Kyoto and Nara Private Car Tour with a Local English Guide Driver
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Kyoto, Japan
- 7 to 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
What's Included
- Customizable tour based on your preferences
- Experienced Local English and Japanese Speaking Guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Wi-Fi on Board
- Complimentary assistance with Shinkansen and restaurant reservations
- Private transportation
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Mercedes - Benz V-Class (High-cost option for VIP)
- Booster seat
- Entrance fee - Any Entrance fees are not included
- MealsYou need to pay for parking during meals if there is a fee
- Gas, parking, Highway fees in Japanese yen cash on the tour day¥15,000.00 per booking
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Our guide will meet you in the hotel lobby holding a sign with your name on it.
Itinerary
1
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Arashiyama
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Tenryu-ji Temple
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Togetsukyo Bridge
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Arashiyama Kimono Forest
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Sagano Romantic Train
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
8
Monkey Park Iwatayama
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
9
Gion
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
10
Kinkakuji Temple
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
11
Nishiki Market Shopping District
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
12
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
13
Ginkakuji Temple
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
14
Yasaka Shrine
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
15
Sanjusangendo Temple
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
16
Nijo Castle
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
17
Amanohashidate
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
18
Ine no Funaya
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
19
Amanohashidate View Land
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
20
Chion-in Temple
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
21
Nara Park
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
22
Todai-ji Temple
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
23
Kasuga Grand Shrine
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
24
Kofuku-ji Temple 5 Stories Pagoda
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- 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
Reviews
4.9
based on 59 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Mark_O, Jun 2026
A great decision to book a second tour with this service. Tour other parts of Kyoto. Our second tour was just as enjoyable and smooth. Plenty to see in Kyoto for a second day, without feeling rushed or over extended. Lucky to have Yama show us around for both tour days. Yama communicates well in English and Japanese. Very polite and courteous. Really adds to the tour to be accompanied by Yama, a Kyoto resident, to find some hidden gems.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for booking our tour for 2 days!
We were very happy to visit Kyoto with you for 2 days.
We are looking forward to visiting other places which are hard to visit without a local guide.
We will offer you many options next time!
Mark_O, Jun 2026
Well worth booking this service. Well organized. Logistics went smoothly. Well kept vehicle.
We have been to Kyoto a couple times. Kyoto sites are spread around the city perimeter and center. A lot to be said about taking the stress out of trains, transfers and walking, when you can go doorstep to doorstep in a private vehicle. Get that custom tour to your liking.
We booked this service to see northwest Kyoto. Our driver Yama communicates well in Japanese and English. He shared some history as we toured. Great suggestions on restaurants away from tourist traps, photo ops, and go-to spots for famous Kyoto matcha and other treats. We appreciate that he made the trip enjoyable and comfortable.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for booking our tour!
We are so glad to hear that the tour went smoothly, and you had a great time with our professional guide.
We are looking forward to seeing you and visiting other places together!
Paul_S, Jun 2026
We saw a number of interesting sites (park with deer), temples, shrines, over a large area so there was a fair amount of driving involved. Our guide was very young and not very knowledgeable though he spoke English very well having attended university in the USA. I would recommend the tour as long as the guide was knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback.
We are glad to hear that you enjoyed visiting the temples, shrines, and other sites on the tour. We sincerely apologize that the guide's knowledge did not meet your expectations. We appreciate your comments and will use them to improve our guide training and service quality.
Thank you for traveling with us, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
Brenda_S, May 2026
Lots of uphill walking at monkey park but definitely worth it! Our guide Yama was great / very knowledgeable and friendly! Took us to hidden spots to avoid the crowds. Amazing experience!! Worth every penny!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much for booking our tour!
We are so glad to hear that you had a great time with our professional guide.
We will keep improving our services!
trinabando, May 2026
For the amount we paid, I expected to go to more places. I think there are better tour operators for the same price point.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your honest review, and we are very sorry for that.
Our tour is customizable tour so we took you places as much as we could.
It takes at least 2 days if you would like to visit more places.
We will keep improving our service from this experience.
Thank you so much for booking with us.
RACHEL_D, Apr 2026
I thought I had booked a guide who would tell us all about each place. Lovely chap but he just drove and only gave info when we asked. Maybe my mistake but I assumed we would have a guide as a driver but felt he was just a driver .
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for booking with us, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
Our guide is very experienced; however, we recognize that there is still room for improvement in our service based on this experience.
We will continue to enhance our services to provide a better experience for our guests.
Thank you very much for your honest feedback.
Bhargavi_P, Apr 2026
We travelled with Yamato Kline around Kyoto on a day trip from Osaka and nothing could be more worth it ! Yama is patient, especially since we had children and seniors with us... He cheerfully took us around the heritage centre of Kyoto, temples of Kiomizudera and found us a quiet spot at the bamboo grove. He even waited while we shopped endlessly for souvenirs. It was a pleasure travelling with such an even tempered, patient guide and an excellent driver. If you're short on time, this is the best way to see Kyoto undoubtedly ! Thank you for a great day Yama
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for booking us!
We are so glad to hear that you guys had a great time with our professional guide!
He also has a professional driver license, so I believe everyone can enjoy their time without any stress.
We are looking forward to seeing you guys again!
Jaime_d, Apr 2026
It was a great and seamless experience! Yama was a great guide! Knowledgeable and he took us to all the right places to avoid the crowds, have great food and trata! He continue helping us after with recommendations and pointers in Kyoto and Osaka! Totally recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for booking us!
