Kyoto 6hr Instagram Highlights Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Description
Make your Instagram followers envious as you explore Kyoto on a customizable day trip to its most recognizable hotspots! Kyoto is synonymous with Old Japan, and it is indeed where you’ll be able to find many picture opportunities. You are going to check out the places with the best Kyoto aesthetic and it will be a treat for your eyes and your Instagram followers. From shrines to street art, this city is loaded with photogenic spots. Grab your camera and get your hashtags ready, here are the most Instagrammable places in Kyoto! The best thing about this day trip is that you choose the exact experience that you want. We will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you. Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Togetsukyo Bridge spans 155 meters across the Katsura River connecting Saga Arashiyama. What makes it a picture-perfect spot is the scenic footpath and lush hills projecting in the background. Can you imagine how magnificent this spot transforms each season?
Bamboo Forest of Arashiyama is one of the most famous and iconic scenery in Japan. The view of the path through the bamboo grove is simply breathtaking. As it’s a top photography site in Kyoto for the past years, the Bamboo Forest tends to get extremely crowded during day, so if you wish to take pictures with the empty path, it’s better to hit the place before anybody else in early morning!
Kiyomizudera is one of the most stunning temples in Kyoto. The temple is conveniently located at the center of scenic greenery. But right from its large open-air wooden terrace is another experience as you will be treated with a wonderful view of Kyoto in all its glory. Kyoto Localized offers a free walking tour in Kyoto where English-speaking local tour guides will bring you to Kiyomizudera and few other landmarks in the city.
One of the most iconic sites in Kyoto is Yasaka Pagoda, a 5-story, 46-meter structure standing tall inside Buddhist Hokanji Temple (now gone) in Higashiyama. Yasaka Pagoda is hard to miss if you are strolling around Gion and Higashiyama. Anywhere around the area where Yasaka Pagoda can be seen makes for a great Instagram photo.
Gion District in Kyoto is known as the home ground of Geisha and Maiko girls as the area developed as the city’s entertainment district for many years ago. Gion is also famous for the beautifully preserved historical streetscape with traditional wooden merchant houses. It’s highly recommended to visit at day and night as you can see more bustling atmosphere during the day, and at night the streets of Gion is much more quiet in dimmed lights.
Of course, we are not wrapping this roundup up without Fushimi Inari Shrine — one of Kyoto’s most tagged places on Instagram. This iconic Shinto shrine is home to more than 1,000 vermillion torii gates — something that you’ve probably seen all over Instagram.
Kenninji Temple (建仁寺) locates very close to the bustle of Hanamikoji and Shijo streets, the grounds of Kenninji Temple are expansive and pleasant to walk, and the two karesansui (dry landscape gardens) here offer the visitor an oasis of tranquility. It is thought to be the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.
Byodoin Temple(平等院) is known for its Phoenix Hall, which is a National Treasure of Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Extra travel time is expected as it is located in Uji city in Kyoto prefecture
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 5 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
Reviews(21)
The experience and tour were excellent allowing us to customize according to our desires. The customer service was very flexible and accommodated a late change in reservation due to an error in booking. The guide, Kei, was thoughtful in taking us to the shrines and temples and explaining the history and cultural significance of each. This was a very positive cultural experience and I would recommend it to you.
Thank you for your nice review. I was amazed that you had already researched Kyoto's geography in detail and appreciate that you told me where you wanted to visit. All of these places are along just one street, Higashi-yama Street, so it helped me make the iteneray easily and we were able to visit them efficeintely. I enjoyed guiding you, walking along Philosopher's Pass and chatting about various topics. I appreciate your kindness during the tour. Kei
This was one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had, and that’s entirely thanks to our incredible guide, Hiroko. From the very start, Hiroko made the day feel efficient and genuinely special. Every stop was perfectly timed, every route thoughtfully planned, and we avoided crowds while still hitting the most iconic, photogenic spots. I walked away with incredible photos that I'll cherish forever. Kyoto is stunning on its own, but experiencing it like this elevated everything to another level. A can't miss!
