Top Kyoto Day Trips

Sightsee through Kansai’s most scenic areas, seeing iconic landmarks in Nara and Kyoto in one day, without the hassle of changing trains or getting lost. With pickup times in either Osaka or Kyoto, board a convenient tour bus to visit the 1000 vermilion gates of Fushimi-Inari Shrine, scenic Nara Park, beautiful Arashiyama, and more.

Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular travel destinations and with over 50 million annual visitors, it can get busy. This tour makes an early start so you can avoid the crowds and cram much more into your day. Stroll around the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before the tour groups arrive, visit Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion) right as it opens, and walk through the torii gates of Fushimi Inari (Shrine) before the midday heat.

Take control of your Kyoto sightseeing and visit only the sights you wish to see on this private walking tour. Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour lets you customize a half-day or full-day itinerary. Opt to visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Nijo Castle, or to stray from the beaten path to see an alternative side of Kyoto. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Immerse yourself in the cultural and architectural splendor of Kyoto on this private tour, ideal for first-time visitors. Choose from two different routes, both of which cover major Kyoto attractions including Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu Temple, and explore the city with a personal guide. On the northwest-bound route, you’ll visit the Golden Pavilion, Nishiki Food Market, and the bamboo groves of Arashiyama Park. Alternatively, the southeast course covers the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple, and the Gion area. Receive undivided attention from your guide on this private tour. 

Discover the Zen gardens, colorful temples, and ancient shrines of Kyoto on this small-group walking tour that’s limited to just 12 participants. Experience the elegant architecture and religious monuments of this historic Japanese city, once the imperial capital, as you join a guide on visits to the Gion Geisha district, Tofukuji Temple, and more.

Discover Kyoto’s magical Gion district, which is known for being the city’s Geisha area. Don't worry about language barriers, as a guide is there to help you translate and explain the difference between maiko, geiko, and other Japanese words. The unmarked narrow streets of Gion can make it easy to get lost at night, but this is not a problem with a guide to navigate and lead the way. Upgrade to a longer, private tour for a closer look at Geisha culture.

-Immerse yourself in solitude in the mesmerizing nature of Arashiyama. Saga-Toriimoto district is a national preservation district where you feel like you are stepping into the past. Our local guide will explain the history and culture of the area. -Visit the world famous, must-visit bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji, a UNESCO world heritage and immerse yourself in it's rich history. Afterwards we will enter through more well-known spots in Saga-Arashiyama, visiting UNESCO world heritage temples and the very famous bamboo grove. -Indulge in an authentically traditional meal, and learn with your palate the rich food culture of Kyoto. After walking and visiting the temple, you must be ready for lunch! let's have beautiful Kyoto-style lunch! Magical Trip is a local tour operator with the TripAdvisor certificate of excellence that offers various types of small-group tours throughout Japan! Check out our Trip Advisor Page for more tours and our reviews!

Kyoto’s traditional neighborhoods and scenic parklands are ideal for exploring by bike. On this tour, save time by cycling around the city and visit five of Kyoto’s most popular attractions in one day. Enjoy stunning views of the Golden Pavilion and the Kiyomizu Temple; pose for photos by the red torri gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine; and hop off to stroll around the Bamboo Forest and explore the geisha district.

Gain a better understanding of sake during this tour that explores the Fushimi Sake District of Kyoto. Visit Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, one of the largest sake breweries in Fushimi, and end your visit with a sake-tasting session. Not only will your guide be able to explain the basics of sake and introduce you to new kinds you may have never tried, but your tastings will also be paired with Japanese snacks that enhance the tasting experience. 

Visit the enchanting district of Arashiyama, renowned for its thick bamboo groves, resident monkeys, and well-preserved sacred shrines. On this personalized excursion, you’ll join a local guide to explore the stunning region, which lies at the foothills of the Arashiyama Mountains. Tours include admission tickets to four local temples as well as Okochi Sanso Villa, a traditional Japanese home and garden inscribed as national cultural properties.

Spend a day exploring historic neighborhoods, visiting temples, and shopping on a full-day tour from Osaka to Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Explore the Arashiyama district, tour the Kinkaku-ji Temple and Nara Park, and take in the stores at Kobe MOSAIC. This tour includes Kinkaku-ji entrance fee, as well as pickup from Kyoto Station, Umeda, Nippombashi or Namba. Opt for a buffet or shabu shabu lunch and/or a Kobe steak or an all-you-can-eat shabu shabu dinner.

Enjoy tranquil lake view and farm-to-table country-style food, during this 6-hour trip. Pedal past sights like Shirahige Shrine and the nearby ‘Torii’ gate. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, take a scenic taxi ride to a mountain village in the nearby Hata district, enjoying a country-style lunch prepared by an ‘Obaachan’ (elderly woman), lively conversation and a chance to stroll the village's charming streets. A guide, bike and helmet, and lunch are covered.

