Kyoto Private 6 hour Tour: English Speaking Driver Only, No Guide
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Kyoto, Japan
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
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Overview
Explore Kyoto on your own schedule by booking a private car and driver to take you around. Avoid the hassle of figuring out public transportation and losing time getting to places that are far apart. Your English speaking driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the attractions that you want to see, and wait as you explore them at your own pace.
- Private car and driver for sightseeing in Kyoto
- Travel in comfort in a private air-conditioned vehicle
- Relax with hotel pickup and drop-off in Kyoto
- Pay just one price per vehicle, for up to three people
What's Included
- English speaking driver
- Private vehicle
- Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list'
- Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
- Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
- You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Your driver can pick you up only in Kyoto. This is a tour with an English-speaking driver. It does not include a government-licensed guide. You will be able to reach your driver via phone during the tour only. Please use email for any communication before the tour. Please be aware we can not pick you up in Osaka, Kobe, Nara etc.
Itinerary
1
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Gion
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
3
Kinkakuji Temple
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Tenryu-ji Temple
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
6
Arashiyama
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
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
- There are only a limited number of car seats and booster seats. Rear-facing car seats are not available. You must contact us directly if you need them.
- 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
4.8
based on 94 reviews
Jeanette_B, May 2026
We had a wonderful day with our driver Harry-San. He adapted our day to take into account that I was unexpectantly in a wheelchair. He was friendly, very knowledgeable and a great person to spend the day with. Thank you Harry-San
Linda_T, Apr 2026
It is wonderful to have your own driver. You get to cover more places in a shorter amount of time. We highly recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your kind review.
We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with your driver !
We hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future!
Japan Guide Agency
Richard_H, Apr 2026
Driver was very pleasant and helpful. We loved Kyoto, although it rained for most of the day, which of course was just bad luck. Only issue was that we did have trouble at times understanding the driver.
Timothy_Y, Apr 2026
Nobu san made our day! Easy meet up location and comfortable van with AC and phone chargers. I gave him a list of places we wanted to see and he helped map out the best route. He spoke English well and added history and interesting facts to each of our locations even though he’s technically not supposed to be our tour guide…but that’s exactly what he was. We wanted to get away from the crowds for lunch and he took us to his favorite neighborhood ramen place and explained to us how their broth is so unique and a traditional Kyoto style broth (pork bone with a little chicken broth that lightens it! So good!). Toward the end of the day we hit Fushimi Inari which I told him felt like a tourist instagram traps and we could wait to get out of there. He suggested a place of the beaten path and we’re so glad we went. It was a Buddhist temple high in a hilltop with views of all of Kyoto, and it was practically empty (probably because you’d need a car to get there). It ended up being our favorite place and had the best pictures. Oh and at every stop he knew the best spots for pictures which my daughter appreciated. She’d even ask him where would make the best picture! And he graciously took pictures for us when asked.
For a day trip from Tokyo, I highly recommend booking a car and driver and 5 stars for Nobu San!
Luana_K, Apr 2026
Great experience! Our driver was great. We skipped all lines and in one day we visited all major attractions.
Mr. Fuji was EXCELLENT!!!
Thank you!
Gaye_C, Jan 2026
We were short on time, so having a private driver helped us fit a lot in 1 day. Took all the stress and confusion out of the day so we could enjoy it more. Definitely was a positive for us.
Anastasia_P, Jan 2026
This was a great experience! Our driver, Harry, picked us up from the hotel and made sure we visited the top sights in Kyoto. At each location, he parked as close as possible, which kept walking to a minimum—much appreciated, especially with family.
Harry spoke excellent English and gave us a clear and interesting overview of each landmark we visited. While six hours may sound long, it’s just enough time to visit four locations, considering the driving distances between sites and the walking involved at each one.
Since these are very popular attractions, they can be quite crowded. Still, overall this was a fantastic experience and highly recommended, especially for families
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for your kind review.
We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour with your driver, Harry.
We hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future!
Japan Guide Agency
Perry_J, Dec 2025
My partner and I created a plan to visit Mt Kurama and Kifune. Haruhiko was the PERFECT driver and guide. We were able to experience these sights fully and Haruhiko also suggested including another Temple we had hoped to see. In all I highly recommend him as a guide and driver. We are so grateful for the experience!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We appreciate your kind feedback ! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with your driver, Haruhiko.
We look forward to your next visit to Japan.
