Kyoto Tour from Kobe

KYOTO TOUR FROM KOBE

Discover Kyoto's rich history and vibrant culture with a private vehicle tour, offering door-to-door service from Kobe.

From ¥87,290 /group
Private Vehicle 8 Hour and 10 Hour Options Up to 9 People

Uncover Kyoto's Gems with an All-Inclusive, Private Day Trip from Kobe

If you're seeking a convenient, one-day exploration of Kyoto, our private, hassle-free day tour by private vehicle from Kobe is a perfect choice! Experience the best of Kyoto as you visit the renowned Arashiyama district, Gion, and Fushimi Inari.This well-rounded itinerary showcases the city's highlights, including the famous Tenryu-ji temple, the breathtaking gardens of Okochi Sanso and Tenryu-ji, a brief visit to the lively Gion entertainment quarter, and the iconic Fushimi Inari shrine with its picturesque red gates ascending the hillside.Enjoy complimentary port pickup and drop-off services with no additional charges. We offer flexible tour arrangements, allowing you to start in Kobe and end in Kyoto or vice versa. This means you can bring your luggage with you, eliminating the need for switching cities and hotels via public transit.Additionally, this tour can depart from Osaka or be exclusively based in Kyoto, catering to your unique travel preferences.Continue reading below for more tour information. To explore more Kyoto tour options, browse our full selection of Kyoto Walking Tours & Private Tours.

Pinpoint Traveler has an average score of 4.7⭐ across over 500 reviews on multiple review sites. Below is a sampling of some of our most recent reviews for Kyoto Tour by Private Vehicle
Full Day Trip to Kyoto
Full Day Trip to Kyoto
@Matthew_D
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Had a great day trip to Kyoto. Our guide, Levi, was very informative and funny and looked after us well. The gardens were beautiful and Kyoto was stunning. I would recommend this trip to anyone.
Wonderful private tour of Kyoto from Osaka
Wonderful private tour of Kyoto from Osaka
@coopercleone
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We had an excellent day with Daniel who took into consideration my mobility limitations and our interests to tailor a day that showed us the wonderful sights and experiences of Kyoto. Communication with this company was easy with very good response time.
Great Day in Kyoto
Great Day in Kyoto
@Robert_H
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Lito arranged a custom day for us based on our interests, and despite the drizzling weather, we had such a fantastic day. We saw beautiful gardens, shrines, bamboo forests, mountain trails with thousands of red Tori’s gates, and he even found an organic vegetarian restaurant that met my wife’s dietary restrictions. Thanks for the great day Lito!
Shoji, our guide, was great
Shoji, our guide, was great
@Francis_F
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Shoji, our guide, was great. Very knowledgeable and fun to speak with. We have a three-generation family and he was very flexible in adapting to our requests for adjustment to the itinerary. We really enjoyed the experience.
Beautiful Kyoto
Beautiful Kyoto
@Hubert_T
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Levy was a great guide, personable, knowledgeable and great with kids. Place was magical. Abundant in nature and preserved culture and history.
Most enjoyable day trip to Kyoto from Osaka
Most enjoyable day trip to Kyoto from Osaka
@Lois D
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We had the most friendly and knowledgeable, English speaking guide, Levy, who showed us the most beautiful places. We had a fun filled lunch at sushi restaurant where we experienced interesting dishes from the ' sushi train'. Arashiyama is a showcase of beautiful Japanese gardening and Fushimi Inari one amazing place to visit. All in all, a memorable day and highly recommended. I have awesome memories and photos of this trip!
Great Experience
Great Experience
@alyannas2018
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Our whole tour was amazing! Our guide, Levy, was very informative, funny and friendly. He took us to all the places I have included in the list and explained little things about our next destination while driving. He took us to a very good lunch and even suggested another good place for dinner. We had a blast in Kyoto and Levy made it even more special.
Amazing 2 days in Kyoto
Amazing 2 days in Kyoto
@RitaS9800
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This is my first review on Trip Advisor and feel Pinpoint Traveler deserves that honor. They planned 2 amazing days in Kyoto for our family (pleasing everyone is never easy especially a teenager). In addition, we had one adult with mobility issues which was also handled with care. We highly recommend their services, Kevin, Levy and Mardi are a pleasure to work with. We look forward to our next trip with them.
Enjoyable Tour!
Enjoyable Tour!
@YinTiong_W
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Kelvin the guide was helpful and knowledgeable. We have enjoyed the day tour. A suitable tour for family.
Kyoto, Nara Private day tour
Kyoto, Nara Private day tour
@Stella_W
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Levy our tour guide was informative and made the tour interesting and fun. We had a great time and will definitely recommend our friends.
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Historic Landmarks