A guided sightseeing trip to Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe makes it easy to see the highlights of each location, like the Kyoto Arashiyama, Nara Park, and Kobe Mosaic. Board a comfortable bus for this day trip from Osaka to make the most of a day away from the city. Opt for an upgrade to a buffet or set lunch and shabu-shabu dinner.

Checkmark from your travel bucket list the main spots of the city on an extended tour of Kyoto and get to know the city like the back of your hand. All you have to do is trust your local guide, they got you and will show the best of their city. Your local guide has a jam-packed itinerary full of history, culture, stories, and sights. See must-sees of the city, plus get current recommendations about local hot spots, family owned eateries, and up and coming districts of Kyoto you must pay a visit. Yes, this tour is the city guide that will help you enjoy Kyoto in the best way possible. Withlocals Full Coverage City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

This day bus trip from the central of Osaka or Kyoto to Arashiyama and Nara, is the perfect option for travelers with limited time in Japan. Save hours planning your route, and waiting for public transport, and instead enjoy a well planned itinerary. Choose from multiple convenient pickup points, and visit top highlights in Kyoto such as Arashiyama, Sagano Bamboo Forest and Nara Park. All transportation and entrance fees are included.

Enjoy a day learning about Japan’s culture and historic sites on this day trip to Kyoto and Nara. You won’t have to worry about understanding Japan’s public transport system, as a bus will take you between dispersed sites. Tour stops included Arashiyama district, Sagano Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji temple and Nara Park. You’ll be accompanied by a guide, and will be treated to a delicious halal lunch too.

In this private tour, you can visit principal attractive sites in Nara using your time the most efficiently. Of course, you can customize the tour as you'd like. For example, if you omit ''Nara-machi, old merchant district '', you can add Fuishimiinari shrine in Kyoto. Visiting both Fushimiinari and Nara in one way would be very convenience and you will have enough time to enjoy both.

Osaka is a convenient base from which to explore the rest of Japan. Explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kyoto with ease on a hassle-free day trip from Osaka, the ideal choice for first-time visitors with limited time. You’ll experience a romantic train ride to Sagano, home to Arashiyama Park, and tick off the vivid Fushimi Inari Shrine without the hassle of traveling between landmarks alone.

To explore beyond Osaka, this is the perfect day tour to go on. You’ll travel in a comfortable vehicle to Kyoto, and see multiple highlights such as the Arashiyama district and Sagano Bamboo Forest. Other top sites visited include Kinkaku-ji temple, Nara Park, and Kobe MOSAIC. Take the stress out of planning where to eat, as a Japanese-style halal lunch and bento dinner are included.

Kyoto is the most famous tourist destination in Japan with plenty of wonderful sights to see. Here we offer a luxurious tour early in the morning that enables you to visit three of the most iconic tourist attractions in Kyoto. Enjoy the treasures of the former capital in a relaxing atmosphere thanks to fewer tourists compared to ordinary day-time tours. Be an early bird and avoid the crowd.

You only have a short time in Kansai, and you want to make the most of it. With this guided day trip from the center of Osaka or Kyoto, it’s easy to explore the region and see the highlights of each location by coach. Visit Kyoto’s scenic Arashiyama district, tour the Todaiji Temple (own expense), meet the divine deer of Nara, and spend the evening shopping at the Kobe Mosaic. Enjoy a Japanese-style halal lunch and bento dinner.

In this tour, you will enjoy Japanese nature including animals and landscape at the foot of Mt. Arashiyama which is located on the west side of Kyoto and famous for its scenic beauty. Once this district was open only to the nobles. Located not so far from central Kyoto, this natural environment has been very well maintained up to the present day. That’s why you can interact with wild monkeys very closely. In the afternoon, you will visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple), one of the most famous Zen temples in Japan that you won’t forget for the rest of your life.

Japan with its gentle people has a long and rich history, but at the same time it is famous for its new technologies. To better understand this unique country and enjoy your trip much more,knowing Japanese history and culture is essential. Kyoto and Nara, the glorious former two capital cities, are the best places to touch and learn cultural things in Japan. This tour is a luxurious one in which you will experience four amazing spots that represent Kyoto and Nara in one day! Our knowledgeable and passionate local guide will accompany you and enhance your unparalleled experience. At the end of this tour, your understanding of Japan will be a far cry deeper so that you will be able to enjoy your trip to Japan much more than expected. One more thing. As you start early in the morning, you will enjoy quiet inspiring Bamboo Forest before other tourists rush in!

This private and customizable tour for Kyoto is perfect for guests who would like to have their own itinerary planned based on their interests and preferences, allowing guests to experience the city at their own pace.