Kyoto

Kyoto Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

Badge of ExcellenceKyoto, Japan
Kyoto Half day Private Custom Tour with National Licensed Guide

From USD 95.84

Price varies by group size

Select Date and Travellers

Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance.
Kyoto Tours
All Kyoto Tours
Audio Guides
Kid-Friendly
Likely To Sell Out
Private and Luxury
Unique Experiences
  • 4 hours
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Follow a customizable itinerary through Kyoto during this bespoke half-day private tour. Simply select with attractions you’d like to visit and enjoy an in-depth visit in the company of your own personal nationally licensed guide. Tours include a front-door pickup at the front of your hotel. Travel like a local by public transportation or taxi; upgrade to include a private car at an additional cost.
  • A half-day private tour of Kyoto with a nationally licensed guide
  • Enrich your visit to Kyoto’s top attractions with insider knowledge and commentary
  • Build your own itinerary, choosing from the city’s most unmissable heritage attractions
  • Relax with hotel pickup on foot; upgrade to arrange for a private vehicle

What's Included

  • Licensed Local Guide
  • Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from 'What to expect' list
  • Transportation fee (for yourself)
  • Entrance fee (for yourself)
  • Lunch - Lunch (for yourself)
  • Other personal expenses

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 2 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7.

What To Expect

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

1 minute • Admission Ticket Free

Nijo Castle

1 minute • Admission Ticket Not Included

Gion

1 minute • Admission Ticket Free

Nishiki Market Shopping District

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Kyoto Imperial Palace

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Pontocho

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Higashiyama Ward

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Ginkakuji Temple

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Nanzenji Suirokaku

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Tofuku-ji Temple

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Toji

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kinkakuji Temple

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Ninna-ji Temple

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Shugakuin Imperial Villa

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Kibune River

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Kurama-dera

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Ryoanji Temple

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Arashiyama

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Kokedera Suzumusidera

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Katsura Imperial Villa

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Daikaku-ji Temple

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Tenryuji Temple

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Yoshimine-dera

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Togetsukyo Bridge (Pass By)

Bamboo Forest Street (Pass By)

Okochi Sanso Garden

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Monkey Park Iwatayama

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Tenryuji Temple

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Jojakkoji Temple

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Nisonin

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Gioji Temple

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Katsura Imperial Villa

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Shugakuin Imperial Villa

3 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Most travellers can participate
  • Pick up & Drop Off is on foot
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

