L
Great tour
A very relaxed and friendly tour around the best sights of Kyoto. Driver is excellent, flexible to our needs and courteous. Thoroughly recommend.
Kyoto Highlights Private Tour with Local driver
+13 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 5–10 hours
- Price from
- $324 / person
- Location
- Kyoto, Japan
- Rating
- 4.7 / 5 · 236 reviews
- Languages
- JA, EN
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Gozentrip Co.,Ltd
Description
Explore Kyoto in Style and Comfort! Discover the magic of Kyoto on our exclusive private day trip by car. Your day, your way. We customize the itinerary to match your interests and preferences.The trip showcases a variety of temples and shrines in a day—including Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, and the bamboo forest in Arashiyama. As it’s a private trip, the itinerary can be customized based on your requests. Say goodbye to crowded buses and trains. Our private car ensures a comfortable and efficient journey between sites, maximizing your sightseeing time. No rush, no fixed timetable. You decide how long you want to spend at each stop. We're here to accommodate your pace. Book our Private Kyoto Day Trip by Car today and create unforgettable memories in this enchanting city!
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 8:00 AM, 8:30 AM, and 9:00 AM
- Next available
- Mon, Oct 5
- Group price
- $324 per vehicle, up to 22 people
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 4.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Arashiyama
Arashiyama is a rural area in Kyoto with a very beautiful nature. Arashiyama is famous for its bamboo forest. Nestled on the western outskirts of Kyoto, Arashiyama offers a blend of historic charm and stunning landscapes that captivate visitors from around the world.
Kinkakuji Temple
Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is a revered Zen Buddhist temple located in Kyoto, Japan. Renowned for its stunning architecture and picturesque surroundings, Kinkaku-ji stands as a testament to the beauty of Japanese craftsmanship and spirituality. The temple's upper two floors are adorned with shimmering gold leaf, creating a breathtaking sight that is reflected in the tranquil pond that surrounds it.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu Temple is the biggest and the most famous temple in Japan and has been registered as the world heritage in UNESCO. Surrounding Kiyomizu-dera, the Higashiyama district is a treasure trove of traditional Japanese culture. Narrow lanes lined with traditional machiya houses, quaint shops, and artisan studios provide an authentic taste of old Kyoto. The historic Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka sloping streets are particularly charming and offer opportunities for exploration and discovery. Besides that you can also rent yukata to walk around Kyoto and take great pictures.
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Fushimi Inari Taisha, is a sacred Shinto shrine renowned for its iconic torii gates and profound spiritual significance. As one of the most visited shrines in Japan, Fushimi Inari Taisha offers a unique and enchanting experience that captivates visitors from around the world. The shrine is characterized by its vivid vermillion torii gates that create a mesmerizing pathway through the forested slopes of Mount Inari. This symbolic trail, known as the Senbon Torii, leads visitors on a spiritual journey, representing a passage between the physical world and the divine.
What's included
Included
Petrol/Gas
English Speaking Driver
Walking guide (included with Premium Plan only)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Parking Fees
Not included
Lunch
Kinkaku-ji Temple
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup is available from hotels in Osaka and Kyoto as well as Osaka Port and Kobe Port cruise terminals.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
236 reviews
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Time for transportation and lunch is already included in the total duration.
- Guide services depend on the selected plan. ・Standard Plan: Includes an English-speaking driver who provides general information while traveling between destinations. The driver remains with the vehicle and does not provide walking tours. ・Premium Plan: Includes a walking guide who accompanies guests at each sightseeing location.
- The operator will contact you via WhatsApp the day before the tour.
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 Kyoto Highlights Private Tour with Local driver take?
Kyoto Highlights Private Tour with Local driver lasts about 5–10 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
How much does Kyoto Highlights Private Tour with Local driver cost?
Prices start at $324 per person for this Kyoto experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 12 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Kyoto Highlights Private Tour with Local driver run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:00 AM, 8:30 AM, and 9:00 AM.
Can I cancel Kyoto Highlights Private Tour with Local driver 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 is available from hotels in Osaka and Kyoto as well as Osaka Port and Kobe Port cruise terminals. Pickup points include Hotel Alexander Namba, Natural Hot Spring Midosuji Hotel.
What languages is Kyoto Highlights Private Tour with Local driver offered in?
The experience is available in JA, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 22 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Kyoto Highlights Private Tour with Local driver worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 236 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Gozentrip Co.,Ltd.
Reviews(236)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
E
Great experience!
Great experience. Thank you to our driver Kaku for getting us around to all the places we wanted to see, and sharing all his knowledge of Kyoto! Well worth the money to have a driver.
