 on the tour description.) I also requested we be seated together in one vehicle. The agent assured me- after contacting the tour operator- 10 would be no problem and in one vehicle. On the morning of the tour, we were picked up by two vehicles, one of which was a dirty car (which we found out was the tour operator’s personal vehicle). The other vehicle was his friend -who she revealed-called him the night before to assist. Ten of us were crowded into these vehicles. They had very very little knowledge of the areas we were visiting and nothing interesting to share that we could not have gotten out of a guidebook or Internet.The female driver in the other vehicle was not from the area and had no information to share to the riders in that vehicle. Also, as she was unfamiliar with the area, she was a nervous driver and got lost a few times, not inspiring confidence in the group. In the end, we all agreed if we could give zero stars we would. The only reason I’m giving one star is because they were amenable to us switching out one location for another. Even that however, should not have presented very much problem given that it was a private tour for which we paid a lot of money and got very little out of. We would’ve been better off just hopping on a public bus and gotten the same experience because in the end they turned out to just be private drivers. We will be requesting a full refund for this experience and urge Viator to reassess their tour operators in the Kyoto region
Definitely SKIP!
NICOLE M,
Jan 1, 2025
- Viator
1.00I booked this tour three days before via a call with a live Viator agent. I needed their assistance to accommodate a party of 10 (vs 9 on the tour description.) I also requested we be seated together in one vehicle. The agent assured me- after contacting the tour operator- 10 would be no problem and in one vehicle. On the morning of the tour, we were picked up by two vehicles, one of which was a dirty car (which we found out was the tour operator’s personal vehicle). The other vehicle was his friend -who she revealed-called him the night before to assist. Ten of us were crowded into these vehicles. They had very very little knowledge of the areas we were visiting and nothing interesting to share that we could not have gotten out of a guidebook or Internet.The female driver in the other vehicle was not from the area and had no information to share to the riders in that vehicle. Also, as she was unfamiliar with the area, she was a nervous driver and got lost a few times, not inspiring confidence in the group. In the end, we all agreed if we could give zero stars we would. The only reason I’m giving one star is because they were amenable to us switching out one location for another. Even that however, should not have presented very much problem given that it was a private tour for which we paid a lot of money and got very little out of. We would’ve been better off just hopping on a public bus and gotten the same experience because in the end they turned out to just be private drivers. We will be requesting a full refund for this experience and urge Viator to reassess their tour operators in the Kyoto region.
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