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Reviews

5.0
185 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travellers.
Showing 1-10 of 185 reviews
Kyoto highlights
Vallabha_K, Sept 2023
We throughly enjoyed this half day tour of Kyoto with Kay, our guide going above and beyond, to provide us with a very informative, interesting experience! We visited the Imperial Palace, Nijo Jo Castle and ended at the Nishi market. Kay told us all the relevant historical and cultural events. Our tour was very enjoyable and fun. Kay was very knowledgeable and shared all the information well!
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Thank you so much for your kind comment. I am happy to receive it. I had a very good time with you and really appreciate your help and kindness. Please come back to Kyoto in Spring to see marvelous cherry blossoms. I hope you continue your wonderful journey in Japan. Kind Regards, Kay
An Enjoyable Morning
Nevil_D, Sept 2023
We had a full day tour with Tanigawa-san who expertly helped us decide an itinerary beforehand and then guided us through the morning. Superb local and historical knowledge added exactly the amount of background and context we were hoping for. Many thanks for sharing an enjoyable morning tour with us!
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Thank you so much for your kind review! I’m glad to hear that you’ve visited Japan many times. And I’m interested in the fact that more visitors have started to collect stamps of temples and shrines just like many Japanese people do. I’m also glad that we were able to visit the locations you preferred to visit smoothly and in an enjoyable manner as well. I hope the rest of your tour in Japan will be wonderful and memorable. Thank you again. Kaeko
We love Kyoto!
Dorothy_H, Sept 2023
Arashimaya was very memorable. We wished we had more time to wander the town itself as there were so many interesting shops that we would have liked to have seen. Moto was informative and we learnt a lot about Japanese culture from him. I would recommend this tour to everyone.
Response from Host, Sept 2023
I had a great time being with you two. It was so fun! Thank you for taking your time to write a review. Moto
Knowledgeable, friendly guide
Elaine_P, Sept 2023
Yoshi was an excellent guide but more importantly , through our discussions shared his own experiences living in Kyoto . That was the best ! Seeing my 23 yr old daughter and Yoshi connect and discuss the sites and etiquette and commonality of youth worldwide was wonderful .
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Thank you for joining the tour! I am so happy to know you enjoyed my guide. Also appreciate not only for listening me talking about my country but also telling me about your country. I learned a lot from you. I will visit NewYork someday soon. Until then. Yoshi
Half-day Private Tour
srib2b, Sept 2023
Our guide, Kaeko Tanigawa brought us to visit the Nijo Castle and Fushimi Inari shrine. It was a blazingly hot day on a mid-September tour with our restless children, and she did her best. Thank you for the very informative tour!
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Thank you for your kind review! I’m glad to be given a nice review. Your children were so cute and very excited about the tour, so I was also enjoying the tour, too. At Nijo Castle, they enjoyed feeding the carps, didn’t they? It was fun for me. I hope your tour in Japan will be memorable and you will visit the country again soon. Thank you very much. Kaeko
3 tours in 4 hours; great!
MarkF_O, Sept 2023
Our guide Kazu, took us to 2 temples 🛕 and Imperial Palace, they were just amazing. Excellent guide and fantastic 1/2 day spent.
Kyoto magic
Joy_P, Sept 2023
Loved learning the history of some of Kyoto's places! Our guide, Ichiro, has been fantastic in sharing stories and explaining traditions and places in Kyoto. Thank you for an educational experience!
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Thank you very much for your kind review. That day, we visited - Gion (‘Geisya’ Town) - Higashiyama ward (Historic streets) - Fushimi Inari (Shrine) - Kyoto Sta. (Big Stairs) We especially enjoyed having a break at the Starbucks in Ninen-zaka street, ju st slightly renovated old town house. I had guided many of my clients there, b ut it was the first time I succeeded in securing seats. And it was a great fun . I was sorry it was a quite hot day and you became a little tired. But other than that, I’m confident that we had a great time. Thank you again for your kind comment. Ichiro
Great City Tour!
Misty_P, Sept 2023
Our tour guide Hiado was amazing! He braved the heat with us and gave us so much history and information! Even taught us how to ride the train system.
Response from Host, Sept 2023
I'm very happy to receive your excellent review. It was very hot and humid on that day. In the early morning when you walked around Shijo street, almost no one was walking, it was very quiete. However, when the tour finished and we returned to the street, it was so much crowded with people. Actually the fourth street is the busiest street in Kyoto, and Nishiki food market is very close to the street. I'm sure you enjoyed the first visit to Japan. I wish you both every happiness. Hideo
Interesting, nice
Ioana_P, Aug 2023
The guide was very nice to me, he answered very patiently to all my questions, he offered me information about the places I visited.
Outstanding Experience, Superb Guide
BruceBehrouz_H, Aug 2023
We did a half day tour of Kyoto with Kaeko. Prior to the tour, she contacted me and provided some tour options. She was very accommodating and flexible with the options. On the day of the tour she provided us clear directions as to where to meet her. As we asked, the tour was fast-paced and covered a lot of ground. She had detailed explanation of each stop. She was informative. I could tell, she takes a lot pride in her country and her culture. Kaeko also managed to keep out teenagers engaged and involved. Overall the tour experience was superb. She gave us dinner recommendations prior to ending the tour. I highly recommend Kaeko and this tour company.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you for your kind remarks! I’m so happy to hear that your family enjoyed our tour. I’m also glad that your family enjoyed Gion area tour even in the rain! I hope this tour will be memorable and you’ll visit Japan again soon. Thank you very much. Kaeko
Wonderful day touring the beautiful areas of Kyoto
Catherine_C, Aug 2023
Kasuke was an excellent guide. She showed us some phenomenal sites. She was knowledgeable about the various places we visited. She was kind and cordial . She went out of her way to make sure we had a good tour ! I did have a hard time hearing her at times, but I’m getting old. Am I hearing SNS good as it used to be
