Kyoto

Transportation

Discover Kyoto like a local and see the top attractions on a 2, 4, 6, or 8-hour private walking tour. Meet your host and get insider tips on what to see and do, learn about the culture and discover hidden gems along the way. You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. Book your preferred tour duration at least 72 hours in advance so that the best experience can be created in advance. You will be contacted shortly after booking to chat about your needs and interests. A like-minded host will then be provided, along with a bespoke, but flexible, itinerary exclusive to you. Visit sacred sites like the shrine of Fushimi Inari Taisha or Kinkajuki Temple, explore the cultural district of Gion or get off the beaten path in historic neighborhoods with the help of your guide. Stop for lunch at an authentic spot, recommended by your host to suit your taste and budget, or snack on street food as you walk. Get advice on how to spend the rest of your time in the city and more.

Get to know your local host who can give you advice and recommendations for things to see and do with your family. You'll be paired with guides that are passionate about the place they call home and who choose to spend their free time sharing it with like-minded travelers matched to them. They will also suggest family-friendly restaurants where the locals eat that serve the kind of food you all like. Explore the temples, gardens, and places in Kyoto that make the perfect backdrop for your family day out. Visit world famous attractions where your kids can learn and explore, parks to run off any extra energy, and interactive exhibits at the Railway Museum to get hands-on. Explore the unique and exciting aspects of Kyoto’s magical culture. Explore the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, which is a great temple for children and adults. You can also visit Tainai-Meguri if none of your party are claustrophobic or afraid of the dark. Jishu-jinja and Otowa-no-taki Spring are other temples you can explore. The Sannen-Zaka and Ninen-Zaka preserved neighborhoods are beautiful lanes lined with restaurants, teahouses, and souvenir stores which the kids will also enjoy. At Maruyama-koen Park you can see some of the famous Kyoto rickshaw pullers and the carp and turtles in the pond. Shoren-in Temple is one of the most popular temples in Kyoto and has a beautiful garden that the kids can explore with a bamboo forest.  Head to downtown Kyoto for lunch where you will be surrounded by restaurants. Your host will recommend a place that is to your taste. Kyoto Railway Museum is a great museum for the kids to explore. Nishiki Market is Kyoto’s best food market and it is fun to check out all the mysterious items on offer.

See the temples, shrines and gardens of Kyoto and learn about the city's 1,200-year history and geisha traditions. Start at the 13th-century Tofukuji Temple and learn about the inspiration for its garden. Walk to the Fushimi Inari Shrine to see the red torii gates spread across the mountain.  Head to the geisha district of Gion as the sun sets and stroll past traditional teahouses from the 17th century. Soak up the atmosphere of the historic quarter and get some free time to explore on your own. Then, experience Kyoto at night in a group. Wander the lantern-lit wooden streets to the Yasaka Shrine, brought to life with its bright lights. Sample typical dishes at the street food stalls selling everything from frozen bananas to skewered squid. Cross the Kamo River to get a view of the restaurant district before entering the historic entertainment district of Pontocho. Continue to the arcade strip of Teramachi and see merchants selling Manga comics, high-quality sushi knives and more. End at a typical tachinomiya (stand-up) bar in the Nishiki food market. 

Arima Onsen is home to one of the oldest and the best hot springs in Japan, dating back to 631 AD. The Arima Onsen was originally established as a place of healing with a deep connection to Buddhism. 26 different types of baths are available. You can also take part in a "bedrock bathing" experience, to savor the Kinsen (gold) and Ginsen (silver) waters that make Arima Onsen so special. Take advantage of easy access to the Onsen from major stations in Osaka with this combo ticket. This all-in-one pass includes your Taiko-no-yu admission ticket, and a railway pass.  There are two railway passes to choose from: Hankyu Railway Pass Main Stations: Kyoto Kawaramachi, Arashiyama, Osaka Umeda, Kobe Sannomiya Includes all lines of the Hankyu Railway, and the Kobe Kosoku Line (Kobe Sannomiya Station-Minatogawa Station) Hanshin Railway Pass Main Stations: Osaka Umeda, Osaka Namba, Kobe Sannomiya Includes all lines of the Hanshin Railway, the Kobe Kosoku Line (Motomachi Station-Minatogawa Station), and Shintetsu train (Minatogawa Station-Arima Onsen Station)

Explore the Kansai region, the spiritual heart of Japan which is home to some of the country's most interesting cities. Once you’ve picked up your pass, you’ll be able to ride the JR West railways and buses throughout the Kansai region down to Hiroshima.  Discover the vibrant city of Osaka and its amazing food scene. Visit the ancient temples and shrines of Kyoto. See Nara's natural beauty, try the beef in Kobe, visit Himeji castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or connect with nature in the forests and waterfalls of Wakayama. Walk the UNESCO Kumano Kodo in Kishi, admire the best dunes in Tottori, relax in the Kinosaki Onsen's hot spring, or take amazing photos in the top Japanese garden of Okayama's Korakuen.  Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Atomic Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shrine in Miyajima by ferry. Take the road-less traveled and use the JR West bus network to see cities such as Kyoto, Shiga, Tsuruga, and Iga-Ueno.

