OUR recommend tour plan
Overview
Kyoto served as Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It is one of the country's ten largest cities with a population of 1.5 million people and a modern face.
Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its exceptional historic value, the city was dropped from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and escaped destruction during World War II.
Countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today.
You can experience the history and culture of Kyoto, which lasts more than 1200 years.
Itinerary
■ By National Licensed Guide in English and/or Basic English Japanese Driver Guide
■ This tour is only for one day, but we have plans for more than two days depending on your wishes
■ Choose your favorite 5 spots from our list of recommended spots
■ Special requests are subject to availability and discussion beforehand
■ Customisation of plans is subject to additional fees range from 10,000 to 20,000 yen **
■ Timing will adjust to suit the plan and routes
■ Min : 2 pax Max : 9 pax
■ Places may change subject to weather, traffic, punctuality and seasons
RECOMMENDED spot
Gion
Gion
Gion
spot 1
GION
Gion is Kyoto's most famous geisha district, located around Shijo Avenue between Yasaka Shrine in the east and the Kamo River in the west. It is filled with shops, restaurants and ochaya (teahouses), where geiko (Kyoto dialect for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertainers.
Free admission
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Street
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Street
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Street
spot 2
Arashiyama
Bamboo Forest Street
Arashiyama is a pleasant, tourist district in the western outskirts of Kyoto. It is a popular destination since the Heian Period (794 - 1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. Arashiyama is particularly popular during the cherry blossom and fall season. It has many landmarks such as famous bamboo groves and Tenryuji Temple in the area.
Free admission
Arashiyama
Arashiyama
spot 3
Arashiyama
The Togetsukyo Bridge is Arashiyama's well known, central landmark. Many small shops, restaurants and other attractions are found nearby, including Tenryuji Temple, famous bamboo groves and pleasure boats that are available for rent on the river.
Free admission
Kinkakuji Temple
Kinkakuji Temple
spot 4
Kinkakuji Temple
Kinkakuji , Golden Pavillion is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top 2 floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will, it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408.
Admission fees : ¥400
Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle
spot 5
Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1867). His grandson Iemitsu completed the castle's palace buildings 23 years later and further expanded the castle by adding a five story castle keep.
Admission fees : ¥1,300
Kiyomizudera Temple
Kiyomizudera Temple
spot 6
Kiyomizudera
Temple
Kiyomizudera is one of the most celebrated temples of Japan. It was founded in 780 on the site of the Otowa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto, and derives its name from the fall's pure waters. In 1994, the temple was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites.
Admission fees : ¥400
Higashiyama District
Higashiyama District
spot 7
Higashiyama
District
The Higashiyama District along the lower slopes of Kyoto's eastern mountains is one of the city's best preserved historic districts. The streets in Higashiyama are lined by small shops, cafes and restaurants which have been catering to tourists and pilgrims for centuries.
Free admission
Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)
Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)
spot 8
Ginkakuji
(Silver Pavilion)
Ginkakuji is a Zen temple along Kyoto's eastern mountains (Higashiyama). In 1482, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa built his retirement villa on the grounds of today's temple, modeling it after Kinkakuji, his grandfather's retirement villa at the base of Kyoto's northern mountains.
Admission fees : ¥500
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Fushimi Inari Shrine
spot 9
Fushimi Inari
Shrine
It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds. Foxes are thought to be Inari's messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds.
Free admission
Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market
spot 10
Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market is a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and Kyoto specialties.
Free admission
BOOKING & PAYMENT
price guideline
■ Additional 15,000 yen (to the base costs) in peak season, public holidays (PH), PH eve, post PH and weekends **
■ Customisation of plans is subject to additional fees range from 10,000 to 20,000 yen **
■ These are the guide fees with exclusion of public or private transport used.
■ Please note that Japan cars are compact and different from other countries vehicles.
■ Type of vehicles are subject to availability (brand, model and size cannot choose) and additional fees may apply.
■ All passengers will sit in the middle and rear seats, no passenger sit beside driver seat for safety reasons.
■ Chartered van taxi or private transport may use subject to availability on tour day.
■ Public transport will mean by trains and buses.
■ This price table is subject to 8% PAYPAL fees
booking/payment Information
■ The above price list is a guideline (For Public and/or Private Transport)
■ By 1 National Licensed Guide and/or Native Japanese English Speaking Driver
■ Either by public transport or private transport
■ Public transport guide use trains, buses and cabs (Kansai)
■ Price exclude guide public transport and shinkansen costs between Tokyo and Kyoto
■ Travelers to self-purchase JR Pass or Shinkansen ticket in advance
■ Tour participants to self-purchase comprehensive travel insurance against COVID and injuries
■ Tour participants to declare personal medical conditions before the tour starts
■ Tour participants to exercise self-initiative and responsibility on site safety together with guide
■ All bookings are based on first-come-first serve basis with full payment received
■ All meal costs, hotel costs and admission fees are excluded in this package.
■ Self-booking of hotel accommodations in Kyoto
■ Admission tickets can buy on actual day or Day 1
■ Price includes all taxes and fees (Toll and fuel/Highway fees)
■ All special needs or requests are subject to discussion beforehand
■ Full payment reservation needed for all advance tour dates booking for all seasons
■ All sales are final with no cancellation and refund for all bookings
■ Cancellation will only allow due to natural disaster and extreme weather condition (snow and earthquake)
■ HM Tour management reserves the right to cancel the tour with no refund due to unreasonable demand from client
■ HM Tour management will not be liable or responsible against all medical expenses incurred due to injuries, chronic illness or non-disclosure of medical conditions happen during the tour
■ HM Tour is not authorised agent for attractions booking hence guests have to do self booking of popular attractions
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tour Information
■ Duration : 8 hrs
■ Guide hours : Either 0900 or 1000 start
■ Wait at hotel lobby by 0850 or 0950
■ Hotel pick-up is limited to hotels in Kyoto City.
■ Either pickup at Kyoto Hotel or Kyoto Station only
■ For pickup at other places, must inform and check with us first with additional cost
■ All public transportation costs, car rental , attractions entrance fees are not included in the guide fee.
■ Have your breakfast first before tour start
■ This tour is conducted by 1 National Licensed Guide and/or Licensed Native English Speaking Driver
■ All special needs or requests are subject to discussion beforehand
■ Places to visit may change subject to weather and traffic condition
■ Advance bookings are needed for all seasons
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