Kyoto Private Highlights Tour with English Guide and Hotel Pickup

Recommended by 98% of travelers

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Kyoto, Japan

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Booked 5+ times last week!

8 to 10 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Kyoto: Private Highlights Tour with English Guide & Hotel Pickup

Kyoto, Japan

4.9

(42)

Kyoto: Private Highlights Tour with English Guide & Hotel Pickup

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From Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu Dera and Arashiyama Day Tour

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World Heritage Shimogamo Shrine Private Tour

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Overview

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Private transportation
Pick up and Drop off to hotel
English speaking chauffeur
Customized Itineraries

Meals
Coffee and/or Tea

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Pickup Locations: Any hotel, ryokan, or Airbnb within Kyoto city limits. Will send the car license plate number and driver will call after reaching to meeting point

Itinerary

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Tenryu-ji Temple Sogenchi Teien

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Arashiyama Kimono Forest

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Monkey Park Iwatayama

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Kinkakuji Temple

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Nishiki Market Shopping District

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Hokan-ji Temple

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Sannenzaka Ninenzaka

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Sanjusangendo Temple

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
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

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9

based on 91 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

As advertised and then some .......

Allan_S, Sep 2026

Aki had several suggestions but was open to our ideas. He was prompt and very knowledgeable. In one temple he pushed my wheelchair so that my wife didn't have to do that. He was generally concerned for our welfare. As I had informed the company (Sakura Luxury tours) that I was using a scooter They supplied a full size van which was clean and comfortable. Apart from sharing the history of Kyoto and how The shoguns and the Samurai were warring, he also shared history of Buddhism and Shintoism and how those religions arrived and influenced Japanese culture. He shared personal history giving us an idea of what it is like to integrate into Japanese society. At the Bamboo grove he warned us about the steep hills but went along with my desire to see other types of bamboo trees. The tour exceeded the advertised length as well. Yes the tour was more expensive than doing a group tour but the attention to detail and to us was well worth it. We asked Aki for recommendations as to where we might spend some of our remaining Kyoto time and he gave us a helpful list. So a special thank you to Aki for giving us a special day in Kyoto. AS//

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review. We’re truly delighted to hear that you had such a special day exploring Kyoto with us. We’re especially glad that our guide was attentive to your needs, helped with your wheelchair when needed, and made sure you were comfortable and safe throughout the tour. We’re also pleased that the larger vehicle provided the space and comfort you needed for your scooter. It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed learning not only about Kyoto’s history, the shoguns and samurai, but also about Buddhism, Shintoism, and their influence on Japanese culture. We always hope to make our tours more personal by sharing meaningful stories and local perspectives. We’re happy that our guide could accommodate your interests at the Bamboo Grove and provide recommendations for the rest of your time in Kyoto. Your kind words about the attention to detail and personalized service mean a great deal to our entire team. Thank you again for choosing Sakura Luxury Tours and for your heartfelt recommendation. It was truly our pleasure to have you with us, and we hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Japan! 🇯🇵🌸

Iconic Sights - Stress Free

Anita_J, Aug 2026

Akii was awesome! Knowledgeable, accommodating, safe driver, had a plan to avoid crowds. He even went the extra mile, literally, by climbing to the summit to the monkey park! The car was very comfortable, plenty of room for our tall family (6’3”), and good a/c. The entire day went smoothly and even though it is about an 8 hour day, it didn’t feel long at all. Not having to navigate transit, tickets, or plan any of this is well worth it. A very stress free way to experience so many of the iconic sights. If there was one attraction to skip, it would be Nashiki Market. While it’s good for souvenirs and treats, there isn’t any truly unique spots there and it is overcrowded mostly with tourists. The merch and food was very much like other markets. I would find a less crowded, more local market instead.

Response from Host, Aug 2026

Thank you very much for sharing such a detailed review! We’re delighted to hear that our guide provided you with a knowledgeable, accommodating, and safe experience while helping you avoid the crowds. We’re especially glad that the visit to the Monkey Park and the extra effort to make your day memorable were highlights of your tour. It’s wonderful to know that you found the vehicle comfortable and spacious for your family and that the entire 8-hour experience felt smooth and relaxed. Our goal is to make exploring Kyoto as convenient and stress-free as possible, allowing our guests to focus on enjoying the sights rather than worrying about transportation and planning. We also truly appreciate your honest feedback regarding Nishiki Market. We understand that it can become quite crowded, and your suggestion about including more local, less-touristy markets is very valuable. We will certainly consider this when customizing future tours for our guests. Thank you again for choosing us and for your kind recommendation. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back to Japan for another memorable experience!

We were able to customize...

Charles_G, Jul 2026

We were able to customize the tour to our meet needs and saw everything on our list in a single day. Very enjoyable tour, highly recommended.

Response from Host, Sep 2026

Thank you so much for your excellent review and recommendation! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great experience with us. We’re especially pleased that our guide was professional, knowledgeable, and able to tailor the day around the places you wanted to visit while helping you avoid the crowds. We always aim to make our private tours as smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable as possible. Thank you again for choosing Sakura Luxury Tours. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back to Japan in the future! 🇯🇵🌸

Excellent Kyoto Day Tour with Yash

Victor_Y, May 2026

We had such a great time with Yash! He is very knowledgeable, patient, pleasant, speaks English really well, good storyteller…best tour guide we had in Japan.

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re truly happy to hear that you had such a great time with our guide . It means a lot to know that you found him knowledgeable, patient, and engaging. We’re especially glad you enjoyed his storytelling and communication—it really makes a difference in creating a memorable experience. Being called the best tour guide you had in Japan is a huge compliment, and we sincerely appreciate it. We hope to welcome you again in the future!

Wonderful Kyoto Day

Kim_C, Apr 2026

Wonderful day with our tour guide, Mr. Sha and driver Sam. He asked for our tour preferences- we told him we loved the outdoors and horticulture. We strolled through the amazing Torii Gates (quite a work out)and he shared his secret paths and views with us.The Imperial Gardens were breathtaking. Sha suggested Kura Sushi Restaurant and it was an interesting conveyor belt sushi restaurant! Ending a perfect day we walked the fascinating Arashiyama bamboo forest and crossed the Togetsuyko Bridge or romantic Crossing Moon Bridge. Thanks Sha for sharing a wonderful day in Kyoto with us!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for this detailed and thoughtful review. It’s wonderful to hear that our guide created such a memorable experience for you. Your kind words mean a lot to us, We truly appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable day in Japan!

Yash the assigned guide...

candy_m, Feb 2026

Yash the assigned guide communicates very good in English. He's well versed, patient and personable. Organize and well timed itinerary. Succesfully completed visits to 5 tourist spots without stress or being rushed.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

We are truly happy to hear that you had such a smooth and enjoyable experience with Our guide. It’s wonderful to know that his English communication, knowledge, patience, and personable approach made your tour comfortable and engaging. We also appreciate your feedback about the well-organized and well-timed itinerary. Successfully visiting five tourist spots without feeling rushed or stressed is exactly the kind of balanced experience we aim to provide. Your positive words mean a lot to us and to Yash. We sincerely thank you for choosing our service and hope to welcome you again on your next visit.

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