Kyoto Early Bird Tour in Uji and Fushimi Inari
Description
Ran by @guidemejapan on Instagram. Please check our Instagram for visual examples of our wonderful guides! Start your morning with the magic of Kyoto—before the crowds arrive. This small-group tour (max 8 people) takes you on a peaceful journey through Fushimi Inari’s famous thousand torii gates, the stunning Byodoin Temple from the 10 yen coin, and Ujigami Shrine, Japan’s oldest. It’s the perfect blend of iconic sights and hidden gems, led by a local English-speaking guide who brings each place to life. Quiet, authentic, unforgettable.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Explore the enchanting Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of the most famous shrines in all over Japan. Walk through thousands of striking red gates, creating a unique and captivating atmosphere. It's a must-see spot that offers a beautiful and unforgettable experience. Don't miss the chance to visit this incredible place during your trip!
Byodoin Temple in Uji is one of Kyoto’s most iconic sites, famously featured on the back of Japan’s 10 yen coin. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to the stunning Phoenix Hall, a masterpiece of Heian-period architecture. Discover the real-life elegance behind the coin in a tranquil, historically rich setting.
Ujigami Shrine is Japan’s oldest standing shrine—a peaceful, spiritual haven hidden in the heart of Uji. With its centuries-old wooden architecture and moss-covered grounds, it feels like stepping into a secret from ancient Japan. Just minutes from Byodoin, it’s the perfect place to escape the crowds and connect with timeless beauty.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(20)
Perfect tour if you want to get away from busy Kyoto and visit sites not often seen. Our tour guide Shin was lovely and spoke perfect English.
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and appreciated visiting quieter, less-crowded spots outside busy Kyoto. It’s wonderful to know that Shin’s English and friendly guidance made your experience even better. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another memorable experience in Japan! GuideMe Japan Team
My husband and I traveled from Osaka to Kyoto to do the early morning tour. The tour was great and worth doing the early morning commute to Kyoto. Genki our tour guide was very knowledgeable and very well spoken the information he gave us made the tour very interesting. You can see that he loves sharing the history of the Temples, Shrines, Kyoto and Uji. Early morning you avoid the crowds and it is nice and cool. It was very well paced and comfortable. Thank you Genki for a great tour, we will definitely book another tour with you when we return to Japan.
The tour guide was very knowledgeable and patient. I learnt a lot and I would definitely recommend this tour. If you find all 108 foxes, you will have good luck for the rest of the year! Ganbatte!!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Kyoto Early Bird Tour in Uji and Fushimi Inari. It’s fantastic that your guide’s knowledge and patience helped you learn so much and made the experience memorable. We love that you enjoyed the fox hunt too—here’s to good luck for the rest of the year! Ganbatte! We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another amazing tour in the future. GuideMe Japan Team
It is was super amazing , the guide made us understand the history of the shrine .. and was spoke English so well , we need no interpreter
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the Kyoto Early Bird Tour in Uji and Fushimi Inari. It’s fantastic that your guide’s clear explanations and excellent English made understanding the history of the shrine so easy and enjoyable without needing an interpreter. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on another memorable tour in the future. GuideMe Japan Team
Though it was a chilly night, the tales of the past offered warmth thanks to the tour guide. There is a lot to learn, but our tour guide kept it short and spicy which I appreciate since my Fingers are quickly turning into popsicles.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Kyoto Early Bird Tour in Uji and Fushimi Inari. It’s fantastic that your guide’s storytelling brought warmth and made learning about the history both enjoyable and concise—especially on a chilly morning! We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on another memorable tour in the future. GuideMe Japan Team
Tour guide very knowledgeable, excellent communication and friendly. We had a pretty smooth visit and he answered our questions patiently.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the Kyoto Early Bird Tour in Uji and Fushimi Inari. It’s fantastic that your guide’s knowledge, communication, and friendliness helped make your visit smooth and enjoyable, and that your questions were answered patiently. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on another memorable tour in the future. GuideMe Japan Team
Our guide Genki was very knowledgeable with explaining the differences between Shinto and Buddhism. He gave us just enough information that we could retain it. The morning tour is not crowded, and we had lots of space around us. We didn't rush so we could enjoy our morning exploration of Uji. Genki gave us also a good advice for lunch {it was delicious) and where to shop for a good tea. Thank you, Genki, for a lovely morning
Absolutely fantastic tour experience! From start to finish, everything was well-organized, engaging, and enjoyable. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate, which made the entire journey even more memorable. The itinerary was perfectly balanced — enough time at each stop without feeling rushed. The transportation was comfortable, and all logistics ran smoothly. We visited some breathtaking spots that we wouldn’t have discovered on our own. It was clear that a lot of thought went into planning every detail. This tour offered great value and truly exceeded expectations. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to explore the area with a fun, informative, and hassle-free experience. I’d gladly book with this company again in the future!
Wonderful experience as I got to see some of the Kyoto’s iconic Shrines!! There were not a lot of people since it was early in the morning and I got some great pictures! Definitely a recommended!!
Lovely early morning walk through the beautiful temple!Guide Genki was excellent! Warm, engaging and very knowledgeable and caring
