Home Activities Japan Kyoto Kyoto Private Highlights Tour (Customizable)

Activity Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto Private Highlights Tour (Customizable)

5.0 (4 reviews) 2–8 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

4 reviews

5.0

Kyoto Private Highlights Tour (Customizable) — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Kyoto Private Highlights Tour (Customizable), photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

A fully custom private tour designed around your time, interests, and pace.

Explore Kyoto’s top highlights comfortably with an English-speaking local guide.

Your guide handles the route, timing, and transportation.

We minimize walking and adjust the plan to avoid peak crowds whenever possible.

What you’ll experience

・ A fully customizable private tour designed around your pace and preferences

・ Comfortable sightseeing with private transportation

・ Crowd-aware routing to avoid busy areas whenever possible

・ Kyoto’s must-see highlights selected based on your interests

・ Clear cultural insights that make each place more meaningful

・ Local tips for food, shopping, and hidden gems

Sights may include

・ Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

・ Kiyomizu-dera Temple

・ Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

・ Gion

・ Nijo Castle

・ Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

・ Otagi Nenbutsu-ji

・ Hidden scenic spots selected by your guide

The exact sights visited are selected based on your time, interests, crowds, and weather.

Bus Tours Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours Car Tours Low Supplier Cancellation Rate Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate

At a glance

Duration: 2–8 hours
Confirmation: Confirmed within 48 hours
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–5
Guide: English
Operated by: TRAVELINFOJAPAN

Ages: Infants (0–1 years) · Children (2–11 years) · Adults (12–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Private Transportation
Included: Customized itinerary based on your interests
Included: Private guided tour with an English-speaking Japanese guide

Not included

Not included: Entrance fees, if applicable
Not included: Meals, snacks, and drinks
Not included: Gratuities (optional)

Itinerary

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

45 min

Fushimi Inari Taisha is Kyoto’s most iconic shrine, famous for its thousands of red torii gates—over 10,000 of them—lining trails through a sacred mountain. Dedicated to Inari, the god of harvest, this peaceful spot blends nature, tradition, and stunning photo opportunities.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple

one hour Admission not included

Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto’s most iconic temples, founded in 778 and perched on a hillside with spectacular views of the city. Its famous wooden stage, built without nails, extends over a steep cliff and offers breathtaking views of cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves in autumn.

The temple’s name means “Pure Water Temple,” and it’s home to the Otowa Waterfall, where visitors drink from three streams said to bring luck in health, love, and academics.
Stop 3

10 min

Ninen-zaka is a charming stone-paved slope leading to Kiyomizu Temple. Lined with traditional wooden townhouses, it has long been a bustling street for pilgrims and visitors.
Hokan-ji Temple

Passing by

Hokan-ji Temple, often called the Yasaka Pagoda, is a historic Buddhist temple located in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. Its most famous feature is the beautiful five-story pagoda, which is the oldest pagoda in Kyoto and a beloved city symbol.
Kinkakuji Temple

45 min Admission not included

Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is one of Kyoto’s most famous landmarks. Originally built in the 14th century as a retirement villa, it became a Zen Buddhist temple. The top two floors are covered in shimmering gold leaf, reflecting beautifully in the surrounding pond.
Arashiyama Kimono Forest

10 min

The Kimono Forest, located at Arashiyama Station, features around 600 colorful poles wrapped in Kyoto’s traditional kimono fabric. It creates a beautiful path that looks like a forest of kimono.
Tenryu-ji Temple

30 min Admission not included

Tenryu-ji is a famous Zen temple in Arashiyama, founded in 1339. It is best known for its beautiful pond garden that uses the Arashiyama mountains as a backdrop, and it is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

30 min

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of Japan’s most photographed and enchanting spots. As you walk through the towering bamboo stalks, you’ll be surrounded by a peaceful, dreamlike atmosphere that feels like another world.
Togetsukyo Bridge

15 min

Togetsu-kyo, or “Moon Crossing Bridge,” is the iconic wooden bridge of Arashiyama. Its name comes from the view of the moon appearing to cross the bridge.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

Hananoie
Hanazono Kaikan
KIORI Exec Muromachi
KIORI Exec Gojo
Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto
Ishicho
Premium Apart MONday Kyoto Gojo
insomnia KYOTO OIKE
Hotel Grand Bach Kyoto Oike Select
Dusit Thani Kyoto
Togetsutei
hotel Monday Kyoto Marutamachi

and 540 more pickup points

At the sheduled pickup time, please wait outside your hotel and meet your guide there.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Travel time is included in the total tour duration

Options

Private Half-Day Tour

Duration: 4 hours: Kyoto Highlights:

Discover selected highlights comfortably and efficiently.

Pickup included
Private Full-Day Tour

Duration: 8 hours: Designed for guests who want to make the most of their day and see as many of Kyoto’s iconic sights as possible.

Pickup included