Things to do in Kyoto, Kinki: The Best Day Trips from

November 3, 2021 Madelene Haan

The shrines and temples of Kyoto offer a rare link between modern life in the city and its very ancient past. The Shimogamo Shrine dates to the 6th century and seems suspended in time, its serenity and spiritual power still palpable. Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, then see the life-sized Thousand Armed Kannon statues of Sanjūsangen-dō. Enjoy traditional geisha performances, then savor a tranquil meal at a restaurant overlooking the Kamo River.
Restaurants in Kyoto

1. Bus Trip from Osaka/Kyoto to Kyoto Meet Maiko in Gion and Kyoto Tour

Hearton Hotel Nishiumeda, 3-chōme-3-55 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001, Japan LIMON Tour
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Take this rare opportunity to see an authentic Maiko performance! After that, Maiko will serve you tea in Japanese Traditional Tea Ceremony. You will also have the chance to take a commemorative photo with 'Maiko'. (Maiko is a Geisha apprentice, a younger woman training in the arts of dancing and playing instruments). The tour also stops at the UNESCO world heritage sites, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Gion, and Arashiyama. There are convenient pickup locations from Kyoto, Osaka Umeda (Hearton Hotel Nishi-Umeda), Osaka Namba (OCAT) or Nippombashi.

Inclusions: Local taxes, All-you-can-eat Chanko Nabe, Maiko / Geiko experience, Leaflet of detailed Itinerary and tour point description, Round-trip bus fare (Osaka departure only), Pickup at designated meeting points, Drop-off near designated meeting points, Accompanied by English speaking tour guide, JR train tickets (Kyoto departure only), Taxi or train fare from Fushimi Inari to Arashiyama via Gion

Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By adarosle

It was a pleasant experience (: Tour guide was very friendly and helpful in taking photos and explaining about the history of each place in detail. Would definitely recommend! However, i felt that it was a bit rushing perhaps the interval for each site could be extended a bit longer.

2. Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide

Japan Guide Agency
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Explore Kyoto, one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, accompanied by one of our nationally-licensed, experienced multilingual guides, who will help you efficiently enjoy a six-hour tour, introducing both modern and traditional sides of this dynamic and ancient city. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel, or anywhere else at your convenience, and will take you to a number of Kyoto's famous spots. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will arrange a tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Inclusions: Free Photos, Hotel Pick up and Drop-off, Licensed Local Guide

Exclusions: Other personal expenses, Lunch - Lunch (for yourself and your guide), Entrance fee (for yourself), Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide)

Reviewed By X4119CEgaryc

Had a pleasant tour of older Tokyo near Nezu Shrine. Our guide (Hiroyuki-san) spoke good English and shared much of the history related to sights we visited. He also took us to areas that local Japanese people visited and shopped frequently. Very nice tour - will do again.

3. Seasonal family holiday tour

Japan, 〒602-0071 Kyoto, Kamigyo Ward, Ōgichō, 堀川通上御霊前上る−722−10 水火天満宮 Kyoto with Kids
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Our guides who are raising children in Kyoto take you some places to experience Japanese culture in a relaxed manner. We have been creating family friendly tours, so your entire family should enjoy themselves! In this tour, you can visit less crowded shrine and temple, then have lunch with local family. You can communicate with local people and moreover your children can make local friends!

Inclusions: You can enjoy Japanese hot pot with local people.

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Reviewed By Anna N

Tea, green tea most especially, has always been a favorite beverage for my family. Imagine being able to visit a tea farm in Japan and indulging in an all encompassing tea experience with your whole family. This is a delightful experience through and through. Kyoto with Kids made this extraordinary experience one for the books for my whole family. The day trip includes activities like green tea ceremonies for both adults and children (separate programs contoured to each group), hands on green tea making, lunch with green tea soba and green tea dessert, visit to a tea house, visit to of a temple dedicated to tea. The Private tour made us deeply connect with the Uji tea village and its people. We got to meet the tea farmers and able to take home their products to enjoy. The adults were able to enjoy fully while the kids were at the safe hands of Kyoto with Kids. Thank you Miho and team at Kyoto with Kids. I hope more people can experience this wonderful offering.

