Tokyo to Kyoto 1-Full Day Private Guided Tour
Badge of Excellence
Tokyo, Japan
- 9 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
With this private tour, there’s no need to worry about spending hours researching things to do in Kyoto. Instead, enjoy the luxury of having a full itinerary organized for you. Beginning in Tokyo, travel to Kyoto, then benefit from having a guide to show you around top sightseeing spots, such as Kinkaku-ji Temple, Nishiki Market, Gion, and Fushimi Inari Shrine.
- Swap Tokyo sights for a day trip to Kyoto
- Private tour just for your personal group
- Check off top landmarks with a guide to accompany you
- Save hours of itinerary planning: Everything is organized for you
What's Included
- Guiding Services and tour management, transportation arrangement
- Transportation cost is NOT included. Please carefully review the exclusions listed below.
- Bullet train tickets costs are NOT included. Please carefully review the...
- Entrance fee - Entrance fee
- Transportation (cash): up to 5 travelers:¥100,000,more than 5: let me know¥100,000.00 per booking
- Guide cost for Tokyo Pick up: ¥60,000 (In case of Tokyo station pick up,cash to the guide).¥60,000.00 per booking
- Bullet train cost (from Tokyo to Kyoto and back): Depending on the ticket you choose¥28,000.00 per person
- Lunch
- Gratuities are always appreciated but never expected (In case your experience was exceptional)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
End points
This activity ends in a different location. See details below:
Itinerary
1
Bamboo Forest Street
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
2
Kinkakuji Temple
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Nishiki Market Shopping District
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
4
Pontocho District
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Gion
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
6
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is 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
4.4
based on 42 reviews
Gerard_J, Apr 2026
You can do Kyoto in a daytrip fromTokyo. It is a different experience. I would advise you to go for a private car with chaffeur
JulieS, Oct 2025
Careful, make sure you read everything that is and isn’t included. We were under the impression that because it said it was a private tour, the transportation was already included. I knew we had to pay extra to buy the tickets to Kyoto but I wasn’t expecting to have to pay for someone to pick us up from the hotel and walk us to the train station to buy the train tickets 60k yen and then to have to pay 100k yen for a private car. So, the tour costs $550 for what exactly?????? I still don’t know what the $550 covers because it clearly doesn’t cover the tour. To make matters worse, my phone number was given to the tour operator and he started contacting me about the 160k yen just after the 24 hour cancellation deadline. He kept pressing me to confirm, I reached to Viator as I did not feel comfortable with the approach and Viator said that unfortunately there was nothing they could do. I asked for a refund and about 20 minutes later I received a WhatsApp message from the tour operator directly asking me why I had cancelled the tour. I felt harassed, I didn’t appreciate the fact the Viator gave my direct phone number to the company, I feel that if the tour operator needs to reach out they should be able to only do it through Viator. We have been traveling overseas for sometime now and have always used Viator, but after this incident, I will no longer be using them. Sad to say, but I feel 100% unsupported
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear about your disappointment and any confusion regarding the tour details. The term private tour refers to a tour conducted exclusively for your group, not a group tour, and does not include transportation unless stated otherwise. As noted in the tour description, transportation costs are mentioned as not included three times to ensure clarity before booking. We truly regret any misunderstanding and appreciate your comments, which help us improve communication for future guests. As for the tour fees already paid, it covers the guide in Kyoto and your entrance fee as stated in the tour description as well. The guide fee in Tokyo and transportation are extra options. Thanks a lot
Rebecca_T, Oct 2025
Our 9-hour private guided tour in Kyoto offered a deep dive into the city's cultural highlights, but it came with some unexpected costs and inconsistencies that future travelers should note.
What We Loved:
- The itinerary was comprehensive, allowing us to visit far more sites than we could have on public transportation. Standout spots included the unique Sanjūsangendō Temple with its impressive collection of statues and the charming Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, known for its whimsical stone statues. These made the experience memorable despite temple overload.
- Our guide, Yuki (a male guide), was very kind and added many stops that weren’t on our original plan, which added a personal touch to the day.
