Kyoto day tours

Good things come in small packages, which is why most of our tours are capped at 12 people – with the exception of a few trips that can accommodate up to 16. That way, we don't overwhelm streets and local neighbourhoods and you get a more immersive experience.

You’ll find the maximum group size on the trip page.

All of our day tours are led by a local leader and include immersive activities to give you an authentic experience of a destination.

On our join-in tours, you’ll join a small group of up to 16 travellers at a set time, whereas a private tour is just for your party, with the option to choose your start time and request a hotel pickup if available.

Although our trips are inclusive of all costs and we ensure our guides and staff are paid fairly, if you’re happy with your experience, tipping your leader is always appreciated!

Many of our travellers book at the last minute, but of course, if there’s a tour you really want to do, it’s best to book in advance to secure your spot.

We’re committed to making our trips more inclusive for everyone. Some destinations are better suited to travellers with disabilities than others, but we’re always happy to chat and help you decide if a particular tour is right for you.

Where possible, we can look into making any reasonable adjustments or recommend an alternative tour.

Yep, you can choose another date or switch to a different tour up to 24 hours before your trip starts, as long as there's availability. Just get in touch with your booking reference and let us know what you'd like to change.

Plans can change, we get it! Both our join-in and private day tours are fully refundable up to 24 hours before the trip starts.

Any no-shows or cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour are subject to a 100% cancellation fee, as per our terms and conditions.

Want to cancel? Please email us with your booking reference.

Excluding tours with strict age limits – like cocktail, beer or wine-tasting experiences – many of our tours are open to children. You'll find the minimum age on the trip page.

Kids under six can usually join for free, but if you need to bring a stroller, please read the trip itinerary to ensure it’s accessible.

For most of our day tours, you’ll need to make your own way to the meeting point. Selected tours do offer hotel pickups when arranged in advance, so be sure to check the trip page to see whether this is available.

Exploring Kyoto’s ancient past will mean a few visits to shrines and temples. To be respectful of the sites, it’s best to dress modestly. You may also want to either wear or bring a decent pair of socks for times when you enter a shoes-off area.

Other essentials for a day trip in Kyoto include comfy shoes and weather-specific layers. Be sure to check the time of year you’re travelling in as the region sees both hot summers and cold winters.

Kyoto is known for its festivals, so you may want to check the calendar and consider aligning your trip with one to max out on culture. The busiest times of year are generally the start of January, March and April for cherry blossom season and July for the month-long Shinto festival and the city’s largest event, Gion Matsuri. November is also a popular time of year for autumn lovers.

Like other countries in the East Asia region, the rainy season usually arrives in June. Hot, humid weather linger throughout the mid-year months, so for those who prefer to travel when it’s cooler, aim for autumn or even winter if you don’t mind adding a few layers.