Private Tour
Shore excursion: Full Day Private Kyoto Tour From Osaka/Kobe Port
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
Tour itinerary is designed based on hiring a car/van for 10 hours (JPY 120,000 for up to 5 pax, JPY 140,000 for up to 8 pax) cash payment on the day tour, cash to the driver) to provide ample time to visit Kyoto's most iconic cultural & historic landmarks, ensuring a comprehensive experience of the city's rich heritage.
Itinerary (Customizable):
08:00 Meeting at Osaka or Kobe port
10:00 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
11:30 Kinkaku-ji temple
13:00 Nishiki Market- Lunch break
14:30 Pontocho and Gion area (Geisha district)
16:00 Fushimi Inari shrine
16:45 back to the port
18:00 Drop off in the port and tour finish
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Bamboo Forest Street
After the pick up from the port, we will need 2 hours to reach Arashiyama area west of Kyoto. Immerse yourself in the enchanting Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama, where towering bamboo stalks create a serene and otherworldly atmosphere. Visit the historic Nonomiya Shrine, a hidden gem nestled within the bamboo grove, offering a tranquil escape and a touch of ancient tradition. Complete your journey with a stroll through the stunning gardens of Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where meticulously landscaped grounds provide a perfect blend of natural beauty and Zen serenity.
Kinkakuji Temple
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto's iconic Golden Pavilion, shimmering brilliantly against its serene pond backdrop. Stroll through the exquisite gardens, reflecting the harmonious blend of nature and artistry that defines this UNESCO World Heritage site. Perfect for culture enthusiasts and photographers, this tour promises an unforgettable glimpse into Japan's architectural splendor and tranquil elegance.
What‘s Included
Transportation cost is NOT included. Please carefully review the exclusions listed below.
Entrance fee - Kinkakuji Temple
Tour management, Tour guiding, Driver arrangement of pick up and drop off
Guide fees
Transportation cost: JPY 120,000 for up to 5 pax, JPY 140,000 up to 7 pax
If the start time is after 10 am, tour duration is shortened to 10 hours, or extra fee for driver
If the total tour duration is more than 10 hours, extra charge is required for the guide and the car
Personal Expenses
Gratuities are always appreciated but never expected (In case your experience was exceptional)
Options
Guiding and management fees
Reviews
45 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
We are on the Oceania in...
jeffheydt,May 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We are on the Oceania in Japan and didn’t book a tour thru them , We waited for the last minute and went through Viator and found a last minute tour which turned out to be Fantastic, The guide was amazing she knew everything about Japan, Extremely knowledgeable, They supplied a great Driver with a nice spacious van as there were 4 of us, Was a long day but we saw probably more things than we would of seen if we took the tour thru the Ship, Plus much better Value, We would definitely use them again and recommend them to all , Much better experience than a Ship tour , Yes we did both and we can’t compare them, Viator is much better and professional
Best tour company
Laurie S,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely enjoyed working with Japan Experiences and Tour company. Abu and his team are 5 star and we really covered this area and got to experience the incredible cherry blossoms .
Don’t miss the 120000 yen on top of the price for the car.
Trudy R,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The guide was very good and the tour was excellent. However don’t make the same mistake I did about paying an additional 120000 yen for the car and driver. The tour organiser did not txt until it was too late to cancel the tour.
Fantastic Tour
Jane A,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.007 of us spent an amazing day with Ahmed in Kyoto. Prior to the trip communication was excellent and on the day our driver was right there when we got off the boat. Ahmed was so knowledgable about everywhere we visited, took great photos of our group and knew exactly where to take us to avoid crowds where possible. I cannot recommend this tour enough it was absolutely five star. Thank you Ahmed !
Lovely way to see the highlights
422cathyh,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a lovely day visiting many highlights of the Kyoto area. Yukari gave us so much information about Kyoto and each place we visited.
Outstanding Kyoto tour from Kobe Port
Marie J,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fabulous excursion with our very knowledgeable guide! We visited several highlights including the Golden Pavillion, the Bamboo Forrest, and a spectacular Shinto Shrine! Very good English.
Kyoto with family
ALBERT T,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Ahmed was a fantastic guide. His English is perfect, and his knowledge of the sites visited was impeccable. The pace of the tour was perfect. He is very professional and conscientious. We highly recommend this tour.
Kyoto 8 hours tour from Kobe port
Kim T,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Driver and Guide is quite experience such that we save quite a bit of time in covering many point of interests in a 8 hours tour. Pick up at the Kobe international cruise port, We are able to cover Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkakuji, Nishiki Market for Lunch and Fushimiinari,
3RD Wonderful Kyoto tour
Hattab H,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked Keiko again to visit Arashiyama in one day, since we wanted to see Otagi nenbutsuji temple and Jojakkoji recommended by our friends. Keiko did an excellent job explaining everything clearly and was knowledgeable and friendly. We felt we were with a close friend rather than a guide ..
Great Tour, Minor Transport Hassle
S7ora92,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marianna was a wonderful guide and made our day in Kyoto very enjoyable. Everything was well organized, and she was friendly and attentive. My only issue was having to pay extra cash for transportation, it would have been nicer if it was included in the total price to make the day completely hassle-free.
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