About Activity
Step into the heart of Japan’s heritage with a journey through Kyoto and Nara, where centuries-old traditions meet breathtaking natural beauty. This experience is designed for those who want to witness Japan’s most iconic landmarks while discovering the hidden stories behind them.
The Golden & Red Icons of Kyoto: Stand before the shimmering Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and walk through the seemingly endless tunnels of thousands of vermilion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha.
Arashiyama’s Dreamlike Nature: Wander the world-famous Bamboo Grove, where sunlight filters through towering green stalks to create a serene, otherworldly atmosphere.
Experience the unique charm of Nara Park, where approximately 1,300 wild deer—considered divine messengers—roam freely and bow to visitors for a treat.
Behold the Great Buddha: Visit the massive Todai-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site housing a 15-meter bronze Buddha statue within the world’s largest wooden building.
Includes
- Private transportation
- Hotspot on the Board
- Child Seat
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Excludes
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Kinkaku-ji Temple
- Todai-ji Temple
- Lunch
Stop At: Kiyomizu-dera Temple Kiyomizu-dera ("Pure Water Temple") is an iconic, UNESCO World Heritage Buddhist temple in the Higashiyama area of eastern Kyoto, renowned for its large wooden stage and panoramic city views.
Jutting out 13 meters above the hillside, the famous main hall stage was built without the use of a single nail. It offers a breathtaking, panoramic view of Kyoto city and the surrounding natural beauty.
Located beneath the main hall, visitors can drink from three streams of pure water, each believed to grant a different benefit: longevity, success, or a fortunate love life.
Jishu Shrine: Situated within the temple grounds, this shrine is dedicated to the deity of matchmaking. Visitors can try the "love stone" challenge: successfully walking between two stones with their eyes closed is thought to bring luck in love.
The walk up to the temple is an experience in itself, with the narrow, preserved streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka lined with traditional shops selling souvenirs.
Stop At: Kinkakuji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) is an iconic Zen Buddhist temple in northern Kyoto, famous for its stunning main hall whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-see landmark.
The Golden Pavilion: The main hall is the primary attraction, renowned for its gold-leaf-adorned exterior that reflects beautifully in the large Kyoko-chi, or "Mirror Pond".
Unique Architecture: The three-story pavilion harmoniously blends different architectural styles:
First floor: Shinden style (Heian palatial style).
Second floor: Bukke style (samurai house style).
Third floor: Chinese Zen style.
A golden phoenix statue adorns the roof.
Strolling Garden: Visitors follow a designated path through a beautifully landscaped Japanese strolling garden, offering various picturesque views of the pavilion from different angles.
Teahouse and Fudo Hall: The path leads past the Sekkatei Teahouse (not open to the public) before exiting past souvenir shops.
Stop At: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Located on the western outskirts of Kyoto, Arashiyama is a scenic district designated as a national historic site. It is famous for its bamboo groves, traditional temples, and river views.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (Chikurin no Komichi): A path of towering bamboo stalks that is a symbol of Kyoto. It is a public road, open 24 hours a day and free to enter. Arriving before 8:00 AM is recommended to avoid heavy crowds.
Togetsukyo Bridge: A 155-meter "Moon Crossing Bridge" spanning the Katsura River, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. It is especially popular during spring cherry blossoms and autumn colors.
Tenryu-ji Temple: A UNESCO World Heritage Zen temple with a world-renowned garden.
Stop At: Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice, agriculture, and business prosperity, famous for its thousands of vibrant vermilion torii gates that wind up Mount Inari in southern Kyoto.
The most iconic feature is the path of an estimated 1000 torii gates, creating a tunnel-like walkway up the mountain. Each gate is a donation from an individual or business, with the donor's name and date inscribed on the back.
The trails span approximately 4 kilometers up Mount Inari, taking about 2 hours to walk the entire route. The main shrine is at the base, and smaller shrines and tea houses are found along the path, offering a unique blend of nature and spirituality.
Fox Statues: Statues of foxes , believed to be the messengers of Inari, are abundant throughout the shrine, often depicted holding a key to a granary in their mouths.
Best Time to Visit: Visiting early in the morning or at night is recommended to avoid large crowds.
Stop At: Nishiki Market Nishiki Market, often called "Kyoto's Kitchen," is a vibrant, narrow shopping street in downtown Kyoto with over 100 stalls specializing in local food and crafts. It offers a unique glimpse into traditional Kyoto food culture and is open seven days a week, typically from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (though hours vary by store).
Dashimaki Tamago: A sweet, rolled omelet with dashi broth.
Yuba: Tofu skin, available fresh and dried.
Tsukemono: A wide variety of pickled vegetables.
Soymilk Doughnuts: A popular sweet treat from the shop Konna Monja.
Unique Shopping Items: The market sells more than just food.
Knives & Cookware: Aritsugu, a 400+ year old store, is renowned for its high-quality Japanese knives.
Ceramics: Shops like Kidoairaku offer beautiful locally-made kyo-yaki pottery.
Other Goods: You can also find sake, specialty teas, paper goods, and handcrafted fans.
