Day Trip Kyoto from Tokyo with a Licensed Guide by Bullet Train
Description
This tour is ideal for those who want to visit Kyoto from Tokyo in a single day. The itinerary includes two well-known sightseeing spots: Kinkaku-ji Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine. However, if there are other specific places you'd like to visit, we would be more than happy to customize the plan for you. Since this tour is guided by a nationally licensed guide, you'll benefit from immersive cultural experiences, insider knowledge, and memorable encounters with local traditions. This tour is great for any types of travelers, such as adventure seekers, families with children, etc.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We are going to Tokyo Station from your hotel in Tokyo to take a bullet train.
You will arrive at Kyoto station after a 2-hour and a half bullet train ride. Let's head to one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Kyoto, Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion), by local bus.
Kinakuji, often referred to as Kinkaku-ji, is a famous Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. Its full name is "Kinkaku-ji" or "Golden Pavilion," and it's renowned for its stunning architecture and picturesque setting. The temple was originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and was converted into a Zen temple after his death. The most striking feature of Kinkaku-ji is its top two floors, which are covered in gold leaf, giving it a gleaming appearance that reflects beautifully in the surrounding pond. The temple is surrounded by lush gardens and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting visitors from around the world for its historical significance and natural beauty.
Nishiki Market, often referred to as "Kyoto's Kitchen," is a vibrant and bustling shopping street located in central Kyoto. This traditional marketplace stretches over five blocks and is renowned for its wide variety of fresh produce, seafood, traditional Kyoto foods, and unique souvenirs.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is a major Shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan, renowned for its iconic thousands of red torii gates. These gates form a picturesque pathway that winds up the wooded Mount Inari, leading to the main shrine at the summit. The shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, agriculture, and fertility, and it features several smaller shrines and structures throughout the mountain. The torii gates are donated by individuals or businesses, and each gate bears an inscription with the name of the donor and the date of the donation. Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for its vibrant and photogenic landscape, making it one of Kyoto's most popular tourist destinations. The shrine's trails offer a beautiful hike and the chance to experience the serene, spiritual atmosphere of the area.
You will go back to Kyoto Station and take a bullet train back to Tokyo.
Tokyo Station is a major railway hub located in the Marunouchi business district of Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the busiest train stations in the world and serves as a key transportation center for the city and the surrounding regions.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
The guide will be waiting for you at your hotel lobby with your name sign. Please inform us about your pick-up details in advance.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- We can accommodate dietary restrictions such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. If you have dietary requirements, please indicate them when booking
- The itinerary might be changed due to weather condition or other reasons.
Reviews(14)
Our day trip from Tokyo to Kyoto by bullet train was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. Traveling on the Shinkansen was an incredible experience in itself—fast, comfortable, and remarkably efficient. What made the day even more special was having a knowledgeable and licensed guide with us. From the moment we arrived in Kyoto, our guide expertly navigated the city, shared fascinating historical and cultural insights, and helped us make the most of our limited time. Their passion for Kyoto’s history and traditions brought every site to life. We visited some of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks, enjoyed beautiful scenery, and learned so much about Japanese culture along the way. Our guide was professional, friendly, and attentive, ensuring that everything ran smoothly throughout the day. Despite being a day trip, we never felt rushed. The itinerary was well planned, allowing us to experience the beauty, history, and charm of Kyoto while returning comfortably to Tokyo that evening. We highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to experience Kyoto from Tokyo in a single day. It was an unforgettable experience, and we left with wonderful memories that we will cherish for years to come.
Dear Derek, Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We are happy to hear that you thoroughly enjoyed your tour from Tokyo to Kyoto. It also means a great deal to us to know that Hide made your journey even more memorable. He told us that he had a wonderful time guiding you as well, so we believe it was a truly special tour for both of you. We hope visiting the famous landmarks, trying local street food, and experiencing the Shinkansen all became unforgettable memories of your trip to Japan. If you ever have the chance to visit Japan again, we would be honored to help make your next journey just as memorable. Thank you again, and we hope to see you in Japan someday! Best regards, Saaya MY Travel Consulting Inc.
Our guide, Yoshio, was wonderful! He helped our family keep pace to visit 3 sites. He allowed us to stay flexible and spend a little more time at the market. He was great at engaging the entire family. My daughter told me to make sure to give him 5 stars which I agree!
Dear Warren, Thank you very much for your wonderful review and for choosing our Kyoto day trip from Tokyo by bullet train. We are truly delighted to hear that your family had such a great day with Yoshio. We are happy that Yoshio was able to help your family keep a comfortable pace while visiting Kinkakuji Temple, Nishiki Market, and Fushimi Inari Shrine. It is also wonderful to know that he could keep the tour flexible, especially so you could enjoy more time at Nishiki Market for local foods, shopping, and family discoveries. Thank you again for joining our tour. It was our pleasure to be part of your family’s first trip to Japan, and we hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience in the future. Best regards, MY Travel Consulting Inc. Taka
You will experience every type of travel during Harry’s tour to Kyoto….the bullet train is an adventure! The market was an explosion of culture…every yummy thing was there! The place he took us for ramen was delicious!! Harry was very knowledgeable about history and a pleasure to spend the day with!
Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We’re pleased to hear that you enjoyed your day trip to Kyoto with Harry, including the experience of traveling on the Shinkansen. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed exploring Nishiki Market, discovering local flavors, and finding some special souvenirs along the way. We’re also glad that the ramen lunch was a highlight of your day. Thank you for your kind words about Harry’s knowledge and company. We’re very happy to hear that your time together was both enjoyable and memorable. Thank you again for choosing us, and we hope you had a wonderful cruise journey afterward. We would be delighted to welcome you back to Japan in the future! Best regards, Saaya My Travel Consulting Inc.
Excellent itinerary. Well planned and it needed to be with all the different transportation. Our guide was very accommodating and informed about culture. He took very good care of us.
Thank you very much for taking our tour and for your kind feedback! We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the overall experience, including the variety of transportation unique to Japan. It was also a pleasure to see your strong interest in Japanese culture and history through your thoughtful questions. Your kind words about the guide are truly appreciated. We hope to welcome you again in Japan in the future. Warm regards, Moeka MY Travel Consulting Inc.
A fantastic day out Yoshio was an excellent guide giving useful information and went out of his way to make the tour interesting.I would recommend this trip when visiting Tokyo
Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a fantastic day and that Yoshio made your tour both interesting and informative. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Tokyo! Warm regards, Saaya MY Travel Consulting Inc.
Yoshi planned an excellent day for us for the day trip to Kyoto. He arrived promptly for our pickup from the hotel, guided us through the train station to board for Kyoto. He provided us with a book for reference on The Golden Temple and grounds and other sites we were seeing that day. He was sure to highlight the view off Mt Fuji which we were fortunate to see on a clear day. He accommodated our request to add in a visit to Sanjūsangendō Temple (Temple of 1000 Buddhas) which was so impressive to see. Yoshi was very knowledgeable and shared historical and cultural insights with us throughout the day. We really enjoyed our trip with him!
Thank you very much for your kind and detailed review. We truly appreciate your strong interest in Japanese history and culture, and Yoshi was very happy to be able to guide you through Sanjūsangendō according to your request. We are delighted that you were moved not only by the magnificent architecture and statues at Kinkaku-ji, Sanjūsangendō, and Fushimi Inari Taisha, but also by the rich history behind them. It was our pleasure to provide the tour for you, and sincerely thank you for your warm slimes and kind words. Thank you so much, Best regards, Aiko
We took a day trip from Tokyo to Kyoto with our guide Yoshio. He was very knowledgeable, articulate and made the trip unforgettable. It was so valuable to have someone add so much to our 30th Anniversary trip!!
Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful feedback. We’re glad to hear that Yoshio made your day trip from Tokyo to Kyoto both enjoyable and unforgettable. We will be sure to pass along your kind comments to him. Congratulations on your 30th anniversary, and thank you for choosing us. Best regards, Maru MY Travel Consulting Inc.
Harry was a terrific guide who was very knowledgeable about the sites we visited! We loved the temple. Had a delicious lunch at the market. Then explored the gates! Such a fun day. Highly recommends this tour to anyone short on time but wanting to see a little bit of Kyoto. The bullet train made it very doable in a day from Tokyo . This family with older young adult children had such a great day that was far beyond our expectation.
Thank you very much for joining our tour and for taking the time to share such a warm review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your day with Harry—from the temple visit to the delicious lunch at the market and the walk through the gates. We are also glad to know that traveling from Tokyo by bullet train made the day both smooth and enjoyable. Your kind words about the experience exceeding your family’s expectations truly mean a lot to us. We hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Japan. Best wishes, Manami
Kishy was a very pleasant guide who assisted us in finding our way through Shinagawa Station to our bullet train to Kyoto, which was a great way to travel. Upon arriving in Kyoto we were driven to the various sites we had chosen to visit in and around the city. There was a great deal of walking at each place we went, some on very uneven surfaces so that should be kept in mind. We enjoyed a delicious traditional Japanese lunch at a little restaurant in the city that Kishy recommended before our return trip to Tokyo. It was an interesting, if tiring, day and we were glad we went.
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your day in Kyoto and that Kishy was able to make your journey smooth and memorable, from navigating Shinagawa Station to recommending a lovely spot for lunch. Kyoto truly offers so much to explore, and we’re glad you could experience its charm! We truly appreciate you choosing our tour and hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Japan. Warm regards, Saaya MY Travel Consulting
We had a great Shinkansen trip to Kyoto with Matt. It was well-planned, fun and educational. He met us at our hotel and handled all the logistics. It was more than just a photo opportunity at the major attractions. Matt gave us great insights into the history, culture and religion of the places we were seeing. He found us a great lunch spot, gave us shopping tips and customized the tour to our interests. A great day of touring.
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your thoughtful review and for awarding us a five-star rating. We are delighted to know that you and your wife enjoyed your day in Kyoto with Matt. From exploring Kinkakuji, Nishiki Market, and the Fushimi Inari Shrine hike, to enjoying your Ichiran ramen experience, it sounds like the day was truly memorable. Matt also mentioned how much he enjoyed guiding you, especially sharing stories about Kyoto and exchanging memories about San Francisco. We are so pleased that these personal connections made the tour even more special for you. Your kind words, “We are glad Matt was our guide,” mean a great deal to us. We sincerely appreciate your trust and look forward to welcoming you again on your future travels in Japan. Best wishes, Manami