4. The Original Early Bird Tour of Kyoto.

Inari Station, Fukakusa Inarionmaecho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0881, Japan Kyoto Fun
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Discover Kyoto at it's most magical hour as the sun rises over Japan's historic treasure of a city. Take a magical walk through the thousands of red gates at Fushimi Inari shrine and visit a nearly empty temple, then onto the bamboo grove. This experience is perfect for those who naturally rise in the early morning, or for those who just want to have a unique experience and don't mind getting up early for it. It can also be an amazing way to take advantage of your jet lag! Along the way, we give you insights about Buddhism, Japanese garden design, history and more. We are also happy to help you with any questions you have about Kyoto or Japan and can even help you plan your days ahead. Beat the crowds on the Original Early Bird Tour of Kyoto.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes, Taxi fares

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Reviewed By suongp953

While staying in Kyoto, we decided to book a tour at the last minute. We did not think we would get any responses. Surprisingly, after we send out the request at 10PM for the next morning tour, we get a reply from Niall. He asked us to meet with him at at 7:00Am. When we went there, he's already there waiting for us. I like this tour because we could use the local transportation system and go at our own pace. Also, Naill timed everything perfectly so we were able to see a lot in a day at an extremely affordable price. We highly recommend booking this tour with Naill. He is friendly and very knowledgeable. We will book him again if we 're in the area.

5. The right way to know Kyoto

Kyoto Daily Tours
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5.0 based on 59 reviews

We are a small group of people who specializes in private and personalized tours in Kyoto. Our aim is to help our customers to utilize best their precious time in Kyoto by offering specially crafted tours covering Kyoto's top attractions. When it comes to a trip, we know that you have your goals and preferences. We would love to hear about them and help you have a unique an unforgettable Kyoto experience. Postgraduate students with Ph.D. or MA- level scholar graduated from Japanese universities, our guides have vast knowledge about Japanese history and culture because they have been living here for several years and are experts in their fields. Their high academic level makes them proficient not only on everything Kyoto but also on the way of life in Japan and its rich history.

Inclusions: Expert guide

Exclusions: Entrance tickets, Transportation

Reviewed By CBR-TKYO

Our guide Javier was superb. For both tours he covered the main attractions with insight, commanding knowledge of history, and with very good patience in relation to our easily distracted children. But then he also took us off the main tourist thoroughfares for some quiet, exclusive trips down pathways close by. So we saw all the main attractions, but also little shops and paths, and gardens and ponds we would not have discovered but for his knowledge and guidance. Highly recommend! And hope to see Javier again when we next go to Kyoto.

6. Kyoto Private Custom Walking & Sightseeing Tour

Japan Wonder Travel
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4.9 based on 97 reviews

Kyoto is your oyster! Take control of your sightseeing itinerary by booking this customised tour. Whether its a minimum of two hours or a full day trip consisting of seven hours, visit all the sights you wish with a professional guide. Choose from an enormous range of cultural and historical landmarks and tick off your desired attractions all in one day! Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavillion), Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu temple and Gion district are just a pocketful of destinations out of countless others. Wherever you request, we will do our best to accommodate you as well as possible. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included to ensure you receive a totally stress- free experience.

Inclusions: Professional, local guide, Hotel pickup (drop-off to preferred location), Private tour

Exclusions: Entrance fees to temples (for yourself and guide), Lunch fee (for yourself and guide), Transportation fee (for yourself and guide)

Reviewed By smayne12

This is the perfect tour for anyone who knows nothing about Japan and wants to know more about Kyoto in particular. Haru was very friendly and informative. She tries hard to make it a really fun experience. Okini, Haru-san.

7. Kyoto Early Bird Tour

Kyoto Station, Kyoto, Japan KAMNAVI Tours
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4.9 based on 42 reviews

Kyoto is the most famous tourist destination in Japan. There are plenty of wonderful sites, but it is always bustling with tourists from all over the world, so it’s hard to enjoy Kyoto's natural beauty quietly and in depth. Here we offer a luxurious tour that enables you to visit three of the most famous tourist attractions in Kyoto with fewer people in half a day till noon. After this tour there is time for  you to spend on other activities.