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you for your honest and kind feedback. I believe it was your friendliness and extraordinary curiosity about Japan that made it possible for us to share a good time. I also appreciate your last minute email, which made the tour possible. After the tour, the tour agent and I looked into it and found that the emails were delayed due to system trouble, and your last minute email worked on several emails that were stuck on the server. We have had this trouble refurbished to Viator. Anyway, I hope a bright future is ahead of you as drawn by your fortune telling. See you again in Kyoto. Kazuko
Delightful Mimmy’s Kyoto.
Brett_A, Aug 2023
We had a wonderful half day walking with our guide, Mimmy, around Kyoto. Met at the platform of the Shinkansen from Tokyo at Mimmy’s suggestion and then a taxi to the beautiful Kiyomizu Temple, a must see site. Some soba noodles in a local restaurant followed and then a wander through the lanes and walkways of the local area. We then visited Gion taking in more beautiful streetscapes and a visit to the Kennin-ji Temple. Mimmy was delightful, friendly, knowledgeable and concerned for her customers welfare and comfort. On a tight schedule with a return train to Tokyo later in the day we had an enjoyable and seamless experience that left us planning a longer return trip in the future.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you for a good review.　Thanks to your wife‘ｓgreat challenge to her legs not in a good condition, we had a wonderful walking tour smoothly. Nice quiet time in Kenninji temple was a rare experience among the busy tours in high season. Thank you so much. Mimmy
Great experience
Matthew_B, Aug 2023
Great experience. Our guide, Kaori, was fantastic. She spoke English well and was very engaged. She was able to get my pre-teen kids interested in the sites around Kyoto.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you for joining our tour despite the hot weather and giving wonderful and touching comments. I am very happy to hear that you enjoyed our time. It was my immense pleasure to show our city to you and your children who have a great interest not only in Japanese history but also in everything! I hope your trip to Japan could become a good memory for your family as well as a source of your energy in the future. The tour itself was not so long – only half day, you were an impressive group with plenty of fresh young energies, that I won’t forget about. If you have a chance, please come back to Japan. I believe this would be just the beginning of our relationship. Kaori
Kyoto bars
Diana_W, June 2023
First of all it was a very intimate tour. We thought other couples would be with us but it ended up being my husband and I and one tour guide. Tomas was very talkative and explained about the Japanese culture and the drinks we were served. The best place he took us to was the turquoise bar. This is not a tour that you should book if you do not like to converse with strangers but if you are open to having a private tour guide for a few hours then this is great.
Response from Host, June 2023
We appreciate your kind feedback and our guides do too! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with your guide. We look forward to your next visit to Japan.
Informational and exciting!
Michael_K, June 2023
It was so beautiful and Kaz explained the historical context so wonderfully!! He was an amazing guide and our family had such a fun time!
Response from Host, June 2023
Thank you for the wonderful review! I am glad that you and your family had a fun time through the tour. I appreciate your kind words and wish you all the best! Kaz.
Great experience - bamboo forest and Gion
Joseph_A, June 2023
Amazing tour. Our guide Moto was very accommodating and curated our experience perfectly knowing we had a little one with us. We loved the experience. Highly recommend!!
Response from Host, June 2023
Traveling with a little ones is a great experience. Local guides like us could help you avoid some difficulties and focus on the enjoyment. Have a nice travel again! Moto
Great guides for a great price
Carly_B, June 2023
I did my research beforehand so I knew exactly where I wanted to go and we catered our experience based on that. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and super flexible to making any day of changes. This is experience is so cheap and worth it.
Response from Host, June 2023
I appreciate your taking time to send a nice review with kind words. I also enjoyed your company and interesting conversation we had during the tour. I hope you were safely home with good memories of Kyoto and Japan. Shoji Ogawa
Our day in Kyoto
JUDY_G, June 2023
Akira was a wonderful guide, so informative. He went out of his way to make sure we saw what we wanted to see and to teach us about the culture and history. We had a delightful day with him.
Response from Host, June 2023
Thank you very much for a heartfelt message! I was really happy to have nice & cheerful guest. Thanks again and kindest regards. Akira Ishida
Great tour
Mia_H, June 2023
Had a great tour with Kazz! Was able to see and learn so much. I would definitely recommend this to anyone visiting.
Response from Host, June 2023
Thank you for your comment. In spite of the rainy season, we were luck to have a nice tour on a good day yesterday. Because of the less people than expected, we moved to place to place smoothly. And enjoyed various attractions such as "light or heavy stone", "Otowa waterfall", and "Bonging a bell". I enjoyed the tour very much with you. Depending on the seasons, we can enjoy various scenery such as cherry blossoms and autumn leaves at even the same spots in Kyoto . Please enjoy other aspects of Kyoto next time. Thank you again. Kazz
A great tour combined with nuanced crash course of Kyoto’s history and culture.
John_D, June 2023
Masaaki Tanaka was extraordinary by bringing his cultural and historical knowledge Japan and Kyoto, and personal experience and energy to thoroughly wonderful and informative day. Thank you so much.
Response from Host, June 2023
Dear the Nice Couple I guided here last week Thank you very much for your very positive and considerate comment on my guiding I made for you just last week in Kyoto. I feel highly honored and encouraged with your such words of appreciation. I look forward to seeing you again in Kyoto or anywhere in the world while wishing you continue the good health and smile. Sincerely yours, Masaaki Tanaka
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