Best of · KYOTO
Every trip has one spare morning too few. These 9 kyoto bus tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.
This 8 to 9-hour Kyoto coach tour links Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangendo, Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari. An English-speaking guide leads the day, with multilingual audio on the bus. Lunch is optional, and groups can reach 42 people.
“It’s is a really packed schedule in order to see the most one can. But very well organised and it flows smoothly! Our guide Nagomi had everything under control”
This 9-hour Kyoto coach tour links Kiyomizudera, Sanjusangendo, Arashiyama, Tenryuji, Kinkakuji, and Fushimi Inari. An English-speaking guide such as Den, At-Chan, Sakura, or Tommy leads the day, with multilingual audio support and optional Japanese buffet lunch.
“Our tour guide Den started and ended with the brightest smile. She gave us so much insight on the history of the temples and shrines we visited. I highly recommend this tour and hopefully you will get to experience the brightness that Den brought to our day!”
This 9 to 10-hour bus tour links Nara Park, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Arashiyama in one busy day. English and Chinese guides such as Amy, Willa, Fiona, and Christine lead the visits, while air-conditioned transport removes the strain of changing trains. Expect free time, short walks, and a quick pace.
“Thank you to Amy for the wonderful day and guiding us on the tour! It was a perfect day, thank you!”
Start at 7:00 a.m. for a 10-hour-45-minute bus tour covering Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu-dera, and Fushimi Inari. An English and Spanish guide, such as Paula, Cesar, or Ángeles, leads the day, with optional attraction tickets and lunch.
“We had a wonderful (and sweaty!) time on this all day tour with Paula and her driver, Nishimura-san. She was a great tour guide and balanced out giving good information with allowing us to explore on our own. I highly recommend going on thiRead more”
This 10 to 11-hour Kyoto bus tour links Arashiyama, Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu-dera, and Fushimi Inari. English and Spanish guides such as Alan, Alex, Paola, and Vicente explain the sites, while the bus removes much of the public-transport hassle. Choose the ticket option to enter the paid attractions.
“magnificent, Paola was amazing, thr driver was amazing and me and my kids absolutely thoroughly enjoyed our entire day trip with the most spectacular views at all destinations”
Spend 8.5 hours traveling from Kyoto to Nara and Uji by air-conditioned coach. Meet the deer, see Todaiji and Kasuga Taisha, visit Byodoin Temple, and make matcha with an English-speaking guide such as Nanami, Mai, or At-Chan. Lunch is optional.
“This was an excellent tour. Our guide was great - very informative, organized and positive. She provided some training in Japanese and good cultural context. The temple in Nara was exceptional. The tour operator was Japan Panoramic tours. Our guide was At-chan.”
Spend six hours exploring Nara from Kyoto with an English-speaking guide. See Todaiji’s Great Buddha, feed the famous deer, visit Kasuga Taisha, and enjoy a Japanese-style lunch. Guides such as Tammy, Emiko, Yuko, and Aki are praised for clear explanations and thoughtful pacing.
“We happen to be the only people going to Nara on that day (probably cause of typhoon cause Nara was more quire that usual). So we got a private tour with our guide Kato. Couldn’t wish for a better guide than Kato san, he was very knowledgeable, real easy going and the time flew by real quick.”
Travel from Osaka or Kyoto to Katsuoji, Arashiyama, and Kinkakuji with an English or Chinese-speaking guide. You get a mix of guided help and free time, plus round-trip transport. Guides such as Willa, Theodore, Amanda, and Steven are praised for clear directions, humor, and keeping the day on schedule.
“I saw a lot of Lee was a great host and very helpful above and beyond. Very, very good.”
You’ll ride the 7.3-kilometer Sagano Romantic Train, then board a traditional boat for a 1.5-hour trip through the Hozu River valley. An English-speaking guide and air-conditioned bus handle the transfers. The tour ends in Arashiyama, with lunch and return transport to Kyoto not included in the half-day plan.
“Badly organised with a ‘guide’ who was hardly visible or audible I was told expecting a guide who shared interesting facts about the whole outing but he said nothing and was not a natural-born organiser. The meeting point was a mess. The ‘romantic’ train boarding was less than efficient and worst of all not at all romantic. Seats very uncomfortable and in spite of lovely toute along the river which you can hardly see as one has to remain seated. The best part was the river rapids ride (simple boat and not RAFT!) and the boat crew were entertaining and a breath of fresh air. Fun! Then we had a…”
A loop, an open deck, a night run or a whole day on the coach.
