Kyoto rewards people who know what time to arrive. Tell your guide which of the seventeen World Heritage sites matter to you, and they will order the day so you see them without queueing behind three coach parties.
What you get
- Choose from Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu-dera, Ryoan-ji, Arashiyama, Gion and more
- A route ordered around opening hours and crowd patterns, not convenience
- Gardens most visitors skip because they are twenty minutes further out
- Lunch somewhere your guide would take their own family
- Gion at dusk, with an honest explanation of what you are looking at
- On average, guests book this two months ahead — it is worth doing the same
Included
- National-government-licensed guide interpreter
- Itinerary planning before you arrive
- Bottled water
- Restaurant reservations
Not included
- Entry fees, roughly ¥3,000 per person for a full day
- Transportation fee
- Meals
- Gratuities
We highly recommend getting a Suica card (or setting up a digital one on your smartphone) for effortless travel and cashless shopping across Japan.
Where we meet
Your hotel in Kyoto, or Kyoto Station
Cancellation policy
This tour is booked through Viator, and Viator’s cancellation policy applies. You can check it on the booking page before you pay.
Also worth a look
Other days we run
Shimokitazawa, Where Tokyo spends its day off
Dive into the indie alleys of Shimokitazawa. Nibble on hot croquettes, grab a crepe, and taste local rice crackers as you explore. Finish the stroll with a cold drink and fresh yakitori at a cozy neighborhood izakaya.
Jizo-dori: Sugamo’s Living Wonderland
Step into a vibrant hub where local street bites, a historic shopping street revitalized through dynamic university-industry collaboration, and a sacred intersection of Shinto, Buddhism, and Taoism seamlessly blend into a one-of-a-kind cultural tapestry.
Step into Legend: The New Year’s Eve Fox Procession
Selling out fast! Experience New Year’s Eve like nowhere else on Earth. Tailor your night with three distinct plans—ranging from a 1.5-hour special seating view with a drink, to an ultimate 3.5-hour journey featuring shrine worship, fox makeup, and a curated sake-pairing dinner. Top it all off with a magical countdown at the shrine. Watch ancient folklore come alive and immerse yourself in a living fairytale.