Private Tour
Shore excursion: Full Day Private Kyoto Tour From Osaka/Kobe Port
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
Tour itinerary is designed based on hiring a car/van for 10 hours (JPY 120,000 for up to 5 pax, JPY 140,000 for up to 8 pax) cash payment on the day tour, cash to the driver) to provide ample time to visit Kyoto's most iconic cultural & historic landmarks, ensuring a comprehensive experience of the city's rich heritage.
Itinerary (Customizable):
08:00 Meeting at Osaka or Kobe port
10:00 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
11:30 Kinkaku-ji temple
13:00 Nishiki Market- Lunch break
14:30 Pontocho and Gion area (Geisha district)
16:00 Fushimi Inari shrine
16:45 back to the port
18:00 Drop off in the port and tour finish
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Bamboo Forest Street
After the pick up from the port, we will need 2 hours to reach Arashiyama area west of Kyoto. Immerse yourself in the enchanting Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama, where towering bamboo stalks create a serene and otherworldly atmosphere. Visit the historic Nonomiya Shrine, a hidden gem nestled within the bamboo grove, offering a tranquil escape and a touch of ancient tradition. Complete your journey with a stroll through the stunning gardens of Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where meticulously landscaped grounds provide a perfect blend of natural beauty and Zen serenity.
Kinkakuji Temple
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto's iconic Golden Pavilion, shimmering brilliantly against its serene pond backdrop. Stroll through the exquisite gardens, reflecting the harmonious blend of nature and artistry that defines this UNESCO World Heritage site. Perfect for culture enthusiasts and photographers, this tour promises an unforgettable glimpse into Japan's architectural splendor and tranquil elegance.
What‘s Included
Transportation cost is NOT included. Please carefully review the exclusions listed below.
Tour management, Tour guiding, Driver arrangement of pick up and drop off
Entrance fee - Kinkakuji Temple
Guide fees
Transportation cost: JPY 120,000 for up to 5 pax, JPY 140,000 up to 7 pax
If the start time is after 10 am, tour duration is shortened to 10 hours, or extra fee for driver
If the total tour duration is more than 10 hours, extra charge is required for the guide and the car
Personal Expenses
Gratuities are always appreciated but never expected (In case your experience was exceptional)
Options
Guiding and management fees
Reviews
36 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
3RD Wonderful Kyoto tour
Hattab H,,Jan 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked Keiko again to visit Arashiyama in one day, since we wanted to see Otagi nenbutsuji temple and Jojakkoji recommended by our friends. Keiko did an excellent job explaining everything clearly and was knowledgeable and friendly. We felt we were with a close friend rather than a guide ..
Great Tour, Minor Transport Hassle
S7ora92,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Marianna was a wonderful guide and made our day in Kyoto very enjoyable. Everything was well organized, and she was friendly and attentive. My only issue was having to pay extra cash for transportation, it would have been nicer if it was included in the total price to make the day completely hassle-free.
Thank you Asano
Zu265,,Jan 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jessica and the driver were absolutely wonderful. They made us feel so welcome and cared for throughout the day. We enjoyed visiting Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and Fushimi Inari Taisha, and even had a delicious lunch at Omen -one of Asano’s recommendations. Everything ran smoothly, and we had time to truly enjoy all the planned stops.
Perfect Nara
saleh o,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an excellent day exploring Arashiyama and Nara with Sato. We used his car to move for some extra money. We experienced the beautiful natural area of Arashiyama, and enjoyed especially the Bamboo trees. We also saw the beautiful temples inside and the temples in Nara and the deer park. We were thoroughly satisfied and would definitely recommend him.
Our guide Kay was a very...
Carmeline B,,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Kay was a very sweet lady and very professional. She took us to all the places we wanted to visit
Great tour and our guide was very informative
Explore36946259181,,Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I would recommend this tour, our guide was very informative and took us to all the places we wanted to see in the allotted time we had. We were picked up from the port terminal and were returned to port on time.
Our tour went pretty...
VI L,,Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour went pretty smoothly despite being booked at the last minute. Our tour guide was wonderful. She is very knowledgeable and has explained a lot about the stories behind places we visited. She also was very flexible, changed the plan to fit our needs. Highly recommended.
Ahmed was amazing. ...
Felicia C,,Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Ahmed was amazing. Knowledgeable, explained everything in detail… friendly, professional. There were things previous guides might have told us on other cruise excursions, but were not clear. Ahmed truly was the best!!
Best day
Barry P,,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Kyoto is a must place to see as there was so much history that our guide showed us Ahmad made this your perfect
Excellent Experience from Start to Finish 🙏🏼🍀
Michael B,,Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a wonderful full-day tour of Kyoto! Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible—making sure we saw all the highlights without ever feeling rushed. From the stunning Golden Pavilion to the peaceful Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and the charming streets of Gion, every stop was memorable. The private car made traveling between sights comfortable and easy, and we appreciated the thoughtful touches and local recommendations for lunch. Perfect balance of history, culture, and beauty—highly recommend this experience for anyone visiting Japan! 🇯🇵 Coming from a cruise ship, the driver showed up on time for pick up and met up with our tour guide as planned for a smooth and perfect day of sightseeing.
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