J
Great experience with perfect guide
Great experience with the perfect guide. Shuji was brilliant. He took time with us and went out of his way to ensure everything was right for us. He spoke very clearly. Thank you
Half-Day Private Walking Tour in Kyoto
+20 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3h 30min
- Price from
- $94 / person
- Location
- Kyoto, Japan
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 64 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Next Japan Travel
Description
This half-day tour covers 5 of the most visited venues in Kyoto: Kiyomizu Temple, Ninenzaka Sannenzaka, Yasaka Shrine, Gion and Nishiki Market. The guests will find many unique shops and cafes which they might just walk pass by if they are not with guides. Hear many interesting stories of each place and useful travel tips from knowledgeable guide as they walk past the central area of Kyoto.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, and Sat
- Start times
- 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM
- Next available
- Mon, Oct 19
- Adult (ages 6+)
- $94
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $175.
Larger groups pay less per person.
In demand: 12 of the next 52 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 18.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
At the Kiyomizu stage, the guide will ask you what it means to "jump off the Kiyomizu stage". Choose one of the Otowa Falls to visit.
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka
See many unique shops and cafes for souvenirs and food tastings
Yasaka Shrine
The tour ends in Yasaka Shrine, which locates at the eastern edge of Gion district. Your guide will show you how to pray properly in the Japanese shrine.
Gion
Stop by at a local tea shops to find the best matcha for souvenir. Meet the statue of Izumo no Okuni who started kabuki and see the Minamiza kabuki theatre, hear the history and life of maiko and geisha in a quiet street near Gion Shirakawa, and walk the traditional Hanamikoji street. Your guide will also take you to some of the backstreets in Gion where many ochaya (teahouse) stand. You may not meet maiko or geisha in the daytime but you may do so if you come back in the evening.
Pontocho District
Walk past the Pontocho street where there are nice restaurants and bars. You can come back at night on own to feel the authentic Kyoto atmosphere and enjoy some foods here.
Nishiki Market Shopping District
Walk further to Nishiki Market. Located in downtown Kyoto area, you will see a variety of foods such as seafood, deep-fried foods, Japanese pickles, Karaage, Takoyaki, Japanese spice, ice cream, green tea, egg roll and more. Feel free to stop, buy and taste some of the foods you may want to try. You will also have a chance to see and purchase Japanese knife, tea cup or plates which will make great souvenir for you.
What's included
Included
Guide fee
Not included
Entrance fee (Kiyomizu Temple) and transportation cost (hotel to Kiyomizu temple)
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
64 reviews
How it compares in Kyoto
- Starting price $94 is 23% below the typical $122 for tours of similar length in Kyoto
Excurgo comparison of 1,631 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
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
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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 Half-Day Private Walking Tour in Kyoto take?
Half-Day Private Walking Tour in Kyoto lasts about 3h 30min. The itinerary has 6 stops.
How much does Half-Day Private Walking Tour in Kyoto cost?
Prices start at $94 per person for this Kyoto experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $175. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Half-Day Private Walking Tour in Kyoto run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, starting at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
Does Half-Day Private Walking Tour in Kyoto sell out?
It can: 12 of the next 52 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Half-Day Private Walking Tour in Kyoto for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Pickup points include Ryokan Sanga, Gion Crystal Hotel.
What languages is Half-Day Private Walking Tour in Kyoto offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 8 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(64)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
L
Nishiki Market/Food Tour
We did a food tour with Rika as our guide. She was an amazing tour guide. She was very friendly and she catered the experience for us plus provided so many helpful suggestions. She took us to the local temple, a supermarket, Diamaru food hall and the Nishiki Market. We sampled so many great foods. It was a very enjoyable 3 hours. Would definitely recommend Rika.
J
WE LOVE RIKA!!!
Rika was the best!! So kind and friendly, learned all of our names and took photos of us endlessly. It was like having a local friend show you around!!
J
Highly recommend!
Great experience with our guide Phillip. He was very informative and we had a great time. Would highly recommend!
M
Great day with Rika
This was a fantastic tour. Rika was so kind and accommodating. She was so helpful and had so many tips for us. Extra bonus, she took fantastic pics to share with us. She made our short trip to Kyoto so special.
R
Well Done
Rika was awesome, she picked us up right on time, gave us lots of information, showed us around, she was very pleasant and professional. She did not try to push us to any one place and she was very accommodating on what we wanted to see.
J
Family vacation destination
Phillip is an amazing and knowledgeable guide. It was a fantastic tour and Kyoto temples and awe inspiring and majestic. Well worth the time and the event planned through this company. Highly recommended.
L
Fantastic Kyoto
We had a very knowledgeable guide and saw so much more than expected. It’s lot of walking but well worth it
K
A must do in Kyoto especially if it's your first time!
This tour is very helpful if you're new to Kyoto since it is very rich in history, culture, and food! We had a great time walking around and learning about Kiyomizu Temple. Afterwards, we take a walk around Sannenzaka Ninenzaka. There's so much to see and a lot to learn that we didn't even know that we already made it to the Gion! From here (if lucky) you will see a few Maiko and some Geiko walking in the middle of the day. Afterwards, we head to the Pontocho street and Nishiki Market. Akiko is a very helpful, informative, and knowledgeable tour guide, she was very careful with what to make us try and taste after I let her know about my allergies and my mom's medical condition. On top of that and the good history lessons, I also enjoyed a very nice conversation with her!
C
Exceptional Tour of Kyoto!
My tour with Phill was outstanding from start to finish. He was incredibly knowledgeable about Kyoto’s history, architecture, and culture, and he explained everything in a clear and engaging way. Phill was also very friendly and attentive, making the experience feel both informative and personal. I appreciated how he adjusted the pace to my interests and took time to point out details I would have otherwise missed. An excellent guide and a truly memorable visit — highly recommended!
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from$94
5.0(64) Free cancellation