Top Kyoto Private and Luxury

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.

Spend some time getting acquainted with the food and culture of two historically important and beautiful districts of Kyoto on this guided walking tour. Stroll over the ninth-century Togetsukyo bridge and make stops to sample local snacks. After a visit to the 14th-century Tenryu-ji temple, head to a beautiful bamboo garden and indulge in some traditional Japanese sweets. This tour of Arashiyama and Sagano is a great way to get to know Kyoto.

Exploring the historic city of Kyoto with a local guide gives you an experience you won’t get by following a guidebook itinerary. Discover local neighborhoods, see iconic attractions, and get recommendations from a guide who creates a personalized route based on your interests and needs.

Start your day right on a fun small-group breakfast walking tour of Kyoto’s Nishiki Market. This is a great opportunity to learn more about local Japanese food while seeing some sights that you might otherwise miss. Start with a stroll through historic Gion before tucking into the delicacies on offer in the 400-year-old market that’s known as the “kitchen of Kyoto”. The walking tour lasts around 2.5 hours.

Marvel at the some of the top UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples and palaces of ancient Kyoto on this half-day tour. This quick introduction to the sights of Kyoto covers Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), and the Japanese Emperor’s former Imperial Palace—a perfect way to see the city if you’re short on time. Your guided morning Kyoto excursion includes entrance fees and transport between sites by vehicle.

Immerse yourself in the captivating culture of Kyoto on a full-day sightseeing tour. See the tranquil Kiyomizu Temple amid its verdant surroundings; absorb the Imperial majesty of Kyoto Imperial Palace; and stroll amid the botanical beauty of Kinkaku-ji Temple. Behold the beguiling beauty of the Fushimiinari Taisha Shrine and enrich your knowledge of Kyoto’s rich historical heritage with commentary from an informative guide. Moderate levels of fitness are advisable for this tour, on which a lot of walking occurs.

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 the history and religions of ancient Japan during this full-day exploration of Kyoto and Nara. See Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kinkaku-ji and Nijo Castle, along with its Imperial Palace. Then drive from Kyoto to Nara to explore its own World Heritage Site, Todai-ji Temple (including Great Buddha Hall), plus Kasuga Shrine. You also visit Nara’s deer park and sample a Japanese and Western-style meal for lunch. Your Nara and Kyoto visit also includes a guide, vehicle transport, and all entrance fees.

Explore the intricate temples and serene gardens of Kyoto on this 4-hour guided tour visiting some of the imperial city’s most important religious and cultural sites. Check out Sanjusangendo Temple, the longest wooden structure in Japan and home more than 1000 Kannon statues, Fushimiinari Taisha Shrine, the head shrine of the god Inari and the supreme views afforded from Kiyomizu Temple high above Kyoto. This excursion to Kyoto’s top temples also includes all entrance fees.

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.

Discover the historic environs of Nara, ancient capital of Japan, as you explore Buddhist temples, shrines and the famous Nara deer park on this excursion from Kyoto. Visit Todaji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan and home to the country’s largest Buddha statue, before seeing Kasuga Shrine, which features over 3,000 stone and bronze lanterns. Then stop by Nara Park, a 1,250-acre reserve that’s home to more than 1,000 free-roaming deer. Your Nara excursion also includes pickup from select Kyoto hotels, a guide and all entrance fees.

Experience the glowing lanterns and lively atmosphere of Kyoto after dark on this evening walking tour with a small group. Experience the ancient Japanese capital after dark as you stroll the city’s serene back streets and visit city landmarks like Yasaka Shrine, the Pontocho restaurant district, and a ‘tachinomiya’ stand and drink shop for included food and drink samples.

Get an excellent introduction to the cuisine of Kyoto on this small-group guided tour of the city's best food spots. Start at the deliciously vast 400-year-old Nishiki Market, nicknamed 'Kyoto's Kitchen,' where over 130 food shops and stalls beckon your taste buds. Stroll through the market with the guide, learning about the history of food in the city and taste many dishes unique to Kyoto, including pickled vegetables, fried fish cakes, Japanese pike conger eel, mochi and Japanese omelet. After the market, visit a shrine dedicated to the god of education.

If you’re visiting Japan for the first time, receive a cultural introduction to the country during a tea ceremony in traditional kimonos. During the ceremony, learn about Japanese history and sample matcha green tea, a local specialty. Plus, wearing a traditional kimono means you leave the experience with fantastic photographs to commemorate your time in Kyoto.

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. 

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.

Cycle past a mix of Kyoto’s most-famous sights and its lesser-known secrets during this half-day ‘Hidden Kyoto’ bike tour. Take a 4.9-mile (8-kilometer) ride that starts by winding past iconic Kyoto temples and shrines like Kinkakuji, Koto-in, and Kitano Tenmagu. You’ll continue ‘off the beaten path,’ discovering intimate Zen gardens and charming backstreets known only to locals.

Discover the beauty, art and ritual of the Japanese tea ceremony during this private workshop in Kyoto. Experience true ‘omotenashi’ (hospitality) during your visit to the Tea Ceremony Room of Ju-An, observing as your tea is methodically, painstakingly, boiled, poured and mixed with matcha powder using a bamboo whisk. Enjoy your warm drink accompanied by Japanese sweets as you learn about the intricacies of this timeless custom.

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.

Get a deeper experience of Kyoto food culture than would be possible on your own by joining this guided tour. Stroll through the districts of Gion and Pontocho, stopping in to small bars and restaurants to sample traditional drinks and food, as you explore.

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. 

Discover hidden hiking routes that you likely wouldn’t find alone on this guided tour near the spectacular Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine—a place known for its bright orange torii gates. Following a guide, venture along a secret path to the famous attraction, passing a natural bamboo forest, and a small shrine that’s off the usual tourist trail. The trip also reveals scenic views of Fushimi-Momoyama Castle.

-Drink like a local! Bar hopping in the backstreets of Pontocho- To start this All-in-one bar hopping walking tour that Drinks & Foods are all included, our local guide will take you to an izakaya bar (a local tavern) on Pontocho street, one of the most well known night streets, full of local izakayas. We will be taking you to places only the locals know and recommend, making for a one and only experience! -Various drink and izakaya food tastings- We'll continue bar hopping walking around in the backstreets of Kyoto. You can try some authentic izakayas that serve yakitori or sashimi with crisp, cold draft beer. If you're a sake-lover, we will help you navigate through a sake standing bar that serves Kyoto-made sake. You can enjoy the night like a local! 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!