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Private Highlights of Kyoto Tour provided by WaRaiDo Guide Networks

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Private Highlights of Kyoto Tour

See all things to do
See all things to do
Private Highlights of Kyoto Tour
4.5
18
By WaRaiDo Guide Networks
Book in advance
from
$173.35
per adult (price varies by group size)
Recommended by 94% of travelers
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Full view
Tour snapshot
Flexible experience—choose from two different Kyoto tour routes
Duration:
7h
Group size:
8
Service animals allowed
Ticket type:
Mobile
Free cancellation
  • Duration:
    7h
  • Group size:
    8
  • Service animals allowed
  • Ticket type:
    Mobile
  • Free cancellation
About
Save hours researching and planning things to do in Kyoto, and make the most of your time by going on a private highlights tour instead. Enjoy the flexibility of being able to choose from two contrasting routes—both of which cover multiple top Kyoto attractions. The first route goes to the Golden Pavilion, Nishiki Food Market, and the bamboo groves at Arashiyama Park. The second route covers Gion, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Know before you go
  • Duration: 7h
  • Mobile tickets accepted
Cancellation policy
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Available languages
English
Highlights
  • A great way to tick off multiple top Kyoto landmarks in a day
  • No getting lost—relax and let a guide take care of the navigating
  • A private tour means you can stop and ask questions along the way
What to expect
Know before you go
  • Duration: 7h
  • Mobile tickets accepted
Available languages
English
Cancellation policy
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Highlights
  • A great way to tick off multiple top Kyoto landmarks in a day
  • No getting lost—relax and let a guide take care of the navigating
  • A private tour means you can stop and ask questions along the way
What to expect
Need help booking?
Call the number below and use the product code: 39825P4
Important information
Inclusions
  • Professional English speaking guide
  • Public Transportation
  • One-day city bus pass (can be used continuously after the tour)
  • Entry/Admission - Kinkakuji Temple
  • Entry/Admission - Kiyomizu-dera Temple
  • Entry/Admission - Nijo Castle
  • Entry/Admission - Sanjusangendo Temple
  • Entry/Admission - Ryoanji Temple
  • Entry/Admission - Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
Exclusions
  • Food and drinks
  • Lunch
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Duration
7h
Departure details
  • Hotel Granvia Kyoto, Japan, 〒600-8216 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Higashishiokōjichō, 901番地, Kyoto Station Building, 内 Hotel Granvia Kyoto is located in the Kyoto Station building.
Additional information
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
Inclusions
  • Professional English speaking guide
  • Public Transportation
  • One-day city bus pass (can be used continuously after the tour)
  • Entry/Admission - Kinkakuji Temple
  • Entry/Admission - Kiyomizu-dera Temple
  • Entry/Admission - Nijo Castle
  • Entry/Admission - Sanjusangendo Temple
  • Entry/Admission - Ryoanji Temple
  • Entry/Admission - Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
Exclusions
  • Food and drinks
  • Lunch
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Departure details
  • Hotel Granvia Kyoto, Japan, 〒600-8216 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Higashishiokōjichō, 901番地, Kyoto Station Building, 内 Hotel Granvia Kyoto is located in the Kyoto Station building.
Duration
7h
Return details
  • Returns to original departure point
Additional information
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
Itinerary
  • You'll start at
    Hotel Granvia Kyoto
    Japan, 〒600-8216 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Higashishiokōjichō, 901番地, Kyoto Station Building, 内
    Hotel Granvia Kyoto is located in the Kyoto Station building.
    See address & details
  • 1
    Kinkakuji Temple
    Stop: 50 minutes - Admission included
    See details
  • 2
    Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    Stop: 50 minutes - Admission included
    See details
  • 3
    Nijo Castle
    Stop: 50 minutes - Admission included
    See details
  • 4
    Sanjusangendo Temple
    Stop: 50 minutes - Admission included
    See details
  • 5
    Gion
    Stop: 50 minutes
    See details
    Pass by
    Arashiyama
    Sannenzaka Ninenzaka
  • 6
    Bamboo Forest Street
    Stop: 30 minutes
    See details
  • 7
    Ryoanji Temple
    Stop: 30 minutes - Admission included
    See details
  • 8
    Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
    Stop: 50 minutes
    See details
  • 9
    Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
    Stop: 50 minutes - Admission included
    See details
  • You'll return to the starting point
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
18 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
2
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Rob V
Whanganui, New Zealand2 contributions
We Loved this Tour
Couples
My wife and I took the North West tour. We expected to be in a small group but were delighted when we met Mie to find that we were just the three of us. We were overawed by Mie's cultural knowledge, which she delivered in excellent English and with a devilish sense of humour. We struck a heatwave, 38degrees, so it got tiring a few times, but Mie paced things beautifully with plenty of stops for refreshments. I rate Mie as the best tour guide we have ever had. Altogether a great way to spend 7 hours in Kyoto.
Written August 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NaomiHouston
Houston, TX21 contributions
Excellent experience
Couples
My husband and I had limited time in Kyoto and signed up for a half-day tour. Yuri was our guide and she is delightful. She's very knowledgeable, thoughtful, a real people person... and I can't tell you how thankful we were that she brought an extra umbrella, as it did rain for a bit as we toured the Golden Pavilion. We saw more of Kyoto, with less stress, than we would have covered on our own. The whole experience was great.
Written June 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Donna P
Singapore, Singapore103 contributions
Great way to see Kyoto highlights
We selected the Northern area tour so we could see the Bamboo grove. We were really pleased we did. The tour covers some really good cultural spots to give you a good sense of Kyoto. We chose the Castle as the last stop instead of the market and we were glad we did. The market is something you can do on your own which we did the following day. What made our tour though was our guide Yuri. She was absolutely fantastic. She was so knowledgeable about each of the sites and answered all of our questions, her English is really good and she took us to a restaurant for lunch where we had Okonomiyaki, what a great experience. Unfortunately it was raining and during our tour, Yuri said she would stop the rain but sadly she was unable..... she did however have a spare umbrella for me to use and at the end of our tour caught the bus with us back to where we were staying.

