Private car tour Let's uncover secrets of majestic Kyoto history | 7 hours

30 Reviews | Kyoto
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 9 travelers in total.
Adult (0-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 9
2
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Full day tour
2 Adults x $545.23
$1,090.46
Approx Total
$1,090.46
Duration: 8 hours: 4-5 spots + lunch time
Pickup included

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: Korean, Japanese, English
  • Completely private and personalized experience
  • Hotel pickup and dropoff
  • Tips of local good restaurants for lunch and dessert shops
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Gas, toll and parking fee
  • Upon your request and situation, it would be posssible to stop by a guide-recommnding local good restaurant/dessert shop during the tour.
  • Dessert
  • admission fee

Overview

The English-speaking Japanese guide delivers rare experience with 10 pax big van ride. Kyoto is known as the former capital before Tokyo, lasting 1000yrs. The issue is main sights are too concentrated though it's a beautiful place. So my mission is bringing you to undiscovered sights and let you immerse the culture. This tour will provide you with a chance to go to off the beaten path spots rather than doing completely crowded touristy places. Let's unveil the majestic beauty of real Kyoto! As we mainly do the hidden gems during the tour, you may want to join it 2nd day / spare another day for the main touristy spots. Ofc, we could do the big touristy things during the tour if you have requests. Aside from historic heritages, special activity such as Sake-tasting is a lot fun. My lunch selection is another big highlight (Sushi, Ramen, Tempura etc). Some of the spots are too secret to be suggested in the Itinerary. So tour itinerary is just an example. Let's discuss our itinerary!

Pickup points

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Pickup details

Travelers must let us know the hotel pick up location in advance. (mostly, hotel names & adress that you will be staying on the morning of the day.) ... Read more ▼

Itinerary

  • Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

    This shrine will immerse you in the remarkable view of thousands of tri-gates. Surprisingly, one whole mountain is the shrine premises, including long stretch of bamboo forest taril and peaceful birds chirping. Some giant gates and buildings in the entrance are very clean and beautiful, but as it goes deeper, more abandoned but solemn shrines appear, which look being depicted in some anime. It is a way to go to this huge shrine with guide's help to reach out to those mentioned above unless you are good with hitting to massive crowd.

    2 hours

  • Kennin-ji Temple

    【Secret temple】(The temple name are only be disclosed on the tour) Extremely gorgeous moss garden in this temple will astonish you. The temple is not visited by many people due to its distant and inconvenient location. As you enter the temple, wide open tatami mat floor are spread out, and naturally inviting you to enjoy the garden from the porch. Sitting on tatami, porch and having fresh air is invigorating.

    1 hour

  • Ryoanji Temple

    One of the largest temples in northern Kyoto. Millions of tiny rocks are well-organaized, making up a big temple garden. In this temple, you can get in touch with the rich history of big Buddhism skism in Japan. You would not see many other visitors here. Definitely hidden gem.

    1 hour

  • Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple

    This temple was originally erected by group of people called Hatashi, said to be Korean-rooted ethnic tribe in the 5-6th century. Ever since experiencing one burndown in the 8th century, it never had vanished and stay original until now.

    30 minutes

  • Yasakanoto

    Kinkakuji, golden pavilion. The temple was a villa of Shogun, Yoshimitsu Ashikaga (1358-1408) but was converted to a temple after his death. It is known for the building whose two top floors are covered with gold leaf.

    1 hour

  • Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple

    The temple was an art master's property who was professional in many arts such as tea ceremoney, caligrapy and such. So the temple has an awesome garden with various tree plant, tea ceremoney items and cool layouts of things. At the end of the garden you will command a good view down over Kyoto city. This temple garden is particular popular in autumn leaves view or cherry blossom seasons.

    30 minutes

  • Monkey Park Iwatayama

    We will stop at at a local dessert shop. They have many Kyoto styled unique sweets such as Mochifu (pounded rice cake different texture from normal mochi), shaved ice flavored with Yuzu (Japanese citrus)/Match etc.

    30 minutes

  • Kibune Shrine

    This is the biggest shrine erected by one of the most powerful noble family Hatashi-tribe and beloved by all-around neighbourhood household. They have a large Koi fish pond where they allow you to feed them. They move so aggressively when you throw feed to them!! Wonderful! It is situated in the west end of Kyoto, making it disadvantageous to come by trains. We will let you stop there on your request

    30 minutes

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Minimum age requirement for alcohol consumption is 18 years of age

Free Cancellation

June 23100% refund
June 24No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.8

30 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    28
  • 4 stars
    0
  • 3 stars
    1
  • 2 stars
    0
  • 1 star
    1

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 28 reviews with 5 stars

Wonderful private tour of Kyoto

Published on May, 2025

We had a wonderful full day tour in Kyoto with Takashi. He was able to take us to some very out of the way and beautiful temples and locations that we wouldn’t have been able to access ourselves. He had a lot of knowledge about the places we visited and is a fun and friendly guy with a great sense of humour. Highly recommended for an insight into Kyoto that goes beyond the typical tourist areas.

Hidden Kyoto Gems & Hidden Ramen Spots

Published on Apr, 2025

Our tour guide, Takashi was simply fantastic. He was friendly & knowledgeable. He possesses a unique blend of in depth local knowledge and engaging storytelling skills. Takashi provided a unique opportunity to sample & learn about local cuisine & beverages. I highly recommend this experience.

So fun!!

Published on Apr, 2025

We had an amazing day in Kyoto with Takashi! I booked the tour with him based on the other reviews here, and I’m happy to report that we were not disappointed. Our party consisted of three adults and five children, whose ages ranged from six to thirteen. Takashi was unflappable and always patient with the kids despite whatever silly things they were up to. His expert recommendations for attractions to visit and food to try were perfect for our group. His English is as good as that of a native speaker, and he is a very good driver. I can’t recommend booking with him enough; it’s basically guaranteed to maximize your time in Kyoto.

Getting off the beaten path

Published on Apr, 2025

We really enjoyed our tour with Takashi. We felt things got off to a bit of slow start in terms of connection but after a little time, we got to know one another and really enjoyed our time together. We loved going to lesser-known temples and shrines after experiencing lots of crowds in the days prior to this tour. Takashi also took us to an amazing ramen restaurant for lunch which we would never have found on our own. Takashi is a great driver and a wonderful tour guide - highly recommend him!

Amazing day in Kyoto

Published on Mar, 2025

Takashi was a wonderful guide in Kyoto! Our group consisted of 9 people (4 adults and 5 kids ages ranging from 7-13) and this was the perfect tour for us. We started out our day by visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha, then had a delicious sushi lunch followed by visits to 2 additional hidden temples which we would never have known to visit on our own. The hidden temples were beautiful and serene. It was a nice change to be away from the busy crowds. Takashi was knowledgeable and answered many of our questions about Japan and life in Kyoto. He was great with kids and explained the customs and traditions in an easy to understand way. We had a wonderful day! Thank you Takashi!!!

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