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Private Tour - Excursion to Osaka / Kyoto possible

Top rated
4.7
Activity provider: Guydeez
Private Tour - Excursion to Osaka / Kyoto possible
Private Tour - Excursion to Osaka / Kyoto possible 2
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Tour in Kyoto, including Private and exclusive tour, there won't be anyone else in and Customization of the tour. Run by Guydeez, booked direct rather than through a reseller.

Highlights

  • Runs 3 hours
  • Private and exclusive tour, there won't be anyone else in your group
  • Customization of the tour
  • Hotel pickup : Meet up at your accommodation (If located in the city)
  • Walking tour and public transport (Except if you select one of the option)
  • Help from our team to book the tickets for the desired visits

Private Tour - Excursion to Osaka / Kyoto possible: Key Facts

PriceFrom $145 per person
Duration3 hours
LanguagesEnglish
Tour typeGuided Tour
BookingDirect with the local operator — no OTA markup

Choose from 1 available option

Private Tour - Excursion to Osaka / Kyoto possible

Tour in Kyoto, including Private and exclusive tour, there won't be anyone else in and Customization of the tour. Run by...
3 hours
English
$145
Free cancellation

Full description

This is a 3-hour experience in Kyoto. It is run by Guydeez, an operator we book with directly rather than through a reseller, which is why we can hold your place with them before we treat your booking as final.

Kyoto was Japan's capital for over a thousand years until 1868 and has 17 UNESCO-listed sites among some 2,000 temples and shrines. The big three are Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, covered in gold leaf and best in morning light; Kiyomizu-dera, the wooden stage on the eastern hills with the Higashiyama lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka below it; and Fushimi Inari's gates. Nijo Castle has the nightingale floors that squeak against intruders, and Ryoan-ji the rock garden. Temples open around 8:00 or 9:00 and close at 17:00, and the city bus is slow; a day with a driver or a guide who orders the stops against the crowds is the difference between four sights and seven.

The price covers Private and exclusive tour, Customization of the tour, Hotel pickup : Meet up at your accommodation, Walking tour and public transport and Help from our team to book the tickets for the desired. It does not cover Entry to monuments and museums, Drink or Food, Tips and Tickets to any attractions, so budget for those separately. Everything included is listed in full on this page; if something is not on that list, assume it is not in the price.

Hotel pickup in Kyoto. Guydeez confirms your pickup time and the exact spot once the booking is in. We need at least one day's notice, and we confirm the date with Guydeez before treating your booking as final. If they cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.

Tour Itinerary

Itineraries are customisable as per your request

The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.

Starting/pickup location

Depends on the selected option

Includes

  • Private and exclusive tour, there won't be anyone else in your group.
  • Customization of the tour
  • Hotel pickup : Meet up at your accommodation (If located in the city)
  • Walking tour and public transport (Except if you select one of the option)
  • Help from our team to book the tickets for the desired visits.

Excludes

  • Entry to monuments and museums
  • Drink or Food
  • Tips (Optional)
  • Tickets to any attractions
  • Local transportation around the city (it’s a walking tour, car transportation isn’t included)

Important information

Meeting point

Hotel pickup in Kyoto. Guydeez confirms your pickup time and the exact spot once the booking is in.

Know before you go

  • Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more
Duration 3 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English
Wheelchair accessible

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Main Tour Price
Starting from $145
$145
Need a custom booking or have a larger group?Contact Support via WhatsApp
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more

Traveler Reviews

4.7/5
based on 37 reviews
Guide
4.8/5
Value for money
4.5/5
Verified reviews from travelers on this operator’s experience
5
S
Suzanne
May 6, 2026

We had such a great day with Sebastiano in Kobe Japan. He is exactly what you want in a guide and more...knowledgeable, accommodating, spoke perfect English, and has a great sense of humor. We had a blast hanging out with him. He arranged lunch at a fantastic restaurant for us to try the infamous Kobe beef, which was fabulous. If we didn't feel like doing something on the itinerary, he pivoted quickly with other different choices. He was the reason we had such a fabulously fun day in Kobe.

Review photo 1Review photo 2Review photo 3
5
E
Edwin
May 14, 2025

We had a GREAT day in Kobe Japan. Our guide Camila was outstanding! She was very knowledgeable of the area and took us to some great locations, including China town, National herb garden and Ropeway and the earthquake Memorial wall. Camila spoke great English which made our day that much enjoyable. Great job… thanks again!!

