Top Kyoto Day Trips

Discover the Zen gardens, colorful temples, and ancient shrines of Kyoto on this small-group walking tour that’s limited to just 12 participants. Experience the elegant architecture and religious monuments of this historic Japanese city, once the imperial capital, as you join a guide on visits to the Gion Geisha district, Tofukuji Temple, and more.

Discover Kyoto’s magical Gion district, which is known for being the city’s Geisha area. Don't worry about language barriers, as a guide is there to help you translate and explain the difference between maiko, geiko, and other Japanese words. The unmarked narrow streets of Gion can make it easy to get lost at night, but this is not a problem with a guide to navigate and lead the way. Upgrade to a longer, private tour for a closer look at Geisha culture.

Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular travel destinations and with over 50 million annual visitors, it can get busy. This tour makes an early start so you can avoid the crowds and cram much more into your day. Stroll around the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before the tour groups arrive, visit Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion) right as it opens, and walk through the torii gates of Fushimi Inari (Shrine) before the midday heat.

Get an insiders' eye perspective on Kyoto on this walking tour that combines a food tour with anthropological insight. Wander through the city's streets and understand the nighttime entertainment scene, from geiko (geisha) to hostesses. Afterward, sample regional specialties accompanied by included drinks at standing bars/restaurants.

Spend some time getting acquainted with the food and culture of two historically important and beautiful districts of Kyoto on this guided walking tour. Stroll over the ninth-century Togetsukyo bridge and make stops to sample local snacks. After a visit to the 14th-century Tenryu-ji temple, head to a beautiful bamboo garden and indulge in some traditional Japanese sweets. This tour of Arashiyama and Sagano is a great way to get to know Kyoto.

Pedal through the historic streets of Kyoto as you visit its magnificent temples and shrines by bike during this small-group tour limited to 9 participants. Take a spin down the Path of Philosophy on this Kyoto tour that gives you an overview of the city while using a mode of transport preferred by locals: the humble bicycle. See shrines, temples and mountains — this is an enlightening escape from the city.

Spend a day exploring historic neighborhoods, visiting temples, and shopping on a full-day tour from Osaka to Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Explore the Arashiyama district, tour the Kinkaku-ji Temple and Nara Park, and take in the stores at Kobe MOSAIC. This tour includes Kinkaku-ji entrance fee, as well as pickup from Kyoto Station, Umeda, Nippombashi or Namba. Opt for a buffet or shabu shabu lunch and/or a Kobe steak or an all-you-can-eat shabu shabu dinner.

Take control of your Kyoto sightseeing and visit only the sights you wish to see on this private walking tour. Ideal for first-time visitors, this tour lets you customize a half-day or full-day itinerary. Opt to visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Nijo Castle, or to stray from the beaten path to see an alternative side of Kyoto. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Immerse yourself in the cultural and architectural splendor of Kyoto on this private tour, ideal for first-time visitors. Choose from two different routes, both of which cover major Kyoto attractions including Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu Temple, and explore the city with a personal guide. On the northwest-bound route, you’ll visit the Golden Pavilion, Nishiki Food Market, and the bamboo groves of Arashiyama Park. Alternatively, the southeast course covers the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple, and the Gion area. Receive undivided attention from your guide on this private tour. 

Visit the enchanting district of Arashiyama, renowned for its thick bamboo groves, resident monkeys, and well-preserved sacred shrines. On this personalized excursion, you’ll join a local guide to explore the stunning region, which lies at the foothills of the Arashiyama Mountains. Tours include admission tickets to four local temples as well as Okochi Sanso Villa, a traditional Japanese home and garden inscribed as national cultural properties.

Enjoy tranquil lake view and farm-to-table country-style food, during this 6-hour trip. Pedal past sights like Shirahige Shrine and the nearby ‘Torii’ gate. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, take a scenic taxi ride to a mountain village in the nearby Hata district, enjoying a country-style lunch prepared by an ‘Obaachan’ (elderly woman), lively conversation and a chance to stroll the village's charming streets. A guide, bike and helmet, and lunch are covered.

A guided sightseeing trip to Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe makes it easy to see the highlights of each location, like the Kyoto Arashiyama, Nara Park, and Kobe Mosaic. Board a comfortable bus for this day trip from Osaka to make the most of a day away from the city. Opt for an upgrade to a buffet or set lunch and shabu-shabu dinner.

