Kyoto Highlights: Arashiyama & Fushimi Inari by Private Car
Description
Explore the sights of Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari on this full-day, private minivan tour based out of Osaka. In Arashiyama, you'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tenryuji, known for its beautiful architecture, gorgeous classic gardens, and lovely vistas. Then it's on to the world famous bamboo grove. Picture time! Afterwards, we slip away to the quiet, rarefied environs of the Okochi Sanso estate for gardens, architecture, and a matcha tea break too. Much more to see and stroll about in Arashimaya before we head to the awe-inspiring, ever-popular Fushimi Inari, where thousands of red gates ("torii") snake up the mountain. We'll talk about the significance and sites as we make our way up the holy pathway, but it's a private tour, so we only go as high as you want! While not included, we are happy to suggest a lunch stop along the way. This tour can be customized, so do feel free to consult with us if you've something special in mind that we don't cover on the standard tour.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Within this part of Kyoto are the following places, all described in detaile below: Tenryuji, Bamboo Grove, Okochi Sanso. But also, we'll spend some time, as you wish, strolling the town itself, both along the river and through the shopping district.
The lovely, picture-perfect gardens are sure to both astound and bring you a sense of serenity. Timeless beauty, no matter what the season. We also get views of the prayer halls, mediation areas, and the bamboo grove (which we later walk right through).
You've probably seen this pictures of this, and now you get to be a part of it. A narrow road snakes up a gentle hillside, with bamboo towering both to your left and right. A classic, and for good reason.
Perched above Arashiyama's famous bamboo grove is this luxurious former actor's estate, largely built in the 1930s. You'll enjoy some macha (Japanese powdered green tea) and a small sweet, then stroll the gardens, take in the views, and check out the impressive buildings.
We spend a few minutes driving through and stopping for a quick stroll and picture taking in the Gion district.
Arguably the most famous Shinto Shrine in the land, Fushimi Inari entices you ever higher up the mountain with its famous red torii (gates). Don't worry, though -- this is a private tour, so we'll only go as high as you want to! Along the way, we'll talk about what Shintoism, Japan's original religion, and we'll see plenty of significant sights aside from those red torii, too.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick up at any hotel in central Osaka, Kyoto or Kobe, is included at no extra charge. Additional charges for other location are as follows (Japanese yen, each way): Osaka port or Hyatt Regency Osaka, 3,250 Yen; Universal Studios area, 3,250 Yen; For Kansai Airport pickups, due to the distance and associated highway tolls, an extra 15,000 yen is asked.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Tour is priced per group. If you are 7 to 9 passengers, the price increase covers the larger vehicle. Even if you are less than 7, you can choose the 7 passengers and ride in the 9 passenger vehicle for extra space.
- If you have to bring your luggage with you to the tour, you can leave it in the trunk during the tour, subject to space constraints.
- The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day, traffic conditions and your preferable drop-off location.
- A moderate amount of walking is involved; comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- According to Japanese law, children under 6 years old or less than 140cm MUST use car seats. Be sure to request one in advance from us if required.
- Enjoy all the exciting stops described above and more on this private vehicle tour! The plan described is a model course, and there is the possibility for change based on our guests' interests. Timing and external factors (such as traffic conditions) may force deviations from this model course.
Reviews(38)
The tour was very nice and Hugo was very informative of all the sights we visited. He thought we had more time, but was able to adjust the pace and still get us back to the ship on time.
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re glad to hear that Hugo’s explanations helped make the sights more meaningful. Although the pace may have felt a little rushed toward the end, we’re happy he was able to adjust the schedule smoothly and ensure you returned to the ship on time. We truly appreciate your kind feedback.
We were on a Siversea cruise where one of the included tours in Osaka was to take one to Kyoto Station and return 5 hours later. We were both suffering from back problems so long walks and jostling on public transport was not right for us. The cost of a car with guide for 4 hours was eye watering. I searched the internet and found a guide who referred me to another guide. Our driver and guide was Hiroshi Oshima from Kyoto Limo Service. Hiro was great, we had some glitches at the start as I had problems with my phone. Eventually we connected and we saw everything we wanted to and Hiro showed us more on the way. His English is excellent and his explanations were interesting. It was also much cheaper than the ship's offering. We can highly recommend Hiro.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re glad to hear that arranging a private car and guide allowed you to explore comfortably, especially given your situation. Having the flexibility to adjust the pace and see what matters most is something we value, and it’s nice to know the day came together smoothly in the end!
We visited the key highlights even within our short stay. Our guide did a great job explaining the interesting history and also with tailoring each stop for us.
