Kyoto

Kyoto Early Bird Tour

Badge of ExcellenceKyoto, Japan

5 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Kyoto is one of Japan’s most popular travel destinations and with over 50 million annual visitors, it can get busy. This tour makes an early start so you can avoid the crowds and cram much more into your day. Stroll through the torii gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine before the big tour groups get there, see Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion) right as it opens, and have a chance to see the bamboo forest of Arashiyama before the midday masses arrive.

Guided visits to three top Kyoto attractions
Early-morning departure to avoid the crowds
Stunning views of Kinkaku-ji temple in the morning light
Finishes before midday so your afternoon is free

What's Included

Guide fee

Admission fees. 500yen@Kinkaku-ji Temple
Drink and Food
Transportation fare. 760 yen for JR Lines, 460 yen for City Bus

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Kyoto Station Building
901 Higashishiokōjichō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
Kyoto Station in front of the central ticket gates of the JR lines on the ground floor. They are on the north side of the station where Kyoto Tower is located.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Meet your guide in the early morning right at the Kyoto train station and set off for the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine walk through the torii gates before the throngs arrive. Then visit the Kinkakuji Temple (admission ticket extra) while you can enjoy the morning quiet of the gilded building and pond before continuing on to Arashiyama bamboo forest. Enjoy strolling through its cool confines and listening to the iconic sound of the breeze through moving the stalks and leaves just as the temperature begins to rise shortly before midday. Your tour will end by noon, leaving you the rest of the day to explore at your own pace.

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Kinkakuji Temple

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Arashiyama

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Infant seats available
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Stroller accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Accessible for those with limited eye sight
Accessible for those with limited mobility

Animals or pets allowed
Infant seats unavailable
Not recommended for people with heart conditions
Not wheelchair accessible
comfortable shoes for walking; quite a bit of walking required
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

279 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 279 reviews

Our guide Noriko was as wonderful as the sights in Kyoto

Zareen_S, Apr 2024

This was an amazing day filled with three popular Kyoto sights. Our guide Noriko became a trusted friend over the course of the day -- she's warm and friendly, extremely helpful and caring and was a joy to walk around with. We started the day at the Inari Shrine with its splendid torii gates before the crowds swarmed in, but by the time we got to the Golden Temple, the tourists multiplied! So the early bird tour is definitely worth it, even to escape the crowds for a little bit of the morning. We loved the bamboo forest (though it was also packed) and the Arashiyama area of Kyoto. It was a nice experience seeing the sights with a local like Noriko, and as an added bonus, we'd strike up thought provoking conversations about Japanese and American culture while waiting for our trains :) Our 8-month old baby took a liking to her as well! A memorable day in Kyoto we'll always remember. 10/10 would recommend!

Response from Host, May 2024

Thank you very much for your detailed and warm review! So glad to know that you not only got to hear about the sights, but were also able to compare cultures and lifestyles with Noriko. It's true that while there are less people at the beginning of the tour, it gets more crowded later in the morning. Kyoto is just too popular...

Fantastic activity.

Melissa_P, Apr 2024

What a great day with Tomoko as our guide. It was lovely to have someone so experienced take our group of 8 around Kyoto and look at the sights. We had 4 children ranging from 5-8 and 4 adults and Tomoko was amazing with everyone. She was so attentive to the kids including teaching them origami on the train, gave us great pieces of education throughout the day and was extremely patient with everyone whilst we navigated travel. The group all agree this was a highlight of the trip!! It’s a lot of walking so be prepared for a big day.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for leaving such a fantastic review! We're thrilled that you enjoyed the tour with Tomoko so much and that you got to know about Japanese culture. Yes, there is quite a bit of walking to do as the sites are so vast.... Thanks again and all the best to you.

Enjoyable day exploring

David_M, Apr 2024

Easy train trip to see some key sites of Kyoto, excellent communication with guide to organise beforehand! Loved that it was a private tour.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for your kind words and positive review! Happy to know that you were satisfied with the communication and the tour being private.

Great tour

Freslinda_V, Apr 2024

We were lucky and the tour was given only for us. Our tour guide Masa was great, helped us with strollers, was very knowledgable and knows the best spots for pictures. The time was great since you avoid most of the crowds. Would definitely recommend.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for taking the time to write a review! Wonderful to know that Masa was able to help (traveling with small children is challenging...) and that you got some nice pictures without the crowds.

Fun and learning in Kyoto

Nicholas_K, Apr 2024

Makoto was a great tour guide. Very patient and informative. Helped us get around via train and bus. Would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a packed half-day tour. Ended the day around noon with plenty of time for lunch

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for taking the time to leave a positive review! It's very nice to have the afternoon off after the tour to spend it in any way you want. Thanks again and enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan!

Our guide Tohru was...

Luci_B, Apr 2024

Our guide Tohru was outstanding! His knowledge of the sights is unmatched & he openly shares his perspective on the beauty of the area & global significance of each location that provides an understanding you wouldn't have otherwise. The highlight of this tour is the bamboo forest but the gates & Golden Pavillion is also a must.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for leaving such a fantastic review. We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour with Tohru so much and got a lot of insights into the Japanese culture and history.

