Things to do in Kyoto Prefecture, Kinki: The Best Bus Tours

July 17, 2021 Frederic Celentano

Kyoto Prefecture (京都府, Kyōto-fu) is a prefecture of Japan in the Kansai region of the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Kyoto.
Restaurants in Kyoto Prefecture

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 private tour from Osaka(Shore excurtion available from Osaka or Kobe port)

Osaka, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Kinki All Star Osaka Walk
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5.0 based on 9 reviews

Visit Japanese beautiful traditional town, Kyoto with a private guide! It's the gem in Japan. As it's a private tour, you can relax and visit sights with your own pace. This tour covers most popular sites like Fushimi Inari shrine, Geisha area, Golden pavilion and Arashiyama bamboo forest.  Tour guide will meet you at your accommodation / Osaka port / Kobe port and start the tour hassle-free. You can choose transportation method depending on your needs. (To be paid separately) Use subways, local trains and taxis like locals riding public transportation or hire a van for door to door convenience or if you are JR Rail Pass holder, maximize the use it. Estimate transportation cost is listed in the exclusion section. Please clarify choice of transportation when booking this tour.

Inclusions: Lunch and 1 soft drink, National licensed guide, Guide meets you at your hotel / port

Exclusions: Transportation fee to be paid on the day: Around 5,000 yen/person using public transportation. , Transportation fee to be paid on the day: Around 65,000 yen/party chartering a private van, Transportation fee to be paid on the day: Around 3,000 yen / person if JR Rail Pass holder, Please clarify type of transportation method at the time of booking, Gratuities

Reviewed By Cheryl S

We loved our Kyoto tour! Our guides Aki and Minako made it so special, the whole tour guide team even came on the call to sing Happy Birthday for my daughter. They also made a lovely personalised video for her birthday. The entire experience was so interesting and enjoyable. Definitely recommend!

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. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

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 Foodie Night Tour

Wendy's First Kitchen Kyoto Daimarumae, Japan, 〒600-8006 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, 四条通柳馬場西入立売中之町92 Ninja Food Tours
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4.9 based on 98 reviews

- 7+ mouth-watering Kyoto-style Japanese food tastings, enough for a full dinner meal, served from locally-owned restaurants (Menu may vary every time based on the fresh ingredients at the market). - Two drinks as we taste local style dinner. You may also choose your drinks (Beer, sake & other drinks). Non-alcoholic beverages are also available. - Explore Kyoto, visiting popular spots as well as hidden gems. Enjoy the unique scenes of Nishiki Market, Pontocho, and Kiyamachi.

Inclusions: 10+ Kyoto style course meal, Sake, beer, whiskey, and soft drinks of your choice

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Reviewed By Voyager616002

I have visited Japan many times and I am quite familiar with Japanese food in general but this was a wonderful experience for me. I sampled familiar and unfamiliar dishes but got an opportunity to see some unique restaurants that I wouldn't have stumbled upon on my own. My guide Moe was friendly and knowledgable. Highly recommend even if you are experienced with japanese food.

9. 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.

10. Kyoto Cultural Forest, Shrine and Temple Tour with Options

Kyoto Avanti, 31 Higashikujō Nishisannōchō, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8003, Japan Japan Panoramic Tours
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4.7 based on 408 reviews

Discover the World Heritage-listed Kyoto and visit the must-see sights in a day!  Travel on an air-conditioned coach on this 9 to 11-hour tour and get the chance to visit, Kiyomizu-Dera temple, Sanju-san-gen-do Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine -Senbon Torii-, Arashiyama and more.

Inclusions: English-speaking guide, Air-conditioned vehicle, All Tax, Fees, and Handling charges, Lunch ( If selected), Audio Guides are covered in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, WiFi on board

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless Specified, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By MarvieC

JAPAN LAND SERVICES did a great job assisting us for the whole duration of trip in Japan. Thanks Yukio-San!

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