Review photo 1Review photo 2Review photo 3
5
H
Henar
November 19, 2024

We had just some hours to visit Kobe. Allysa adapted quickly and gracefully to our demands and waited patiently for us to arrive in Kobe. She took us to the most famous spots in Kobe, explain the history and traditions and took us to the Shrine, the harbour, the Motomachi shopping street passing by Chinatown. She left us in a restaurant and helped us to order. Everything was easy and well explained. Go and book a tour with her!

Review photo 1Review photo 2Review photo 3
5
K
Kevin
June 1, 2026

We had a great trip with our guide Malika to Kobe. She met our group of 8 at our accommodation in Osaka on time and got us on a train to Kobe. We stopped at three Sake Breweries before heading into downtown Kobe for a Kobe beef restaurant for lunch. We then went off to the main Shrine and also came across a festival and parade in downtown Kobe. Our guide was very knowledgeable and informative and listened to what we wanted to do before starting to ensure the tour was what we were looking for.

5
J
John
November 9, 2025

The tour was a great way to see Kobe. Krisha, our guide was very knowledgeable about the area and was able to explain and answer any questions we had about the city of Kobe. We had a wonderful experience and would recommend this walking tour without reservation. Krisha also made sure that we were able to navigate our way back to the cruise ship. Thank you Krisha

5
P
Phillip
October 15, 2025

Molly built an agenda around our time limits and interests and efficiently moved us through the day to maximize our time. She was knowledgeable about the history and cultural significance of what we visited, and was warm and interactive. A well planned and executed itinerary with lots of cultural background.

5
M
Marshawn
July 30, 2025

The activity was catered to our request. So it meets our expectations.

5
T
Thomas
April 11, 2025

We had a very pleasant day with our guide Tony. In the short time he showed us spots to understand japanese history and lifestyle in a very convenient way. He combined our wishes in his program and had always an answer to our questions. Visiting Kobe and Osaka in one day was a fantastic experience. It was a great day with Tony!

5
S
Sharon
April 11, 2025

our guide contacted us in advance to find out what we wanted to do and see. she tailored it to our needs.

5
K
Karen
April 16, 2024

Eva was delightful - enthusiastic and friendly. She showed us some of here favorite special spots in Kobe, finishing with a tasty stop in Chinatown. LOL, it seems funny to eat Chinese food on a visit to Japan - especially Kobe, but we really didn't have time for a Kobe Beef restaurant, and we have had it before. We would highly recommend Eva!

5
I
Ivett
March 29, 2024

Our guide was very kind! He gave us choices on where to go and was very helpful getting us back to the correct station. It’s good to have someone who genuinely loves the area guide you!

5
B
BALDY
July 25, 2026

Sebastiano nous a montré les lieux emblématiques de Kobe, et nous avons beaucoup apprécié cette balade de 3h, agrémenté d' échanges sur les us et coutumes du Japon ! C'était une belle maniere de connaître cette ville qui merite d'etre visitee... Nous recommandons à 100 % !

