Discover Kyoto’s hidden gems with expert local guides and drivers. Enjoy exclusive experiences and safety with our professional Japanese team.
Discover Kyoto’s hidden gems with expert local guides and drivers. Enjoy exclusive experiences and safety with our professional Japanese team.
- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Fushimi Inari Taisha stands as one of Kyoto’s most renowned landmarks, celebrated for the awe-inspiring Senbon Torii, or “thousands of torii gates,” forming vibrant red tunnels that meander through the wooded slopes of Mount Inari. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, prosperity, and good fortune, the shrine…
- Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Fushimi Inari Taisha stands as one of Kyoto’s most renowned landmarks, celebrated for the awe-inspiring Senbon Torii, or “thousands of torii gates,” forming vibrant red tunnels that meander through the wooded slopes of Mount Inari. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, prosperity, and good fortune, the shrine holds deep cultural and spiritual importance.
Visitors can wander beneath the endless rows of gates, discover smaller shrines along the paths, and admire fox statues, believed to be Inari’s messengers. Whether visiting during the day, when the vermilion gates glow brightly in the sun, or at night, when the paths take on a tranquil and mysterious ambiance, Fushimi Inari provides an unforgettable experience.
- Arashiyama - Arashiyama, located in western Kyoto, is a picturesque district known for its natural beauty and cultural landmarks. Highlights include the enchanting Bamboo Forest, the UNESCO World Heritage Tenryu-ji Temple, and the scenic Togetsukyo Bridge, which is particularly stunning during cherry blossom season and autumn foliage.
Visitors can also explore the Iwatayama Monkey Park for views over Kyoto and encounters with wild monkeys, and stroll through the illuminated Kimono Forest near Arashiyama Station. With its blend of traditional shops, tea houses, and breathtaking scenery, Arashiyama is a must-visit destination in Kyoto.
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Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - The Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama is a serene and magical walkway where tall bamboo stalks tower overhead, creating a peaceful and otherworldly atmosphere. It’s one of Kyoto’s most photographed and iconic natural spots.
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Tenryuji Temple - Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Arashiyama, Kyoto, is famous for its beautifully landscaped gardens and traditional architecture. Surrounded by lush greenery and views of the nearby mountains, it offers a peaceful and culturally rich experience, reflecting the elegance of Japanese Zen temples.
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Togetsukyo Bridge - Togetsukyo Bridge, spanning the Katsura River in Arashiyama, is a scenic landmark famous for its stunning views. Visitors enjoy photographing the bridge framed by cherry blossoms in spring or vibrant autumn foliage, making it one of Kyoto’s most picturesque spots.
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Arashiyama Kimono Forest - The Kimono Forest, located near Arashiyama Station, features hundreds of illuminated pillars wrapped in colorful kimono fabrics. This modern art installation creates a magical and photogenic walkway, especially enchanting in the evening.
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Kinkakuji Temple - Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, was originally built in the 14th century as the retirement villa of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and later became a Zen temple. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks. The pavilion is covered in brilliant gold leaf and is especially stunning when reflected in the calm waters of the surrounding pond. Visitors can stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens and enjoy a timeless view that perfectly captures the elegance of traditional Japanese aesthetics.
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Kiyomizu-dera Temple - Kiyomizu-dera, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of Kyoto’s most celebrated temples, founded in the 8th century. It is best known for the grand wooden stage known as “Kiyomizu no Butai”, which extends from the main hall and was built without the use of nails. This stage offers sweeping views of Kyoto and is especially breathtaking during cherry blossom season and autumn foliage. Visitors can also explore the temple’s historic grounds, including the Otowa Waterfall, where drinking from its streams is believed to bring health, longevity, and success.
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Gion - Located in the heart of Kyoto, Gion is the city’s most famous traditional district, known for its geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha) culture. Stroll along Hanami-koji Street or the Shirakawa Canal to enjoy wooden teahouses, lantern-lit streets, and the timeless beauty of old Japan. You might even glimpse a maiko gracefully walking to an evening appointment.
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Yasaka Shrine - Located between Kyoto’s Gion and Higashiyama districts, Yasaka Shrine is one of the city’s most famous and lively Shinto shrines. Known for its vibrant Gion Matsuri festival and beautiful lanterns that light up at night, it offers visitors a glimpse of Kyoto’s spiritual and cultural heart.
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Nishiki Market Shopping District - Discover the vibrant flavors of Kyoto at Nishiki Market, a bustling street lined with over 100 shops and stalls. Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” this historic market has been serving locals and visitors for centuries. Explore a colorful array of fresh seafood, local produce, traditional sweets, pickles, and unique Kyoto specialties.
Stroll through the lively aisles, sample local delicacies, and watch skilled vendors at work. Whether you’re a foodie looking for authentic tastes or simply want to experience the local culture, Nishiki Market offers a sensory journey through Kyoto’s culinary heritage.
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Ginkakuji Temple - Ginkaku-ji, or the Silver Pavilion, is a Zen temple built in the late 15th century by shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. Although never covered in silver, it is admired for its refined simplicity, beautiful moss gardens, and the meticulously designed sand garden known as the “Sea of Silver Sand.” The temple embodies the elegance of Japanese aesthetics and the spirit of wabi-sabi.
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Sanjusangendo Temple - Sanjusangen-do, officially known as Rengeo-in, is a Buddhist temple famous for its long wooden hall stretching 120 meters, the longest of its kind in Japan. Inside, visitors are awed by the sight of 1,001 life-size statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, arranged in magnificent rows. The temple offers a powerful and unforgettable cultural experience.
