Expert tailormade Kyoto tours & day trips that show you more!
My private tours of Kyoto, self-guided or guided, and planned by an expert, take you into the amazing worlds of this city, the Imperial Capital of Japan from 794 to 1867. If it is your first time in Japan on vacation or holiday then chances are you will spend at least a day or two in Kyoto: it’s an amazing and ancient city and the options are nearly endless.
My tailormade Kyoto city tours include both the Old and the New. I offer Kyoto private tours that begin very early in the morning (2-hour Dawn Picnics; usually self-guided; please inquire) and really creative 4-hour guided night tours that introduce tourists and visitors to the interesting (family safe) after dark worlds of Kyoto (Gion, Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine, street food, shrines, modern art and stunning night views).
My most popular Kyoto guided private tours (since 1990) are as follows and all these routes & itineraries can be customized to your needs and interests.
The Jewels of Kyoto's East Side tour highlights: My most popular Kyoto tour follows the Higashiyama ridge using back lanes and includes the Silver Pavilion, Nanzenji Temple, Chion Temple, Kiyomizu Temple, as well as a blend of hidden Shinto shrines, and great craft and gift shopping sections. The Fascinations of Northwest and West Kyoto tour highlights: This tour includes an exquisite 15th century Zen complex, a tea break in 400-year-plus outdoor Shrine setting, an optional stop at the Golden Pavilion, an exploration of the west side Arashiyama district (including the famous bamboo forest), and the Nishiki food market and Teramachi traditional shopping zone. Nara Park Perfections & Horyuji Buddhist Beginnings: This tour usually begins with a visit to the oldest wooden buildings in the world at Horyu-ji Temple (Japan's first large Buddhist temple), including the temple's excellent museum, and ends in the timeless environs of Nara Park. Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine & Gion Night Walk highlights: This very popular tour begins with an after dark stroll through the vast sacred precinct of Fushimi Inari and its tunnels of orange torii gates and ends with a two-hour back lane stroll through the exotic geiko maiko worlds of the Gion district. Off-the-beaten track Kyoto Secret Spot Tour highlights: My secret spot tours (perfect for dawn, sunset and full moon in places where no tourists go . . .), feature an interesting selection of top-value areas not mentioned in most guidebooks. Notably old neighborhoods, serene scenes that offer quintessential Japan experiences, stunning gardens, and views over the city.
Most of my clients also take day trips & private tours from Kyoto including to the older Imperial capital of Nara, Shigaraki | Miho Museum, Himeji | Kurashiki, Hiroshima | Miyajima. Please enquire for other Japan private guided day trip | tour destinations and related specialty interests (ceramics, textiles, tea ceremony, high fashion and design, and much more!). I love to help clients find what they have come to Japan for.
Guided tour FAQs (start time and location; itinerary design; expenses; tips . . .). Self-guided tour FAQs (design; delivery; types; expenses . . .).
Expert-designed private day tours | excursions from Kyoto
My popular 1-day custom day tours from Kyoto let you experience the best of Japan including popular Nara & Horyu-ji Temple, Himeiji Castle & Kurashiki, Hiroshima & Miyajima, Shiga & the Miho Museum, Mount Hiei & Enryaku-ji Temple. Experience the amazing worlds old worlds of Japan that are just a few hours from Kyoto.
You choose what you want and I create the design you need. Kyoto and its surroundings are exceptionally rich in high-value destinations if you know what to do and what not to do. I know what you need to know to have a really great time in and around Kyoto from start to finish.
My most popular day trips and 1-day tours from Kyoto (since 1990): The Wonders of Nara: This very popular tour includes the very best of world famous Nara Park and, if of interest, the oldest wooden buildings in the world in the Horyu-ji Temple complex. Himeij & Kurashiki Splendors: The White Egret Castle of Himeiji is considered to be the finest in Japan for good reason and the museum and kura storehouse lined canals of Kurashiki are stunning and relaxing. North Kyoto Countryside Village Hike: This 3-village hike (Ohara, Shizuhara, Kurama | Kibune) is a real adventure at any time of year and can be designed to include outdoor hot spring bathing and incredible lunch locations.Hiroshima WWII History & Seaside Miyajima Shrine: If you are interested in WWII, then Hiroshima is the place to go. The Peace Museum and surrounding park are excellent places to learn about the explosive end of WWII. Nearby Miyajima and its stunning seaside shrine leads you into an ancient world that always amazes. Shiga Old Edo & Modern Miho Museum Tour: Shiga is just east of Kyoto and offers 18th century Tokaido highway structures, Shigaraki ceramics and the world class Miho Museum designed by I.M. Pei. Mount Hiei Hiking & Spiritual Tour: Mount Hiei guards the northeast corner of Kyoto. The northeast is known as the Devil’s Gate and the sprawling Enryaku-ji Temple complexes were built to repel evil entering from the northeast. There is so much to see here: history, nature, spiritual wonder.
Please enquire for other day trips (the Tango Peninsula & Amanohashidate, Northwest Lake Biwa Boat Cruise & Hiking Tour) and other themes of interest (handicrafts, tea ceremony, old street markets and affordable and not so affordable luxury settings). I love to help my clients experience the Japan they have been dreaming of . . . I also provide Kyoto area private day trips & tours that begin very early in the morning (2-hour Dawn Picnics; usually self-guided; please inquire) and really creative 4-hour guided night tours that introduce tourists and visitors to the interesting (family safe) after dark worlds of Kyoto (Gion, Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine, street food, shrines and stunning night views).
For guided Kyoto tours, you can rely on my licensed Kyoto guides, who are knowledgeable, friendly, flexible and trained to follow the final itinerary approved by you and your family or group. Local bilingual guides add value to your trip through their personal insights and interesting cultural knowledge. They are also great introductory teachers and can teach you important logistical information (how to use the ticket machines and the almost-perfect Kyoto public transportation system) and answer any important questions you may have.
Guided tour FAQs (start time and location; itinerary design; expenses; tips . . .). Self-guided tour FAQs (design; delivery; types; expenses . . .).
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