Kyoto

Private Kyoto Tour with Government-Licensed Guide and Vehicle (Max 7 persons)

Badge of ExcellenceKyoto, Japan
Private Kyoto Tour

From USD 686.58

per group (up to 4)

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
  • 6 hours
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

The subway system and local bus network can be very confusing for tourists visiting Kyoto, so save yourself the risk of getting lost and opt for this worry-free private tour instead. Door-to-door hotel transfers are included, and a guide takes you to a selection of key sights, such as Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, or Nishiki Market.
  • Avoid busy public transport: Travel around Kyoto in a private vehicle
  • Great way to tick off multiple highlights in a day
  • Flexible and personalized tour: Choose from a list of places to visit
  • Potential stops include Gion, Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Kinkaku-ji Temple

What's Included

  • Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
  • Private Transportation in air conditioned vehicle
  • Hotel Pick up and Drop-off
  • Parking Fees, Fuel surcharge, Highway fees
  • Choose 4 to 5 spots from ‘Tour Details’ to visit
  • Food and Drink (for yourself)
  • Entrance Fees to attractions where applicable (for yourself)
  • Any other personal expenses

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

This tour departs only from Kyoto. We can not pick you up In Osaka, Kobe or Nara etc. Your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Kyoto area or your preferred location around Kyoto Station.

What To Expect

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Nijo Castle

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Gion

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Nishiki Market Shopping District

