Uncover the hidden historical sites of Kyoto on a private car tour. Explore off the beaten path spots with a passionate guide, and enjoy personalized service and insider tips.
Uncover the hidden historical sites of Kyoto on a private car tour. Explore off the beaten path spots with a passionate guide, and enjoy personalized service and insider tips.
- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - This shrine offers a breathtaking view of thousands of torii gates. The entire mountain is part of the shrine grounds, featuring a long stretch of bamboo forest trail and the peaceful sounds of birds chirping. The large gates and buildings at the entrance are pristine and beautiful, but as you venture deeper, you will…
- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - This shrine offers a breathtaking view of thousands of torii gates. The entire mountain is part of the shrine grounds, featuring a long stretch of bamboo forest trail and the peaceful sounds of birds chirping. The large gates and buildings at the entrance are pristine and beautiful, but as you venture deeper, you will find more secluded yet solemn shrines that resemble scenes from anime.
It is advisable to visit this expansive shrine with a guide to fully explore its wonders, especially if you wish to avoid the large crowds.
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Kennin-ji Temple - 【Secret temple】(The temple’s name is only disclosed during the tour)
This temple boasts an incredibly beautiful moss garden that will leave you in awe. Due to its remote and somewhat inconvenient location, it is not frequented by many visitors. Upon entering, you will find a wide-open tatami mat floor that naturally invites you to enjoy the garden from the porch. Sitting on the tatami, relaxing on the porch, and breathing in the fresh air is truly invigorating. - Ryoanji Temple - One of the largest temples in northern Kyoto. The meticulously organized garden of millions of tiny rocks is a sight to behold. Here, you can connect with the rich history of significant Buddhist schisms in Japan.
You won’t encounter many other visitors, making it a hidden gem.
- Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple - Originally established by the Hatashi, an ethnic group believed to have Korean roots in the 5th-6th century, this temple has endured since its reconstruction after a fire in the 8th century and remains in its original form.
- Yasakanoto - Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion. This temple was once the villa of Shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga (1358-1408) and was converted into a temple after his death. It is renowned for its top two floors, which are covered in gold leaf.
- Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple - Once the property of an art master skilled in various arts such as tea ceremony and calligraphy, this temple features a stunning garden with diverse tree plantings, tea ceremony items, and beautifully arranged elements. At the end of the garden, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kyoto city. This garden is particularly popular during the autumn leaves and cherry blossom seasons.
- Monkey Park Iwatayama - We will stop at a local dessert shop offering unique Kyoto-style sweets such as Mochifu (a pounded rice cake with a different texture from regular mochi) and shaved ice flavored with Yuzu (Japanese citrus) or Matcha.
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Kibune Shrine - This is the largest shrine established by the powerful Hatashi tribe and is cherished by the local community. It features a large koi fish pond where you can feed the fish, which move energetically when fed. It’s a wonderful experience!
Situated in the western end of Kyoto, it is not easily accessible by train, but we can arrange a stop there upon request.
- Completely private and personalized experience
- Hotel pickup and dropoff
- Tips of local good restaurants for lunch and dessert shops
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Gas, toll, and parking fee
- Completely private and personalized experience
- Hotel pickup and dropoff
- Tips of local good restaurants for lunch and dessert shops
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Gas, toll, and parking fee
- Lunch
- Dessert
- admission fee
- Lunch
- Dessert
- admission fee
The English-speaking Japanese guide offers a unique experience with a 10-passenger van ride. Kyoto, known as the former capital before Tokyo, has a history spanning 1,000 years. While it’s a beautiful place, the main sights are often too concentrated. My mission is to take you to lesser-known spots and immerse you in the culture.
This tour will give you…
The English-speaking Japanese guide offers a unique experience with a 10-passenger van ride. Kyoto, known as the former capital before Tokyo, has a history spanning 1,000 years. While it’s a beautiful place, the main sights are often too concentrated. My mission is to take you to lesser-known spots and immerse you in the culture.
This tour will give you the opportunity to visit off-the-beaten-path locations instead of the usual crowded tourist spots. Let’s uncover the true beauty of Kyoto! Since we focus on hidden gems during the tour, you might want to join on the second day or reserve another day for the main tourist attractions. Of course, we can also visit the popular tourist sites if you prefer.
In addition to historic landmarks, special activities like sake tasting are a lot of fun. My lunch selections are another highlight, featuring sushi, ramen, tempura, and more. Some spots are too secret to include in the itinerary, so the tour plan is just an example. Let’s discuss our itinerary!
- Minimum age requirement for alcohol consumption is 18 years of age
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.