From Tokyo to Kyoto and Nara: A Captivating Full-Day Private Tour
Description
Tour itinerary is planned based on hiring a car/ van for 9 hours to cover (cash to the driver in JPY or USD):5 passengers: ¥110, 000, 7 passengers: ¥140, 000,more than 7 please let me know in advance) Within a day from Tokyo, you can have the chance to explore both top temple and shrine in Kyoto and Nara deers park and Todaiji temple . Itenerary (customizable): 08:30(In case of Tokyo station meeting,extra ¥60,000, please notify the guide 2 days before the tour about the meeting point wether Tokyo or Kyoto) Tokyo Station (Yasue central entrance),help you to buy the bullet train tickets and heading to Kyoto using bullet train/Shinkansen 11:00 Meet at Kyoto station and move to Nara 12:30 Nara deers park 13:00 Todaiji temple 14:30 Back to Kyoto 16:30 Lunch break 17:30 Fushimi Inari shrine 18:30 Back to Kyoto station,take bullet train to Tokyo 21:30 Arrive Tokyo and tour finish
Tour Options
Itinerary
Enjoy a leisurely walk through Nara Deer Park, a serene haven where you can interact with Japan’s beloved deer. As you wander through the lush, expansive park, friendly deer roam freely, adding a unique charm to your experience. These gentle animals, considered sacred in Japanese culture, are accustomed to visitors and will approach you for a friendly nibble of the special deer crackers available for purchase. Marvel at the park's picturesque landscape, with its expansive lawns and seasonal blooms providing a perfect backdrop. The tranquil setting, combined with the opportunity to connect with these graceful creatures, makes for a delightful and memorable stroll in one of Japan’s most cherished natural spaces.
Immerse yourself in the splendor of Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Shrine on your Nara tour. At Todaiji Temple, marvel at the Great Buddha Hall, housing one of the world’s largest bronze Buddha statues, a monumental masterpiece that embodies the grandeur of Japanese Buddhist art. The temple’s vast wooden structure and serene surroundings create a profound and awe-inspiring experience.
Nishiki Market in Kyoto is a vibrant and bustling spot perfect for a lunch break, offering a wide variety of fresh, local foods. You can sample everything from crispy tempura to savory grilled skewers, or enjoy a steaming bowl of Kyoto-style noodles. The market is known for its diverse selection of street food, such as mochi, pickles, and traditional sweets, making it a great place to try something new. As you wander through the narrow lanes, the atmosphere is filled with the tempting aromas of freshly prepared dishes. Whether you're in the mood for a quick bite or a leisurely stroll through food stalls, Nishiki Market delivers an authentic taste of Kyoto's culinary culture.
Immerse yourself in the historic charm of Gion with our exclusive tour. Stroll through Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, renowned for its traditional wooden machiya houses and vibrant cultural heritage. Wander along picturesque streets like Hanami-koji and Shirakawa, where you might catch a glimpse of geisha and maiko in their elegant kimonos. Discover the area's rich history, visit local teahouses, and enjoy the unique atmosphere of old Kyoto. This tour offers a captivating glimpse into the heart of Kyoto’s cultural and historic essence.
Embark on a spiritual journey at Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its thousands of iconic red torii gates that create a mesmerizing path through lush forest trails. Discover the beauty and mystique of this ancient Shinto shrine, dedicated to the deity of rice and prosperity, with stunning views and serene surroundings. Perfect for hikers and culture enthusiasts, this tour offers an unforgettable blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage in Kyoto.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(21)
We arrived in Kyoto by train at 10am and were met by our guide Noriko on the platform. The train from Tokyo took 2hrs 15mins. We then went to the shrine with the orange Tori gates first and learned about its history and significance. We then had a 45 minute drive to Nara Park where we fed the deer and visited the various shrines including seeing the Great Buddha. We had an excellent Japanese hot pot style lunch in Nara town before returning to downtown Kyoto to visit Gion and see the Geisha district and many shops selling locally made goods such as sweets and gifts. We were dropped back in plenty of time to get drinks and snacks before boarding our train home at 7pm. Our guide was great - so knowledgable about everywhere we visited and bought along papers to show us pictures of artefacts and similar. As others have said - take note the price doesn’t include the driver who you have to pay in cash at YEN 110,000 for 8 hours (about £450 for English visitors) and it doesn’t include the Bullet train tickets which are about £125 per person return. We booked our own bullet train tickets (Shinkansen) which was quite straight forward and you can buy online in English and then you get a QR code as your ticket to get on and off the train. If you feel confident to do this you won’t need to pay for the guide to meet you in Tokyo and escort you to the bullet train which was a further YEN60,000 (£270) option that we did not use. It was a very long day out but we felt it was worth it to see another Japanese city whilst we were staying in Tokyo and the children we desperate to go to the infamous Nara Park - they were not disappointed!
