Private Kyoto Customizable Day Tour with English Speaking Driver
Description
Explore Kyoto in Comfort and Style! Discover the timeless beauty of Kyoto on our exclusive, private day trip by car. Tailored just for you, we create a personalized itinerary based on your interests, allowing you to enjoy Kyoto’s iconic sights at your own pace. Visit renowned landmarks such as Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, and the tranquil bamboo forest of Arashiyama all in one day! The itinerary can be customized based on your requests.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Arashiyama, located in western Kyoto, Japan, is a picturesque district renowned for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. It is best known for the iconic Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where visitors can walk through a mesmerizing pathway lined with towering bamboo stalks. The area is also home to the historic Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning gardens, and the scenic Togetsukyo Bridge, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Arashiyama’s charm is especially captivating during the cherry blossom season in spring and the vibrant autumn foliage, making it a popular destination year-round.
Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, was originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. After his death, the villa was converted into a Zen Buddhist temple. The structure reflects a blend of traditional Japanese and Chinese architectural styles. Although the original building was destroyed by arson in 1950, it was rebuilt in 1955, with the top two floors covered in gold leaf, symbolizing purity and enlightenment.
Nishiki Market (Nishiki Ichiba) is a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi. Nishiki Market has a pleasant but busy atmosphere that is inviting to those who want to explore the variety of culinary delights that Kyoto is famous for. The stores found throughout the market range in size from small narrow stalls to larger two story shops. Most specialize in a particular type of food, and almost everything sold at the market is locally produced and procured.
Gion (祇園) is Kyoto's most famous geisha district, located around Shijo Avenue between Yasaka Shrine in the east and the Kamo River in the west. It is filled with shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain.
One of Japan's most well-known temples is Kiyomizudera, which translates to "Pure Water Temple". It got its name from the pristine waters of the Otowa Waterfall, which is located on the forested hillsides east of Kyoto, where it was established in 780. The temple established the Kita Hosso sect in 1965 after first being connected to the Hosso sect, one of the oldest schools of Japanese Buddhism. The temple was included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The most notable feature of Kiyomizudera is its wooden stage, which protrudes 13 meters over the surrounding hillside from the main hall. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant view of the many cherry and maple trees below, which burst into a sea of color, from the stage.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of Kyoto's most iconic Shinto shrines, dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice, prosperity, and business. Founded in 711 AD, it is famous for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates(senbon torii) that form tunnels along the trails leading up Mount Inari. These gates, donated by individuals and businesses, symbolize gratitude and prayers for success. The shrine is also known for its fox statues, believed to be Inari’s messengers. Visitors often hike the path up the mountain, which offers scenic views of Kyoto along the way.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Your driver can pickup you in Kyoto area and pick-up options available from Osaka, and Nara charging an additional fee of 20000 yen. This is a tour with an English-speaking driver.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This experience includes an English-speaking driver
- Special rides, cruises, and admission tickets aren’t included and can be purchased directly at each location.
Reviews(174)
We had an amazing tour in Kyoto with Malik. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the entire day enjoyable from start to finish. Malik shared fascinating information about the history, culture, and local traditions, while also making sure everyone felt comfortable and engaged. He was patient with our questions, gave great recommendations, and helped us experience Kyoto in a way we never could have on our own. His passion for the city really showed, and it made the tour both informative and memorable.We highly recommend Malik to anyone visiting Kyoto. Thank you for a wonderful day and for helping create such great memories!
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
Had a great experience, Malik was very knowledgeable and personable. The tour took us by all of the locations we wanted and never felt rushed.
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
Our tour guide Malik is punctual, professional, friendly and flexible with our family. He made our one day at Kyoto memorable.
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
A great way to get around Kyoto and see many sites in one day! Saved time with the back and forth travel to focus on the actual sites. Especially helpful when it was a rainy day.
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
Shawn was excellent and knowledgeable. Kind with my daughters and made our experiance a memorable one.
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
We had a fantastic experience with our driver and guide in Kyoto. He was incredibly flexible and accommodating, allowing us to adjust our schedule throughout the day based on what we wanted to see and how much time we wanted to spend at each location. He also provided excellent recommendations on timing, which helped us avoid crowds and make the most of our day. One thing we especially appreciated was that he walked us directly to the entrance of each site, making it easy to navigate and ensuring we always knew exactly where to go. His English was excellent, and he shared a wealth of knowledge about Kyoto's history, culture, and the places we visited, which made the experience much more meaningful. Beyond that, he was simply a warm, friendly person who was easy to talk to and made us feel comfortable throughout the tour. We would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a personalized and informative Kyoto experience.
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
Very efficient, clean and happy to drive us to all the places we wanted to see using our own customised itinerary. We skipped crowed areas because of Malik's local knowledge. We enjoyed the day ! Thank you
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
Mozam with Ashan Global Tours was simply the best tour guide and driver we have had in a long time, and we have used Viator extensively during our travels around the world. Mozam is a college student with a genuine passion for the history, culture, and hidden gems of Kyoto and the surrounding area. Before our tour, I provided him with a detailed list of places we hoped to see. I honestly did not expect we would be able to visit them all, but Mozam made it happen—and then exceeded our expectations by introducing us to several other points of interest that we would have otherwise missed. His planning and driving skills were exceptional. Navigating through busy city traffic with ease, he carefully mapped out the most efficient routes, minimizing time on the road and maximizing our time enjoying each destination. Every stop felt well thought out and perfectly timed. What truly set Mozam apart was his attentiveness and flexibility. Whenever we finished a location sooner than expected, he was immediately ready with the next destination. He also provided valuable tips and suggestions at every site, helping us avoid crowds, find the best viewpoints, and make the most of our visit. Those small insights enhanced our experience and saved us a lot of time. Thanks to Mozam, our visit to Osaka and Kyoto was one of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences of our trip to Japan. I highly recommend Ashan Global Tours and, if possible, specifically request Mozam as your guide. He is professional, knowledgeable, personable, and truly dedicated to ensuring his guests have an amazing experience. In fact, I have already recommended Mozam and this service to a friend who will be visiting Japan this December. Thank you, Mozam, for an unforgettable day and for showing us the absolute best of Osaka and Kyoto!
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
Incredible experience! Lots of walking lots of stairs… Not for the weak! Amazing tour guide! We really appreciated Malik!
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
The service was exceptional. Excellent excellent guide knowledgeable kind and interesting. Highly recommend him.
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