We are glad to hear that you guys had a great experience with our guide!
We are looking forward to seeing you guys again!
Yogita_S, Mar 2026
We had an amazing experience & a great time visiting Nara & Kyoto. A perfect itinerary that fit our schedule & pace. Our tour guide Yama made sure we did not miss any of the places that were on our list . Would highly recommend this tour service to our friends & family.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for booking us!
We are so glad to hear that you had a great day with our guide!
We are looking forward to seeing you again in Japan!
Amishi_D, Mar 2026
My husband and I had a short trip to Japan . This was the best way to see all of Kyoto in one day in the comfort of a luxury car.
We saw Nara park , Todaiji temple ,Shrine fushimi inair Kinkakuji temple ,Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Golden pavilion and lastly Kiyomizu-dera. We saw it all and it was not rushed .
Ate at pizzeria Lugara (good) near arashiyma and crème brûlée donut at donut Stand from Yama our driver’s recommendation . Car was very clean and comfortable . Exactly what we wanted to get done in one day to see Kyoto but also avoid the rush and public transport . Highly recommend to people with limited time in Kyoto .
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for booking us!
We are so glad to hear that you had a great time without any rush with our service.
We are looking forward to seeing you again in Japan!
JD_K, Feb 2026
Before booking any tour, please make sure the company is operating legally. A friend of mine once joined a tour in Japan run illegally by foreigners, and their vehicle was involved in an accident, which caused serious trouble. Don’t let something like that ruin your trip to Japan. I strongly suggest booking with a legitimate, locally operated company like this one so you can enjoy a safe and wonderful experience.
We had such a great time and were very satisfied. Thank you so much!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for booking us!
Yes, that is true.
This is a serious problem has been happening in Japan these days.
There are so many companies are running their services illegally because they are not Japanese companies.
Please be careful that point!
Joshua_D, Feb 2026
We compared and researched several other tour companies, and we noticed that many of them were operated by foreign company and guides or were running illegally using white-plated vehicles. We had seen news reports about illegal white-plate operators in Japan being involved in accidents or arrested by the police, and we wanted to avoid any potential trouble.
Because of that, we carefully compared many tours and ultimately chose this one, hoping for an experience in Japan that was safe, reliable, and enjoyable. This company operates with properly licensed staff and green-plated vehicles, which gave us a great sense of trust in terms of safety.
The communication during the booking process was very polite and attentive, and the quality of the local guide was excellent. The guide spoke both Japanese and English fluently, which made us feel even more comfortable. Overall, we were extremely satisfied with the experience in every aspect—safety, enjoyment, and service quality.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for booking us!
We are so glad to hear that you had a safe and comfortable trip with our service.
Our first priority is the safe.
We are very confident that we are offering safe and comfortable service here in Japan.
We will continue with this style!
Thank you so much again, and we are looking forward to seeing you guys again in Japan!
Grace_N, Jan 2026
Kyoto Nara Private Car Tour with a Local English Guide Yama and green plated driver was an excellent experience from start to finish. Traveling by private car made the journey smooth and comfortable, especially for our family, and the itinerary was well paced without feeling rushed. Our local English-speaking guide Yama was professional, friendly, and very knowledgeable, sharing insightful stories and cultural background that brought Kyoto and Nara to life. The flexibility to adjust stops along the way and the thoughtful attention to our needs made the day truly enjoyable. This tour offered a perfect balance of comfort, efficiency, and authentic local insight, and we would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a relaxed and enriching way to explore Kyoto and Nara.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for booking us!
Safety is our top priority, so we are so glad to hear that you had a great time in Japan with our guide and service.
We are looking forward to seeing you guys again in Japan!
Stephanie_C, Dec 2025
A wonderful tour across many of the Kyoto must-see stops! We went to Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kinkakuji Temple, Ginkakuji, and did lots of shopping at Nishiki Market. Yama gave some of the history at each location and helped track down specific stores so I could finalize my souvenir shopping. It was a wonderful day, and Yama also helped stop and take pictures of me at the perfect locations.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much for booking us!
I'm glad to hear that Yama helped you guys to have a great time and memory in Japan.
We are looking forward to seeing you guys again in Japan!
J_S, Nov 2025
We had such an amazing experience with this tour! Great way to sightsee Kyoto or Nara without the stress and hassle of navigating through train stations, taxis and long walks in between spots, especially if traveling with kids or elderly. We got to cover all our must-see spots in one day. So glad we found it!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you so much for booking us!
We are so glad you had a great time in Japan!
We are looking forward to seeing you guys again!
Reese_M, Nov 2025
It was a great tour with Hibiki! He speaks English well and he took me to so many great spots in Kyoto and Nara.
Their operator is amazing too! He speaks English well and he helped me a lot. It’s very reassuring that all of their staff speak both English and Japanese to support everything you need in Japan!
Their night tour became my once-in-a-lifetime memory. I could experience a real Maiko at an invitation only Ochaya which only this company can invite in Japan!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
We’re so glad you had a good experience with us. We will keep doing our best for customers to have a great time and memories in Japan!
We hope to see you again soon!
Thank you so much for choosing our service!
Sam_R, Nov 2025
Great Guides. Very friendly and knowledgeable. Make the tour seamless and fun. I couldn’t recommend them more
Response from Host, Nov 2025
We’re so glad you had a great experience with us!
Thank you so much for choosing our service.
Enjoy the rest of your time in Japan!
Likely to Sell Out
From $439.64
per group (up to 6)up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Kyoto and Nara Private Car Tour with a Local English Guide Driver
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