My guide Yukari, in Kyoto, was so knowledgeable and interactive. The tour was fun and great. She made the whole experience worth it.
Initially we were baffled by a mix-up in the language, but in the end it proved beautiful the day, our guide a crack. Thanks Eduardo we had an excellent time! One day is not enough to be in Kyoto, beautiful place.
Coordination between tour company and guide was poor. Guide command of English and understanding of our questions limited. For the cost expected better
Toshimi was an amazing local guide! Please read the description thoroughly. Your payment at booking is for your guide, then you will pay your driver a separate fee which was 110,000 yen. I was initially confused during communication on why I was confirming an additional 110k but all of my questions were answered kindly and patiently until I understood. It was wonderful having a driver and separate dedicated guide actually walking around with us at each site and teaching the history of Kyoto/Nara along the drive. We had specific sites we wanted to see and our guide was very accommodating. He was actually grateful of our request to start at the Fushimi Inari well before the crowds. We scheduled our pick up from a hotel in Kyoto at 6:30a (we took the train in the night before). This is a long day therefore we stopped at a convenience store for snacks on the way to Nara and another stop for lunch which added to the overall experience. 10/10 highly recommend. Company and guide communicate via WhatsApp with ease.
Our guide was knowledgeable and ensued we cover everything in Kyoto and Nara. A must do tour! In Kyoto.
Thank you Aisha and wishing to meet you again in Kyoto
Fantastic day with deer and Todaiji temple. The guide and driver were very friendly and kind. Thank you Ahmed for arranging it
Delighted to hear about your fantastic day! Thank you for your kind words about Ahmed and the driver. We hope the memories of Nara last a long time.
We went to Nara from Osaka and do not regret it. Hira our guide was excellent in taking us around the deer parks and the big temple. The weather made it a perfect day for us. Thank you Ahmed for arranging and thank you Hira for being a friendly guide.
Thanks a lot and looking forward to serving you again in Japan
It was my first time in Japan and it was a business trip, so I had only one day to visit Kyoto. I wanted a well-planned tour from the hotel pickup till return, so that I don't buy train tickets myself, etc. I changed the iternary twice until it was perfect. Imen met me in the hotel lobby, took to the train station, bought the round trip tickets and saw me off to the train car. She was very helpful. Kazz was already waiting for me as the train arrived. Our comfortable car with a driver was also ready. Kazz is a fantastic guide with great passion and very knowledgable. We visited all the places according to the plan. Besides Kazz took meto a very good local restaurant. Also he helped to take pictures showing the best places and told stories from his life. He saw me off to the train station and helped to change tickets for a different time. Highly appreciated!
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We are so pleased to hear that Imen and Kazz provided such seamless and passionate service, making your short trip to Kyoto so memorable. Looking forward to serving you again in Japan.
Our Kyoto and Nara tour was fantastic. Yuka was an excellent guide. She shared so much insight into history and culture both past and present in Japan. The temple in Nara was amazing. The Nara deer were so cute but if you plan to feed them, be prepared as they can get kinda aggressive. In Kyoto we enjoyed the Fushimi Inari shire and walked through some (but not all) the Torii gates. We went to the Motorikyu Nijo Castle and learned about the samurai, then enjoyed the old town and learned about Geisha. We even saw an actual Geisha! This was a long day trip from Tokyo even on the Shinkansen and high cost isn’t to be overlooked (tour, car/driver, train to/from Tokyo -Kyoto) but worth the experience to get out to see another area of Japan in 1 day!!!
Yuka is one of our best guides and we are more than happy to see you enjoyed your tour. Our company always hire those who add a lot to your time in Japan. Thank you so much for your woderful words.
