Kyoto Early Bird Walking Tour
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Kyoto, Japan
- 5 hours 15 minutes (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Avoid the crowds and time pressure that often come with visiting Kyoto by starting early on a private tour designed to get you ahead of peak visitor times. Instead of navigating busy attractions later in the day, you experience iconic sites at their most peaceful, with a smoother flow between key locations. It’s an efficient way to see Kyoto’s highlights while avoiding the rush.
- Private guided Kyoto tour visiting three top attractions for a more personal and efficient experience
- Early morning departure to enjoy popular sites before the crowds arrive
- See Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) bathed in soft morning light for unforgettable views
- Finish before midday so you can enjoy a free afternoon at your own pace
What's Included
- Guide fee
- Food and Drink
- Public Transportation fare¥1,220.00 per person
- Admission Fee - Kinkaku-ji Temple¥500.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Kyoto Station Building901 Higashishiokōjichō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
Kyoto Station in front of the central ticket gates of the JR lines on the ground floor. They are on the north side of the station where Kyoto Tower is located.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Meet your guide in the early morning right at Kyoto Station and set off for the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine. Walk through the torii gates before the throngs arrive. Then visit the Kinkakuji Temple (admission ticket extra), where you can enjoy the morning quiet at the gilded building and pond before continuing to Arashiyama bamboo forest. Enjoy strolling through its cool confines and listening to the sound of the breeze before the temperature rises around midday. Your tour will end by noon, leaving you the rest of the day to explore at your own pace.
1
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
2
Kinkakuji Temple
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Arashiyama
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Infant seats available
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Stroller accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accessible for those with limited eye sight
- Accessible for those with limited mobility
- Animals or pets allowed
- Infant seats unavailable
- Not recommended for people with heart conditions
- Not wheelchair accessible
- comfortable shoes for walking; quite a bit of walking required
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 381 reviews
Sven_W, Apr 2026
Highlights of Kyoto in half a day, but without any hectic. Excellent guidance with lots of interesting information about the visited sights. We now even understand the difference between a temple and a shrine :-) Thanks to our fantastic guide Miho.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We are delighted to receive your kind review and very happy to know that you had an insightful and enjoyable morning with Miho in Kyoto.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Rel_C, Mar 2026
Very extensive morning tour. Have a large breakfast, as there is ample opportunity for walking/hiking stairs! We enjoyed getting to the sites early, so we weren’t caught up with too much crowding. Megumi was very knowledgeable and personable, and went out of her way to surprise us with accurate directions to our next adventure. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Your words of appreciation mean a lot to us.
Wonderful to hear that you had a good time with Megumi touring Kyoto.
Thank you for taking the time to write a review!
shkoda1112, Mar 2026
Tomoko is a well informed tour guide and a very warm person. She gave us information throughout our tour that helped us appreciate what we were seeing. We could never have duplicated our experience using a book or audio guide. She also sent us photos and made some recommendations for other activities based on our conversations.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your kind words and positive review!
We are happy to know that you enjoyed Kyoto with Tomoko.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.
Barbara_T, Feb 2026
Our guide was so lovely and informative. We travelled to places easily on public transportation and managed to see a lot of the city this way.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
We're very grateful for your kind review and happy to know that you enjoyed Kyoto and the tour!
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.
Jenny_H, Dec 2025
We were extremely lucky to have very sparse crowds at both Fushimi Inari and the Golden Pavilion - definitely worth getting up early! Akiko was delightful and added valuable insights that helped us get more out of the experience, including for our children. She also took lots of photos which was an absolute bonus. The whole family thoroughly enjoyed the experience and Akiko’s approach to the morning!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you very much for your kind review.
We’re delighted to hear that your family enjoyed the early morning visit and the quieter atmosphere at Fushimi Inari and the Golden Pavilion. We’re also happy to know that Akiko’s insights, care for your children, and photo-taking added to your experience.
Thank you for joining our tour！
farrah_k, Nov 2025
This was an amazing tour with an amazing guide! Megumi collected me promptly from the meeting spot with no issues! We left on time and saw every spot without rushing. She was so knowledgeable about every place and had so much knowledge to impart! I learned a great deal. It was also strategically planned so we avoided most of the crowds! She was happy to take pictures of us and good ones at that! I highly recommend this tour and especially Megumi as your guide! Thank you for the best tour and experience for our first time in Kyoto
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you very much for your lovely review.
We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Megumi, especially on your first visit to Kyoto. It is great to know that her careful planning, extensive knowledge, and thoughtful assistance helped make your experience smooth, informative, and memorable.
We truly appreciate your kind recommendation and will be sure to share your warm words with Megumi.
Jack_B, Nov 2025
This is an excellent way to see and learn about three of the most important sites in Kyoto. It is so much easier when you have a guide to lead you around the city.
Our Guide Kaz did a wonderful job explaining about each site and leading us through Kyoto.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you very much for your wonderful review.