Thank you for exploring Kyoto with us during your short stay. We’re so pleased you were able to see the key highlights while also gaining meaningful historical context along the way. It’s wonderful to hear the guide adapted each stop to suit your interests — creating a personalized experience is something we truly value.😊
It was a great time for all! Thomas, our guide was amazing! He arrived on time ( actually a bit early) so we got an early start which was great due to the heat. Saw some amazing things in Kyoto, ate a delicious lunch at a restraint he recommended. All was great, highly recommend
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're glad to hear you enjoyed your day exploring Kyoto with us. In the heat of summer, a private vehicle really does make a big difference — especially when visiting spots like Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari. Thanks again for joining!
We had an absolutely fantastic time with Thomas on our Kyoto tour. The shrine and zen garden were absolutely beautiful. Had a nice lunch in town and could explore the interesting shops. Explored Gion which was really beautiful and then loved the walk through the Torii gates. Thomas was a fantastic guide. So thoughtful and knowledgeable, he explained everything and made it very interesting for the kids. We really loved it and would highly recommend this tour (as well as Thomas) to anyone.
Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful experience. Your Kyoto tour sounds like a truly enriching journey from strolling through tranquil shrines and zen gardens, exploring the charming streets of Gion, to walking beneath the iconic Torii gates. It’s a beautiful reflection of Kyoto’s cultural depth and natural elegance. We’re so glad the day provided both a peaceful escape and meaningful exploration for your whole family. These kinds of immersive experiences are what we love to offer where every stop adds a new layer of appreciation for Japan’s heritage. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to helping you create more memorable adventures across Japan.
Excellent tour of Kyoto. Lots of walking but worth it. Brian was a great tour guide. Would recommend this tour anytime!!!
Thank you for your review, Ricardo. We're happy that you enjoyed our Kyoto tour with Bryan. It sounds like all the walking was worth it! We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again.
We had such a wonderful time on this tour! Our guide Tomas (sp?) was friendly and spoke perfect English. He showed us several of the main tourist sites in Kyoto and shared stories about the city as we traveled between them. He was quick to jump in to offer to take our pictures throughout the day. He was very flexible and compassionate about dealing with our various mobility challenges and did his best to minimize the amount of walking we needed to do. We started the day a bit concerned since it was cold and rainy, plus we knew there would be large crowds due to the local spring break. However our fears were misplaced because we had a wonderful time. The day is a treasured memory of our time in Japan!
Thank you for your thoughtful review! It’s great to hear you had such a memorable time in Kyoto with Thomas. Despite the rainy weather and crowds, it's wonderful that he made the day enjoyable and comfortable during your visit in Kyoto. We'd love to welcome you on another tour in the future.
Hugo was an amazing guide. He had incredible knowledge and was fun to be with for a whole day. Pinpoint was flexible in adjusting the itinerary for our specific interests. We really enjoyed our excursion.
We're so glad to hear you had a great day with Hugo! He really knows how to make the experience both fun and insightful. That’s exactly what we aim for. We’d love to have you join us on another tour in the future!
Pinpoint traveler really had their game on for this tour! Great, continuous upfront communications once the tour was booked and the day of the tour, our tour guide took ill. Pinpoint travel (Kristi) was all over it, regrouping their resources, communicating to us as well as the hotel to ensure that the delay was communicated and all in it was like a 30-minute delay. Our guide showed up, ready to rock and off we went. We had book this tour in hopes of catching the fall colors as well as the many attractions in Kyoto and nothing disappointed. Our guide was highly knowledgeable, had incredible insight on paths better taken to avoid the crowds and still see all the many wonders that were on the list to visit. The fall colors were in full bloom and gave the awe-inspiring tour and extra bit more love to an amazing adventure. This was a last tour of our Japan adventure and it was definitely a case of saving the best for last. Cannot recommend this tour & company enough.
What a fantastic review—thank you for sharing your experience! It’s so great to hear how smoothly Pinpoint Traveler handled the unexpected hiccup, ensuring your tour started with minimal delay. The fall colors in Kyoto are truly magical, and it sounds like your guide’s expertise made the day even better, finding the best spots and avoiding the crowds. We’re thrilled this tour was the perfect finale to your Japan adventure. Thank you for recommending us so highly—we hope to see you again on another journey!
My family and I had an awesome trip around Kyoto with Kevin! The weather was absolutely perfect, allowing us to fully enjoy the breathtaking autumn colors. Every stop was more stunning than the last, with Kevin expertly guiding us to the best spots to take in the seasonal beauty. The food was another highlight—delicious and perfectly matched to the atmosphere of Kyoto. Kevin’s recommendations were spot on, and the meal felt like a cultural experience in itself. Kevin is a fantastic guide—knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. He went above and beyond to make the trip enjoyable and informative. I highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to explore Kyoto in the best way possible!
Thank you for the kind words! It’s great to hear you and your family had such a memorable day in Kyoto with Kevin. Perfect weather, stunning autumn colors, and a meal that felt like a cultural experience—sounds like a dream! Kevin’s passion for sharing the best of Kyoto really shines through. Thanks for recommending us, and we hope to see you again!