Thanks Yuri for such a great day and making this tour so good.
Written April 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MarkPP
Pease Pottage259 contributions
Itinerary changed without notice
Couples
Booked and paid for our private tour of north west Kyoto 4 months in advance which included the main Kyoto castle which we were specifically looking forward to.

We met our guide Yuri at the main Kyoto station as requested to be told that the castle was closed on Tuesdays and instead we would visit the food market (the tour states that you will have the option of either the castle or the market). The castle closure on Tuesdays is known and lasts for a number of months - therefore we can’t understand why we weren't made aware of this at the time of booking as we simply would have chosen another day. We had no desire to visit the food market.
There was zero flexibility to swap with another site we were keen on and no option of any form of partial refund ( we were astonished on the lack of flexibility on the basis it’s a private tour and the itinerary had been changed ) Yuri spoke to her boss Ted for around 20 minutes and he offered no flexibility or compromise - it would have been nice if Ted had spoken to us directly or better still advised on this limitation at the time of booking 4 month previously.

So we paid approx £300 for a private tour, a highlight of which had been removed and our options were to walk away (and try and discuss a refund with Ted later - something which we were not confident of getting) or accept the tour as is! We had a number of private tours in Japan and none of the others lacked this simple flexibility and customer service - this shows a lack of professionalism and honour both of which we would expect in Japan. Would suggest you consider carefully before booking and note other concerning TA reviews on group numbers etc

All the above being said we went along with the tour, Yuri was amazing and we had an enjoyable day. We visited the castle the following day and paid the £12 entrance fee ourselves (this was indeed a highlight of Kyoto).
Written December 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tedueno
Thank you for your review. However, our product page clearly says that one of the destinations will be “Nijo Castle or the Nishiki food market.” Therefore, when one of those two alternatives is closed, the other spot will be visited. Although excuse us for any inconvenience, however, we have no reason to refund when we have completely covering all the spots as clearly shown in the itinerary. Also, the booked tour is a package program with fixed itinerary for reasonable pricing. So, if you request us to flexibly arrange the itinerary, such flexible planning option is available for additional cost reflected. As for availability of two alternative spots, Nishiki Food Market or Nijo Castle, we would like to inform our future customers as part of our further improvement.
Written January 14, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Emma J C
Bangkok, Thailand16 contributions
Relaxed yet organised to perfection!
My husband and I booked this tour for one of our two days in Kyoto. We generally find that booking a tour is a much more effective way of seeing a place and actually finding the best places to eat etc. - we were not disappointed! We were fortunate enough to have Yuri as a guide and she was such a nice, friendly person that it felt more like a relaxed day out with friends than being on an organised tour. That being said, we kept to our itinerary and Yuri’s exceptional knowledge ensured we finished the tour knowing a lot more about Japanese history than when we started - or at least the various versions of events as there are lots of slightly different stories! It was nice to take a few different forms of public transport to get around the city - I haven’t been on a tour like this before and it really added to the experience. We’d requested Omurice for lunch as it’s a favourite of ours at home and Yuri knew the best place to take us. Would highly recommend this tour!
Written November 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rohanandjo
Brisbane, Australia47 contributions
Bamboo bliss..
We just caught the train..JRpass fantastic, 800m walk from the station. Definitely try the crab along the way, and enjoy the serenity of bamboo that sways in the breeze..beautiful spot..walk up to the top another surprise awaits..
Written September 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bates55
San Francisco, CA8 contributions
A great day!
We highly recommend this tour. We took the Northern course with our guide, Ayuko. She was knowledgeable, friendly and fun. We loved taking public transportation as it gave us a local vibe. It was a perfect way to see Kyoto, and to learn about its rich history and culture. Ayuko also gave us great tips on other things to do and places to eat. Thank you, Ayuko, for a really great day.
Written August 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jtk19
New York City, NY7 contributions
I challenged Mie - and she more than rose to the occasion!
Solo
My tour party consisted of me...and that was it! Poor Mie had to talk to me the whole time! I was never chatting pleasantly with my wife or family or friends because they weren't there! You can read elsewhere in these reviews about her depth of knowledge, her humor, and her patience. I have not seen her described as very open about her country and herself, but I found her to be so. I am grateful for a wonderfully well spent day in Kyoto with Mie!
Written June 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jnine Gunawan
Sydney, Australia5 contributions
The bamboo forest four is amazing!
This was the very highlight of our trip! Love the bamboo forest and the hiking along the river, and also the train ridding to there!
Written May 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kerry F
37 contributions
Wonderful afternoon tour with Yuri
My husband and I very much enjoyed the Northern Tour. Our guide, Yuri, was friendly and a pleasure to spend the day with. We learned alot about the specific sites and Japanese culture generally. Really enjoyed her insights on the rock garden. Also, stopped for a tasty ramen lunch midway through the day.

