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Kyoto Highlights: Top Sights Before Crowds
5.0
107 Ratings
Kyoto
Explore Kyoto’s Higashiyama with expert local guides. Discover authentic Japanese culture and stunning scenery on a half-day walking tour.
Explore Kyoto’s Higashiyama with expert local guides. Discover authentic Japanese culture and stunning scenery on a half-day walking tour.
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Fushimi Inari is one of Kyoto’s most renowned shrines, celebrated for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates that create picturesque pathways up the forested Mount Inari. It is dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice and prosperity.
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple - Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a top tourist attraction and a…
- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Fushimi Inari is one of Kyoto’s most renowned shrines, celebrated for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates that create picturesque pathways up the forested Mount Inari. It is dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice and prosperity.
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple - Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a top tourist attraction and a must-see in Kyoto. Perched atop a mountain, it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Kyoto City. Its historical significance and stunning scenery have earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Sannenzaka Ninenzaka - Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka are enchanting stone-paved streets lined with souvenir shops and restaurants housed in historic wooden buildings. Walking through them feels like a journey back in time.
- Yasakanoto - Yasaka Pagoda (Hokanji Temple) is one of Japan’s oldest wooden structures. Its impressive scale is astonishing, considering it was constructed without nails. It stands as a symbol of Kyoto.
- Yasaka Koshin-Do - Yasaka Koshindo is a mysterious temple with an unknown construction date. The vibrant decorations here are striking, as many temples feature more subdued colors. The colorful beauty makes it a popular photo spot for young people.
- Gion - Gion is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, known for its traditional wooden machiya houses, teahouses, and well-preserved historic streets. It’s a place where visitors can experience the allure of old Kyoto and occasionally spot a geisha or maiko heading to an evening engagement.
- Yasaka Shrine - The final destination is Yasaka Shrine, the main shrine of 2,300 related shrines across Japan. This historic shrine, dedicated to the gods of prosperity and protection, has been an integral part of Kyoto’s cultural heritage for centuries.
What's Included
- Professional photos taken during the tour
- Passionate local English-speaking guide
- Admission fees for all temples and shrines
- Professional photos taken during the tour
- Passionate local English-speaking guide
- Admission fees for all temples and shrines
What's Not Included
- Public Transportation Fare
- Meals and Drinks
- Personal Expenses
- Public Transportation Fare
- Meals and Drinks
- Personal Expenses
Additional Information
Discover Kyoto’s top five attractions before the crowds gather! Visit the renowned Fushimi Inari Shrine, take in the stunning vistas from Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and wander through the charming geisha districts of Gion. An English-speaking local guide will provide insights into Kyoto’s rich history and culture while taking beautiful photos to create…
Discover Kyoto’s top five attractions before the crowds gather! Visit the renowned Fushimi Inari Shrine, take in the stunning vistas from Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and wander through the charming geisha districts of Gion. An English-speaking local guide will provide insights into Kyoto’s rich history and culture while taking beautiful photos to create lasting memories. Ideal for travelers looking to experience Kyoto’s highlights efficiently!
Location
Kyoto Station
This tour starts from the Central Exit (Kyoto Tower side) of Kyoto Station. Please head toward the Trip.com store, which serves as a landmark for the meeting point.
Address of Trip.com store: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3cyxKf31KQQaKWqj6
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(107 Ratings)
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Namritaj2025
Oct 4, 2025
Great tour - We toured Kyoto with Ikki Kataoka, who was informative, friendly and spoke great English. He showed us the sights, took lots of pictures of us and was incredibly friendly, offering to help even after the tour was over, with anything we might need.
If you do a tour of Kyoto, I highly recommend you request for Ikki Kataoka - he was quite a highlight of the tour for me.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
172justynap
Oct 3, 2025
Ikki was Great - It was our 1st trip to Kyoto & we decided to get a private guide. My wife found this company on Trip Advisor. We met early morning (we got a bit late but our guide was very understanding) and entire tour lasted 4+ hours. Our guide took us to key shrines around Kyoto.
Overall our experience with the guide was Excellent. Ikki, our guide, spoke good English, had good knowledge of the sights, gave us a historical and present perspective of Kyoto & was easy going.
Would highly recommend Ikki as your personal guide on your next trip to Kyoto!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
125dmitrya
Oct 2, 2025
Fantastic tour of Kyoto's highligh - An unforgettable day in Kyoto!
We had a fantastic tour of Kyoto's highlights. Our guide IKKI KATAOKA was incredibly knowledgeable and professional, sharing fascinating stories about the city's history and culture at every location.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roam62669565850
Sep 27, 2025
If you'relooking to see Kyoto’s famous sights in a single day, this is it! - I knew from my research that Kyoto’s tourist spots get extremely crowded, so I joined this tour that departs early in the morning.
I chose the private plan because we have a young san and it was truly worth it. Our tour guide Ikki, not only gave us in-depth explanations at every shrines but also took so many photos for us!(it was more than 100 photos!)⛩️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brianjk9795pg
Sep 13, 2025
Private morning tour around Kyoto - My fiancé and I had an awesome morning with Ikki. He grew up in Kyoto and you can really see how much he cares about the city, which made the tour even better. Ikki showed us around several shrines and temples, giving lots of interesting info at each spot. He’s also great at taking photos—he got some really nice shots of us along the way. Definitely recommend this tour if you want a fun and insightful way to see Kyoto.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Isabellasd7046em
Sep 13, 2025
Excellent tour of Kyoto with Ikki - My partner and I did the private early morning tour of Kyoto with Ikki upon the recommendation of our friends. We had a fantastic experience and would in turn recommend this to anyone coming to Kyoto for the first time!! Ikki very thoughtfully planned out an interesting itinerary for us that hit all the major temples and shrines in the city. He also shared interesting facts and explained the history of the buildings which made the tour educational in a fun and approachable way. He also very kindly took some beautiful photos of us which he quickly shared after the tour. 100% worth booking !! Arigato gozaimasu Ikki😊
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vaughn_j
Sep 12, 2025
great tour!! - Iki and his coworker made this tour unforgettable by providing insights and explanations we never would have known just by walking the sites on our own. Their knowledge brought meaning to every stop, connecting the history, culture, and symbolism behind what we were seeing. It gave us a much deeper appreciation for Kyoto and its traditions—highly recommended!
Review provided by Viator
_g8353yg
Sep 4, 2025
Beat crowds by starting early! - Last year, we did a wonderful night tour with this company OTAKU hopper. We had opportunity coming back to Kyoto as my business trip, we contacted the guide from last time and asked the best tour they have. This was it, and as recommendation from the guide Ikki, this was a fantastic way to explore famous sites in Kyoto!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Navigator43857283041
Aug 23, 2025
Outstanding Guide - Although we started the tour early in the morning, the popular spots were surprisingly crowded. Our guide, however, was fantastic. He patiently waited for the perfect moment to take photos, ensuring that no one else appeared in the background, and even took us through hidden alleys to find shortcuts, avoiding the crowds. His dedication to making our experience special and enjoyable was truly impressive.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Naokio400
Aug 21, 2025
It was a highlight of our first time trip to Japan! - It was a highlight of our first time trip to Japan! Our guide Ikki was truly informative and kind. He was constantly taking photo of us at BEST spots at each sites. Thanks Ikki!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