Areas for Improvement:
- Communication Challenges: Yuki's English was understandable but struggled with detailed explanations, making it hard to fully appreciate the historical context of the sites. For the price paid, we expected smoother communication. Note: This Yuki seems different from the highly rated female guide named Yuka mentioned in other reviews—double-check guide details when booking.
- Hidden Costs and Booking Issues: We were initially quoted $500, but an extra $650 was added for private transportation, which wasn't clearly communicated upfront. It appears Ahmed, likely the owner based on our interactions, handled the bookings and I thought was going to be our guide, may have switched us to Yuki due to our concerns about the charge. This left us feeling the experience didn't match the promises made.
Overall Verdict:
While the tour let us see Kyoto's best in a single day, the extra fees and guide mismatch were disappointing.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you very much for your feedback, though we’re truly disappointed to see your rating. We’re glad you enjoyed the tour overall and would like to clarify a few points. Your tour was extended by two hours, with our company covering the additional costs for both the guide and the vehicle. As noted three times in the tour description, transportation fees are not included in the base tour price. Our team, including Ahmed, has been in close contact with you from the start, assisting with arrangements beyond the scope of the tour—such as booking extra experiences and providing dinner recommendations. Yuki, one of our licensed Japanese guides, followed the full itinerary you requested, which was quite packed and may have limited time for detailed explanations. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding, as we always strive to offer the best possible experience for every guest.
MaryAnn_A, Oct 2025
This excursion is an excellent option to see the highlights of Kyoto. Our guide, Kazz, did a phenomenal job getting us to so many incredible sites and also has extensive knowledge of the cultural importance of each area we visited. He provided a wonderful overview of this amazing city. Highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for this glowing recommendation! We are thrilled to hear that Kazz's extensive knowledge and efficient planning made your highlights tour of Kyoto so phenomenal, and we hope to have the pleasure of serving you again elsewhere in Japan.
Tim_P, Aug 2025
Kyoto in 1 day is not ideal, but if that is all you have, this will ensure you get to see all the big highlights. It ends up being very expensive if you are traveling from Tokyo (like we were) and you hire a private car service (like we did), but it was still worth it! We would have liked another day in Kyoto but at least we can say we saw the beautiful city!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for choosing our service for your whirlwind day in Kyoto. We are thrilled to hear you felt the experience was worth it and that we could help you see the city's highlights. We hope it left you with wonderful memories. We understand your concern about the cost but this is how we ensure a great tour for travellers within the allocated time
Matea_S, Aug 2025
Over priced! Not not a friendly informative guide. Not too willing to show us around or give us more information. Not fun, no fun, no fun
Prashanth_A, Jul 2025
Very professionally run private tour. It is not cheap , but worth the money . The tour guide was excellent! I would highly recommend this private tour if you want to see all the must see places in Kyoto in a day !
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We are delighted to hear you found the tour professionally run and worth the investment. We take great pride in our excellent guides and are thrilled you had such a positive experience. We truly appreciate your high recommendation.
Trina_P, Jun 2025
Ahmed was an excellent guide. He provided detailed history of the sites. The places we visited were great choices.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed it and looking forward to service you again in Japan
Toni_R, Jun 2025
Ever. Ever do this tour. Supplier is not reliable trustworthy or open and honest with communication. Worst experience
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Toni, its sad that you decided to cancel your tour with us, but as stated Viator cancellation policy does not allow refund in less than 24 hours before the tour and we accept that at the time the travellers can cancel anytime after that, though we sometimes hire the guides and get the cancellation just 2 days before, where we have to pay our guide.
MarjorieM, May 2025
There's nothing like having the owner of a tour company be your private guide! The morning didn't start out that way; our tour guide from another company never showed up for our 8 am appointment and it seemed that the company's phone was disconnected. I frantically started contacting other companies, unwilling to lose a precious day exploring Kyoto with an expert. I finally heard back from Ahmed. All his guides and vans were already booked but he would be glad to accommodate John and me - on what was supposed to be his day off. What a relief. And what a fabulous day exploring Kyoto and learning about her history and culture. AND what great sushi we ate for lunch!! Thanks from Margey and John
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words—I’m thrilled you had such a wonderful day exploring Kyoto, and it was my pleasure to step in and make sure your experience was memorable.