Taking a Kyoto tour from Kobe means going from a rather posh Western city heavily influenced by foreign trade to a city that has proudly not changed nearly as much over the past decades.

Professional Guide

Real English, real skills, and great personalities. Our guides have the knowledge and expertise to provide you with interesting, fun, and memorable tours.

Fully Narrated Tour

Our tours never leave you to wonder about on your own. Your guide stays with you the whole time, unless, for example, you want a bit of time to roam a garden or have lunch on your own.

Easy Access

This tour starts at your Kobe lodging or the Port. Doesn't get much easier than that!

Does this look like fun? Book tickets today!

Kyoto Private Tour from Kobe Overview

Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Kyoto with our private tour by car from Kobe, taking you to the must-see sites of Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari. Leave the hassle of public transit behind as you enjoy a scenic drive through Gion's heart, admiring the classic architecture and learning about its vibrant nightlife.

Arashiyama: Classic Kyoto at its Finest

Expect grand temples, serene gardens, lush bamboo groves, and traditional rickshaws as you explore the enchanting Arashiyama district. Begin your journey at the 14th-century Tenryuji temple and its even older, exquisitely designed Japanese garden. Soak in the serene atmosphere, learn about traditional garden elements, and continue to the famous bamboo grove that has captivated countless visitors.Next, venture into the lesser-known but equally stunning Okochi Sanso, a 1930s estate built by a renowned Japanese actor. Admire its beautiful gardens and expansive views of Kyoto, and indulge in a matcha tea break (included in the admission price). Avoid the crowds as you walk along the Hozu River, then explore the charming town shopping area, discovering unique Kyoto crafts and foods.

A Flavorful Lunch and Gion Exploration

Savor the distinct flavors of Kyoto's cuisine as your guide introduces you to local food options during lunch. Afterward, marvel at Gion's striking architecture, tree-lined streets, and picturesque canals by day, before continuing to Fushimi Inari.

Fushimi Inari: A Unique and Captivating Shinto Shrine

Experience the awe-inspiring Fushimi Inari shrine, Kyoto's most famous Shinto site. Thousands of red gates beckon you up the hillside while your guide's insights provide a deeper understanding of its history and significance. Tailor your experience with a lighthearted or informative narrative, ensuring an engaging visit.

Upgrade Your Kyoto Tour from Kobe

Our standard tour lasts eight hours, with around two and a half to three hours spent traveling between cities. Opt for the "Xtra Large" package to add two hours to your tour, allowing for more time to explore Kyoto's gems, such as Ryoanji, Kinkakuji, Nijo Castle, the Imperial Palace, or the Nishiki food market. Share your preferences, and we'll create a memorable, customized experience.Any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Does this look like fun? Book tickets today!

Itinerary

Tenryuji is a great way to start our day in Kyoto. The temple has simplicity, beauty and functionality, and then there are the gorgeous gardens. We exit to the bamboo grove street. Altogether, about 45 minutes.

Still in the Arashiyama area, we next enter stately gates into Okochi Sanso, the historic estate of an early 20th century Japanese actor. Perfectly manicured, inviting grounds are dotted with noteworthy structure. We also take a break for some powdered green tea (matcha) here. We spend 45 minutes or so here.

A fifteen minute stroll down to the lovely and lazy Hozu River, then a continued walk alongside it leads us back into town. If you’re looking for Kyoto shopping suggestions, we’ve got them. We know some good lunch places too. If you’re not interested in the shops, we can easily breeze by that bit. About 75 minutes altogether for most, but this can vary.

