Kyoto Early Bird English Tour: Fushimi Inari & Gion(Private opt)
Description
Visit Kyoto’s top five sights before the crowds arrive! Explore the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, enjoy breathtaking views from Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and stroll through the geisha districts of Gion. Your English-speaking local guide will share Kyoto’s rich history and culture while capturing beautiful photos for lasting memories. Perfect for travelers wanting to experience Kyoto’s highlights efficiently!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Fushimi Inari is one of Kyoto's most iconic Shrines, known for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates that form scenic pathways up the forested Mount Inari. Dedicated to Inari, the god of rice and prosperity.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is the most popular place for tourists and a must visit when in Kyoto. Located on top of a mountain, it commands a panoramic view of Kyoto City. Because of its history and scenery, it is one of the few temples recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka are charming stone-paved streets lined with souvenir shops and restaurants nestled in historic wooden buildings. Strolling through them feels like stepping back in time.
Yasaka Pagoda(Hokanji temple) is one of the oldest wooden structures in Japan. Its overwhelming scale makes it hard to believe that it was built without using nails. It is undoubtedly a symbol of Kyoto.
Yasaka Koshindo is a mysterious temple of unknown date of construction. The colorful decorations here are astonishing, as many temples are of subdued colors. The beauty of the colors makes it a popular photo spot for young people.
Gion is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, known for its traditional wooden machiya houses, teahouses, and preserved historic streets. It’s a place where visitors can experience the charm of old Kyoto and sometimes catch a glimpse of a geisha or maiko on their way to an evening engagement.
Our final destination is Yasaka Shrine, the headquarters of 2,300 related shrines throughout Japan. This historic shrine, dedicated to the gods of prosperity and protection, has been a vital part of Kyoto's cultural heritage for centuries.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour is designed as a WALKING experience, using public transportation and plenty of time on foot to explore Kyoto.
- If you are late for the meeting time, you will not be able to join the tour or receive a refund.
Reviews(160)
Juntaro(Jay) was an excellent guide and gave us a great tour of the city. We met him early(7am), which let us best both the crowds and the heat. He was very friendly and knowledgeable and followed up afterwards with lots of other helpful info about Kyoto. The tour was great and alllowes is to focus on the sites and history instead of the logistics. I highly recommend it
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had a wonderful experience exploring Kyoto with Ikki Kataoka! He was friendly, knowledgeable, and explained the history and culture of each place in a very interesting way. He also took some really beautiful photos of us, which made the experience even more memorable. The tour was well organized, relaxed, and enjoyable from start to finish. We highly recommend Ikki to anyone visiting Kyoto. Thank you for making our trip so special!
Our guide Mariko-san is fantastic. Personable and friendly. She is very knowledegable. The tour was our highlight on the trip to Japan.
Mariko-san is fantastic. Personable and friendly. She is very knowledegable. The tour was our highlight on the trip to Japan.
My family and I had a wonderful experience in our private guided tour of Kyoto temples and shrines. The early start meant fewer crowds, quieter visits, better photo ops, and faster access to the sites and trains. It may have helped that we toured on a weekday. Our tour guide Ikki was very friendly, generous, knowledgeable, helped us with family photos, and even squeezed in an extra temple near by because my family were brisk with visits. We learned and practiced rituals though were not pressured to. We covered a lot of ground which helps when your visiting from so far and with limited days but secure to e perigee as many things in Kyoto as possible, the value in having a private tour meant we could move at the pace we desired and asked all the questions we desired and could hear the guide well due to the small, more intimate size. This tour was thee highlight of our stay in Kyoto and we think anyone who enjoys learning and experiencing culture would have a wonderful and memorable time.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and wonderful review! We're truly delighted to hear that your family had such a memorable experience exploring Kyoto with Ikki. It's especially rewarding to know that the early morning tour allowed you to enjoy the temples and shrines with fewer crowds, making your visit more relaxed and enjoyable. We're also pleased that the flexibility of the private tour made a difference—from adjusting the pace to fit your family's interests to adding an extra temple along the way. Creating a personalized experience is one of the things we value most, and we're so glad it helped make your time in Kyoto even more special. Your kind words about Ikki's friendliness, knowledge, and hospitality mean a great deal to us. We'll be sure to share your wonderful feedback with him, and we're sure he'll be thrilled to know that he helped make your visit such a memorable one. Thank you for choosing OTAKU hopper. We're honored that the tour was the highlight of your stay in Kyoto, and we sincerely hope to welcome you and your family back to Japan for another unforgettable adventure in the future! Warm regards, OTAKU hopper