Japan Guide Agency
Ken_T, Dec 2025
I went with my late 60s parents in early November and we had a wonderful time. Our driver was Harry and he was fantastic. He picked us up right on time and went over our itinerary with us. We chose the sights we wanted to see and he planned out the route. He was knowledgeable about each of the sights that we saw and knew the best spots to take pictures. The car was fantastic and very clean. I would highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We appreciate your kind feedback! We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with your driver, Harry. We look forward to your next visit to Japan!
Japan Guide Agency
Carla_T, Dec 2025
If you want to see the sights in Kyoto, definitely hire a private car and driver. Our family of four got to see and experience the city’s top attractions without having to wait for crowded buses, and we had the flexibility to spend a little or a lot of time at each place.
Our driver, Sachiko, was fantastic. She was so friendly, kind, and mapped out the best route for us to see all that we wanted to see within six hours. From picking us up at our hotel to chatting about Japanese culture, food, and everyday life, she was simply the best. Highly recommended!
Sathishkumaar_G, Nov 2025
Harry San, our English speaking driver was amazing. He came along with us explaining every place we visited with great detail and also suggested a great place for lunch.
Nancy_M, Oct 2025
My husband and I had a change in our cruise ship itinerary which lead us basically on our own and I was able to book a private driver in Kyoto Japan for 6 hours and customize our top choices.
Our driver Takashi was fantastic!
He met us at the train station and we were able to go directly to the Bamboo gardens, Golden Pavilion, stop at a great sushi spot near Gion and then walk the downtown Geisha district. He shared many additional shrines, and many historical sites in Kyoto along the way. Tashiki’s knowledge on Kyoto and being a native of the city allowed us to see more in our short time than if we were there for days.
Viator has always been my go to for all my travels because the guides and drivers are the best!
Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We appreciate your kind feedback ! We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with your driver. We look forward to your next visit to Japan!
tracey_s, Sep 2025
This was the perfect way to visit special places in Kyoto especially in brutally hot conditions! Harry, our driver, was exceptionally friendly and gracious. He shared a lot of historical knowledge while accompanying us to shrines, temples and gardens. He was much more than just a driver. He even let us detour to the Pokémon store (gifts for the grandkids) and Starbucks as we were worn out from the heat during our outdoor exploring. He has a great sense of humor and enjoyed our time with him immensely.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you very much for your kind review!
We’re delighted to hear that you had a fantastic time in Kyoto and that our driver Harry made your experience even more special.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back to Japan in the future!
Japan Guide Agency
Bethany_A, Sep 2025
Perfect way to fit in activities quickly outside the city center! We loved our driver and the convenience of booking this flexible day!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you very much for your kind review!
We’re delighted to hear that you had a fantastic time in Kyoto and that our driver made your day even more convenient.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back to Japan in the future!
Japan Guide Agency
Sara_M, Jul 2025
We were lucky enough to get Harry for this tour! We loved all the time we got to spend with him. He was very informative on the history of every place we visited. He knew all the secret ways to get close to the entrances of where we were going, avoiding long walks and long lines on a very hot and humid day in Kyoto. We all really enjoyed this tour, and wished we could have spent more time with Harry. Book this trip, you will not be disappointed!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
We appreciate your kind feedback and our guides do too! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with your guide. We look forward to your next visit to Japan!
Japan Guide Agency
Khristofer_A, Jul 2025
Hiro is arguably the best driver/tour guide ever. He went the extra mile to give local insights of the area. Highly recommended.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
We appreciate your kind feedback and our drivers / guides do too! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with Hiro. We look forward to your next visit to Japan!
Japan Guide Agency
Esther_L, Jun 2025
Reserving a car driven by Yutaka was the best experience we could hope for. He was very accommodating, regarding time and route, ensuring we saw everything on our wish list and making suggestions of his own for our remaining time. The car was impeccably clean, confortable, and had great air conditioning, a life-saver on this unseasonably warm and humid June morning. Without having to rely on public transportation and our navigation skills as first time visitors, we were able to visit Fushimi Inari, Kinkakiju, and the Arashiyama Bamboo forest and the nearby Buddhist temple. Yutaka gave us some great pointers on respectful behavior and even though he wasn’t obligated to narrate our trip, he pointed out important landmarks and provided context for what we were seeing. Our last stop was a foot massage spa in Gion, a perfect end to a great tour day. Highly recommended!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for your kind review!
We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed your day in Kyoto with Yutaka, and that his flexibility, helpful suggestions, and comfortable driving made your experience special.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back to Japan someday!
