Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 Persons)
by Japan Guide Agency
Choose from 4 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.¥103,000Overview
This private Kyoto tour lasts six hours and includes a licensed English-speaking guide and a private vehicle. The tour accommodates a maximum of 15 persons in one group. After booking, the guide will contact the group to plan a personalized itinerary. Participants select four to five locations to visit from a list of available sites. The private vehicle provides transportation around Kyoto, reducing walking distances and avoiding the complexity of public transit. Typical stops include Kiyomizu-dera Temple overlooking the Gion district, the Sagano bamboo forest, and various gardens, shrines, temples, and historic districts throughout the city. Entrance fees, meals, and personal expenses are not included. Combining multiple groups is not allowed. Guide entry fees cover only the sites listed under the provided 'What to Expect' section. If children are part of the group, their number and ages must be specified to arrange appropriate seating. A limited number of car seats and booster seats are available upon request; rear-facing seats are not offered.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
This stop offers insight into Japan's history beyond the famous vermillion torii gates. The guide explains the shrine’s origin as a place dedicated to Inari, the god of grains, and the significance of fox statues representing Inari’s messengers. The brief visit reveals cultural stories often missed by ordinary tourists.
15 min
Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle, built in 1603, served as Tokugawa Ieyasu’s Kyoto residence during the Edo Period. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
15 min
Gion
The tour explores the narrow alleys of Kyoto’s Geisha District, including Gion, Pontocho, and Miyagawacho. The guide shares information about Geisha culture and local history to help visitors navigate this complex area.
15 min
Nishiki Market Shopping District
Nishiki Market is a five-block long street with over one hundred shops and eateries specializing in food items like fresh seafood, produce, and Kyoto specialties such as pickles and sweets. The market offers a lively atmosphere to explore local culinary products.
15 min
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
This one-hour guided visit covers one of Kyoto’s most visited temples. The guide points out the temple’s historical and cultural features as you explore the grounds.
15 min
Kyoto Imperial Palace
The former residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868, located in Kyoto Imperial Park. The park also contains the Sento Imperial Palace and other attractions.
15 min
Pontocho
Pontocho is a narrow alley running from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori, one block west of the Kamogawa River. It features restaurants on both sides offering a range of dining options from inexpensive yakitori to traditional and modern Kyoto cuisine, foreign cuisine, and exclusive establishments requiring connections and a large budget. Business hours vary by place, but most are open from around 17:00 to 23:00, with some also open for lunch. An increasing number of establishments provide English menus.
15 min
Higashiyama District
Located on Kyoto’s eastern mountain slopes, this historic area features wooden buildings and traditional shops between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine. Recent renovations have improved the traditional ambiance.
15 min
Ginkakuji Temple
The Silver Pavilion was built in 1482 as shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa’s retirement villa and later became a Zen temple. It influenced cultural arts like tea ceremony and garden design during the Higashiyama Culture period.
15 min
Nanzenji Suirokaku
Nanzenji is a major Zen temple founded in the 13th century at Emperor Kameyama’s former villa site. Its buildings were destroyed during the late Muromachi civil wars and rebuilt afterward.
15 min
Tofuku-ji Temple
Founded in 1236 at the request of the Fujiwara clan, Tofukuji is a large Zen temple in southeastern Kyoto and a head temple of a Rinzai sect school. It is especially known for its autumn colors. The most popular view is from the 100 meter long Tsutenkyo Bridge, which spans a valley filled with maple trees. The covered walkway on the bridge becomes very crowded when the colors peak, usually in mid to late November.
15 min
Toji
Founded in the late 700s, Toji Temple guarded Kyoto’s south entrance. Kobo Daishi became head priest about 30 years later and added many wooden buildings still standing today.
15 min
Kinkakuji Temple
Known as the Golden Pavilion, this Zen temple in northern Kyoto was the retirement villa of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The current building was rebuilt in 1955 after multiple fires.
15 min
Ninna-ji Temple
A World Heritage Site founded in 888, Ninnaji’s oldest buildings date from the early 1600s after earlier structures were lost to wars and fires.
15 min
Shugakuin Imperial Villa
Built between 1655 and 1659, the villa has upper, middle, and lower areas featuring gardens and traditional imperial-style buildings. The surrounding farmland is leased to local farmers.