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Nijo Castle - Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was built in the early 17th century as the Kyoto residence of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. The castle is renowned for its elegant palace buildings, beautiful gardens, and the famous “nightingale floors”, which chirp when walked upon as a security measure. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the power and artistry of Japan’s samurai era.
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Amanohashidate View Land - Amanohashidate, often ranked among Japan’s three most scenic views, is a natural sandbar stretching about 3.6 km across Miyazu Bay, lined with nearly 5,000 pine trees. The name means “bridge to heaven,” and from the surrounding hills, the sandbar looks like a path connecting the sky and earth. Visitors can walk, cycle, or even take a boat ride to enjoy its beauty, and the unique custom of viewing it “upside down” through your legs offers a fun and memorable perspective.
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Ine no Funaya - Ine Bay is a picturesque fishing village famous for its unique funaya, or boathouses. These traditional wooden houses are built directly on the water, with the first floor serving as a garage for boats and fishing equipment, and the second floor used as living quarters. The sight of over 200 funaya lined up along the bay creates a landscape unlike anywhere else in Japan. Visitors can explore the town on foot, enjoy fresh seafood, or take a boat tour for a closer look at these charming waterfront homes and the tranquil bay.
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Chion-in Temple - Chion-in, the head temple of the Jodo sect of Buddhism, is one of Kyoto’s grandest temple complexes. It is known for its massive Sanmon Gate, the largest wooden gate in Japan, and its impressive temple grounds filled with historic halls and tranquil gardens. Chion-in offers visitors a chance to experience both the scale and spiritual depth of Japanese Buddhist culture.
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Nara Park - Nara Park, located in the ancient capital of Nara, is a vast and historic park famous for its friendly deer and cultural landmarks. Home to over 1,000 freely roaming deer, the park offers visitors the unique chance to interact with these gentle creatures, who often bow in exchange for special deer crackers (shika senbei).
Covering more than 500 hectares, the park also features some of Nara’s most iconic sites, including the majestic Todai-ji Temple and the sacred Kasuga Taisha Shrine. With its blend of natural beauty, playful deer, and centuries-old cultural heritage, Nara Park is a must-visit destination for travelers to Japan.
- Kofuku-ji Temple 5 Stories Pagoda - Located in central Nara, Kofuku-ji Temple is one of Japan’s oldest and most important Buddhist temples, originally founded in 710. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is famous for its graceful five-story pagoda, one of Nara’s iconic landmarks. The temple grounds feature beautifully restored halls and treasured Buddhist statues that reflect the artistry of the Nara period. Just a short walk from Nara Park, Kofuku-ji offers visitors a peaceful setting to experience Japan’s ancient spiritual heritage and timeless beauty.
- Todai-ji Temple - Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Nara, is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples. It is best known for the Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden), which houses a massive bronze Buddha statue, one of the largest in the world. Surrounded by beautiful grounds and friendly deer from nearby Nara Park, Todai-ji offers a profound cultural and spiritual experience for visitors.
- Kasuga Grand Shrine - Kasuga Taisha(Grand)Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is Nara’s most celebrated Shinto shrine, founded in the 8th century. It is renowned for its hundreds of bronze and stone lanterns, which create a magical atmosphere, especially during the lantern festivals held twice a year. Surrounded by the tranquil forest of Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha offers visitors a serene setting to experience Japan’s spiritual and cultural traditions.

- Private transportation
- Fully customizable tours based on your preferences or our recommended highlights in 8 hours
- Complimentary support for Shinkansen and restaurant reservations
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Experienced Local Professional Driver (Green Number)
- Complimentary alternative plan available in case of rain
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Wi-Fi on Board
-…
- Private transportation
- Fully customizable tours based on your preferences or our recommended highlights in 8 hours
- Complimentary support for Shinkansen and restaurant reservations
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Experienced Local Professional Driver (Green Number)
- Complimentary alternative plan available in case of rain
- Wi-Fi on Board
- Experienced Local English and Japanese Speaking Guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Entrance fees
- Meals
- You need to pay for the car which you chose
- Mercedes - Benz V-Class
- Toyota Alphard
- Van (5~8 People)
- Entrance fees
- Meals
- You need to pay for the car which you chose
- Mercedes - Benz V-Class
- Toyota Alphard
- Van (5~8 People)
With a seasoned local guide proficient in both English and Japanese, who has previously guided Hollywood actors like Lance Gross, you can select the vehicle of your choice!
All our team members are native to Japan, providing them with a profound understanding of the country. This enables them to reveal Japan’s hidden gems known only to locals….
With a seasoned local guide proficient in both English and Japanese, who has previously guided Hollywood actors like Lance Gross, you can select the vehicle of your choice!
All our team members are native to Japan, providing them with a profound understanding of the country. This enables them to reveal Japan’s hidden gems known only to locals. Additionally, we offer complimentary Japanese language assistance in emergencies. We exclusively employ highly skilled professional drivers.
Recently, there has been a significant rise in accidents and incidents involving unlicensed or inexperienced foreign drivers at other companies. Our advantage is delivering the utmost safety and reliability through our Japanese drivers and guides.
Beyond engaging activities like ninja training and chopstick crafting, our strong local ties offer access to exclusive experiences, such as invitation-only Ochaya and private geisha or maiko performances.
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.