Stop At: Todai-ji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Todai-ji (Great Eastern Temple) is a highly significant Buddhist temple complex in Nara, Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage site best known for its colossal bronze Great Buddha statue and the massive wooden hall that houses it.
The Great Buddha (Daibutsu): Housed in the Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall), this seated bronze statue of Vairocana Buddha is approximately 15 meters (49 feet) tall and weighs over 250 tons, making it one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world.
Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden): The hall itself is a feat of engineering, recognized as the world's largest wooden structure, despite the current reconstruction (from 1709) being only two-thirds the size of the original 8th-century structure.
Nandaimon Gate: The "Great South Gate" is an imposing wooden structure guarded by two fierce, large wooden guardian statues (Niō), a National Treasure.
Stop At: Nara Park Nara Park is a vast public park in Nara City at the foot of Mount Wakakusa, home to numerous historic temples, shrines, museums, and approximately 1,300 wild sika deer. The park is a symbol of Nara, blending natural beauty with significant cultural heritage.
The park offers scenic walking paths, beautiful lawns, cherry blossoms in spring, vibrant autumn foliage, and the ancient Kasugayama Primeval Forest, a protected nature reserve.
Features a stunning 50-meter-tall five-story pagoda, the second tallest in Japan.
Kasuga Taisha Shrine: Famous for its thousands of hanging bronze and stone lanterns that illuminate the pathways.
Nara National Museum: Known for its extensive collection of Japanese Buddhist art.
Stop At: Hokan-ji Temple Hōkan-ji Temple, widely known as Yasaka Pagoda (Yasaka-no-tō), is one of Kyoto's most recognizable, cinematic landmarks. Located in the historic Higashiyama District, the 46-meter-tall five-story wooden tower rises beautifully over narrow, preserved stone streets.
Ancient Origins: Legend states the temple was founded in 589 by Prince Shōtoku. This makes it one of the oldest temple locations in Kyoto, predating the city becoming the capital.Reconstruction: After multiple fires, the current structure was rebuilt in 1440 by the sixth Muromachi Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshinori.Last Remaining Structure: The pagoda is the sole surviving architecture of the original, larger Hōkan-ji temple complex. It is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
The streets surrounding the pagoda are public and open 24/7, making it a legendary spot for morning or sunset photography. However, accessing the interior requires specific timing:
Stop At: Togetsukyo Bridge togetsukyo bridgeThe Togetsukyo Bridge (Moon Crossing Bridge) is the central, iconic landmark of Kyoto's scenic Arashiyama District. It spans 155 meters across the Katsura River (also known as the Oi River) with a breathtaking backdrop of forested mountains. Originally built in 836 during the Heian period, its romantic name comes from Emperor Kameyama, who noted that a full moon rising over the water looked exactly as if it were walking across the bridge. The current structure dates back to 1934; while it features modern reinforced concrete pillars for structural stability, its beautiful parapets are made entirely of authentic cypress wood to blend flawlessly into the landscape. Lush, vibrant green hills flank the cool rushing waters. Tourists can view traditional cormorant fishing on the river after dusk.
Stop At: Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Kohfuku-ji (興福寺) is a premier Buddhist temple in Nara, Japan, recognized globally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Established originally in 669 and moved to its current location in 710, it served as the official clan temple for the Fujiwara family, the most powerful aristocratic group of the Nara and Heian periods. The sprawling complex is located right next to Nara Park and is famous for its collection of National Treasures and historical architecture.
National Treasure Museum (Kokuhokan): This hall houses one of the finest Buddhist art collections in the country. Its undisputed masterpiece is the famous three-faced, six-armed Ashura statue, a dry-lacquer sculpture dating back to 734.Central Golden Hall (Chukondo): The temple's primary hall. After burning down 300 years ago, it was meticulously reconstructed over several decades and reopened in late 2018.
Fee ¥900 for the Museum, ¥500 each for the Central or Eastern Halls, Combined 3-Site Ticket: ¥1,600 (Adults) ¥1,100 (Teens)
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Public transportation options are available nearby Specialized infant seats are available All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible Suitable for all physical fitness levels Operated by Nihon Shine Tours For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
We had an amazing Kyoto and Nara trip with Rana! He was knowleadgeable, friendly, and very accommodating throughout the entire journey. What stood out most was how caring and attentive he was. He always considered our needs, made sure everyone was comfortable, and went above and beyond to ensure we had a pleasant experience. His thoughtfulness and willingness to help made the trip stress-free and enjoyable. Rana kept the tour well organized while allowing enough time to enjoy the sights, take photos and explore at a comfortable pace. His professionalism, kindness, and dedication truly made our Kyoto and Nara visit memorable. We highly recommend Rana to anyone looking for an exceptional tour guide experience.
We had a great time exploring Kyoto and Nara with our driver Mozam! He showed us around Nara Park first to start of the day and then we went back to Kyoto to see the Golden Temple and the Bamboo Forest. We also had a great lunch near the Golden Temple. We highly recommend to book this if you want to check out the important points in both Kyoto and Nara.
Rana was our friendly...Chulalak_L
Rana was our friendly tour guide. He picked us up at our house. He was good to communicate with us and he could answer all our questions about the destinations. The van was comfortable and roomy for family of five.