Japan Guide Agency
Diana_W, Jun 2025
Our driver, Hiro, was truly amazing. He also showed us around all the spots and was way more than a driver. His English was great and he made some great suggestions to help with efficiency and maintain my child’s interest. He suggested a great local spot for lunch we all enjoyed. He even spent time with her during lunch to make origami! I highly recommend Hiroshi and this experience. It allowed our family to see all the main sites in Kyoto in 1 day.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you very much for your kind review!
We’re so glad to hear that Hiro made your day in Kyoto special, especially with thoughtful touches like helping your child with origami and recommending a great local lunch spot.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Japan someday!
Japan Guide Agency
Rebecca_K, Jun 2025
Sachi was an amazing and kind guide. She knew all the spots to go to and gave us excellent information. We had a great day and really enjoyed seeing the sites. I recommend!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
We appreciate your kind feedback and our guides/drivers do too! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with your guide. We look forward to your next visit to Japan!
Japan Guide Agency
Geoffrey_G, May 2025
Our driver was excellent!! Took us to the front of queues and then to a fantastic yakitori restaurant for our lunch.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you very much for your wonderful review!
We're delighted to hear that you had a great time in Kyoto and that your driver helped make the experience smooth and enjoyable.
We sincerely appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you back to Japan in the future.
Japan Guide Agency
Stephanie_O, Apr 2025
Sachi was an amazing driver. She is very friendly, professional, accommodating, and flexible. It was wonderful to see all the highlights of Kyoto. Then she found us a place to purchase kimonos and translated for us. We will definitely hire her again in the future.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you very much for your kind review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time in Kyoto with Sachi. Her friendly and professional support clearly made your experience special, and we’re happy she could assist with your kimono shopping as well. We look forward to welcoming you again on your next visit to Japan!
Japan Guide Agency
David_C, Mar 2025
Nob was a very good driver & tour guide, friendly, experienced & knowledgeable on Kyoto. Walked with us through sites & gave valuable insights. Brought us to great sushi restaurant
Maurice_A, Dec 2024
Hari/Harry was excellent. He went at our pace, taking into account our age and mobility. He was very knowledgeable and a perfect gentleman.
Gregory_K, Nov 2024
We had a very memorable experience in Kyoto due to the hospitality of Haruhito “Harry” Teramura. Harry was much more than a driver. He was a friend, a tour escort, and a historian of Kyoto. My wife and I depart Kyoto having a very positive feeling of Kyoto. Thank you Harry for sharing an extraordinary day with us in Kyoto! We look forward to another meeting with you in the near future!
MIN_Y, Jul 2024
We are absolutely delighted that we booked this private tour. Our driver, Mr. Fuji, was exceptional! When he arrived to pick us up at the hotel, we shared our interests, and he crafted an itinerary that efficiently covered the best route in just 6 hours. Mr. Fuji was incredibly thorough and detail-oriented. He took us to the prime photo spots, and when we got lost at one location, he patiently communicated with us via WhatsApp and guided us through the maze. Truly amazing! If we had any doubts in the beginning due to the limited number of reviews, we now wholeheartedly recommend this tour. By the way, this is the first review I’ve ever posted, and it’s only because I was so impressed with Mr. Fuji’s top-notch service and work ethic.
naveen_d, Mar 2024
Harry drive us to the locations in Kyoto
He was a good guide and give us good guidance with the timings and history of the places even though his role was not meant to be a guide for this tour
We really had an awesome experience on this tour.
Karen_T, Mar 2024
Nob was fabulous. He was prompt, helpful, gave us water, had a fire to hold our flyers from various stops and adapted as we went I think it was well worth the money and took away all the stress of a new town. I wish we had spent longer with him.
Tom_R, Dec 2023
This was an excellent way for us to see Kyoto sights efficiently and comfortably. I do not think it could be done in one day taking public transit. Kan was a an excellent driven and shared lots of history and context to what we were seeing as well. Worth every penny!
Response from Host, Dec 2023
We appreciate your kind feedback and our guides do too! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with your guide. We look forward to your next visit to Japan. Japan Guide Agency
Bernardo_Z, Dec 2023
Very professional driver, made sure we always knew where to go in the shrines, very flexible with our schedule, spoke good English, punctual and very nice and clean car. Recommended!
Response from Host, Dec 2023
We appreciate your kind feedback and our guides do too! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with your guide. We look forward to your next visit to Japan. Japan Guide Agency
Alberto_B, Oct 2023
Flexibility and advice from the driver. Great pace and activity level. Travelled with kids aged 11 and 13 as well as 80year old grandma…
From $191.56
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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