We had a wonderful time with our guide Kai! We had two young kids and he was very accommodating. He took fantastic photos of our family. We would love to visit again and if so, we would call Kai!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you and your family had such a great time with Kai. It's especially rewarding to know that he helped make the tour enjoyable for your young children and captured so many wonderful family memories through his photos. Your kind words mean a great deal to us, and we'll be sure to share them with Kai. We would be honored to welcome your family back to Japan in the future, and Kai would be thrilled to guide you again! Thank you for choosing OTAKU hopper. We truly appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you again on your next visit! Warm regards, OTAKU hopper
Mariko was a great guide and knowledgeable. She also recommended some good restaurants for lunch after tour. Highly recommend early morning private tour to have cooler weather, and to avoid some of the crowds, which was better for pictures. This is a metro/walking tour.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had a great experience with Mariko. It's wonderful to know that her knowledge and recommendations helped make your day in Kyoto even more enjoyable. We're also glad you enjoyed the early morning tour. Exploring Kyoto before the crowds arrive and while the weather is cooler is one of the best ways to experience the city's beauty, especially for taking memorable photos. Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing OTAKU hopper. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back to Japan for another unforgettable adventure in the future! Warm regards, OTAKU hopper
Many thanks for a lovely tour experience. Mariko san is a fantastic guide. We enjoyed her insights and expertise shared during our time together. We experienced it all at a relaxing and fun pace. She shared the culture and history in a thoughtful way and allowed us time to enjoy the natural beauty of Kyoto. The recommendations provided to continue our journey following our time together are a great benefit. I highly recommend this experience to make the most of your Kyoto visit.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had such an enjoyable experience with Mariko. Creating tours that are both informative and relaxing is something we strive for, and it is wonderful to know that her insights, expertise, and thoughtful storytelling helped make your time in Kyoto so memorable. We are especially pleased that you were able to enjoy Kyoto’s rich culture, history, and natural beauty at a comfortable pace. We believe that meaningful travel experiences come not only from learning about a destination but also from having the opportunity to fully appreciate its atmosphere and surroundings. It is also great to hear that Mariko’s recommendations were helpful as you continued your journey through Kyoto. Helping guests make the most of their visit, both during and after the tour, is something we are passionate about. Thank you for your kind recommendation and for choosing OTAKU hopper. We truly appreciate your support and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Kyoto again in the future. Warm regards, OTAKU hopper Team
We booked a private tour with Ikki Kataoka. Ikki speaks perfect English (American education), is extremely knowledgeable (born and raised in Kyoto), caters to every individual request, and is very helpful. We also experienced him as a very interested and pleasant conversational partner with his guests. He brings his own camera and knew exactly where we needed to stand to take truly sensational photos. We can and will highly recommend Ikki.
Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review! We are truly delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience with Ikki. Providing personalized experiences tailored to each guest's interests is one of our core values, and it is wonderful to know that his local knowledge, flexibility, and attention to your individual wishes helped make your time in Kyoto so memorable. We are especially grateful for your kind words about Ikki's passion for connecting with guests. Creating meaningful conversations and sharing authentic insights about Kyoto and Japan are important parts of the experience, and we are pleased that you found him to be both knowledgeable and enjoyable company throughout the tour. It is also fantastic to hear that you were happy with the photographs. Capturing special moments at the best locations is something Ikki takes great pride in, and we are thrilled that you now have such memorable images to remember your visit. Thank you for your warm recommendation and for choosing OTAKU hopper. Your support means a great deal to us, and we sincerely hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back to Japan again in the future. Warm regards, OTAKU hopper Team
Mariko was great!! We really enjoyed get explanations and her kindness
Thank you very much for your kind review. We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great experience with Mariko. It’s wonderful to know that her explanations and kindness made your tour enjoyable. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again in the future. Warm regards, OTAKU hopper Team
