Kyoto Private Car Tour with Optional Nara or Osaka Add-Ons
Description
Start your day in Kyoto and choose from three private tour options: * Kyoto 1-Day Highlights Tour * Kyoto & Nara Tour * Kyoto & Osaka Tour For sample itineraries, please see photos 3, 4, and 5. Each tour is a fully private car experience for your group only. I’m a Japanese local, born and raised in Kyoto. My goal is to make the day feel relaxed and personal—more like exploring Japan with a local friend than joining a typical sightseeing tour. There’s no need to rush. I can adjust the day to your pace, whether you prefer less walking, are traveling with children, or want to spend more time at certain places. I’ll also share local insights and, whenever possible, take you to local restaurants away from the busiest tourist areas. If you’ve already visited certain places, prefer quieter spots, or have other requests, I’ll suggest the best route for you!
Tour Options
Itinerary
We will explore Japan’s most famous bamboo forest. If you would like this itinerary, please select the “Kyoto one day ” option when making your reservation.
We will visit Golden Temple "Golden Pavilion". If you would like this itinerary, please select the “Kyoto one day tour option” option when making your reservation.
This shrine is included in all options. Start the day at Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari Shrine, where thousands of red torii gates create one of the most photogenic spots in Japan. Walk through the tunnels of gates while your local guide shares fun stories and hidden facts. After soaking up the peaceful vibe, we’ll head out to Nara by private car.
If you would like this itinerary, please select the “Kyoto Nara Private Tour ” option when making your reservation. Meet Nara’s most famous residents—friendly deer that roam freely in the park. Feed them, take cute selfies, and enjoy some relaxed time under the trees. This part of the tour is free time, so feel free to explore, take photos, or simply enjoy the peaceful vibe. You can join the guide for lunch or choose a local restaurant on your own. It’s a great moment to slow down and enjoy Nara at your own pace.
If you would like this itinerary, please select the “Kyoto Nara Private Tour ” option when making your reservation. Visit Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks. Step inside the world’s largest wooden building and come face to face with Japan’s Great Buddha, a giant bronze statue standing over 15 meters tall. Your guide will explain the temple’s rich history, how it was built in the 8th century, and its spiritual meaning in Japanese Buddhism. We’ll also show you some fun hidden details—like the famous “healing pillar”—and help you find the best angles for impressive photos.
We will visit Kiyomizu temple. If you would like this itinerary, please select the “Kyoto one day tour option” option when making your reservation.
We will visit Nishiki Market. If you would like this itinerary, please select the “Kyoto one day tour option” option when making your reservation.
A charming historic street lined with traditional wooden houses, small shops, and cafés near Kiyomizu-dera.
Geisha Gion district : A historic geisha district known for traditional wooden machiya houses, teahouses, and atmospheric streets.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We offer free pickup from any hotel within Kyoto City, even if your accommodation does not appear in the list of selectable options. After your booking is confirmed, we will contact you to arrange the exact pickup location—so please rest assured. If you have a preferred drop-off point after the tour, feel free to let us know. We are happy to accommodate your request whenever it fits naturally with the day’s itinerary.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(71)
Our tour guide, Katsu, was awesome. The tour itself was informative and so much fun. Also, he took us to the best vegan restaurant for lunch and recommended an amazing Omakase restaurant for dinner and made the reservation. I highly recommend this tour with Katsu!
Today was our favorite day of this nearly 3 week trip. A day with Katsu feels like having a friend show you around the city. It couldn’t have been easier to see all the famous spots even with a 1.5 year old. When I come back to Japan I’ll be hiring him again.
Katsu was our driver/guide. He was born and raised in Kyoto and knows the city in and out! He was quite pleasant and easy to talk to. He gave us a lot of insights at each location. He also took us to lesser known temples to avoid large crowds. Hence, the tour is very customizable. I think also the price of the tour is much better than most others. Lastly, he went out of his way to take us back to our hotel to get our luggage and drop us off at the Kyoto Station.
We had the best day out with Katsu! He is super friendly, a good driver, and took amazing care of us. Highly, highly recommend!
Katsu was amazing. Very good English, excellent knowledge about the area and very friendly. He engaged with each member of the family and asked about their life and shared his. We had a fantastic time and would highly recommend his tour.
Katsu was thoughtful and patient with our family. My 79 year old mother was not doing well in the heat, so he quickly changed up the itinerary to suit her needs and it was greatly appreciated. He is fun and knowledgeable as well as flexible. He took us to a lovely soba restaurant for lunch. Great tour!
Katsu was great! He was so nice and knowledgeable. Great at knowing where to go get best views, photos, etc. Our whole family liked him a lot.
Excellent guided tour on our first day in Kyoto. We got to see 4 of the main sites around Kyoto by our friendly guide with detailed knowledge of the city and sites. Driving tour is a great way to see sites a bit outside main city. Got great follow up with ideas for what to do in the following days.
We had THE best day with Katsu. We got to see alllllllll the sites on my list AND take a stop at the top shaved ice place in Kyoto. Make sure Katsu takes you- it’s phenomenal. He’s going to laugh if I send tons of people asking for shaved ice vs temples but again , we got To see the entire city. He took amazing photos of us and was a great guide. The car was super nice and clean and he was also kind and quite funny!!
Katsu was the absolute best! This was such a comfortable and easy tour. Katsu allows you to customize your experience how you’d like and was very kind and fun. My son absolutely loved him, would recommend to anyone looking to see Kyoto.
