Best One Day Private Tour in Kyoto
One-day private tour around Kyoto with all the places you must go in a first experience!
It’s a fact that in recent years Japan has become a very popular destination among travelers, and the number of tourists has been increasing more and more in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka. And one of the favourite options among these new tourists is being a part of private tours.
The latest trend in Europe and some cities in USA is the called “Free tours”, where you pay the amount you think it’s appropriate or you can afford it. That’s possible because European cities usually have a ‘old town’ and the tourist monuments and interesting parts to be are concentrated there. You can visit almost all the tourist spots in the city by walk, in a 1-2 tour. But in Japan, cities don’t usually have a “center” and everything is far from each other, so you have to take the train (several times in the day) if you want to visit the most emblematic of the main cities. That is why 8-hour private tours are being most requested and new companies are appearing to cover these needs.
In places like Tokyo, for example, where the stations can become authentic labyrinths, many people prefer to go with someone who knows the area and maximize time. In Kyoto the stations are smaller, and people usually use the bus. But still, if you don’t have too much time to fully explore the ancient capital of Japan, so going with a guide can help you make the best route and see as many spots as possible.
A cheaper option may be a group tour. However, that takes away your freedom of choice and in my opinion, it’s more overwhelming and cold. With a large group the guide can’t be aware of everyone, nor can please everyone’s wishes.One of the positive points of choosing a local guide instead of going on your own is that it’s a way to get to know the local culture better and have a fun time. In my personal opinion, if I pay for a tour because I want to learn about the place and not only go to the highlights spots and take pictures. Kyoto used to be the capital of Japan and is a city with a lot of history and there’s a lot to learn and ask. Besides, being honest, in a group tour you can meet people you don’t get along with, and that can ruin your dream trip that you’ve been preparing for so long.
My experience taking a private tour in Kyoto
On my recent visit to Kyoto I took a private tour called “Kyoto Private Full Day Walking Tour [Customizable] ” led by Japan Wonder Travel. Japan Wonder Travel has original tours across the country guided by professional and experienced guides who are familiar with each area and is one of the best tour agencies in Japan. Don’t trust me? Check out their website and you would see thousands of comments from happy customers! The client-satisfaction rate is impressively high and they are the winner of the Certificate of Excellence by the TripAdvisor.
One of the many positive points of private tours instead group tours, is that private tours are 100% customizable. You can talk in advance with the company or the guide and tell them what kind of things and activities you like. Or if for example it isn’t your first time in Japan and you want something out of the standard, you also can have the advice by local experts.
In our case, we decided to take the standard route which includes the most famous landmarks in Kyoto such as Kinkakuji Temple, Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Gion area and Kiyomizudera Temple. This time we took the time to make this journey. It was lucky that I was able to get to Kiyomizudera Temple after visiting some major spots by moving quite quickly. Also, as I said, it was not my first time in Kyoto. For first time travelers, I recommend to make a more relaxed itinerary and visit 3 to 4 spots, taking your time to really appreciate and enjoy every spot, rather than packing up. You can also decide the best plan for you consulting with Japan Wonder Travel. They really know well the city and can make the best Kyoto tour according to your preferences!