Koeli_P, Apr 2025
Overall we had an Amazing experience! A trip to Kyoto was on my bucket list for long time and our guide Mini fulfilled that wish.
Our guide Mini was very friendly, polite & knowledgeable, and passionate about Kyoto. She shared interesting facts and stories about Kyoto and making the trip informative and enjoyable. She took us to all the hidden gems and highlights around Kyoto.
The places we visited were simply breathtaking. I am so happy that I made some memorable memories.
The itinerary was very well-planned, allowing us to experience the beauty of Kyoto and help us to understand the history & culture of Japan.
The ride was very comfortable driver was skilled and navigated the roads safely, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey and stopped at various spots to take pictures.
There were plenty of opportunities to purchase souvenirs and mementos of our trip and enjoy the local foods.
Highly recommend this day trip! The trip is expensive but If you're looking for an unforgettable experience and a chance to witness the beauty of Kyoto! It's a perfect way to explore the iconic landmark and create ever lasting memories.
Would love to revisit Kyoto again!
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that Mini made your Kyoto experience so special and memorable. We hope to welcome you back to explore even more of Japan’s beauty in the future!
Cynthia_R, Apr 2025
Our guide was very informative. He took us to
Many beautiful locations in Kyoto . He helped us stay punctual ! I highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your nice words and hope to serve you again in Japan
Julia_L, Apr 2025
What an experience! Our guide, Yuka, was local to Kyoto and absolutely fantastic. She knew everything about anything! She took us to the best places to eat. She took translated for us at the shops. She took unforgettable pictures. She showed us and TOLD us the history of every site we visited and tidbits on specifics about statues or gates or pagodas. We fell in love with Kyoto because of this tour. At first we weren’t sure we were going to go… what a mistake that would have been. It was our favorite day here in Japan, and we’ve done A LOT. Thank you Yuka and Viator!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We're so glad Yuka made your Kyoto tour memorable. It's great to hear you had such an amazing day! We hope to welcome you on another tour soon!
Danielle_A, Apr 2025
First- READ THE FINE PRINT. The price listed is 1/4 of the cost of the tour. We almost canceled when we realized our mistake but decided to go through with it….
Once you get past the shock of the costs…..
Worth EVERY YEN!!!
We felt like royalty!
We had just gotten to Tokyo and hadn’t gotten assimilated with the public transport system yet so it was very convenient! We didn’t have to bumble around with where to go or which tickets to buy, use our translator etc…
Ahmed met us at our train station. He helped us buy tickets, walked us to our platform and got us on our train.
Then met us after the ride, walked us through the station and right to our waiting car. (Really felt famous or something- there were a million people waiting for taxis and we had a car waiting)
We had a private car and driver plus Ahmed our guide.
During the tour, Ahmed was very informative but didn’t drone on and on like some tours we’ve been on. Quiet in the car was good unless he was pointing out things.
We got to visit all the best spots and didn’t have to follow a flag or a giant group of people. We walked right up and through every site. Ahmed gave us interesting information when relevant and answered all questions.
He was an amazing, informative and patient guide. My fiance hurt his knee and was a little slower down stairs and Ahmed was conscious of him.
If you have the extra yen….do it 10000% also- READ READ READ tour descriptions. It’s all listed in the fine print.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad you enjoyed the tour and felt well taken care of by Ahmed. It's great to hear that the convenience and personalized attention made your time in Tokyo memorable. We appreciate your advice about reading the fine print and are happy you decided to go through with it. We hope to welcome you again on another tour.
Yves_L, Mar 2025
We were a small group of 4 and with a limited budget, we did the tour using public transportation instead of renting a car and driver for the day, and let me tell you that is was very easy to do. Our guide was very friendly and helpful and this experience was probably the best day of our 16 days trip to Japan. Don't hesitate to book it. In addition the guide took over a hundred of pictures throughout the day and freely shared them with us. He also brought us to a nice place to eat at lunchtime. I would recommend it to anyone.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so happy to hear that you had such a great time on the tour. It's wonderful that your guide made the day even more special with great photos and a delicious lunch recommendation.
