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.
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
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!
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.
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
- 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.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- All vehicle costs
- All guide costs
- 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)
- 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
Shoji
Mardi
Dan
Levy
Suzie
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.