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring Kyoto’s highlights with Kaz.
It is great to know that his explanations and guidance made your visit easier and more meaningful.
We truly appreciate your kind feedback！
Adam_F, Nov 2025
Akiko was an amazing tour guide. Very friendly and informative. Our tour exceeded expectations and we learned so much.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you very much for your wonderful review.
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour with Akiko and that it exceeded your expectations.
We truly appreciate your kind feedback.
Nicholas_K, Oct 2025
Tomoko was very knowledgeable and kind. The early tour is the best way to do Kyoto, the crowds build quickly
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you very much for your kind review.
We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed the early morning tour with Tomoko.
It’s true—starting early is the best way to experience Kyoto before the crowds arrive!
Christina_C, Oct 2025
We have taken tours in the past when visiting new countries and cities to get our bearings down and the walking tour with Kaz did not disappoint. He was extremely gracious and kind explaining the history about not only the sights we visited but also questions we had about the culture and random things we had questions about. We felt like we learned a lot and also had a great time exchanging jokes and observations with Kaz. We highly recommend the tour for anyone up for a smaller group experience!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you very much for your kind feedback. We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Kaz and had a great time learning and sharing with him. We truly appreciate your recommendation!
V_S, Sep 2025
Akiko was our tour guide. She was wonderful. She was knowledgeable and friendly, we learn a lot about Japanese history and culture.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you very much for your warm review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Akiko and found it both informative and enjoyable.
Michael_B, Sep 2025
We found Hiro to be very knowledgeable on Kyoto and its Buddhist and Shinto ceremonies. He guided us through out the half day to the different locations easily and nothing was too much trouble even helping us find a pharmacy. He is also an excellent photographer. I would recommend a private tour in Kyoto as there are so many tourists it was a much more pleasant experience.. Also going early the weather was cooler and the sites were a lot less crowded.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you very much for your kind review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Hiro and found it a pleasant experience. We truly appreciate your recommendation!
William_R, Sep 2025
Lots of sites to see! Sumiko is an excellent tour guide! Bring lots of water and be prepared to learn a lot about the history of Japan
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you very much for your kind review. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed visiting many sites and learning about Japanese history with Sumiko.
Meredeith_H, Aug 2025
We had a great tour and covered a lot of ground in Kyoto. Our guide, Emiko, was absolutely lovely and we really enjoyed our time with her. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and very helpful. There is lots of walking but for those that don't have much time to spend in Kyoto, this is a great option! We would recommend!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed exploring Kyoto with Emiko. She will be delighted to know that her knowledge, friendliness, and support made your experience memorable.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future.
Florence_G, Aug 2025
We had a fantastic early bird tour with Akiko. Everything was perfectly organized and Akiko was very attentive to all our needs along the way. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you very much for your wonderful review!
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the early bird tour and that everything went smoothly.
Akiko will be very happy to know that her efforts made your experience memorable.
Nicole_D, Jul 2025
We had a wonderful time on this interesting and informative tour. Our tour guide was kind and knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you very much for your kind review.
We’re delighted to hear that you had a wonderful time and enjoyed the tour.
We’ll be sure to share your feedback with the guide as well.
Kimberly_P, Jul 2025
Tomoko was wonderful! She explained everything so well and was very understanding and attentive. We have travelled a lot and she was one of the best guides we have had so far.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you very much for your kind review!
We’re delighted to hear that you had a great experience with Tomoko.
We’ll be sure to share your feedback with her.
Helen_D, Jul 2025
We had a private tour with Kaz who was just lovely! He told us all about the history of everything we were seeing and made lovely chit chat with all 4 of us (including the kids about Studio Ghibli films). He was a perfect host and also accommodated when we asked to switch the tour around a little. He was just wonderful and we thank him so much!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
We're so grateful for your positive feedback!
Wonderful to know that the four of you found some topics to talk about and that Kaz was able to adjust the tour to your needs.
Emily_K, Jul 2025
We had the best time! Kazuo was very informative and we would have struggled to try and navigate all the public transport needed to go to the major sites. He was extremely personable and a joy to spend the morning with. He also gave us many local recommendations which we appreciated. Highly recommend booking!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you very much for your generous review!
We're delighted to hear that you had such a great time with Kazuo and got lots of information about the sites you visited.
Alexander_A, Jun 2025
Sumiko-san gave us a typed out itinerary and we enjoyed every part. If you come to Japan in the summer bring a sun umbrella. And there’s lots of walking! Having a Suica card on the smartphone to pay for the local train, bus, and vending machines was so convenient! Sumiko-san was very knowledgeable and knew all the good photo spots. The tour was a great way to get a feel for Kyoto.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you very much for your lovely review!
We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with Sumiko. She’ll be delighted to know that her efforts helped make your experience memorable.