Cortney_M, Mar 2025
Our guide Ahmed knew so much information and tried his hardest to make sure we saw everything and knew the history.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that Ahmed’s knowledge and effort made your experience memorable. We appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on another tour.
Eleanor_C, Mar 2025
We traveled by bullet train from Tokyo on the 8:00 AM train to arrive in Kyoto by 10:15. We pre-purchased our return tickets for the 7:00 PM train to take advantage of the full day offered. Our tour guide dropped us off at the train station at 5:00PM as he said he had showed us everything that could be done in one day. He accompanied us to the ATM in the station as we had to pay the driver 100,000 Yen for his services and the cost of the car rental. Because we had seen a complaint about needing Yen to pay for the driver and car, before we left home, I had inquired from our tour guide if our day trip included a car and driver. I was told it was. To be fair, I asked if it was included (which it was) but I did not ask if the price of the car and driver was included. The tour guide insisted that he had tried to contact me to tell me that we need the Yen. He texted, emailed and tried to call my cell the day before our tour. Because we had been traveling from the USA to Tokyo for the two days before our scheduled tour, I had my phone on airplane mode so did not get these messages. In any circumstance, I would not have gotten these messages before the 24 hour deadline for cancellation. We were able to get the Yen but the cost was $672 in addition to the cost of the scheduled tour. This unfortunately has influenced our evaluation. We have toured many times with Viator in the past and have never run into a situation like this. Nothing was included in the cost of the tour. All admission fees, food, etc. were extra.
Besides this annoyance, our tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable and pleasant. The driver and car were excellent. We saw several of the highlights of Kyoto and our tour guide said that he wished we would have had another day so he could have showed us more.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour and your guide's knowledge and friendliness. We apologize for the confusion regarding the additional costs for the driver and car rental but its essential to make the tour run smoothly in such a short time in Kyoto.
tiffany_R, Mar 2025
What an amazing one day exploration of Kyoto! Ahmed planned everything perfectly! Our day began when he met us at the train in Kyoto. He even assisted us in picking the right train time to travel from Toyko. We selected the 5 person van option for JPY 100,000 which was just right. We visited the Bamboo Forest, the Golden Temple, Nishiki Market, Senbon Torii, and many more beautiful temples and locations.
We highly recommend Kyoto with Ahmed more! 10/10!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for sharing your incredible experience! We’re so glad to hear that Ahmed made your one-day exploration of Kyoto seamless and unforgettable. It’s wonderful that you were able to visit so many iconic spots like the Bamboo Forest and the Golden Temple, and we’re thrilled you enjoyed the convenience of the van option. Your recommendation means the world to us, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Jeff_H, Feb 2025
It's a great way to get a quick feel of Kyoto! Kyoto is so different from Tokyo with a deep history. Ahmed is a very knowledgeable guide.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled you enjoyed exploring Kyoto’s rich history , it is always a pleasure to share the unique charm of this beautiful city. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable experience!
joAnn_R, Nov 2024
We were a family of 5 with a child, and Ahmed was super helpful in guiding and navigating us through the various landmarks of Kyoto. He provided historical contexts and traditions of each of the temples we visited, which we appreciated as historical buffs. He made our quick trip through Kyoto quite memorable. Thank you!
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family had a memorable experience with Ahmed in Kyoto. It's wonderful to know that the historical insights and traditions added value to your visit. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback, and we hope to welcome you on another journey through Japan in the future!
Jennifer_J, Sep 2024
Guide was well educated. Price was listed as $550 US with optional pick up. We chose to be picked up. Price for pick up was revealed less than 24 hours before pick up so if we cancelled we would lose the $550. Pick up was an additional 1600 yen cash plus we had to pay for a taxi both ways to the bullet train. So the tour actually cost much more than we had anticipated.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and had a memorable experience. It was a joy to have you with us, and your kind words mean a lot to our team. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Charlene_R, Sep 2024
We loved the entire day! There is no better way to learn about Japan and to visit so many interesting places in one day!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience! We’re delighted to know you enjoyed the tour. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and it’s fantastic to hear that we hit the mark.
