Private Kyoto Customizable Day Tour with English Speaking Driver
Description
Explore Kyoto in Comfort and Style! Discover the timeless beauty of Kyoto on our exclusive, private day trip by car. Tailored just for you, we create a personalized itinerary based on your interests, allowing you to enjoy Kyoto’s iconic sights at your own pace. Visit renowned landmarks such as Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, and the tranquil bamboo forest of Arashiyama all in one day! The itinerary can be customized based on your requests.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Arashiyama, located in western Kyoto, Japan, is a picturesque district renowned for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. It is best known for the iconic Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where visitors can walk through a mesmerizing pathway lined with towering bamboo stalks. The area is also home to the historic Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning gardens, and the scenic Togetsukyo Bridge, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Arashiyama’s charm is especially captivating during the cherry blossom season in spring and the vibrant autumn foliage, making it a popular destination year-round.
Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, was originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. After his death, the villa was converted into a Zen Buddhist temple. The structure reflects a blend of traditional Japanese and Chinese architectural styles. Although the original building was destroyed by arson in 1950, it was rebuilt in 1955, with the top two floors covered in gold leaf, symbolizing purity and enlightenment.
Nishiki Market (Nishiki Ichiba) is a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi. Nishiki Market has a pleasant but busy atmosphere that is inviting to those who want to explore the variety of culinary delights that Kyoto is famous for. The stores found throughout the market range in size from small narrow stalls to larger two story shops. Most specialize in a particular type of food, and almost everything sold at the market is locally produced and procured.
Experience the charm of Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, and Yasaka Pagoda (Hōkan-ji Temple), one of the top attractions in Kyoto and a must-visit destination in the historic Higashiyama District. Walk along beautifully preserved stone-paved streets lined with traditional machiya townhouses, tea houses, local cafés, souvenir shops, and kimono rental stores. Admire the iconic five-story Yasaka Pagoda, one of Kyoto’s most photographed landmarks, and enjoy spectacular views that capture the essence of old Kyoto. Located just minutes from Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this area is perfect for Kyoto sightseeing, cultural experiences, photography, and discovering authentic Japanese history and traditions.
One of Japan's most well-known temples is Kiyomizudera, which translates to "Pure Water Temple". It got its name from the pristine waters of the Otowa Waterfall, which is located on the forested hillsides east of Kyoto, where it was established in 780. The temple established the Kita Hosso sect in 1965 after first being connected to the Hosso sect, one of the oldest schools of Japanese Buddhism. The temple was included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The most notable feature of Kiyomizudera is its wooden stage, which protrudes 13 meters over the surrounding hillside from the main hall. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant view of the many cherry and maple trees below, which burst into a sea of color, from the stage.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of Kyoto's most iconic Shinto shrines, dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice, prosperity, and business. Founded in 711 AD, it is famous for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates(senbon torii) that form tunnels along the trails leading up Mount Inari. These gates, donated by individuals and businesses, symbolize gratitude and prayers for success. The shrine is also known for its fox statues, believed to be Inari’s messengers. Visitors often hike the path up the mountain, which offers scenic views of Kyoto along the way.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Your driver can pickup you in Kyoto area and pick-up options available from Osaka, and Nara charging an additional fee of 20000 yen. This is a tour with an English-speaking driver.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This experience includes an English-speaking driver
- Special rides, cruises, and admission tickets aren’t included and can be purchased directly at each location.
Reviews(193)
Malik was incredibly flexible with our schedule and we covered many locations in just one day! We started early and started in Arashiyama and also went to many other landmarks. It was truly an amazing way to cover so much ground in Kyoto.
We had an amazing experience on our Kyoto tour with Malik. He was right on time, drove safely, and was very flexible in accommodating our requests and taking us to the places we wanted to visit. His knowledge, professionalism, and friendly attitude made the day relaxed and enjoyable for our family. We truly appreciated how easy he made everything for us, allowing us to enjoy Kyoto without worrying about transportation or logistics. We would highly recommend Malik to anyone looking for a reliable, safe, and flexible driver/guide in Kyoto. Excellent experience from start to finish!
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
Dahna was very knowledgeable about the sights and town of kyoto. Good human being.
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
Our guide Shan was outstanding and helped us to see all that we wanted to see and more! He timed our sights to beat the crowds!
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
Our tour guide was Malik. We were able to see a lot in a short amount of time and he shared facts on each of the stops. Since we were ahead of schedule he was kind enough to fit in a stop at Nijo castle. Informative day out and my family enjoyed the itinerary provided.
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
Dahn is a very wonderful and nice human being with a great deal of knowledge for all the sites and town of Kyoto. He encouraged us when we were tired to see more and take pictures. He's a great photographer. Highly recommend his services.
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
Malik was very accommodating. It's a great experience. We definitely recommend anyone to do this if they only have few days in Kyoto and want to see all the popular sites in a day.
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
Aki has been wonderful. We had a great time with him . Explained everything in detail and is very knowledgeable about the place and surrounding areas. Highly recommended to chose him for anyone’s next trip to Kyoto
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
If you’re considering this tour, book it. Akii made what would have been a great sightseeing day into one of the most memorable experiences of our entire trip to Japan. From the moment we met him, Akii was warm, engaging, and incredibly knowledgeable. He didn’t just drive us from one attraction to the next—he brought Kyoto to life. Even between stops, he pointed out hidden gems, explained local customs, shared fascinating bits of history, and highlighted places we never would have noticed on our own. By the end of the day, we felt like we had learned as much about Kyoto as we had seen. Our itinerary included Arashiyama, where Akii shared the history behind the famous bamboo grove and surrounding area; the stunning Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), where his stories made the temple’s history even more meaningful; the vibrant Nishiki Market, where he helped us navigate Kyoto’s incredible food culture; the historic streets of Gion, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, and Yasaka Pagoda, where he explained the traditions that still exist today; the breathtaking Kiyomizu-dera Temple with its incredible views; and the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine with its endless torii gates. Every stop felt richer because of the context and stories Akii shared. What impressed us most was how accommodating he was. We were traveling with an older family member, and Akii constantly looked for ways to make the day easier. Whenever there was a steep climb or a long walk back, he would run ahead to retrieve the car and meet us at a more convenient location so our family member didn’t have to retrace difficult paths. He anticipated our needs before we even had to ask. The tour was also incredibly flexible. If we wanted to spend more time somewhere, make an unexpected stop, or adjust the itinerary, Akii welcomed it without hesitation. We never felt rushed, and the entire day felt personalized to our family rather than following a rigid schedule. By the end of the tour, Akii didn’t feel like a guide anymore. He felt like a friend proudly sharing the city he loves. His professionalism, kindness, deep knowledge, and genuine care for his guests made this one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. If we return to Kyoto, there is no question we’ll book another tour with Akii. We recommend him without hesitation. He didn’t just show us Kyoto—he gave our family memories we’ll treasure for a lifetime. Five stars simply don’t do him justice.
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
An excellent experience, we visited many places comfortably, very interesting places and the guide was very attentive to us
Thank you so much for your generous five-star review. We truly appreciate your kind words and the time you took to share your experience. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and inspires our team to continue delivering exceptional service. We would be delighted to welcome you back on your next visit to Kyoto. If friends or family are planning a trip to Japan, we would be grateful if you shared your experience with them. The timeless beauty of Kyoto’s temples, peaceful gardens, and cultural heritage await their discovery. Thank you once again for your support — it truly encourages us to keep doing our best for every guest.