Yes, a sun umbrella is definitely a great tip for summer travel in Japan—thank you for sharing it!
ROSAMOND_n, Jun 2025
Mihu has been very informative about the places we visited. We were amazed of how beautiful Kyoto was. Its stress free for us
since we were just following Mihu our guide on where to get the train and ride the bus and she was on the dot, we didnt have to wait long for our rides.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
We’re very happy to hear that you had a wonderful time with Miho. Thank you so much for
joining the tour and for your kind review. We truly appreciate it!
Kathleen_R, Jun 2025
We had a great experience. Our guide was lovely and so informative. We went to several sites. We started early as things got progressively crowded as the morning moved on.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you had a great experience and that you enjoyed the tour with our guide!
Lisa_W, May 2025
Toshi does a good job of providing an overview of the 3 sites included in this tour. We had our IC cards ready and charged up before we started. We are a family of 4 with 2 young adults- the pace was fast but good and we appreciated having a guide to figure out best routes between the locations which are spread out on opposite ends of Kyoto.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you very much for your kind review. We’re delighted to hear that you and your family enjoyed the tour with Toshi and found his overview of the sites helpful. We truly appreciate you choosing our tour！
James_J, May 2025
Perfect Kyoto tour! Sumiko (our tour guide) was perfect. She arrived with printed agendas, navigated the buses and subways, and had more Kyoto knowledge that we could have asked for. She answered every question. It pays to get up early for this tour - popular places were already getting packed - I can’t imagine what it would be like if we didn’t go early.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great experience on the Kyoto tour with Sumiko. We're also glad you appreciated the early start — it really does make a difference when visiting popular spots, especially in Kyoto where it can get very crowded.
Katie_C, May 2025
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! Our guide, Akiko, was an absolute gem. She was so knowledgable about the different locations and very kind. Akiko was kind, knowledgable, and incredibly personable. She took photos of my husband and I in addition to the tour, so we had lots of adorable photos thanks to her. Each of the locations that we visited were amazing, and going so early in the day allows you to avoid many tourists overcrowding popular areas. I strongly recommend this particular tour and I would also suggest that you request Akiko if you can, she was amazing!
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the tour and that Akiko made it such a special experience. We truly appreciate your recommendation.
Nancy_P, May 2025
Even though it rained all day, our Early bird tour experience with Makoto-san was beyond our expectations. A day before the tour he reached out to introduce himself and shared pics of our meeting point in Kyoto Station. He also asked about our interests in Japan and pointed out the rain forecast. From the start, he made us feel at ease. Once we met he was so easy to talk to and helped us seamlessly navigate through the different stations to catch the subways and buses to get to our 3 different tour spots located throughout Kyoto. He made it look easy! He was so accommodating always asking if we needed to use the restrooms and making sure we were okay. He shared with us the background and significance of the Fushimi Inari shrine, the Kinkaku-ji temple, and the Arashiyama Bamboo forest which made our visits that much more interesting. We beat the crowds for the most part so that made it even better. He was also our personal photographer and knew the hot spots for photos worthy of Instagram lol. We loved the experience from start to finish and highly recommend it and Makoto-san.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you very much for your wonderful review!
We’re delighted to hear that Makoto-san was able to make your tour enjoyable despite the rainy weather.
Thank you again for choosing the Early Bird Tour—we truly appreciate it!
Graham_S, Apr 2025
fantastic trip around Kyoto with Makiko. She was an excellent guide, giving us information and background around all the sites and the locations, as well as being very friendly and open. Highly recommended
Response from Host, May 2025
We’re thrilled to hear that Makiko made your trip enjoyable. Your kind words mean a lot to us. Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!
Kon_K, Apr 2025
We spent a beautiful day out touring with Sumiko visiting the Fushimi Inari Tanisha shrine, Kinkskuji temple and the bamboo forrest. Sumiko was very knowledgeable and professional. Very proud to be providing us detailed information on Japanese history and culture. Thank you Sumiko for a great day!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you very much for your lovely review.
We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed your day with Sumiko, and that her knowledge and passion for Japanese history and culture made your visit special.
We’ll happily share your kind words with her.
Michelle_T, Apr 2025
This was a great way to experience beautiful local sites and learn about the history and ask questions. We got much more out of this than if we were doing a self-guided tour. Our guide Akiko was very knowledgeable and great with our young kids.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback!
We’re so happy to hear that you and your children enjoyed the tour with Akiko and were able to learn more about the local sites and history.
Melissa_F, Apr 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Akiko who helped us navigate our way to several of our top sites we wished to see while in Kyoto. There’s no way we could have seen as much as we did in the time that we had without her. She was also very knowledgeable and kind. Make sure to bring good walking shoes!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
We’re very happy to hear that you had a wonderful time with Akiko. Thank you so much for joining the tour and for your kind review. We truly appreciate it!
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From $103.19
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Kyoto Early Bird Walking Tour
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