15 min
Kibune River
Kibune is a forested mountain town north of Kyoto centered on Kifune Shrine, dedicated to the water and rain god. Visitors can try special fortunes that reveal messages when dipped in water.
15 min
Kurama-dera
Kurama is a rural mountain town under an hour from Kyoto with a temple and hot spring baths. The onsen can be reached by a 10-minute walk from the train station.
15 min
Ryoan-ji Temple
Home to Japan’s most famous rock garden, Ryoanji was originally a Heian Period villa converted into a Zen temple in 1450. The garden has 15 rocks arranged so some are hidden from every viewpoint.
15 min
Arashiyama
A western Kyoto district popular since the Heian Period, known for the Togetsukyo Bridge, bamboo groves, temples, and river boat rentals.
15 min
Katsura Imperial Villa
Completed in 1645, this villa is a prime example of Japanese architecture and gardens. Visits require joining an English-language tour following a circular garden path.
15 min
Daikaku-ji Temple
Daikakuji is a large temple in northern Kyoto’s Sagano district, originally built in the early 800s as Emperor Saga’s detached palace. About 30 years after the emperor’s death, it was converted into a temple and has been one of the highest ranked Shingon Buddhism temples. It hosted peace talks in the 12th century that reunited the Northern and Southern Imperial Courts after 50 years of civil war. The temple is also mentioned in the Tale of Genji and is often used for filming historical dramas.
15 min
Tenryu-ji Temple
Kyoto’s Arashiyama district landmark built in 1339 by shogun Ashikaga Takauji to honor Emperor Go-Daigo. It is a registered world heritage site and head temple of its own Rinzai Zen school.
15 min
Yoshimine-dera
A Tendai sect temple in Kyoto’s western mountains, built on a mountainside with multiple buildings. Established in 1029, it was rebuilt in 1621 after destruction in the Onin War.
5 min
Kennin-ji Temple
Located near Hanamikoji and Shijo streets, Kenninji is Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple with expansive grounds and two dry landscape gardens.
5 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 Persons)
by Japan Guide Agency
Choose from 4 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.¥103,000Overview
This private Kyoto tour lasts six hours and includes a licensed English-speaking guide and a private vehicle. The tour accommodates a maximum of 15 persons in one group. After booking, the guide will contact the group to plan a personalized itinerary. Participants select four to five locations to visit from a list of available sites. The private vehicle provides transportation around Kyoto, reducing walking distances and avoiding the complexity of public transit. Typical stops include Kiyomizu-dera Temple overlooking the Gion district, the Sagano bamboo forest, and various gardens, shrines, temples, and historic districts throughout the city. Entrance fees, meals, and personal expenses are not included. Combining multiple groups is not allowed. Guide entry fees cover only the sites listed under the provided 'What to Expect' section. If children are part of the group, their number and ages must be specified to arrange appropriate seating. A limited number of car seats and booster seats are available upon request; rear-facing seats are not offered.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
This stop offers insight into Japan's history beyond the famous vermillion torii gates. The guide explains the shrine’s origin as a place dedicated to Inari, the god of grains, and the significance of fox statues representing Inari’s messengers. The brief visit reveals cultural stories often missed by ordinary tourists.
15 min
Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle, built in 1603, served as Tokugawa Ieyasu’s Kyoto residence during the Edo Period. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
15 min
Gion
The tour explores the narrow alleys of Kyoto’s Geisha District, including Gion, Pontocho, and Miyagawacho. The guide shares information about Geisha culture and local history to help visitors navigate this complex area.
15 min
Nishiki Market Shopping District
Nishiki Market is a five-block long street with over one hundred shops and eateries specializing in food items like fresh seafood, produce, and Kyoto specialties such as pickles and sweets. The market offers a lively atmosphere to explore local culinary products.
15 min
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
This one-hour guided visit covers one of Kyoto’s most visited temples. The guide points out the temple’s historical and cultural features as you explore the grounds.
15 min
Kyoto Imperial Palace
The former residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868, located in Kyoto Imperial Park. The park also contains the Sento Imperial Palace and other attractions.
