Private Tour
Kyoto & Nara Private customized tour with English speaking Guide
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Discover Kyoto and Nara on a private family tour. Walk through Arashiyama's Bamboo Grove, enjoy a hands-on origami experience, and feed the deer at Nara Park.
Start your day with a convenient pickup from your hotel in Kyoto, Osaka or Nara by your English-speaking driver-guide. Then head straight to Kyoto's tranquil outskirts for a walk through Arashiyama's Bamboo Grove, where kids can spot monkeys and explore scenic riverside paths.
Continue on to Fushimi Inari Shrine, with its iconic red gates winding up the forested hills - an exciting and walkable adventure. Then enjoy a casual local sweets tasting at a lesser-known Kyoto shop loved by families.
After lunch, journey to Nara, where you can free-roaming deer of Nara Park - always a hit for families.
Throughout the trip, the pace is set around you - whether you need rest breaks, snack stops, or extra time at favorite spots. This tour isn't built for large groups or tight schedules. It's built for you.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Nara Park
Nara Park is famous for the 1,200 or so wild deer that live freely within the park. Within Nara Park you will find the Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Originated from Kinshozan-ji Temple, which was built in 728 (the 5th year of the Jinki era) to mourn the death of Emperor Shomu's crown prince, Imperial Prince Motoi. Although the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two-thirds of the original temple hall's size, Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall), Todaiji's main hall, is one of the biggest wooden structures in the world. The 15 meters tall, seated Buddha represents Vairocana and is flanked by two Bodhisattvas, is residing in this temple. Read more about - Full Day Excursion: Kyoto and Nara Highlights from Kyoto/Osaka - https://www.viator.com/tours/Osaka/Day-Trip-by-Bus-to-Kyoto-and-Nara-from-Osaka/d333-20415P6?mcid=56757
Arashiyama
Immerse yourself in the enchanting charm of Arashiyama. Visit to the renowned Bamboo Grove, a magical forest of towering green stalks that create a serene and otherworldly atmosphere. Wander through this captivating path, where the light filters through the dense bamboo, creating a unique and tranquil experience. For travelers who choose the lunch option, savor a delicious meal at "Kyoto Wasabi," a historic Kyoto townhouse with a rich legacy of over 120 years. Delight in an exquisite Kyoto traditional meal set featuring Kyoto pork and tofu shabu-shabu, a classic Japanese hot pot dish with thinly sliced pork cooked in a flavorful broth. (50 mins) For travelers who choose the no-meal option, you will have a total of 120 minutes in Arashiyama to explore local dining options and enjoy the picturesque surroundings at your own pace.
What‘s Included
WiFi on board
Air-conditioned vehicle
Lunch
All Fees and Taxes
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Osaka, Nara and kyoto private tour with English speaking Guide
Pickup included
Reviews
99 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent Kyoto/Nara trip with Hamzah
160amirar,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our trip to Nara and Kyoto was great! Hamzah was an excellent guide and driver. He was welcoming, prompt, knowledgeable and flexible. He made sure we had a wonderful experience! I would highly recommend him. Thank you, Hamzah!
Only Visited Nara and 1 Other Spot - Not Worth the Money
kensP3802QS,,Jan 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00I am sorry to say but our experience was more like hiring a driver then a guide. I do not remember him providing his name but my son said that he did but he could not remember it either. He just drove us to Nara and gave a quick reference to 2 places to see and said to message him when we were ready to go. After that, he drove us to one other place and once again said to message him when we were done. We did not go anyplace else. I paid twice as much for this private tour then for another one we went on for Mt. Fiji and this one was not worth the money spent. I would not recommend this tour based upon my experience and the cost.
Great tour
damonv940,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hamza was a great guide. The traffic was very busy but he always found a way around it. Hazma was very friendly and told us about the places we visited
Family Fun
Kerry C,,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Depending on when you go, it will be quite crowded. For Nara Deer Park please ensure you are watching your lil ones. The male deer can be quite aggressive. Hamzah was an amazing tour guide and maybe everything literally easy and understandable for myself and my family.
Kyoto and Nara private tour by car
Media C,,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The tour was very well planned. We started off by visiting the deer park in Nara. It was lovely to see and interact with the deers, though some of them got to be a bit aggressive for the food. Then we got back to Kyoto and visited several places with a lunch break in between. Our guide Talha was great. All in all, a great family experience that I would recommend to other travellers.
Osaka Hotel-kyoto-Nara-Osaka
johnpaule974,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I travelled with my whole family. Hamza our guide is very good and very accommodating to our request, the whole trip includes pick up and drop off us back to our hotel. will definitely get him again on our next trip to Japan!
Cruise excursion
DawnW4444,,Dec 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nomi picked us up at the Osaka cruise terminal and had our Itinerary planned out for us. He was very accomodating and flexible and allowed us to make changes as needed. Van was spacious for the 5 of us especially for the long drives. Nomi spoke English very well.
The experience was...
MariaAimee C,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The experience was amazing. Tour was personalized based on our needs. It was easy to communicate with Hamaz
Wonderful Nara and Kyoto day trip
195jacksonw,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I want to share our wonderful experience with Khan today. He was punctual, came exactly prepared, and best of all , accommodated the trip based on our schedule. Never once he rushed us, he was able to fit quite a few sightings in a day trip. Professional and courteous, excellent communication we could not have asked for a better guide.
A good day with Ali
Cindy U,,Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an amazing experience with Ali during our trip to Kyoto and Nara. He is not only a safe and skilled driver, but also a knowledgeable, friendly, and thoughtful guide who made our journey smooth and memorable. Ali knew the best routes to avoid traffic and took us to beautiful spots that we would have never found on our own. His explanations about the temples, shrines, culture, and local traditions were clear and engaging. He was patient, flexible with our schedule, and always made sure we were comfortable. We especially appreciated his kindness, good communication, and helpful recommendations for food and activities. Thanks to him, our visit to Kyoto and Nara was stress-free and truly enjoyable. I highly recommend Ali to anyone visiting the area—a wonderful guide and an excellent driver!
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