Thanks Yuri for a great day!
Written April 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Showing results 1-10 of 15
About the operator

Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator.

By: WaRaiDo Guide Networks
314
Charles M
Charles M
00
Wonderful introduction to historical Gion and Geisha culture.
A fanstastically insightful tour through Gion with an in-depth and fascinating explanation of Geisha culture and it…
simc694
simc694
00
Fantastic tour of Gion
We had an excellent time touring through the small streets of Gion and listing to all the stories from our guide. O…
ryanbX9382AM
ryanbX9382AM
00
Excellent and Informative
Excellent tour about the history and culture of the Gion area. Guide was outstanding! Highly recommend this tour.
LizzysReviews
LizzysReviews
00
So Happy I Booked This
I booked this very last minute as it looked like good value for money and am very glad I did. Chako was so friendly…
Kianey
Kianey
00
Great private tour! Highly recommend
Fantastic tour! Opted for the private tour (with just me and 3 others) and it was so worth the money as it was so e…
Zee112
Zee112
00
Great tour of Kyoto
This was a great opportunity to discover parts of Kyoto not normally picked up by tourists and only locals would kn…
tkald
tkald
00
Amazzziiiiinnnggg !!!!
We booked our tour via viator and it was amazing. Our tourguide mie was very friendly and told us a lot about japan…
Avalenca
Avalenca
00
A deep immersion into gueisha culture
Walking around Gion learning the most interesting things about Kyoto's gueishas and maikos was beyond fun! Dai was …
ElizabethH177
ElizabethH177
00
SO MUCH HISTORY IN KYOTO
We learned so much and saw so many beautiful places in the old part of Kyoto. I would highly recommend this tour. …
CharlieOscarPapa
CharlieOscarPapa
00
Excellent walking tour
We did this tour a couple of evenings ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Excellent guide with good pace and lots of in…
699nigela
699nigela
00
Gion Night walking tour
Informative waking your just under 2 hours - the history of Gion, geishas and tea parties. We had Pre-booked - trie…
Japanesetrailblazer
Japanesetrailblazer
00
A walk through the world of the geiko.
The guide really brought the Gion to life. She was able to explain the history and the life of the maiko and geiko.…
JoshSmol
JoshSmol
00
A really great night out in Gion
A perfect night out looking around the ‘just like the movies’ Gion Geisha district. The guide spoke English very w…
BelindaD411
BelindaD411
00
Very informative, excellent value
The lovely guide Mia was very informative. We walked for 2 hours and saw a few Geiko and Maiko, she explained every…
alisons803
alisons803
00
Awesome night stroll around geisha district
A 1.5hr stroll around the geisha district at night time was very informative, not too fast paced, nice in the dark …
Frequently Asked Questions about Private Highlights of Kyoto Tour
Private Highlights of Kyoto Tour will start at 9:00 AM. Discover and book Private Highlights of Kyoto Tour on Tripadvisor
Private Highlights of Kyoto Tour price starts from $173.06. Discover and book Private Highlights of Kyoto Tour on Tripadvisor
Private Highlights of Kyoto Tour cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Private Highlights of Kyoto Tour on Tripadvisor