Tours/Kyoto/Full-Day Sightseeing to Kyoto Highlights
Full-Day Sightseeing to Kyoto Highlights
4.9(80)Kyoto7h 30min
VIATOR5.0(39)TRIPADVISOR4.8(41)
+7 photos
At a glance
Duration
7h 30min
Price from
$162 / person
Location
Kyoto, Japan
Rating
4.9 / 5 · 80 reviews
Languages
JA, EN
Group
Small group, up to 7
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Mandala Japan Experience
Meeting point
At the pillar of Starbucks Kyoto Tower facing Kyoto Station. Please read the message we send you one day before the tour. We will send you the picture of our meeting point and the information regarding our guide.
Description
(This is a walking tour)
Perfectly designed for travelers with packed schedule and limited time in Kyoto. We are offering you not just sightseeing, visiting the tourist spot, and know the history of the spot, but also a deeper understanding about Japan, Japanese and their culture, their life philosophy and their minds. After the tour, you'll understand 'why it is very hard to find trash cans', or 'why Japan roads are so quiet' and the philosophy behind it. Even the smallest thing can be understandable if you join us.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
8:30 AM
Next available
Sun, Oct 25
Adult (ages 18–60)
$162
Senior (ages 61–85)
$162
Youth (ages 13–17)
$162
In demand: 11 of the next 30 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 16.
Tour Options
Full Day Kyoto Highlights 7 hours
Duration: 7 hours: 7 Hours and 30 minutes -ish
Typical Japanese Set Lunch
Bus: Train
Itinerary
Kyoto Station Building
30 min
We gather at the left side of the main entrance, after a brief introduction and explanation, we will ride on the train to Saga Arashiyama
100 min
60 mins
Enjoy the beautiful natural scenery of the bamboo forest, while learning about Japan, Japanese, and why them being them.
40 mins
We will hop on the bus/ train from Arashiyama to Kinkakuji
Kinkakuji Temple
Admission not included100 min
40 mins
Enter the 2nd most visited tourist spot in Japan, we will explain to you about Buddhism in Japan, the history of the temple, while taking pictures of you with breathtaking view.
60 mins
Next we will go to Gion with various modes of transportation
Shijo Kawaramachi
90 min
75 mins
Explore the shopping street of Kyoto, we will have lunch here and you can also enjoy the view of Japanese Shopping Arcade
15 mins
We will walk on foot across the Shijo Bridge while enjoying the view of Kamo river to reach Gion
Gion Shirakawa
70 min
60 mins
We will go the the quiet side of Gion, entertainment area in Japan where the Geisha works, enjoy the beautiful scenery, learning about Geiko and Maiko and their world, and who knows?! maybe you're lucky enough to meet them.
10 mins
Next we will take the train to Fushimi Inari Taisha
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
50 min
Explore the number one tourist spot in Japan, we will learn about what is shintoism, the place and it's history while passing through thousands of vermillion torii gate
Kyoto Station Building
10 min
We will ride on the train to reach Kyoto Station once again and bid our farewell. See you again!
What's included
Included
Walking Experience
Experienced Local guide
Not included
Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion
JR, Buses and Metros
Lunch
Tipping is not expected but appreciated
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
80 reviews
5
76
4
2
3
1
2
0
1
1
How it compares in Kyoto
Starting price $162 is 15% below the typical $191 for tours of similar length in Kyoto
Excurgo comparison of 1,628 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not Recommended for pregnant travelers more than first trimester
This is a walking tour, not recommended for people with bad leg
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Full-Day Sightseeing to Kyoto Highlights take?
Full-Day Sightseeing to Kyoto Highlights lasts about 7h 30min. The itinerary has 7 stops.
How much does Full-Day Sightseeing to Kyoto Highlights cost?
Prices start at $162 per person for this Kyoto experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Full-Day Sightseeing to Kyoto Highlights run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:30 AM.
Does Full-Day Sightseeing to Kyoto Highlights sell out?
It can: 11 of the next 30 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Full-Day Sightseeing to Kyoto Highlights for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is At the pillar of Starbucks Kyoto Tower facing Kyoto Station. Please read the message we send you one day before the tour. We will send you the picture of our meeting point and the information regarding our guide. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Full-Day Sightseeing to Kyoto Highlights offered in?
The experience is available in JA, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 7 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Full-Day Sightseeing to Kyoto Highlights worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 80 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Mandala Japan Experience.
Reviews(80)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4
418cassies
April 24, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Kyoto highlights
This was definitely the highlight of my Kyoto trip. It is a full day of walking, with the occasional train, which I thought was the best way to see the city. Inara was an amazing guide who clearly loves the city. I don't think I asked a single question that he couldn't answer, and he often had little tidbits of information that only locals would know. It made the trip super interesting. I really enjoyed seeing the highlights, from the bamboo Forest to the Golden Temple. He also showed me a really delicious spot for lunch, which I appreciated
T
Tetsu_S
April 3, 2026 · via Viator
Great tour with Indra!
