Private Customizable Day Tour

Private Customizable Day Tour, 1 day, rated 4.8 across 719 traveller reviews.

Overview

A private guide and an air-conditioned vehicle are yours for roughly eight hours, with hotel pickup and drop-off in Kyoto included in the price. The default route packs a lot into one day: the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji, Gion, Sanjusangen-do and Fushimi Inari Taisha, plus a cluster of optional stops you can add or drop. Between stops you ride instead of catching buses or trains, and one reviewer said not having to deal with the trains was a highlight of their day.

The itinerary is fully customizable. You can reorder destinations, linger where you like, or swap in alternative sights within the tour duration. The operator also arranges pickups and drop-offs in Osaka and Kobe if you contact them ahead.

This suits first-time visitors who want to cover Kyoto's headline sights without transport logistics. Reviewers consistently describe their guides as knowledgeable and flexible. Note that entry tickets and food are not included.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickup in KyotoThe guide collects you from your Kyoto hotel in the private vehicle.
2. Arashiyama Bamboo ForestA photo stop, visit and guided tour lasting 100 minutes.
3. Tenryu-ji, optionalA 30-minute guided stop at the temple, which you can include or skip.
4. Iwatayama Monkey Park, optionalA 45-minute guided visit, listed as optional.
5. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, optionalAnother optional 30-minute guided stop.
6. Kinkaku-jiA 30-minute photo stop, visit and guided tour at the Golden Pavilion.
7. Ginkaku-ji, optionalA 30-minute guided stop you can add to the route.
8. Gion and the Higashiyama lanesAn hour in Gion, with optional 30-minute Kiyomizu-dera and 15-minute Yasaka Pagoda and Sannenzaka stops.
9. Sanjusangen-do and Fushimi InariA 30-minute stop at Sanjusangen-do, then 45 minutes at Fushimi Inari Taisha, before the drive back to your Kyoto hotel or another location in the city.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you plan the day well.

• Comfortable shoes. The listing's only packing instruction is comfortable shoes. You are on your feet at each stop even though transfers are by vehicle.
• Pace and fitness. Several reviewers say the guide keeps the day comfortable and never rushed, with enough time at each place.
• Group feel. This is a private tour, so the day belongs to your party alone. Reviewers describe tailoring the route with the guide and asking questions throughout.
• Food and drink. Meals are not included in the price. One reviewer mentions the guide recommending a lunch spot, so ask yours for local suggestions on the day.
• Entry tickets. Temple admissions are not included and are listed as optional extras. Budget separately for any sites you choose to enter.
• Photos and timing. The full day runs about eight hours, with many optional stops available if you want to fit more in. Ask your guide about photo opportunities along the route.

Common issues. The summarized feedback notes some travellers felt the day resembled a driver service and wanted more on-site commentary. Entry tickets and food are extra, which adds to the day's cost at sites like Kinkaku-ji and Sanjusangen-do. The standard duration is about eight hours, and packing in many optional stops makes for a long, full day. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance.

Common Questions