Elizabeth_M, Jun 2024
Ahmed was awesome. Both knowledgeable and super great company. I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking to explore Kyoto and/or Tokyo. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and friendly demeanor made the tour not only educational but also incredibly enjoyable. I’ll definitely be seeking him out for future tours.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for your wonderful review! I’m thrilled to know you enjoyed the tour and had a great experience. It was a joy to have you in the group, and your feedback means a lot.
JEANJACQUES_B, May 2024
our story From Tokyo to Kyoto has been wonderfull with guides very helpfull, specially in Kyoto where we enjoyed so much the day in this extraordinary city. Our guide was perfect!!!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you so much for your kind review! I’m thrilled to hear that you had a memorable experience on the tour. Your enthusiasm made it even more enjoyable for everyone.
Robin_B, Mar 2024
We enjoyed the tailored tour, sights, and our tour guide. Overall, I would recommend. However, I suggest reading thoroughly the entire description and be prepared to pay two to three times more than the actual fee for travel costs alone.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
I appreciate your nice feedback! I’m happy you had a fun time on the tour. It was wonderful having you with us.
Mike_S, Mar 2024
Our day long trip to Kyoto was full of delight from end to end. We left Tokyo Station on the bullet train at 6:30 am, arrived at Kyoto Station at 8:30 am and we were with our tour guide, Midori before 9:00 am. Midori was an excellent guide. She packed in as much as possible between 9:00 am and 7:00 pm, and she was wanting to show us more if we had time. Site included Bamboo forest and Tenryuji Temple, Kinkakuji Temple, Nijo Castle, Fushimi Inari shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. We came hoping we would “see enough” and left believing “there was little left to see”. The only drawback of a single day-day trip to Kyoto from Tokyo is that if you prioritize the shrines and the temples it leaves little time for shopping if that’s of interest.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thanks for the nice feedback! I’m glad you enjoyed the tour. It was a pleasure having you.
Fahad_A, Dec 2023
This tour was the best for visiting amd exploring the beautiful city of kyoto in one day. The guide felt like a family member, she was aware of the history, Local attractions, amd walked us through all of the city's major attractions. My first time in kyoto, and she helped us in covering everything in a day and was so helpful. Would definitely recommend this tour if you want the best for your family.
1. The transportation provided was excellent.
2. They spoke arabic, english, amd Japanese, so this was very helpful.
3. They gave us options and asked about our dietary needs.
4. Made sure that we finish everything on time and to guide us through the train station.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Thank you so much and we are very happy you enjoyed it and looking forward to serving you again in Japan.
annette_n, Dec 2023
We had a wonderful time on our quick trip to Kyoto from Tokyo. Midori, our guide was thoughtful and knowledgeable. She accommodated our requests for an authentic local Japanese meal as well as picking up separately arriving family members. The tour managed to fit in many of the Kyoto must-see sights in a limited amount of time. Midori is also a very good photographer.
The car rental in Kyoto was luxurious and the driver skillful; but, very expensive and not included in the cost of the tour.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Thank you so much and it is of our pleasure to see that you enjoyed it. Our guides are competent and knowledgable. The tour is designed to enable the one day visitors to Kyoto to experience the top sightseeing spots so a hired car is needed to ensure efficiency and pleasure. Thanks alot
mandibsnjd, May 2023
Our guide Yukari was amazing. She was knowledgeable and very fun! Yukari took us to fabulous historical locations and provided wonderful stories about each. If possible ask for her as your guide.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Yukari is one of our best guides and great to know you enjoyed the tour with her. Thanks a lot
YaritzaVazquez, Jan 2023
We had a previous tour booked that was canceled the night before. We booked quickly another tour with Ahmed and he graciously accepted it last minute. He was very knowledgeable and patient with our group of 8. We highly recommend him.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thanks a lot for your nice comment. I am glad and happy you enjoyed the tour and my sevices. Wish you all the best. Ahmed
From $490.00
per group (up to 10)up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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