Checkmark from your travel bucket list the main spots of the city on an extended tour of Kyoto and get to know the city like the back of your hand. All you have to do is trust your local guide, they got you and will show the best of their city. Your local guide has a jam-packed itinerary full of history, culture, stories, and sights. See must-sees of the city, plus get current recommendations about local hot spots, family owned eateries, and up and coming districts of Kyoto you must pay a visit. Yes, this tour is the city guide that will help you enjoy Kyoto in the best way possible. Withlocals Full Coverage City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

This day bus trip from the central of Osaka or Kyoto to Arashiyama and Nara, is the perfect option for travelers with limited time in Japan. Save hours planning your route, and waiting for public transport, and instead enjoy a well planned itinerary. Choose from multiple convenient pickup points, and visit top highlights in Kyoto such as Arashiyama, Sagano Bamboo Forest and Nara Park. All transportation and entrance fees are included.

Enjoy a day learning about Japan’s culture and historic sites on this day trip to Kyoto and Nara. You won’t have to worry about understanding Japan’s public transport system, as a bus will take you between dispersed sites. Tour stops included Arashiyama district, Sagano Bamboo Forest, Kinkaku-ji temple and Nara Park. You’ll be accompanied by a guide, and will be treated to a delicious halal lunch too.

Osaka is a convenient base from which to explore the rest of Japan. Explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kyoto with ease on a hassle-free day trip from Osaka, the ideal choice for first-time visitors with limited time. You’ll experience a romantic train ride to Sagano, home to Arashiyama Park, and tick off the vivid Fushimi Inari Shrine without the hassle of traveling between landmarks alone.

In this private tour, you can visit principal attractive sites in Nara using your time the most efficiently. Of course, you can customize the tour as you'd like. For example, if you omit ''Nara-machi, old merchant district '', you can add Fuishimiinari shrine in Kyoto. Visiting both Fushimiinari and Nara in one way would be very convenience and you will have enough time to enjoy both.

You only have a short time in Kansai, and you want to make the most of it. With this guided day trip from the center of Osaka or Kyoto, it’s easy to explore the region and see the highlights of each location by coach. Visit Kyoto’s scenic Arashiyama district, tour the Todaiji Temple (own expense), meet the divine deer of Nara, and spend the evening shopping at the Kobe Mosaic. Enjoy a Japanese-style halal lunch and bento dinner.

Kyoto is the most famous tourist destination in Japan with plenty of wonderful sights to see. Here we offer a luxurious tour early in the morning that enables you to visit three of the most iconic tourist attractions in Kyoto. Enjoy the treasures of the former capital in a relaxing atmosphere thanks to fewer tourists compared to ordinary day-time tours. Be an early bird and avoid the crowd.

In this tour, you will enjoy Japanese nature including animals and landscape at the foot of Mt. Arashiyama which is located on the west side of Kyoto and famous for its scenic beauty. Once this district was open only to the nobles. Located not so far from central Kyoto, this natural environment has been very well maintained up to the present day. That’s why you can interact with wild monkeys very closely. In the afternoon, you will visit the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple), one of the most famous Zen temples in Japan that you won’t forget for the rest of your life.

To explore beyond Osaka, this is the perfect day tour to go on. You’ll travel in a comfortable vehicle to Kyoto, and see multiple highlights such as the Arashiyama district and Sagano Bamboo Forest. Other top sites visited include Kinkaku-ji temple, Nara Park, and Kobe MOSAIC. Take the stress out of planning where to eat, as a Japanese-style halal lunch and bento dinner are included.

Heurial period (11th century) by imperial court, especially "Fujiwara" clan who built "Byodo-in" temple. On one hand "Uji" is known as Japanese tea production site and center of tea drinking culture in Japan. Feel noble mood!

Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over 1,000 years. To the present, you can get in touch with many traditional cultures even in the outskirts of Kyoto city. In this tour, you will visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of the most popular tourist spots in Japan, and the Uji Byodo-in, the shape of which is so beautiful and widely known as it is depicted on Japanese money. Uji is also famous for producing good Japanese tea. Finally, you will visit a major sake producing district and enjoy tasting some of the different types of Japanese sake.

Enjoy an easy, culturally-enriching bus trip from Osaka to Kyoto. The tour starts with a magical train ride on the Sagano Romantic Train to Arashiyama and takes you to the UNESCO world heritage site of Kiyomizu-dera, finishing the journey with a visit to the Fushimi Inari temple. There are several convenient pickup locations nearby hotels in Kyoto, Umeda and Namba.