Difficult experience that started off over an hour late with little to no notice, no planned itinerary sent in advance and driver had limited interest in explaining anything about Kyoto or locations. We were also deserted by our guide at one location and had to find him in the parking lot. Car was old and very uncomfortable - a very disappointing experience that we stopped after a couple of hours.
Amazing - Highly recommended! YongYong_L
Rana (our driver guide) was very welcoming, friendly and on time. As we were travelling with grandparents and kids, we only chose certain attractions to visit and gave the rest a miss. We could customise and change our itinerary after each stop and it did not feel rushed.
In fact, he accommodated our request to pick up our luggage from the nearby storage centre and helpfully transported them back with us. All in all, a very enjoyable and relaxing way to indulge in Kyoto’s culture. Thank you for the lovely memories!
Waqar was helpful and he...chandra_b
Waqar was helpful and he showed us around . He was flexible and let us customize . We booked last minute and he was able to accommodate
Rana was a fantastic guide and was perfectly willing to travel to all the sights in Kyoto. His language skills were much appreciated and despite us feeling unwell he took care of us and brought us home a little early! I would strongly recommend this service and Rana in particular to anyone looking for a private tour of the city.
Did not meet expectations. Had to walk 3 blocks away to meet the driver at a 7-11
He immediately complained about toll roads and parking. Limited knowledge of Japanese culture and history No proactive information given about the sites. Inefficient use of our time. We had to park with him then we walked to entrance instead of being dropped at the entrance. We contributed to parking costs. On personal calls during many transfers between sites. The positive. We had water and snacks in the vehicle for us.
Not a certified guide. Told us he failed the test twice. Inappropriate questions regarding our political opinions
We loved our tour. We were able to see all that we wanted and more. Our guide was very accommodating by allowing us freedom to enjoy the sites and customizing a schedule based on what we would like to see.
Kyoto/Nara ExperienceLudmila_P
Rana was our guide and a driver, he was very thoughtful and attentive. He made sure we felt comfortable, and got to see the attractions. He got some snacks and water for us which was super cool! We really enjoyed our time in Kyoto and Nara! Rana, thank you for your help during this tour! We sure enjoyed it!
Great day exploring KyotoBenjamin_H
We had a great day exploring Kyoto with Sam, we saw a lot of the important spots and it was so easy having Sam and the car to take us and explain everything
Vip kyoto nara one day private tour885merryw
We had a wonderful private tour of Kyoto and Nara as a couple, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. Our guide Rana was fantastic from start to finish.
Rana was very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable about the history and culture of both cities. He made the whole day smooth and enjoyable, taking us to beautiful spots and giving us interesting explanations along the way. We especially loved visiting the famous temples and seeing the deer in Nara.
The tour felt very comfortable and well organized, and Rana made sure we had plenty of time to explore and take photos together. As a couple, we really appreciated how relaxed and personalized the experience was.
Highly recommended for anyone visiting Japan who wants a memorable private tour. Thank you, Rana, for such a great day!
VIP Tour Kyoto NaraEthanbrooks457328
We had an amazing time on the VIP Kyoto and Nara customized private day tour with our family, and it truly exceeded our expectations! From the beginning, Rana made everything smooth, comfortable, and perfectly organized.
Exploring the beautiful temples of Kyoto and the peaceful atmosphere of Nara was a dream come true. Rana customized the tour according to our family’s interests, making sure both adults and kids enjoyed every moment. We visited stunning historical spots, walked through charming streets, and even had time to relax and take family photos.
Rana was professional, friendly, and very knowledgeable about Japanese history and culture. He explained everything clearly and made the experience engaging and fun. The private setup made it comfortable and stress-free, especially since we were traveling with family.
If you are looking for a high-quality, well-organized, and truly charming private tour experience in Kyoto and Nara, we highly recommend booking with Rana. It was a perfect 5-star day and one we will always remember! 🌸✨
Best guide M.R RANAjackrK605KL
(Recommended)
"Our private tour of Kyoto and Nara with Nihon Shine Tours was the absolute highlight of our trip! Our guide, Rana, was phenomenal. He didn't just show us the sites; he brought the history and culture to life with his deep knowledge and charming personality. The 'VIP' title is no joke—everything was seamless, comfortable, and perfectly customized to what we wanted to see. If you want a stress-free, deeply enriching experience, ask for Rana!"
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"We booked the Charming Private Day Tour and couldn't be happier. Exploring Kyoto and Nara can be overwhelming, but Rana made it effortless. He navigated the crowds expertly and took us to some beautiful spots we never would have found on our own. His storytelling is top-notch, and his English is excellent. Nihon Shine Tours provided a true VIP experience from start to finish. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a premium, customized day in Japan."
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"An unforgettable day! Huge thanks to Nihon Shine Tours and especially our guide, Rana. He was professional, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable about both Kyoto and Nara. The customization allowed us to see everything on our bucket list without feeling rushed. A 10/10 experience!"
All day adventure with Airport drop off KRISTY_C
Picked us up at our hotel with snacks for us. Let us plan our own Adventure and was very nice and spoke english well!. Even dropped us at the airport for convenience for us