15 min
Pontocho
Pontocho is a narrow alley running from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori, one block west of the Kamogawa River. It features restaurants on both sides offering a range of dining options from inexpensive yakitori to traditional and modern Kyoto cuisine, foreign cuisine, and exclusive establishments requiring connections and a large budget. Business hours vary by place, but most are open from around 17:00 to 23:00, with some also open for lunch. An increasing number of establishments provide English menus.
15 min
Higashiyama District
Located on Kyoto’s eastern mountain slopes, this historic area features wooden buildings and traditional shops between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine. Recent renovations have improved the traditional ambiance.
15 min
Ginkakuji Temple
The Silver Pavilion was built in 1482 as shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa’s retirement villa and later became a Zen temple. It influenced cultural arts like tea ceremony and garden design during the Higashiyama Culture period.
15 min
Nanzenji Suirokaku
Nanzenji is a major Zen temple founded in the 13th century at Emperor Kameyama’s former villa site. Its buildings were destroyed during the late Muromachi civil wars and rebuilt afterward.
15 min
Tofuku-ji Temple
Founded in 1236 at the request of the Fujiwara clan, Tofukuji is a large Zen temple in southeastern Kyoto and a head temple of a Rinzai sect school. It is especially known for its autumn colors. The most popular view is from the 100 meter long Tsutenkyo Bridge, which spans a valley filled with maple trees. The covered walkway on the bridge becomes very crowded when the colors peak, usually in mid to late November.
15 min
Toji
Founded in the late 700s, Toji Temple guarded Kyoto’s south entrance. Kobo Daishi became head priest about 30 years later and added many wooden buildings still standing today.
15 min
Kinkakuji Temple
Known as the Golden Pavilion, this Zen temple in northern Kyoto was the retirement villa of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The current building was rebuilt in 1955 after multiple fires.
15 min
Ninna-ji Temple
A World Heritage Site founded in 888, Ninnaji’s oldest buildings date from the early 1600s after earlier structures were lost to wars and fires.
15 min
Shugakuin Imperial Villa
Built between 1655 and 1659, the villa has upper, middle, and lower areas featuring gardens and traditional imperial-style buildings. The surrounding farmland is leased to local farmers.
15 min
Kibune River
Kibune is a forested mountain town north of Kyoto centered on Kifune Shrine, dedicated to the water and rain god. Visitors can try special fortunes that reveal messages when dipped in water.
15 min
Kurama-dera
Kurama is a rural mountain town under an hour from Kyoto with a temple and hot spring baths. The onsen can be reached by a 10-minute walk from the train station.
15 min
Ryoan-ji Temple
Home to Japan’s most famous rock garden, Ryoanji was originally a Heian Period villa converted into a Zen temple in 1450. The garden has 15 rocks arranged so some are hidden from every viewpoint.
15 min
Arashiyama
A western Kyoto district popular since the Heian Period, known for the Togetsukyo Bridge, bamboo groves, temples, and river boat rentals.
15 min
Katsura Imperial Villa
Completed in 1645, this villa is a prime example of Japanese architecture and gardens. Visits require joining an English-language tour following a circular garden path.
15 min
Daikaku-ji Temple
Daikakuji is a large temple in northern Kyoto’s Sagano district, originally built in the early 800s as Emperor Saga’s detached palace. About 30 years after the emperor’s death, it was converted into a temple and has been one of the highest ranked Shingon Buddhism temples. It hosted peace talks in the 12th century that reunited the Northern and Southern Imperial Courts after 50 years of civil war. The temple is also mentioned in the Tale of Genji and is often used for filming historical dramas.
15 min
Tenryu-ji Temple
Kyoto’s Arashiyama district landmark built in 1339 by shogun Ashikaga Takauji to honor Emperor Go-Daigo. It is a registered world heritage site and head temple of its own Rinzai Zen school.
15 min
Yoshimine-dera
A Tendai sect temple in Kyoto’s western mountains, built on a mountainside with multiple buildings. Established in 1029, it was rebuilt in 1621 after destruction in the Onin War.
5 min
Kennin-ji Temple
Located near Hanamikoji and Shijo streets, Kenninji is Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple with expansive grounds and two dry landscape gardens.
5 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.