Kyoto · KYOTO BUS TOURS
The 15 best kyoto bus tours, with the price, the running time and who each one suits. Start at number one and work down until something fits your day.
Spend 8 to 9 hours visiting Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangendo, Arashiyama’s bamboo path, Tenryu-ji, Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari by air-conditioned coach. An English-speaking guide leads the day, with audio guidance in several languages. Admission is included at four temples, and you can add a Japanese buffet lunch.
“Our guide Harry was great. Very Knowledgeable and friendly. The places we visited were perfect for a 1 day visit to Kyoto.”
Travel by air-conditioned coach to Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangen-do, Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji, Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari, with a brief pass by Nijo Castle. An English-speaking guide leads the day, with multilingual audio guidance available. Entry tickets are included for four sites, and you can add a Japanese buffet lunch.
“This tour checked all my boxes. It helped me see many destinations that were far apart from each other and provided some helpful context to the sites. Felt like we had enough time at each place too! Our guide, Nagomi, was energetic and friendly, making the tour a great experience overall.”
Ride an open-top double-decker bus between Kyoto Station, Nishiki Market, Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji, Gion, and other major stops. Your one- or two-day pass includes unlimited rides and prerecorded audio in seven languages. Staff such as Miyuki, Lauren, Casey, or Frederick have been praised for their help, but a particular person is not guaranteed.
“If the brochure can add a little description of the places of visit, it would made the trip more enjoyable. Also if admission fee is required too. Thanks. Maria Ng”
Travel by air-conditioned bus from Osaka or Kyoto to Nara Park, Fushimi Inari Taisha and Arashiyama. An English- or Chinese-speaking guide handles the route and timing, while you explore each stop on foot. Expect deer, shrine gates, bamboo, temples and free time for food or extra sights. Tenryu-ji admission costs extra.
“Fiona was an amazing guide and made sure we had all the information prior and during the activity, which made the experience smooth! 100% would recommend”
Travel by air-conditioned coach from Kyoto to Nara and Uji, with an English-speaking guide, temple admissions, time with Nara’s deer, and a hands-on Uji matcha-making session. Guides such as At-chan, Mai, Nanami, and Yuta have led tours, though your guide may vary. Japanese lunch is optional.
“It was a really wonderful experience. Our guide Nana was excellent and explained everything really well. It was fun. We really enjoyed and learnt a lot. Our bus driver was great too. We highly recommend the tour. Thanks”
Travel from Kyoto to Nara with an English-speaking guide for visits to Kasuga Taisha, Todaiji Temple and Nara Park, plus a Japanese-style lunch. You’ll see the Great Buddha, meet Nara’s deer and hear about shrine and temple customs. The six-hour group tour costs $77 per person and includes Todaiji admission.
“Emiko-san was a great guide, the transportaion, the lunch and the information provided is worth it. Half a day tour is good enough to see the temples and the deer.”
Spend about four hours in Nara with an English-speaking guide, visiting Todaiji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine before taking in the view from Mt. Wakakusa. Admission, an English deer fortune, deer crackers, and a local two-day bus pass are included. The tour is limited to 25 people and advises a moderate fitness level.
“This is my first guided tour to Nara even though it’s my third visit. It was a great experience to have a guide and learn the history of Nara. I selected this tour because I was traveling with couple of friends who are first time visitors.”
This 9 to 10-hour bus tour links Katsuoji’s Daruma figures, Arashiyama’s bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge, and Kinkakuji’s gold-covered pavilion. An English- or Chinese-speaking guide handles the route and offers tips, while you explore each stop at your own pace. Guides vary; recent tours have been led by Willa, Theodore and Amanda. Admission and meals cost extra.
“Great day with an enthusiastic host Theodore or Chan San was brilliant with us and highly recommend the tour”
Travel from Kyoto Station with an English-speaking guide to Nara’s Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Todaiji Temple, and Nara Park, then sit down to a Japanese-style lunch. The Great Buddha and its huge wooden hall are the headline sights, while the deer add a lively change of pace. Guides Tammie and Mana have led tours, though your guide may differ.
“The guide was amazing, helpful and very friendly. She was knowledgeable and I am so happy we took the tour.”
This 9 to 10-hour bus tour links Amanohashidate’s sandbar, Chionji Temple, a short sightseeing cruise and the Kasamatsu Park viewpoint with Miyama’s thatched-roof village. Lunch, transport and an English- or Mandarin-speaking guide are included. Guides have included Harry, Eric and Liu, but assignments vary.
“If you want to get out of the city for the beauty of the countryside, this tour is for you. The drive is long but the sites are amazing. Only wish we had more time in the towns to explore. Harry our guide was knowledge and made the experience fun for all.”
Start at Kyoto Station at 8:15 am for a guided, air-conditioned bus tour of Kyoto’s major sights. The full-day plan includes Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, lunch, Tenryu-ji, the Arashiyama bamboo grove, Kinkaku-ji, and a handicraft center stop. Guides praised by name include Kuri-san, Toshi, Haromi, and Yoko, but your guide is not guaranteed.
“Excellent guide very knowledgeable. The tour vehicle was luxury. A great day seeing all the best of Kyoto in a day”
Spend a full day between Hiroshima and Miyajima, visiting Itsukushima Shrine, the Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum. An English-speaking guide leads the Hiroshima portion, while an air-conditioned bus and included ferry handle local transport. Kyoto and Osaka plans also include round-trip Shinkansen tickets and station boarding assistance. Lunch is on your own at Miyajima’s Omotesando Shopping Street.
“An important experience for anyone who is interested in history and is aware of the harm that human beings can cause. The temple is beautiful and Hiroshima, a historic landmark. It's very impactful going there. Really. The service was very well served and we learned more and more about the temple and the sad historical event in HiroshimaAuto-translated”
Visit Hiroshima’s Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum, then cross to Miyajima for Itsukushima Shrine and an hour of free time. The shared tour runs about 12 hours, includes Indian curry with a vegetarian option by advance request, and is led by guides such as Azura, Joe or Yuko. The bus portion begins at Hiroshima Station.
“This is a excellent tour to a place that is important to visit at least once. There is enough time to go through the museum on your own, although it is very crowded with school children. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island is spectacular. ⛩️ It is certainly an epic scene.”
This eight-hour Kyoto outing pairs a 25-minute Sagano Romantic Train ride with a 90-minute Hozu River boat trip, Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama’s bamboo grove and a Kyoto-style buffet. An English-speaking guide leads the shared group. Guide assignments vary; Ms Yoka has been praised for attentive, informative guiding.
“A bit disorganised to begin with but the places visited were lovely. Lunch was average at the buffet. Unfortunately we had a family group that didn’t follow our guide’s instructions so we had to wait for them several times and were late for one paRead more”
Ride the SKY HOP BUS KYOTO on an open-top double-decker, with multilingual audio commentary, earphones, and onboard Wi-Fi. Stops include Kyoto Station, Nishiki Market, Gion, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and more. Choose a one-day or two-day pass, then hop on and off at listed stops as often as you like during its validity.
“A little hard to find where to get the bus at the terminal, it is a very large place but otherwise a great tour. I would suggest to have water for people on the bus as it was extremely hot out. Wonderful East side tour sitting on top in the air conditioning!”
Pick a hillside, a lane or a tea room.
