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
10:30 Bamboo grove
12:00 Kinkaku-ji temple
13:30 Lunch break
15:00 Fushimi Inari shrine
16:30 Kiyomizu-dera temple, old streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka around Kiyomizu-dera
17:30 Gion area and Geisha spotting streets
18:00 back to the port
20:00 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‘s Included
Transportation cost is NOT included. Please carefully review the exclusions listed below.
Tour management, Tour guiding, Driver arrangement of pick up and drop off
Entrance fee - Kinkakuji Temple
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)
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.
Options
Guiding and management fees
Reviews
24 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent Day in Kyoto
Deborah B,
Aug 28, 2025
- Viator
5.00This is a great way to see highlights of Kyoto when coming into the Osaka port. The tour cost is separate from the car rental (see tour description for details) but we felt the total cost was absolutely worth the ease, comfort and customization of the trip. The car trip to Kyoto from the Osaka port is about 90 minutes. The return trip can be longer, depending on traffic. Our guide, Toshiaki, was exceptional and our driver, Xiaolue, was a safe, knowledgeable and highly efficient driver. Toshi adjusted our tour after we met, as we wanted a slightly more leisurely tour, with more time at fewer places. We had a very comfortable private SUV, did not have the rigidity of a large group tour, and both guide and driver were sensitive to our ship schedule. Would 100% recommend this tour for those who want to visit Kyoto.
Great driver - expensive tour - cost us approximately $1200 us.
Sharon W,
Aug 27, 2025
- Viator
5.00I paid $490 US dollars for the tour. The transportation charge of 120,000 extra yen was supposed to be divided between the 5 guests. The tour operator abdul kept Asking me for 120,000 extra yen. Then asked finally for 100,000 for My husband and myself. Driver Jamie Lopez was great. So personal, kind, knowledgeable, spoke to everyone greeting them. We love him.
Not the best not sure I’d recommend
kirstie T,
Jul 29, 2025
- Viator
3.00So we booked the excursion and a private car for the 6 off us. I booked specific times to allow us to have a good amount of time in Koyto but still get back in time for the ship. I arranged the itinerary guided by the tour operator, so I presumed we would see all that was on the itinerary. However this was not the case. The car was late, we met our guide in Kyoto she wasn’t aware of the itinerary we had booked and the time we needed to be back by. In short the itinerary we booked wasn’t possible in the time we had. We were unaware we had to pay for the guides lunch, although that wasn’t a problem for us, but may have been for other people. I was disappointed as the trip wasn’t as I hoped. I would not recommend this trip
Kingo was a fantastic...
Stephani B,
Jul 26, 2025
- Viator
5.00Kingo was a fantastic guide! We laughed with him, he taught us how to approach the shrines and why, he took fantastic pictures and showed us all the best places and things to eat! The driver and accommodations were perfect for our group of 8. This was one of our favorite days in Japan.
We had a wonderful day...
Pamela B,
Jul 22, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had a wonderful day tour of the beautiful areas of Kyoto including pick up from our cruise ship and delivery to our hotel. Fantastic guide and driver!
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