Inclusions: Guide fee

Exclusions: Admission fees. 400yen@Kinkaku-ji Temple, Drink and Food, Transportation fare. 760 yen for JR Lines, 460 yen for City Bus

Reviewed By MCJ62

Our tour guide was Kommy. He was very knowledgeable of the areas and we received good background information. It was a good way to spend the afternoon and see Osaka. I would recommend this tour.

8. Kyoto from Osaka: Immersive Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari by Private Vehicle

Pinpoint Traveler
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4.9 based on 8 reviews

Explore the sights of Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari on this full-day, private minivan tour based out of Osaka. In Arashiyama, you'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tenryuji, known for its beautiful architecture, gorgeous classic gardens, and lovely vistas. Then it's on to the world famous bamboo grove. Picture time! Afterwards, we slip away to the quiet, rarefied environs of the Okochi Sanso estate for gardens, architecture, and a matcha tea break too. Much more to see and stroll about in Arashimaya before we head to the awe-inspiring, ever-popular Fushimi Inari, where thousands of red gates ("torii") snake up the mountain. We'll talk about the significance and sites as we make our way up the holy pathway, but it's a private tour, so we only go as high as you want! While not included, we are happy to suggest a lunch stop along the way. This tour can be customized, so do feel free to consult with us if you've something special in mind that we don't cover on the standard tour.

Inclusions: Hotel/port pickup and drop-off in Osaka (drop off can be in Kyoto), Native (or equivalent) English-speaking driver-guide, Transport by private vehicle (6 or 9 passenger vehicle, depending on your group size/choice)

Exclusions: We've got some good recommendations for you!, Admissions (figure 1,500 per adult), Child seat: 1,000 yen payable on day of tour.

Reviewed By forcet2020

Kevin was awesome. Professional, knowledgeable, and gave us the perfect experience. Easily would’ve taken us 3 days to visit the sites on our own... and we certainly would not have had the context provided from the tour. With COVID a continuing concern, having a vehicle to transport us around instead of hopping on and off a dozen+ trains and busses, was a comforting benefit. Will use this service again when other family comes out to visit Japan in the future.

9. Kyoto welcome tour

Gion-Shijo Station, Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0076, Japan Hero Tour Japan
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4.8 based on 33 reviews

You can request own tour to me.So please text me first.We can decide which sightseeing spots, what kind of meals, how long for guiding, etc.Price is 4000 yen per hour per group.

Inclusions: guide fee

Exclusions: Private transportation, Not include lunch and dinner

Reviewed By EllenX97

Learned a lot about the history of Gion and got a lot of wonderful pictures! Highly recommend to anyone who wants to enjoy Gion at night.

10. Matcha Green Tea Plantation and Matcha Factory Visit

Hotel Granvia Kyoto, Japan, 〒600-8216 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Higashishiokōjichō, 901番地, Kyoto Station Building, 内 WaRaiDo Guide Networks
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4.8 based on 4 reviews

Matcha Green Tea was originally introduced to Japan in the 12th century by the zen monk, Eisai, the founder of Japanese Zen Buddhism in Kyoto. Since then, it has been developed into the refined form of tea ceremony. However, the original purpose of bringing tea leaves into Japan was for medication. Such the tradition must be the important factor to discover the hidden secret of Japanese people, who are boasting of the world highest life expectancy. Today, various researchers are tackling with the secret of matcha through scientific approaches to identify its health benefit, and its various facts have been unveiled. In this program, you will visit the oldest tea plantation in Kyoto to learn about how the tea leaves for matcha are carefully grown, and the matcha factory's production line can be observed. You will also have a chance to handle a green tea mill and try the taste of the most expensive matcha with sweets.

Inclusions: Professional English-speaking guide, Entrance fees, Matcha tasting and sweets, Transportation fees

Exclusions: Food and drink except for what is mentioned, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By LizzysReviews

I booked this very last minute as it looked like good value for money and am very glad I did. Chako was so friendly and extremely knowledgable about not only the geiko-san's of Gion but also Kyoto in general. I'd go as far as to say it's one of the best walking tours I've ever been on as the subject is so unique and fascinating. The tour was filled many fun facts and the time flew by. I cannot recommend this tour enough.

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