Wow! Thank you for the excellent review. During the tour, l learned a lot of you. I’m looking forward to seeing you again! - Hiro
Excellent Guide fun Tour was able to see a lot of of the highlights of Kyoto
We booked this tour as part of our honeymoon trip to Kyoto, and we’re so glad we did as it covered everything we wanted to see! No worrying about what train to get or directions to get there, we could just take in all the sights. Yoshii our guide was brilliant, so knowledgable and friendly, we really enjoyed getting to know him during our tour. Yoshii was also on hand to take some fantastic photos of us which was super helpful! Thank you so much Yoshii! 10/10 tour :)
Thanks for your nice review. I hope you will visit Japan more frequently and enjoy not only history and culture but also beautiful nature in local areas. Thanks and best regards. Yoshii Kenichi
We booked this tour as part of our honeymoon trip to Kyoto, and we’re so glad we did as it covered everything we wanted to see! No worrying about what train to get or directions to get there, we could just take in all the sights. Yoshii our guide was brilliant, so knowledgable and friendly, we really enjoyed getting to know him during our tour. Yoshii was also on hand to take some fantastic photos of us which was super helpful! Thank you so much Yoshii! 10/10 tour :)
My son and I had Kaz as our guide. He was very flexible with our needs, very informative of all locations. Great with my 8 year olds inquisitive mind. We had a wonderful day
Thank you very much for providing a wonderful review! It was a pleasure for me to escort you and your son throughout the city of Kyoto and I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour. I appreciate your kind words and wish you all the best! Kaz
We enjoyed visiting the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Golden Temple, and shopping/eating at the Gion District.
Thank you for your nice review for me. I appreciate your kindness and great cooperation during the tour. I couldn’t spend so much time in Gion District since we had run out of time at the entrance of Gion. I hope you could enjoy walking around the area and I’m sure the tour this time will be a good starting point for your children to learn foreign cultures. Thank you again, Kazuo Sumi
As this was our first trip to Kyoto we needed a lot of help with planning our day. Satoko was brilliant! We corresponded beforehand and she provided a schedule for us covering as many sights as she possibly could, suggesting how we could make the most of our visit. She is very knowledgeable of history and had plenty of interesting facts at each location. Her English is impeccable. I doubt that we would have seen so much without her expertise. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Dear My guests, Thank you so much for your message. I am very glad to hear from you again. Did you enjoy the dinner after we parted? I hope that you safely went back to your country and shared your memory in Japan with your family. I also enjoyed the tour with you. Both of you were very kind to me. It was my first to attend my guests to Fushii Inari Shrine at night time. I was also fascinated with the beautiful scenery there. I took your picture in the One Thousand Torii Gates which was lit up. If you or your acquaintance have an opportunity to come to Japan, I am willing to show you around. Please take care of yourselves. Have a nice day! Sincerely, Satoko
Last March, we visited Kyoto, and our tour guide, Rich, made our trip unforgettable. He was an absolute pleasure to meet, offering invaluable insights into the culture and history of the city. We had an amazing time, capturing countless memorable moments in photographs. Highly recommended! Thank you, Rich!
We appreciate your kind feedback and our guides do too! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with your guide. We look forward to your next visit to Japan. Japan Guide Agency
We have been with many tours and Mr Tanaka was simply the best. He made our Kyoto trip memorable and we enjoyed not just the view but with his company as well. A definitely 5 🌟 rating. Arigatou, Tanaka-san. - Justin
Thank you very much for your very positive remarks on my guiding I made for you and your family here the other day or an early New Year’s Day. It is a great honor and delight for a guide to hear via the agent involved such a warm-hearted nice comment on his performance. Wishing you all the best while hoping to see you again anytime, anywhere. Sincerely yours Masaaki Tanaka