Fantastic tour of Kyoto tourist spots

Linnet_J, Apr 2024

Our tour guide Tomomi Osone ("Tomo") was fantastic and expertly guided us through three main tourist spots in Kyoto, Fushimi Inari, the Golden Pavillion and Arayashiyama Bamboo forest. She was very knowledgeable as well as kind. I had two tween boys who had been up early so were a bit grumpy at each other to start. Tomo was very patient and kind and helped us to have a wonderful experience. Thank you so much Tomo, I really appreciate it. It was definitely the highlight of my trip to Japan.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Your words of appreciation mean a lot to us. Thank you for your wonderful review and for letting us know that you had a great time with Tomo. We'll let her know! All the best to you.

best way to see the highlights of Kyoto

rodwaykathleen, Apr 2024

This tour was the best way to see the highlights of Kyoto. Being early to these popular tourist sites allowed us to see the beauty and magic of Kyoto without all of the crowds. Our guide, Akiko, was absolutely amazing. She was super friendly and very knowledgeable. We are so thankful to have met her and to have had her as our guide. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

We're thrilled to receive your wonderful review! Thank you for letting us know that you were able to experience the magic and beauty of Kyoto with Akiko. All the best to you!

Great tour for Kyoto highlights

Bassem_S, Apr 2024

Excellent tour with great tour guide. Ms Yoshiko was a great and patient with us when the kids were tired and wanted to take a break. She recommended the best places to take pictures. Highly recommended tour.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for your generous review! We're delighted to hear that you were able to take some nice pictures. Hopefully your kids will remember their trip to Japan fondly :)

Perfect tour for beginners

Maria_A, Apr 2024

Thank you Naoko for a wonderful day. Even though it was very busy with lots of people around, you managed to educate us on the history of the places we went to. This would have been a difficult, if not confusing places to visit if we did it on our own. HIGHLY recommend this tour for anyone visiting Kyoto for the first time.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for leaving such a fantastic review. We're thrilled to hear that you learned a lot about Kyoto and got some insights into Japanese culture.

An amazing experience with a guide made a relaxing and wonderful.

Marcelina_M, Apr 2024

We saw 3 amazing places but our favorite was fushimi Inari and getting there early made it so much easier to get the unique photos.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for taking the time to leave a positive review. We are very happy to know that you were able to take good photos at Fushimi Inari Shrine!

Amazing intimate experience

Conrad_C, Apr 2024

All I can say is wow! If you want an intimate tour with the perfect local guide then this is for you. Have your Suica pass ready and you’ll be set to explore the wonders of Kyoto. Can’t recommend this tour enough.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

We're thrilled to receive your wonderful review and happy to hear that you had a good time seeing the sights in Kyoto. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan!

Great tour with a great guide

Franziska_W, Apr 2024

Miho was a great guide. She teached us so many different things about japanese culture and was very knowledgeable. We also were only two people, so it was very private. I was expecting a tour with a car but we took public transport which was alright, too.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

We're so grateful for your positive review and happy to know that you enjoyed your time with Miho. Sorry to hear that you expected a private car, but we hope taking public transportation gave you an insight into everyday life in Japan.

Fantastic tour

ceciliastenkula, Apr 2024

Our guide Hironori was just fantastic. Full of knowledge, well organized, efficient and very pleasant. This tour couldn’t have been better. Highly recommended

Response from Host, Apr 2024

We're thrilled to receive your wonderful review! Thank you for letting us know that you had a good time with Hironori. Enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan!

Definitely worth it!

Elizabeth_B, Mar 2024

Had a great day with Ken as our guide. Very knowledgeable. Enjoyed all the sites. I know it says” early bird “but still very busy. All in all 5/5!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! This time of year it's especially busy as it's so crowded everywhere... Happy to know that you enjoyed the sites and your time with Ken.

Wonderful tour with Hisashi

Michelle_P, Mar 2024

Fushimi Inari shrine was wonderful, such a lot to see and expertly guided by Hisashi. You couldn’t go in to the golden temple but the route allowed you to view it from all around. The bamboo forest was very busy, but thanks to Hisashi we saw everything and all at our own pace. Our tour guide Hisashi was excellent and ensured the tour went at our pace.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Thank you for taking the time to leave a positive review! We're delighted that you enjoyed the sights without feeling rushed.

Wow

Christine_F, Mar 2024

Wow our guide Hero was fantastic. Highly recommend as a way to see these 3 main sites in a half day. We would never have been able to do it without Hero to guide us effortlessly through the trains and bus. He was always looking for seats for us, checking we were ok on the pace etc. so knowledgeable, polite and caring.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you for your generous review! We're thrilled to know that Hero took good care of you and that you got some insights into the culture of Kyoto.

Must see shrine in Kyoto

ebsanchez, Mar 2024

Our guide picked us up at the hotel and took us by metro, train and bus to the shrine. He was very knowledgeable about its history. Built on the foot of the mountain, the temple gently slopes upward. It’s an easy walk and well worth it. One of the must sees in Kyoto. This tour is highly recommended.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you for your kind review! We're so happy to know that you enjoyed Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. It's magnificent, isn't it?

Thought invoking

Taija_C, Mar 2024

The walking….. And the valuable information shared with us by the Tour Guide, we would have never known about if we were to have done this ourselves

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you for taking the time to leave a positive review. We're delighted that you got insights into the culture of Kyoto.

Amazing

Lucy_Y, Mar 2024

We had the absolute best time on this tour. Yuka our tour guide made this experience so special. She was knowledgeable and explained so much of the history and culture to us as we went. She took some of the best photos and videos of us!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

We're so grateful for your positive feedback! Happy to hear that you got to learn so much about the history and culture and that you have some great pictures to remember Kyoto by.

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