These are the 11 best private city tours in Kyoto, Japan we could find on Viator and Get Your Guide.
Topics
1. Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised
Key Details
Cost: From $102.81
Review Score: 5.0
Number of Reviews: 551
Tour Length: 3 to 8 hours
Languages
- English
- Japanese
Tour Description
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.
- Explore the iconic temples and cultural districts of Kyoto with a local guide
- Private, customized tour fits your interests and travel schedule
- Your guide personalizes the tour and navigates the city with you
- Convenient pickup and drop-off at your hotel or location near your area of choice
What’s Included
- A private and personalized experience
- 3, 5, 7 or 8 hours with your host
- Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)
- Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)
What’s Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Tickets to any attractions
- Transportation costs
- Gratuities (optional)
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
2. Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Key Details
Cost: From $143.21
Review Score: 5.0
Number of Reviews: 409
Tour Length: 6 hours
Languages
- English
- Japanese
Tour Description
Discover both modern and traditional sides of history-rich Kyoto during this full-day private tour. Travel like a local by public transportation as you tick off the city’s most celebrated sights, from UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle to the well-preserved neighborhood of Higashiyama and streets of Gion, otherwise known as Kyoto’s Geisha district.
- A full-day private guided tour of Kyoto
- Cover the city’s top attractions in a single day of sightseeing
- Get an insider’s view of the city as you travel by public transportation
- Enjoy plenty of time to ask questions with your own personal tour guide
What’s Included
- Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
- Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from ‘What to expect’ list
- Guide will meet you on foot for pick up
What’s Not Included
- Food and Drink (for yourself)
- Entrance fees where applicable (for yourself)
- Transportation fees (for yourself)
- Any other personal expenses
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
3. 10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour (up to 7 people)
Key Details
Cost: From $306.88
Review Score: 5.0
Number of Reviews: 216
Tour Length: 8 hours
Languages
English
Tour Description
If your time in Kyoto is limited and you want to see lots of its famous sights in a day, then this private guided tour is an excellent choice. Explore the city with a private guide to take care of navigating. Along the way, tick off 10 top sights, including the beautiful temple of Kiyomizu-dera, the geisha district of Gion, the lush bamboo groves, and plenty more scenic surprises.
- Great for time-tight travelers: See 10 must-see Kyoto sights in a day
- Enjoy beautiful stories from your guide as you travel between sites
- Swap crowded group tours for a private experience for just your party
- Magnificent photo opportunities—such as Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
What’s Included
National licensed guide
What’s Not Included
- Lunch (you will visit Japanese restaurant) 1000～2000yen per person
- Transportation fee: About 1000 yen per person using public transport
- Taxi fee: About 10000~12000yen per one taxi
- 4people (guide1+guest3) can get on one taxi. If your group is 4 people, you need two taxis.
- Admission fee : around 1400yen per person for all temples
- This tour use both Public transportation and Taxi.
- Pick up service is not available
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
4. Kyoto Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Key Details
Cost: From $95.47
Review Score: 5.0
Number of Reviews: 215
Tour Length: 4 hours
Languages
- English
- Japanese
Tour Description
Follow a customizable itinerary through Kyoto during this bespoke half-day private tour. Simply select with attractions you’d like to visit and enjoy an in-depth visit in the company of your own personal nationally licensed guide. Tours include a front-door pickup at the front of your hotel. Travel like a local by public transportation or taxi; upgrade to include a private car at an additional cost.
- A half-day private tour of Kyoto with a nationally licensed guide
- Enrich your visit to Kyoto’s top attractions with insider knowledge and commentary
- Build your own itinerary, choosing from the city’s most unmissable heritage attractions
- Relax with hotel pickup on foot; upgrade to arrange for a private vehicle
What’s Included
- Licensed Local Guide
- Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from ‘What to expect’ list
What’s Not Included
- Transportation fee (for yourself)
- Entrance fee (for yourself)
- Lunch – Lunch (for yourself)
- Other personal expenses
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
5. Kyoto Arashiyama Rickshaw Tour with Bamboo Forest
Key Details
Cost: From $89.34
Review Score: 5.0
Number of Reviews: 164
Tour Length: 1 to 2 hours
Languages
- English
- Japanese
Tour Description
Take a tour of the Kyoto bamboo forest by rickshaw, and on foot, to explore every part of it. First you’ll be pulled by your guide through the green bamboo on a path reserved for rickshaws. Then pass by Nonomiya Shrine and stop for photos at a little park. The last leg is on foot, where you’ll walk to an impressive part of the forest. Early morning is best to avoid the crowds.
- Enjoy the ride as your guide pulls you on your rickshaw
- See all parts of Kyoto’s famous bamboo forest
- Start early in the morning to avoid the crowds
- This takes approximately 1-2 hours in total
What’s Included
- Use of rickshaw
- All Fees and Taxes
- Gratuities
What’s Not Included
- Admission fees for temples and shrines
- Transportation to and from meeting place
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
6. The right way to know Kyoto
Key Details
Cost: From $445.99
Review Score: 5.0
Number of Reviews: 151
Tour Length: 8 hours
Languages
English
Tour Description
Get more out of your time in Kyoto by joining a private tour with a scholarly guide who is an expert in Japanese culture and history. This private tour is customizable to suit your interests but usually includes the city’s main highlights: Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji (the Golden and Silver Temples), Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, and more. Learn more than you would touring independently.