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Kyoto Imperial Palace

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Pontocho

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Higashiyama Ward

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Ginkakuji Temple

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Nanzenji Suirokaku

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Tofuku-ji Temple

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Toji

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kinkakuji Temple

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Ninna-ji Temple

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Shugakuin Imperial Villa

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Kibune River

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Kurama-dera

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Ryoanji Temple

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Arashiyama

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Kokedera Suzumusidera

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Katsura Imperial Villa

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Daikaku-ji Temple

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Tenryuji Temple

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Yoshimine-dera

30 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
  • Infant seats available
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Most travellers can participate
  • 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
52 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 52 reviews
A most enjoyable way to experience Kyoto and learn!
Lucia_R, Sept 2023
Shoko was an amazing and knowledgeable guide. To this date, most new things I learned about tradition and stories behind Japan's beliefs come from her explanations during this tour. It is definitely worth visiting some of Kyoto's outstanding sites with her and the wonderful driver and car with AC (at 30 plus Centigrade quite a luxury to go back to). They both were most accommodating and welcoming. We would do it again, always under Shoko's wise --and engaging-- direction.
Great way to see Kyoto
Clare_M, Sept 2023
Kaz was really great. He helped us create an itinerary and was very knowledgeable about all of the locations and Kyoto in general. We were able to get through much more with him than on our own. Definitely worth doing.
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Thank you for joining the tour and taking time to post your review! I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour. It was a great opportunity for me too, to explore some great aspects of Kyoto with you. I wish you all well and hope to see you again! Kaz
Wonderful day in Kyoto
Jennifer_Y, Sept 2023
We only had one day in Kyoto so we tried to pack in as many sightseeing spots as we could. Luckily, with the help of our very experienced tour guide, Ken, we managed to visit all the places we wanted to go to. We had a wonderful day in Kyoto and I would recommend this private tour with licensed guide and a vehicle to anyone who are travelling to Kyoto in a group.
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Thanks for giving me a favorable review. It was truly my pleasure and I enjoyed tour guiding for wonderful people. We have been very close geographically and culturally for a very long time. I wish you and your family will be fine for many years to come. It was very nice meeting with you. Looking forward to meeting each other again soon. Ken
Great guide!
Mark_N, Aug 2023
Ted our guide was really great. He was funny knowledgeable and helpful. We would not hesitate to book again!
Response from Host, Sept 2023
Thank you for your high evaluation. Your comments encourages me to be more funny and knowledgeable. Looking forward to seeing you again. Ted
Definitely a plus!
Sung_C, Aug 2023
Tom was able to bring context to the sites that we saw. He was very flexible to accomodate our needs.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you for the appreciation. It was a pleasure to be your guide because you enjoyed Japanese culture. There are still many good places in Japan. Please come again. Tom
Tom explained every place...
nerto, Aug 2023
Tom explained every place visited with detailed information; guiding was helpful so that we use best of our time while touring several places in one day... driver was also very supporting for such efficient tour
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you for your positive review. I am sure you must have been tired after having visited so many places energetically in the very hot weather. There are still good places to visit in Japan. Please come again. Tom
Curated Kyoto
JohnW, Aug 2023
A wonderful curated trip around Kyoto led by Ken Y. Ken did a fantastic job of offering a broad menu of destinations, and helped us narrow the list down to a schedule that was practical and representative. Having a car and driver allowed us to accomplish more in 6 hours than would have otherwise been possible…highly recommend!
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you for a favorable review. Tour guiding a wonderful family headed by a great heart person made me feel so rewarding and fun. Especially your brilliant daughter came up with many meaningful questions regarding things Japanese. I myself enjoyed true exchange of cultural communication with your family. See you again soon. Ken
Keiko san was very accomodationg to our wishes what to see or where to go. Had wonderful time.
Mutsumi_I, July 2023
Minimal days in Kyoto and we couldn't see everything we wanted to see on our own so we booked this tour and it really satisfied us. We saw what we wanted and some places the guide suggested. We wanted to go to Fushimi and Bamboo Forest before it got too crowded so she took us to those places first. We have had great photos.
An Amazing day in Kyoto !!
Siddhartha_R, July 2023
We had a great time in Kyoto with our guide Satoko. She had a deep knowledge of Kyoto and covered all the key tourist spots. We really liked the Imperial Palace and the Nijo Castle. We covered all the key shrines and temples. She was extremely flexible and customised the entire tour as per our pace. She also took us to a great place for lunch as we wanted to have Ramen & Gyoza. -All in all a great day spent to cover Kyoto
Response from Host, July 2023
Thank you so much for joining our tour in Kyoto. I am also glad to hear that you are happy with the tour. I also enjoyed being with you. I was also able to learn how your country is a little bit. It was also good experience for me. Thank you so much. You all were interestedly hear my explanation about the historical monuments in Kyoto which also motivated me. I was very surprised to find that both your daughter and son knew Japan very much. I hope both of them enjoyed themselves at Universal Studio on the next day, finding their favorite Japanese cartoon characters. If you have opportunity to be back to Japan, I am willing to show you around the places which we could not cover this time. Hope your future happiness and health. Please say hello to your nice family. Sincerely, Satoko