Well-preserved storefronts line this actively used, historic part of the Gion district. There’s a nice stream running through the area we stop that makes for an even more atmospheric experience. About 15 minutes here.

Among the top things to do in Kyoto for a reason, our visit to Fushimi Inari will take you beyond the famous red gates and into parts less visited, or at least less explained. We get away from the crowds as we can, and let you in on stories and cultural points that will make your visit even more worthwhile. About 75 minutes here.

Consider making your day a couple hours longer with our “Xtra Large” package, available at time of booking. Please read more about some ideas we have for this time in the “Care to supersize your Kyoto tour from Kobe?” contained within the full tour description section above.

Historic and Cultural Landmarks

Taking a Kyoto tour from Kobe means going from a rather posh Western city heavily influenced by foreign trade to a city that has proudly not changed nearly as much over the past decades. Partly this is because there was no World War II bombing in Kyoto, but irregardless of that, Kyoto has always proudly stood on its own as a pristinely preserved area of impressive temples and shrines, and also landscapes that are equally impressive. Fushimi Inari, Tenryu-ji, the Gion, and other areas we wish to show you are all culturally rich and deeply historic.

Easy Access

We’ll pick you up at your lodging in Kobe, or at the port Kobe, making for an easy and convenient day trip to Kyoto.

Know Before You Go

There are a couple of things we’d like to mention up front.
  • Please come wearing comfortable shoes. It’s a car tour, but there’s still a good bit of walking to be done. If you wish to minimize the walking, please let us know (preferably in advance) and we’ll modify the itinerary to suit your needs.
  • Kyoto tends to be a bit chillier in winter and even a bit hotter in summer than Kobe due to its landlocked, higher elevation locale. Please come dressed for the day with this in mind. Leaving things in the car while we stroll about is always an option.
  • Enjoy all the exciting stops described above and more on this private vehicle tour! The plan described is a model course, and there is the possibility for change based on our guests’ interests. Timing and external factors (such as traffic conditions) may force deviations from this model course.
Inclusions:
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • All vehicle costs
  • All guide costs
Exclusions:
  • Lunch, or any other food and drinks
  • Admissions (plans on 1500 yen per adult on the standard tour, and for primary school and younger, around half that)
Options:
  • Going “Xtra Large” allows for two more hours of touring.

Our Tour Guides

We've got around a dozen guides at your service. Here we showcase a few of our most active ones.

Kevin

We think it's important that everyone who works for Pinpoint Traveler is an active guide too, even the owner. Kevin's been in Japan thirteen years, but spent the first ten in the corporate world. Now he shares his love for Japan outside the confines of the office.

Shoji

Born in Japan, but moved to Canada when he was still quite young, Shoji is back and ready to share is passion for Japan with you. His main dominion is Osaka and on down to Koya-san and Wakayama, but he's such a popular guy that we often send him even further afield by request.

Mardi

Mardi's our Kyoto guide-in-chief, and her love for the city is infectious. She's got an uncanny ability for giving people just the right amount of information while still ensuring the tour stays light and fun. Be it temples and shrines, gardens, or nightlife, Mardi's your gal.

Dan

Dan is a Spaniard, so of course his Spanish is native level, but his English is fantastic as well. He's got a warm personality and consistently makes our guests feel like they've made a new friend within minutes of meeting him. He also knows Osaka and Kyoto like no one's business!

Levy

With nearly twenty years in Osaka, Levy's got this place WIRED. He's a major samurai and history aficionado, and in addition to knowing all the top sights like a true pro, he knows Osaka's nightlife better than (dare we say it!) the vast majority of Japanese who call Osaka home. Levy's originally from Israel, and runs tours in Hebrew too.

Suzie

Suzie is Japan born and raised, and we can't recommend her enough for tours in Tokyo and Yokohama. Our prior guests frequently say nicer things about Suzie than any of our own mothers have said about us! The consummate pro, she's not just got all the info, but also an uncanny knack for knowing what to show our guests.

Not profiled here are guides who speak Spanish (Kyoto, in addition to Dan in Osaka), French (Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo), and German (Kyoto and Tokyo).

Pickup Point

We'll pick you up at any hotel in central Kobe or at the Port of Kobe.

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