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Hotel pickup in Kyoto. Guydeez confirms your pickup time and the exact spot once the booking is in. The collection window is usually a little wider than a fixed minute, because the driver is working a route around several hotels.
The price does not cover entry to monuments and museums, drink or food, tips (optional) and tickets to any attractions. Everything it does cover is listed in full on this page, so if something is not on that list, budget for it separately.
Private days are usually priced per vehicle for up to the stated number of guests, and the price on this page follows the operator's own pricing for each group size. Entrance fees and meals are paid as you go unless the option says all-inclusive; tolls and parking are normally included.
We confirm your booking with the operator before we treat it as final, and we need at least one day's notice. Once it is confirmed you get the meeting point, the time and a contact number for the day. If the operator cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.
Private and exclusive tour, there won't be anyone else in your group., Customization of the tour, Hotel pickup : Meet up at your accommodation (If located in the city), Walking tour and public transport (Except if you select one of the option), Help from our team to book the tickets for the desired visits.
The duration of the Private Tour - Excursion to Osaka / Kyoto possible is typically 3 hours. We recommend arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled start time for a smooth check-in. Your guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and ensure the experience runs on schedule while remaining flexible to your pace.
For most experiences, we highly recommend an early morning start. This allows you to avoid the midday heat, bypass the largest crowds, and capture the best lighting for photography. Your guide can advise on the optimal timing based on the season and specific attractions included.
Yes, once your booking is completed via our secure payment gateway, you will receive an instant confirmation email with your tour details, meeting point address, guide's name, and direct contact information. You can also view and manage your booking through your AsiaByLocals account dashboard.
Yes! All our private tours are fully customizable. Whether you want to add extra stops, skip certain locations, change the pace, or adjust the start time — simply let your guide know in advance or on the day. We aim to create a personalized experience tailored to your interests and energy level.
We offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may be subject to a partial charge depending on the tour type. Weather-related cancellations for outdoor and boat tours are handled on a case-by-case basis, with full refunds or free rebooking offered when safety is a concern.
Most of our experiences are family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages. However, some tours involving extensive walking, water activities, or early morning starts may be better suited for children aged 5 and above. Please check the specific tour description for age recommendations, or contact us for personalized family itinerary advice.
After booking, you will receive detailed meeting point instructions via email. Most tours include complimentary hotel pickup within the central area. For tours without pickup, your confirmation email will include the exact address, Google Maps pin, and your guide's phone number for easy coordination. Guides typically arrive 10 minutes early and will message you on WhatsApp.
We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, Apple Pay, and Razorpay for Indian cards. All payments are processed through a PCI-compliant secure gateway with 256-bit encryption. You can also pay in multiple currencies — the price is automatically converted to your local currency at checkout.
Yes, all AsiaByLocals guides are licensed professionals who have been rigorously vetted through background checks, skill assessments, and customer reviews. Many hold government-issued tourism licenses, university degrees in history or cultural studies, and have years of experience leading tours for international travelers. Every guide maintains a minimum 4.5-star rating to remain active on our platform.
Late March to early April for cherry blossom, or mid-to-late November for peak autumn foliage. Kyoto sits in a basin and runs hotter in summer and colder in winter than Tokyo, even at a similar latitude. Full month-by-month figures are in our best time to visit Kyoto guide.
Kyoto never built an extensive subway — just two lines (Karasuma and Tozai) — so the city bus network does most of the work, especially for Higashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Ginkakuji. Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama are best reached by JR rail instead. See getting around Kyoto.
Three days covers the essentials well: a day for Higashiyama and Gion, a day for Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji, and a day for Fushimi Inari plus a Nara or Uji day trip. Our 3-day Kyoto itinerary has the full route with timing.
Arrive by 6:30-7am — the shrine is open 24/7 and free, and most visitors only walk the first 20-30 minutes anyway. Past that point the crowds thin out fast. Full hike details in our Fushimi Inari guide.
Yes — it's a public path with no entrance fee and no set hours. The trade-off is that it gets shoulder-to-shoulder by mid-morning; arrive before 8am for a nearly empty walk. See the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest guide.
Kyoto restricts photography on certain private alleys in Gion after complaints about tourists chasing and blocking geiko and maiko, with fines for violators. Public streets like Hanamikoji-dori remain open, but never chase, touch or block a real geiko/maiko anywhere. Full etiquette in our Gion geisha district guide.
Yudofu (simmered tofu, best near Nanzen-ji or Arashiyama), kaiseki and shojin ryori temple cuisine, and Nishiki Market's stalls of tako tamago and fresh yuba. Uji, just south of the city, is one of Japan's top matcha-growing regions. See the Kyoto food guide.
April for cherry blossom around Osaka Castle, or November for peak autumn foliage and the year's lowest rainfall. Both are the most crowded and most expensive months, so book hotels 3+ months ahead. See our best time to visit Osaka guide.
Get an ICOCA IC card (works interchangeably with Suica/Pasmo) and tap on/off the subway and buses. The Osaka Amazing Pass bundles transit with free entry to Osaka Castle and dozens of attractions if you're sightseeing hard for a day. See getting around Osaka.
Three days covers the essentials: a day for Osaka Castle and the city center, a day for Dotonbori and Shinsekai, and a day for a Nara or Kyoto side trip. Our 3-day Osaka itinerary has the full route.
Yes — Nara is about 30-45 minutes by Kintetsu train for the deer park and Todai-ji, and Kyoto is roughly 29 minutes by JR Special Rapid. Both are easy half-day or full-day trips. See our Osaka to Nara guide and Osaka to Kyoto guide.
Takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancake) are Osaka's signature street foods, best sampled around Dotonbori and Kuromon Market. See our Osaka food guide.
Yes — it's the city's neon-lit entertainment and food district, and while it's undeniably touristy, the energy, canal-side glow, and street food density make it genuinely worth an evening. See the Dotonbori guide.
Shinsekai is Osaka's retro, slightly gritty downtown district built around the Tsutenkaku Tower, known for kushikatsu (fried skewers). It's generally safe for tourists, especially in the daytime and early evening. See the Shinsekai guide.
Starting from$145