This was my second time on this tour (first time was 2 years ago). Indra is a kind and very knowledgeable guide who made my entire family feel welcomed and engaged in the day.
If you want a memorable and fun day in Kyoto, I highly recommend this tour!
F
Francine C
March 20, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Best Tour Guide in Kyoto – Highly Recommend Ingrad!
Ingrad is by far the best tour guide we have ever had, and we have traveled extensively and experienced many guided tours. Our March 20 tour in Kyoto was truly one of the highlights of our trip to Japan.
From the moment we met him, he was incredibly attentive, professional, and genuinely focused on making sure we had the best possible experience. He was very in tune with our needs, adjusting the pace throughout the day and making sure we were comfortable at all times. Nothing ever felt rushed, yet we were able to see and experience so much.
His knowledge of Japan is outstanding. He shared not only historical facts, but also meaningful insights into Japanese culture, traditions, and everyday life. What really stood out was how clearly and engagingly he explained everything—he made complex history easy to understand and truly brought each location to life.
One of the most memorable parts of our experience was when he introduced us to the Japanese way of eating tonkatsu. He took the time to explain the proper way to enjoy it—from how to grind the sesame seeds, to mixing the sauce, and how everything is meant to be eaten together. It may seem like a small detail, but it gave us a deeper appreciation of Japanese dining culture and made the experience feel authentic and special.
Ingrad also went above and beyond by acting as our personal photographer. He always knew the perfect spots for photos and made sure we had beautiful pictures to remember our experience. This was such a thoughtful and unexpected touch that made the tour even more special.
He truly knows Japan inside and out—from navigating efficiently to avoiding crowds and even suggesting hidden gems we would never have discovered on our own. His attention to detail, warmth, and passion for what he does made the entire day seamless and enjoyable.
We would absolutely book with Ingrad again without hesitation. If you are considering a tour in Kyoto, I highly recommend requesting him—you will not be disappointed.
D
deanfB1661QP
May 7, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Great day of historic sites
A Great day, long walk and also using public transportation to visit recommended highlight around Kyoto with a knowledgeable guide with a stop in Nishi market for authentic food . Wholehearted recommendation
J
Julia_T
April 6, 2025 · via Viator
This was my first day in...
This was my first day in Japan. So it's good way to get some idea of different kind of transportations. I was the only guest on the day, so Indra helped take a lot of photos for me, which is good for a solo traveler. All in all, I enjoyed my new experience in Japan.
M
Mr G
March 10, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
An excellent day in Kyoto!
Kyoto is a magnificent city to visit with so much cultural heritage. The highlight of our tour was our guide Indra. He is originally from Indonesia but has lived in Japan for many years. He was very forthcoming with information and recommendations. He also gave us great insights into the Japanese culture and customs, not only from a Japanese point of view but also from an outsiders point of view which we appreciated. We highly recommend him.
S
sheripickering
January 19, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Great day out and about in Kyoto!
Great day out with Indra - easy pace, so many good sights, and excellent commentary, information, context and hot tips for best photo spots from our wonderful guide, Indra! Highly recommend this tour and Indra for anyone who wants to experience Kyoto.
A
Alexander N
January 5, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Highly recommended.
Very good experience. Our guide was very thorough and provided many insights and a pleasant atmosphere. Highly recommended if you don't mind walking.
M
Mia_J
December 28, 2024 · via Viator
On the day of my tour, I...
On the day of my tour, I was the only one booked so it ended up essentially being a private tour. The guide spoke great English, was very knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions I had. It was a great way to see all of Kyoto highlights in one day. The only criticism I have is at the start of the day the guide asked did I have a transport card, which I didn’t so he offered to use his and I would pay him back the 1,200 yen at the end of the day. When it came to paying for lunch I said I would pay for his, which was 2,400 yen for the transport and a tip. Despite this at the end of the tour, he asked I pay him for the transport which I found quite awkward as I had already done so by buying his lunch.
N
Naadirah_C
December 4, 2024 · via Viator
A good fun learning experience with alot of exercise.
Our tour guide's name is Indra.
He was very knowledgeable, patient and funny.
He taught us a few Japanese phrases that helped us alot. He thought also thought us alot about Japanese culture and modern day practices.
He knew they layout of the land which helped alot with avoiding long lines and touristy areas.
In addition, he didn't mind being my personal photographer and taking me too all the good spots for photos.
The restaurant he took us for lunch was delicious.
I would highly recommend Indra and will use his services again when I visit Japan again.