L
Kyoto 100%
We had a wonderful experience in Kyoto! Our guide was absolutely great—Victor, was knowledgeable, friendly, professional, and made the entire day so enjoyable. They did an excellent job showing us the highlights of Kyoto while sharing interesting history and local insights along the way.
I
Amazing experience
We had a wonderful private tour in Kyoto with our driver Steven. He was friendly, helpful, quick, and truly knowledgeable about the city. Steven kept everything running smoothly, and made the whole experience enjoyable and stress-free. Highly recommend booking with him!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful private tour in Kyoto with Steven. It’s wonderful to know that his friendliness, helpfulness, efficiency, and deep knowledge of the city made your experience smooth, enjoyable, and completely stress-free. We’ll be sure to pass your lovely comments on to Steven — he’ll be thrilled to hear how much you appreciated his service. Thank you again for choosing us, and we sincerely hope to welcome you back for another memorable journey in the future.
P
Steven was very...
Steven was very accommodating to our group of 4. Had a little challenge connecting at the train station, but once in the vehicle, we were able to communicate and he made some great recommendations.
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We’re delighted to hear that Steven was accommodating to your group and that his recommendations helped make your trip even more enjoyable. We also appreciate your patience regarding the brief challenge meeting at the train station, and we’re glad everything went smoothly once you were in the vehicle. We hope to have the pleasure of serving you again on your next trip. Safe travels!
B
Kyoto guided van tour
Our family of 4 (two daughters, ages 10 and 13) took a guided tour with both a guide (Fuji) and driver (Kaku). Our driver was kind, efficient, and obviously knew his way around town. We had a couple of last-minutes changes to itinerary and Kaku dealt with everything with aplomb. Kaku had cold water waiting in his van for us - a lifesaver on a hot July day. Fuji was an extremely knowledgeable and entertaining guide. He conveyed his passion for Japanese history when explaining the significance of the landmarks we visited, providing background and context. He was able to engage our daughters and make it fun for them as well! In planning our day, he gave us a suggested itinerary, but was happy to adjust it according to some sites we wanted to add. There is really too much to see in Kyoto, and when you only have a few days, I cannot more highly recommend booking this tour to make your travel more meaningful yet comfortable at the same time. You won’t regret it!
Operator response
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review! We are delighted to hear that both Fuji and Kaku helped make your family’s day in Kyoto such a memorable experience. It’s wonderful to know that Kaku’s flexibility with your itinerary changes and the cold bottled water made your trip more comfortable, especially during the summer heat. We’re also thrilled that Fuji’s passion for Japanese history and engaging storytelling resonated with both you and your daughters. Creating tours that are informative, flexible, and enjoyable for guests of all ages is exactly what we strive for. Your recommendation means a great deal to us, and we truly appreciate your kind words. We hope your family made many wonderful memories in Kyoto, and we would be honored to welcome you back to Japan for another adventure in the future! Thank you again for choosing our tour, and we wish you safe and happy travels!
W
Kaku was great. Very...
Kaku was great. Very organized and accommodated our requests for additional stops. He even helped us make restaurant reservations. Very timely and organized.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We’re delighted to hear that Kaku was able to make your trip smooth and enjoyable by accommodating your requests, helping with restaurant reservations, and keeping everything well organized. It was our pleasure to be part of your journey, and we hope to welcome you again on another adventure in Japan!
J
Having your own guide and...
Victor (Yamazaki) is very knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic. He’s really focused on giving you the best day possible, and he’s great with both adults and children. Having your own guide and driver allows for a lot of flexibility - you can spend as much, or as little time at each location as you like. This is especially handy if the weather changes (like it did for us) or you simply need more time.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a great experience with Victor. We truly appreciate your kind words and are glad you enjoyed the flexibility of your private tour. We’ll be sure to share your feedback with Victor. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you again on your next trip to Japan!
K
Our family had a...
Our family had a wonderful time visiting Kyoto and seeing the top attractions. Victor was entertaining and very good about accommodating and adjusting the itinerary to our needs.
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad to hear your family had a wonderful time exploring Kyoto. It’s great to know Victor’s flexibility, entertaining personality, and thoughtful service helped make your tour even more enjoyable. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another adventure in the future!
A
Kyoto full day activity
Driver Matsu was extremely helpful. He speaks English very well. Throughout the activity he explained everything. Best experience with Viator Thank you Viator and Matsu.
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that Matsu made your experience enjoyable with his helpful service and clear explanations. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on another tour soon!
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyoto Highlights Private Tour with Local driver | 5–10 hours | 4.7 (236) | $324 | |
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from$324
4.7(236) Free cancellation