Kyoto Private Custom Tour with Local Guide

4.9 (201 reviews) Kyoto, Japan
Duration4h - 8h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Experience the best of Kyoto on a fully customizable full-day private tour with a knowledgeable local guide. Visit Kyoto's most iconic attractions, including Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Gion, and Kiyomizu Temple, while learning about the history, culture, and traditions that make Kyoto Japan's cultural heart.

Whether it's your first visit or you're returning to discover more, your guide will create an itinerary based on your interests and travel pace, helping you experience both famous landmarks and local hidden gems.

● Get a complete overview of Kyoto in one day
● Visit Kyoto's top attractions, including Kinkakuji, Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, Gion, and Kiyomizu Temple
● Enjoy a fully customizable itinerary designed around your interests
● Discover Kyoto with your own private local guide and receive personalized recommendations

Options

4-Hour Tour

Duration: 4 hours
Pickup included

6-Hour Tour

Duration: 6 hours
Pickup included

5-Hour Tour

Pickup included

8-Hour Tour

Duration: 8 hours
Pickup included

5-Hour Private Vehicle

Duration: 5 hours
Pickup included

6-Hour Private Vehicle

Duration: 6 hours
Pickup included

4-Hour Private Vehicle

Duration: 4 hours
Pickup included

8-Hour Private Vehicle

Duration: 8 hours
Pickup included

What's included

  • Local English-Speaking Guide
  • Fully Customizable Private Experience
  • Private Vehicle (Optional)
  • Optional Hotel Meet-up within Kyoto City
  • Food and Drinks (For you and Guide)
  • Transportation Fee (For you and Guide)
  • Entry/Admission
  • Private transportation Optional, additional fee applies

What to expect

  1. Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
    30m · Admission ticket not included
    Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto, is an iconic Shinto shrine renowned for its thousands of vibrant torii gates, creating winding pathways on Mount Inari. A spiritual site dedicated to Inari, the deity of prosperity, it offers stunning views and a unique cultural experience.
  2. Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    30m · Admission ticket not included
    Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, one of Kyoto’s most celebrated temples. Enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto from the famous wooden stage while learning about Buddhist culture, Japanese architecture, and the temple’s fascinating history.
  3. Gion
    30m
    Gion, Kyoto, is a historic district famed for its traditional wooden machiya houses and geisha culture. Narrow streets, tea houses, and Yasaka Shrine characterize this area, preserving Kyoto's elegance and charm. It's a cultural hub where old meets new in a captivating blend.
  4. Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
    30m
    Explore the beautiful Arashiyama area, one of Kyoto’s most scenic destinations. Walk through the iconic bamboo forest and experience the peaceful atmosphere that has attracted visitors for centuries.
  5. Nishiki Market
    30m
    Experience Kyoto’s food culture at Nishiki Market, known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” Explore local ingredients, traditional snacks, and specialty foods while discovering the culinary traditions that have shaped Kyoto for centuries.
  6. Maruyama Park
    30m · Admission ticket not included
    Maruyama Park is the oldest park in Kyoto, and in early April when the cherry trees start to bloom. In this park, you can enjoy traditional style of Japanese garden as well.
    You can enjoy photo shooting in the traditional park.
  7. Yasaka Pagoda
    30m · Admission ticket not included
    Yasakanoto Pagoda, is one of the Kyoto's most visible and recognizable landmarks. It's also called "5 storied pagoda", and you can see amazing temple here. We take pictures with this Pagoda, and the pictures will be authentic. Also we will explain the history about Pagoda.
  8. Nijo Castle
    20m
    Step into Japan’s samurai history at Nijo Castle, built for Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Discover the elegant architecture, beautiful gardens, and famous “nightingale floors” designed to protect the shogun.
  9. Kinkakuji Temple
    45m · Admission ticket not included
    Visit Kinkaku-ji, Kyoto’s world-famous Golden Pavilion. Admire the stunning golden structure reflected on the surrounding pond and learn about the temple’s connection to Zen Buddhism and Japanese aesthetics.
  10. Higashiyama Hanatouro
    30m
    Stroll through the beautifully preserved streets of Higashiyama, where traditional wooden houses, small shops, and old Kyoto atmosphere remain. Your guide will introduce hidden gems and stories behind this historic neighborhood.
  11. Tenryu-ji Temple
    40m · Admission ticket not included
    Visit Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Kyoto’s most important Zen temples. Enjoy its famous landscape garden, designed to blend perfectly with the surrounding mountains.
  12. Togetsukyo Bridge
    20m
    Take a walk across Togetsukyo Bridge, the symbol of Arashiyama. Enjoy views of the Katsura River and surrounding mountains while learning about the area’s history as a retreat for Japanese nobles.

Additional information

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

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

Reviews

4.9 (201)
From
20,000.00 JPY per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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