This experience is perfect for natural early-risers, and for those who are seeking a unique experience and don't mind getting up early for it. The tour takes you to three of the most famous sites in Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Shirine, Kiyomizu Temple, and Arashiyama bamboo forest. Start at the world-famous Fushimi Inari Shrine before the crowds arrive. Marvel at the thousands of red gates that line the path up the hillside. This is a magical time to see the amazing temple complex and get a view of the city coming to life below you. Proceed then across town to Arashiyama, where you'll get to see the beautiful bamboo grove, which will still be relatively quiet and thus a great setting for snapping some fantastic photos. Before leaving Arashiyama, if time allows, visit one of the most beautiful zen temples in Kyoto and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tenryuji Temple. Explore its radiant garden to round off the four-hour experience. Along the way, pick up insights into the history of Kyoto, Buddhism, Japanese garden design, and more. Your friendly guide will also answer any other questions you may have regarding the rest of your stay in Japan.

This shared shuttle transfer provides service between Kansai Airport and your Osaka city accommodation. The door-to-door service is available either from the airport to the city or in the opposite direction. For arrival transfers, the driver will be waiting to meet and greet you, holding a Cherry Tomato sign. For departure transfers, you’ll be met in the lobby of your hotel or outside your home or apartment accommodation. If the size of the vehicle makes it impossible to enter a narrow street a nearby meeting point will be chosen. Bookings are accepted up to 13 months in advance as well as at the last minute. It is recommended that you book at least 72 hours in advance to ensure that there is plenty of time to process your request. Note that all bookings are subject to availability and confirmation.

Explore Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, and neighboring cities like Nara, Hyogo, Wakayama, and Shiga with just a single pass. The Kansai Thru pass is the ideal way to discover the Kansai region and benefit from complimentary discount promotions at about 280 major tourist facilities along the railway lines. Subways, Light Rail, Trams & Cable Cars The Kansai Thru Pass is valid on the Osaka subway, Kyoto subway, Kobe subway, and Osaka Monorail as well as the Eizan Railway and Keifuku (Randen) in Kyoto, the Port and Rokko Liners in Kobe and the Hieizan and Koyasan cable cars. Railways The Kansai Thru Pass is valid on the Hankyu, Hanshin, Keihan, Kintetsu, Kobe Kosoku, Kobe Railways, Eizan, Nankai, Nose and Sanyo railways within the Kansai region. Buses The Kansai Thru Pass is valid on Kyoto City buses, Kobe City buses, Osaka City buses, as well as Hankyu, Itami, Keihan, Kintetsu, Nankai, Sanyo, Shintetsu and Wakayama buses.

Meet your friendly guide at JR Kyoto station and get on the bus together. Arrive at 'Ginkaku-ji' and start exploring the philosopher's world. Visit Ginkaku-ji Temple, the silver temple, located at starting point of the Philosopher’s Path. Learn why it is called a silver temple even though it isn't covered with silver. Taste soft serve with a piece of gold or silver leaf on it. You can choose between gold and silver. Discover why Philosopher’s Path is famous among locals. Experience the perfect place to stroll while being lost in thought. Gaze at cherry blossoms in spring, fireflies in summer, and autumn leaves in fall. Continue to Otoyo Shrine, one of the unique shrines located alongside the Philosopher’s Path. Shrines like this one usually have a statue of dogs made from stone, but this site has a rat statue which is unique to this shrine. Then, experience Nanzen-ji Temple, said to be the most special among all the temples in Kyoto. You can climb up on the gate which is like an observatory and have a panoramic view of Kyoto city. Don’t miss the photogenic spots such as the beautiful garden and the Lake Biwa Canal, built in the Meiji era (1868-1912) and considered as a piece of important modern architecture.

Enjoy a safe and reliable private airport transfer with a 24-hour service between Osaka (Itami) Airport and your accommodation in Kyoto city center.  Be greeted by your driver who will be waiting for you at the arrival hall with a sign displaying your name. Your driver will track your flight so you won't have to worry in case of a flight delay. Save yourself having to carry heavy bags and navigating the public transportation system and take comfort knowing that all vehicles are regularly maintained to high-quality standards.