Kazu is terrific
Le_N, July 2023
Kazu our tour guide and our driver were the best. I would highly recommend a tour of Kyoto with Kazu any day.
Kazu is great!
James_S, July 2023
Kazu was wonderful. We were able to see a ton of Kyoto yet never felt rushed. It was a great tour! The car was well worth the additional fee.
Response from Host, July 2023
Hi! How have you been after you left Kyoto? I believe you are fine. By the way, thanks a lot for your excellent review comment. I was so lucky that I could guide such a nice person like you this time. All of you are so kind and gentle. Thanks to your effort(you walked fast), we could visit many famous spots. I was happy that you had a good time at all those places where we visited. I also had a great experience with you, thank you very much. Hope to see you soon. Regards ; Kazu
Great time visiting 4 destinations!
Even_M, June 2023
Keiko did a wonderful job of guiding us through several destinations. Our favorite was the bamboo forest. The tour was convenient and very informative. Best way to visit all of these sites.
Response from Host, July 2023
Thank you very much for your comments. I am happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour! Keiko
Great guide and driver!
Marc_H, June 2023
Our guide, Seiko was fantastic. She was very knowledgeable and fun to be around. The driver was great and we had a wonderful time in Kyoto.
Response from Host, June 2023
Thank you so much for your review! I had a great time with you all as well. We did a lot in one day thanks to your flexibility and accepting all my suggestions. Hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Kyoto and Tokyo! Thanks again! Seiko
Helpful Kyoto guide
Prabhakar_P, June 2023
Mr.Kazu has explained the details very well. But I was not informed about the tour duration and I ended up wasting too much time in eating outside rather than exploring kyoto. Overall he is sincere and helpful. Thanks Mr.Kazu.
Response from Host, July 2023
Hi! How have you been after you left Kyoto? How was the condition of your wife? I hope she is now fine. By the way, thanks a lot for your excellent review comment. I was so lucky that I could guide such a nice person like you this time. I also had a great experience with you, thank you very much. Hope to see you soon. Regards ; Kazu
Excellent Day in Kyoto
Aparna_P, May 2023
Seiko was an amazing guide for our family of 4... she was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed our tour very much... highly recommend
Response from Host, May 2023
Thank you for your kind comment. Glad to hear you enjoyed the tour despite the rain! It was fortunate that I got to guide you and your beautiful family for a day. Thanks again! Seiko
Fun
Jerry_R, May 2023
Toshi was an amazing guide. He was knowledgeable and took us where we wanted to go. He even helped us get our bullet train tickets situated. We came, unknowingly during Golden Week and he maximized our time during this very busy holiday.
Response from Host, May 2023
I'm very thankful for your positive comment. I myself had a great time exploring Kyoto with you and your wonderful family. I felt at ease all along on your tour as if I were one of your family. Did everything go well with your luggage in a Shinkansen train? I look forward to seeing you again in the near future. With best regards, Toshi
Day tour of Kyoto
Maryn_M, Apr 2023
We had the most amazing tour with our guide Ken!! We can’t say enough good things about the day he planned out for us. He was super knowledgeable, and was able to take our family to the must see items I most wanted on to do! It will be a day to be cherished always for our family, and any family lucky enough to get Ken as a guide will not be disappointed!
Very Thankful
Alia_H, Mar 2023
The tour was fantastic, our guide Mr. Masaaki was aweseome very knowledgeable and caring, he planned professionally the tour based on our interest, we highly recommend the guide and the tour
Response from Host, Apr 2023
I have just been informed through JGA that you have so nicely and wonderfully commented on my guiding the other day. I am very happy learning it and feel extremely honored. I really look forward to seeing you again anywhere any time.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! Especially if you want to go to multiple sites in one day!
Yuki_Z, Mar 2023
Kazu-san and the driver were extremely knowledgeable and accommodating, and because of that, we had such a great time sightseeing in Kyoto. We were able to see multiple sites in a day that we couldn't have without a private car. We were even able to experience a handmade soba lunch at a lovely hole-in-the-wall spot (and we didn't even have to wait!), which we wouldn't have found on our own. Even though the car is the main mode of transport (and not to mention, it's a very nice and comfortable vehicle), you'll still be getting plenty of steps in! But it's also a great option for those who just want to stop by places without having to walk around too much or have difficulty with mobility. The guide/driver are very flexible and can make plans on the fly. Additionally, Kazu-san was very thoughtful and offered to take photos of us whenever there was a nice spot for it. Overall, if you are on a time crunch (as we were) and want to see as many sites as possible, this option is completely worth the price. Kazu-san was an excellent guide and we highly recommend this tour!
Gion was beautiful
Dotwstanton, Mar 2023
Challenge: the description on tour lacked details. This was 3 hour walking tour. There were 2 stops for food. What is does not say. Your on your feet 3 hours and there are steps around temples. We are 70 yr olds and assumed dinner breaks were sit down.. (providng breaks ). not standing on feet for 3 straight hours. Kevin our guide was as accommodating as the tour allowed. Our tour was total of 7 people. Our tour was Saturday night. Gion was very very busy streets/sidewalks. . At times hard to keep eyes on Kevin. Suggestion: Given a choice,, knowing now what we know, mid week tour may be better? less people more movement on street? Allowed group to stay together better. Once we got off Main Street, street traffic got a little better. Allowed for more talking in group. The tour itself was interesting, like a “backstage tour”. You went behind the scenes into back roads and saw areas that standard tours (larger group) would have missed. The food was good. You had lots of options for drinks. Note unlike other places in Japan (where there are smoking rooms). smoking is allowed in these small restaurants. Gion was beautiful. Well worth the visit. 3 stars largely because tour description could be enhanced. Had we known details we likely would have chosen more private tour to pace to our needs, or selected different kind of tour. (more sr citizen adaptable).
Response from Host, May 2023
We are glad that you loved Gion, but we are a little confused as how you had a 3 hour walking tour during our 6 hour private vehicle tour. If you could reach out to us to let us know, it would be very helpful. Thank you! JGA Customer Support

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