Flip Japan Tour

Customised and Private Kyoto Tour with a Local Guide

Enjoy a relaxed, flexible day with a local who knows Kyoto inside out!

Private Tour from 285usd per group

At Flip, we believe the ancient capital is best experienced at your own pace. A customised itinerary means we listen to your interests and curate a day that feels incredibly personal. These are entirely private experiences. You might want to tick off major sights, or you might prefer to sit in a quiet tea house and watch the world go by. Below are three examples of how your day could look. Remember, these are just starting points to inspire your own plans. 

Plan 1: Classic Eastern Kyoto (Fushimi Inari, Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka and Gion)

To beat the heavy crowds, we love bringing you to the base of Fushimi Inari Taisha just as the morning light begins to break. Walking up the forested mountain trails, you will see thousands of bright vermilion torii gates framing the path ahead. The higher we climb, the more the city noise fades into the rustling of leaves.

From the mountainside, we then go to the preserved historical district of Higashiyama. Strolling down the gently sloping stone paths of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, you will pass rows of traditional timber houses. We can guide you into small shops where the rich, toasty smell of roasting green tea fills the room. It is a fantastic place to observe local artisans at work and taste delicate Kyoto sweets.

To end the day, we guide you down into the lantern-lit alleys of Gion. We can walk along the Shirakawa canal, listening to the water flow past the trees, before finding an authentic local restaurant to sit down to a beautifully prepared Japanese meal.

Plan 2: Nature and Architecture (Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge and Kinkaku-ji)

This option beautifully marries Kyoto’s natural landscapes with its most striking architecture. We head west to Arashiyama, stepping directly into the bamboo grove. As the wind catches the canopy, you can hear the relaxing sound of the stalks knocking together. The filtered green sunlight makes it feel like an entirely different world.

Just a short walk away is Tenryu-ji. We guide you through its wide landscape garden, which has survived centuries in its original form. You can take a moment to sit on the wooden veranda and look out over the meticulously raked gravel and moss. Afterwards, we wander down to the wide Togetsukyo Bridge. You can feel the cool breeze coming off the Katsura River while we help you find a great spot to grab a warm, freshly brewed coffee or tea.

Our final destination is Kinkaku-ji, the famous golden pavilion. Seeing the bright gold leaf reflected perfectly in the still water of the surrounding pond is a mesmerising sight and a great way to wrap up a day dedicated to Kyoto’s scenery.

Sample Plan 3: Hidden and Cultural Kyoto (Shimogamo Shrine, Heian Shrine and Artisan Enclaves)

For travellers who want to step away from the crowded tourist centres, we can suggest a route that reveals the quieter, lived-in side of the city. We begin at Shimogamo Shrine, which is hidden within a massive, ancient forest. Walking under the thick canopy of trees, the temperature drops, and the scent of the woods takes over.

We then move towards Heian Shrine to see its towering gate and expansive gardens. After, we explore the surrounding local neighbourhoods. We take you through quiet residential streets to discover hidden cafes and small artisan workshops. You can spend the afternoon running your hands over handmade ceramics or tasting hand-whisked matcha in a local teahouse.