Kyoto and Nara Highlights Day Trip
About this activity
Highlights
- Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Explore Fushimi Inari Shrine's torii gates
- Discover Todai-ji Temple's Great Buddha
- Stroll through Nara Park with friendly deer
- Experience traditional Japanese culture
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Private car transportation
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
Your first stop is the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, where endless vermillion torii gates await your exploration. Let your guide capture stunning photos of you at this must-see Instagram hotspot before heading to your next destination.
The temple is famous for the Great Buddha of Nara. Officially also known as Konkomyo Shitenno Gokokuji Temple [Note 2], the temple was built by Emperor Shomu in the Nara Period (8th century) using all the national resources at his disposal.
Lunch Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-free options are available with advanced request.
Walk around Nara park where you can see many deers and capture unforgettable moments.
Kasuga Taisha is a shrine located in Kasugano-machi, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, and is registered as one of the “Cultural Properties of Ancient Nara” on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Horyu-ji Temple (formerly known as Horyu-ji Temple) is a temple associated with Prince Shotoku, located within the Horyu-ji Mountains in Ikaruga-cho, Ikoma-gun, Nara Prefecture, and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (cultural heritage) in 1993 as “Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area.
After soaking in the rich heritage, enjoy a smooth drive back to Kyoto. Conclude your day with a scenic evening drive through the atmospheric streets of Gion, where Kyoto’s charm truly shines.
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for weather conditions.
- Please inform the operator of any dietary restrictions in advance.
- Children under 6 years old can join for free if they do not occupy a seat.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for temple grounds and parks.
- Bring a camera to capture the scenic beauty and historic sites.
- Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
Traveler reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ n Unforgettable Day in Kyoto and Nara!
We had an absolutely fantastic experience on our one-day private car tour of Kyoto and Nara! The private car itself was immaculate spotlessly clean, incredibly comfortable, and pristine from the inside out. Our driver was exceptional; he was faultlessly polite, highly professional, and impeccably dressed, which added a wonderful touch of luxury to our day. His fantastic attitude and smooth driving made traveling between the sights completely seamless. Another major highlight was the lunch. We were treated to a meal of excellent quality genuine, authentic local food rather than the usual tourist stuff. It was absolutely delicious and a real highlight of the day. The heart of our trip, however, was our wonderful tour guide Meri. Meri was simply excellent from start to finish. She looked after us so well throughout the entire day, ensuring every detail was taken care of and that we were comfortable at every step. Her knowledge, warmth, and attentiveness made a huge difference, and we truly enjoyed her company. Between the pristine car, the wonderful driver, the superb food, and an extraordinary guide, this was a flawless, first-class experience. If you want to see Kyoto and Nara the right way, we cannot recommend this tour highly enough! Thank you, Meri and team, for making our trip so special!
Fun filled day!
Beautifull day in Kyoto and Nara. Our guide as very knowledgeable and friendly, and we had an excellent driver through the narrow streets. Lots too see, and having a personal tour was perfect with our family of young and old. Hope to return again someday!
Best Day Ever
Everything was taken care of, meals - entrance fees and car transportation. Meli was the nicest tour guide that we could have asked for. Having lived in so many different places in Japan she is so knowledgeable about so many different aspects. Truly an incredible day that we will never forget. Pure class from start to finish.
10/10 recommend
This was such a nice tour! 1000% worth every penny. Meri was an amazing guide. She gave us the perfect amount of information without being overbearing. She even shared about her own life/family so it’s always a plus to hear from a local. She and a private driver came to get us right at our hotel. Which was amazing. We left by 9am and were back at the hotel at 5pm (eight hours). The driver was great to have instead of taking the train to Nara and all the sights. He’d also drop us off at an entrance and then pick us up wherever we exited, which saved a lot of walking. Nara itself was a must see. The huge Buddha makes it worth it on its own, along with several 1,000+ year old structures. And by the way, lunch was included and delicious. Definitely great for couples or moreso families of 4-5 to take away the stress of transport while getting to see so many things.
Amazing tour!
Meri was a wonderful tour guide! We had a very enjoyable tour.