- Eliminate the risk of getting lost in the big city by going with a guide
- Receive personalized attention on a private tour
- Ideal for travelers interested in Japanese history and culture
- Entry tickets and transport costs are extra
What’s Included
Expert guide
What’s Not Included
- Entrance tickets
- Transportation
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
7. Kyoto: Private 2.5 Hour Historical Walking Tour
Key Details
Cost: From $80.00
Review Score: 4.9
Number of Reviews: 63
Tour Length: 2 hours
Languages
English
Tour Description
Take a walking tour in an old capital of Japan, Kyoto. Enjoy a private 2.5 hour tour from Yasaka Shrine to Kiyomizu Temple, one of the most popular ways of exploring Kyoto.
- Visit a Zen temple where you can see dry landscape gardens and traditional Japanese architecture
- Get into a “womb” of Bodhisattva in Zuigudo Temple
- Enjoy the scenery from Kiyomizu Temple
What’s Included
Guide
What’s Not Included
- Transportation to/from the meeting point
- Meals and drinks
- Admission fee to the temples
- Insurance
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
8. Kyoto: Arashiyama Customized Rickshaw Tour & Bamboo Forest
Key Details
Cost: From $53.26
Review Score: 4.9
Number of Reviews: 78
Tour Length: 45 to 190 minutes
Languages
- English
- Japanese
Tour Description
Together with your personal guide, enjoy a rickshaw tour through Arashiyama, one of Kyoto’s greenest, most picturesque and historic neighborhoods.
- Enjoy an informative, private, and fully customizable rickshaw tour through Arashiyama and the bamboo forest
- Relax at the sight of Kyoto’s lush nature
- Explore the charming and quiet neighborhood streets of Arashiyama
- Have access to an exclusive rickshaw path through the bamboo forest
- Visit unique temples and gardens
What’s Included
- Private rickshaw tour
- Knowledgeable, local guide
- Photo stops at instagrammable spots along the tour
What’s Not Included
- Gratuities (optional)
- Snacks and drinks
- Hotel pickup
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
9. Kyoto Highlights 7-Hour Private Guided Tour
Key Details
Cost: From $150.00
Review Score: 4.9
Number of Reviews: 41
Tour Length: 7 hours
Languages
English
Tour Description
Travel around Kyoto with your guide to see the city’s top sites on this private tour. You’ll visit a number of different top attractions, including a castle, a market, a sake brewery, temples and other monuments, depending on the option chosen.
- Discover the major attractions of Kyoto on a private tour
- Visit temples, a market and a castle on the northwest route
- Stop at a sake brewery and admire the temples on the southeast route
What’s Included
- Pick-up at a centrally located meeting point
- Private licensed guide
- Entrance fee for temples
- Transportation
- 1-day bus pass (for use after the tour as well)
What’s Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
10. Kyoto: Private Rickshaw Tour of Gion and Higashiyama Area
Key Details
Cost: From $53.26
Review Score: 4.9
Number of Reviews: 44
Tour Length: 45 to 190 minutes
Languages
- English
- Japanese
Tour Description
Take a private tour by traditional rickshaw, to discover the neighborhood of Higashiyama. See the main sights of this historic area, and pass through the geisha district of Gion. Discover Japanese culture and history with a knowledgeable guide.
- Enjoy a private rickshaw tour through Higashiyama and the Gion area
- Explore the charming and traditional streets of Higashiyama
- Travel back in time as you pass traditional wooden townhouses
- Stop to take photos at the most Instagram-worthy spots
What’s Included
- Private rickshaw tour
- Knowledgeable guide
- Photo stops
- Souvenir postcard and sticker
What’s Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities (optional)
- Entry fees
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
11. From Osaka/Kyoto: Private Kyoto & Nara Day Trip with Pickup
Key Details
Cost: From $599.18
Review Score: 5.0
Number of Reviews: 17
Tour Length: 10 hours
Languages
- English
- Tagalog
Tour Description
See the best of Kyoto and Nara on a day trip with hotel pickup and drop-off from Osaka, Kyoto, or Kobe. Visit the Todai-ji Daibutsuden, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
- Immerse yourself in Kansai region’s timeless beauty and cultural heritage
- Find yourself standing amidst soaring stalks of bamboo in Arashiyama
- Spot playful deers in the massive Nara Park at the foot of Mt. Wakakusa
- See a never-ending sea of vermilion torri gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Marvel at the Buddhist temples of Tōdai-ji Daibutsuden and Kinkaku-ji
What’s Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Driver
- Host or greeter
What’s Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Entry tickets
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
How Much Do Private Tours Cost In Kyoto?
The best private tours in Kyoto cost between $53.26 and $599.18. However, you can always check the listings below for something cheaper or even more exclusive.
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