Kyoto 1-Day Tour from Tokyo by Nozomi Bullet Train & Private Car

The tour guide will pick you up from most hotels in central Tokyo. If your hotel isn’t on the designated list, just let us know — we might still be able to arrange a pick-up for you!

Once you've been picked up, we’ll hop on a subway or local train to Tokyo Station. From there, get ready for an exciting ride on Japan’s world-famous high-speed train — the Shinkansen, also known as the Bullet Train!

The distance between Tokyo and Kyoto is approximately 514 km (320 miles), but the super express train covers it in just 2 hours and 10 minutes! If the weather’s clear, keep an eye out — you might be treated to a breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji from your window. It’s a truly unforgettable way to travel!

Your licensed English-speaking guide will arrange a rental car near Kyoto Station and personally drive you to four major sightseeing spots in Kyoto in one day.

You may select four locations from our recommended list of attractions below. At each stop, your guide will provide detailed explanations of the site’s history, cultural significance, and background.

Please note that, under Japanese regulations, only a nationally Licensed Guide Interpreter is permitted to drive a private or rental car while guiding international visitors.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the most famous and most visited Shinto shrines in Japan. Founded in 711, it is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, agriculture, prosperity, and business success. For this reason, the shrine has long been supported by merchants and companies who donate torii gates as offerings in gratitude for prosperity and good fortune.

The shrine is especially renowned for its thousands of vibrant vermilion torii gates, which form a mesmerizing pathway up Mount Inari. Each gate is inscribed with the name of the donor and the date of donation. The scenic trails stretch for approximately 4 kilometers (about 2.5 miles) and lead visitors through a peaceful forested hillside filled with smaller shrines and stone fox statues. These foxes are believed to be messengers of Inari and often hold symbolic items such as keys, rice sheaves, or scrolls in their mouths.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of Kyoto’s most famous natural attractions, located in the Arashiyama district on the city’s western side. The pathway is lined with towering bamboo stalks that rise high overhead, creating a dramatic and almost surreal atmosphere as you walk through the grove.

The contrast between the tall green bamboo and the narrow walking path makes it a very photogenic spot and a highlight for many visitors to Kyoto.

Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most celebrated temples in Kyoto and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 778, the temple is best known for its impressive wooden main hall, which is built entirely without the use of nails.

The temple’s large wooden stage, supported by tall pillars on the hillside, offers panoramic views of Kyoto and is especially breathtaking during the cherry blossom season in spring and the vibrant foliage in autumn. The name “Kiyomizu” means “pure water,” and it comes from the Otowa Waterfall located within the temple grounds. Visitors can drink from one of its three streams, each believed to grant a different blessing—longevity, academic success, or good fortune in love.

Throughout the complex, you will also find smaller shrines, including Jishu Shrine, which is dedicated to love and matchmaking. Walking through the historic streets leading up to Kiyomizu-dera adds to the experience, as the area is filled with traditional shops and local specialties.

Nijō Castle is a historic castle complex in Kyoto and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, it served as the Kyoto residence of the shoguns and symbolized their political power during the Edo period.

The castle is best known for Ninomaru Palace, which features beautifully painted sliding doors, intricate wood carvings, and the famous “nightingale floors.” These floors were designed to chirp when walked upon, serving as a security measure against intruders.

Surrounded by stone walls, moats, and carefully landscaped gardens, Nijō Castle offers visitors a glimpse into the life of the samurai elite and the authority of the shogunate. It was also historically significant as the site where the last shogun announced the end of Tokugawa rule in 1867, marking a turning point in Japanese history.

Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, it was later converted into a Zen Buddhist temple.

The top two floors of the pavilion are completely covered in gold leaf, beautifully reflecting in the surrounding pond and creating a stunning, mirror-like scene. Each floor represents a different architectural style—samurai residence, aristocratic villa, and Zen temple—symbolizing the cultural harmony of the Muromachi period.

The pavilion stands beside Kyoko-chi (Mirror Pond), which contains small islands and carefully placed stones designed according to traditional Japanese garden aesthetics. Although visitors cannot enter the building itself, the walking path around the pond offers ever-changing views of the Golden Pavilion from different angles.

Togetsukyo Bridge is the symbolic landmark of the Arashiyama district in western Kyoto. Originally built during the Heian period (794–1185), the bridge has been reconstructed several times, with its current form dating back to the 1930s. Its name means “Moon-Crossing Bridge,” inspired by a scene in which the moon appeared to move across the bridge when viewed from the mountains.

Spanning the Katsura River, Togetsukyo offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, which change dramatically with the seasons—cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant autumn foliage, and occasional snow in winter. The bridge itself blends traditional design with modern construction, preserving its classic appearance while ensuring durability.

Nishiki Market is a lively traditional marketplace located in the heart of downtown Kyoto. Often called “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” the market stretches for about 400 meters and is lined with more than 100 small shops and stalls specializing in local foods and culinary specialties.

Here, visitors can discover Kyoto-style pickles, fresh seafood, seasonal produce, Japanese sweets, and unique ingredients used in traditional Kyoto cuisine. Many shops offer small samples, making it an enjoyable place to taste and explore a wide variety of flavors.

Beyond food, Nishiki Market provides insight into everyday life in Kyoto and the city’s long-standing culinary culture. Its narrow, covered arcade creates an intimate and bustling atmosphere, making it a fun and immersive stop for both food lovers and first-time visitors to Kyoto.

To return to Tokyo, we’ll board the Nozomi Super Express, Japan’s fastest Shinkansen. The journey back to Tokyo Station takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the final leg of our adventure on this world-class train!

After arriving at Tokyo Station, we’ll escort you back to your hotel by subway or local train. You can expect to return around 7:00 PM.