Kyoto Private Tour with Licensed Guide: 100% Customizable

5.0 (1 reviews) Kyoto, Japan
Duration4h - 8h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesJapanese, English
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Experience Kyoto exactly your way with a 100% customizable private tour led by a Japan National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. Choose between 4-hour half-day or 8-hour full-day options, available as either a walking tour or a comfortable private driving tour.
Our featured route takes you through the heart of historic Higashiyama and Gion. Enjoy convenient pickup from Kyoto Station, Gion-Shijo Station, or your hotel, then explore iconic highlights: Kiyomizu-dera, Sannen-zaka, Ninenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda, Nene-no-Michi, Yasaka Shrine, Hanamikoji, Gion Shirakawa, and Minamiza Theater before hassle-free drop-off.
Prefer a custom itinerary? Personalize your day with top destinations like Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, Nijo Castle, the Imperial Palace, Uji, or your own wishlist. Enjoy expert insights, flexible pacing, and a perfectly tailored Kyoto experience.

Options

8-Hour Full-Day Driving Tour

Duration: 8 hours
Car
Pickup included

4-Hour Half-Day Driving Tour

Duration: 4 hours
Car
Pickup included

4-Hour Half-Day Walking Tour

Duration: 4 hours
Pickup included

8-Hour Full-Day Walking Tour

Duration: 8 hours
Pickup included

What's included

  • Kiyomizu-dera Temple is included
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Fuel surcharge
  • for additional destinations
  • for custom itineraries
  • Highway Tolls

What to expect

  1. Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    45m · Admission ticket included
    Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of Japan’s most famous and celebrated Buddhist temples. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto." The most famous feature of the temple is its wooden stage. It was built using wooden interlocking joints and it doesn’t use any single nail.
  2. Sannenzaka Ninenzaka
    30m
    Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka are iconic pedestrian streets in Kyoto, located in the historic Higashiyama district. Lined with traditional wooden townhouses (machiya), teahouses, and shops, these sloping, stone-paved lanes offer a quintessential glimpse into ancient Kyoto.
  3. Yasaka Pagoda
    15m
    The Yasaka Pagoda, officially known as Hōkan-ji Temple, is one of the most recognizable and enduring symbols of Kyoto. Located in the heart of the Higashiyama district, it is a prominent landmark that can be seen from various points in the city, especially along the famous Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka slopes.
  4. Nene-no-Michi
    15m
    Nene-no-michi, or "Nene's Path," is a beautiful stone-paved walkway in Kyoto's Higashiyama district. It's an essential part of the walking route that connects some of the city's most famous attractions, including Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Sannenzaka, and Ninenzaka, with Kodai-ji Temple and Maruyama Park. The path is named after Nene, the wife of the great 16th-century warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who founded Kodai-ji Temple in her late husband's memory.
  5. Maruyama Park
    15m
    Maruyama Park is Kyoto's oldest public park and a designated Place of Scenic Beauty. Located at the eastern end of the Gion district, it's a popular and central spot that serves as a beautiful gateway to the Higashiyama area. While it's a lovely place to visit all year round, it is most famous as Kyoto's premier spot for cherry blossom viewing (hanami).
  6. Yasaka Shrine
    15m
    Yasaka Shrine (Yasaka-jinja) is one of Kyoto's most important and famous Shinto shrines. Located at the eastern end of Shijo-dori Street, it serves as a prominent landmark and the spiritual heart of the Gion district. The shrine is a central element of Kyoto's culture, history, and major festivals.
  7. Hanamikoji Street
    30m
    Hanamikoji Street is the most famous and atmospheric street in Kyoto's Gion district, the city's renowned Geisha quarter. This pedestrian-friendly, cobblestone lane perfectly encapsulates the traditional, refined elegance of old Kyoto.
  8. Gion Shirakawa
    15m
    Gion Shirakawa is one of Kyoto's most picturesque and serene areas, offering a tranquil contrast to the bustling main streets of the Gion district. Located a short walk north of the famous Shijo-dori Street, this area is a designated "Traditional Buildings Preservation District" and is renowned for its traditional teahouses, willow trees, and the beautiful Shirakawa Canal that flows through it.
  9. Minamiza Theater
    Pass by
    The Minamiza Theater is an iconic landmark and a cultural institution in Kyoto, which is recognized as the oldest Kabuki Theatre in Japan. Located in the heart of the Gion district, it has been a center for the traditional Japanese performing arts for over 400 years since the beginning of 17th century.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Meeting point

Please wait at the main entrance in front of Kyoto Tower.

End point
End point

Please wait at the main entrance in front of Kyoto Tower.

Additional information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

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

Reviews

5.0 (1)
From
25,000.00 JPY per group
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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