Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 148 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama worth booking?
Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama is a 10-hour experience in Kyoto, Japan, from $13000 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 148 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 79 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (148)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $13000 per person
At every destination, this tour follows a flexible sightseeing style: a short group introduction to set the scene, optional guided walks for those who want deeper storytelling, and generous free time for independent expl
What you get
About this experience
At every destination, this tour follows a flexible sightseeing style: a short group introduction to set the scene, optional guided walks for those who want deeper storytelling, and generous free time for independent exploration. This approach allows travelers to balance structured cultural learning with the freedom to personalize their experience, making it a highly rewarding way to discover Kyoto’s heritage.
What's included
Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Professional English Speaking Guide
- Entrance fees
Not included
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Begin your day at Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Kyoto’s most iconic Shinto shrines famous for its thousands of tori gates. Upon arrival, your English-speaking guide will give a short introduction to Shinto beliefs, the meaning of Inari worship, and the historical significance of this site. Guests who wish to learn more can join the guide for a deeper walk through the tori pathways, or choose to explore freely.
60 minutes here
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Next, visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple; a UNESCO World Heritage site with a wooden terrace offering panoramic views over Kyoto. Founded in the 8th century, this temple is famous for its architectural ingenuity and its role as a place of pilgrimage. After an initial explanation by the guide covering the temple’s history, Buddhist beliefs, and cultural importance, guests may either walk with the guide through the temple grounds and adjacent historic streets of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, or enjoy free time for personal discovery and photography.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Nijo Castle
we will pass by Nijo castle. The guide will explain about the castle and history.
Pass by without stopping
Kinkakuji Temple
After, you will go to Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), a stunning Zen temple covered in gold leaf that reflects beautifully on its surrounding pond. This site embodies aesthetics, Buddhist spirituality, aristocracy during the Muromachi period. Your guide will provide historical context and insights into the Ashikaga shogunate, which commissioned this remarkable structure.
50 minutes here · Admission included
Ryoan-ji Temple
From there, head to Ryoan-ji Temple, home to one of Japan’s most famous Zen rock gardens. Here, the guide introduces the principles of Zen Buddhism; the idea of emptiness and contemplation, and how the garden invites personal reflection. Guests can choose to join the guided explanation of the garden’s design and philosophy or sit quietly and experience the space in their own way.
40 minutes here · Admission included
Arashiyama
The day’s final major stop is Arashiyama, a scenic district known for its natural beauty, including the Sagano Bamboo Grove and the tranquil Togetsukyo Bridge. Upon arrival, the guide offers a brief overview of the area’s cultural and historical significance. After this, guests are free to walk through the bamboo groves, explore nearby shops, or relax by the riverside at their own pace, with a clear meeting time and place set for departure.
80 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kyoto
we will start a tour at Hotel Vischio Kyoto.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Travel Japan Together
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 139 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
139 verified traveler reviews for Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent tour
Our guide Kanta was wonderful! He is super friendly and answered all our questions. He made the tour very enjoyable.
via Tripadvisor
İt was good
İt was good and we had a lot of fun
via Tripadvisor
best
it was do enjoyful and good also the guide kanta is so good and funny man
via Tripadvisor
Amazing
İt was an amazing experience love that so much
via Tripadvisor
Great informative and exciting experience
Me and my friend had such an amazing experience! Our tour guide Kanto was extremely helpful and friendly and we had so much time to walk on our own as well as learn about the history. Transportation was easy and we were able to access every spot! I would definitely book this again!!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 52
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 79
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kyoto.
How much does Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama cost?
+
Prices start at $13000 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kyoto usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama take?
+
Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kyoto is not rushed.
Is Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 148 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kyoto, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama?
+
Around 52 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kyoto can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kyoto and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kyoto within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Kyoto?
+
On Outty we rank every Kyoto experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Kyoto : Gion Make Your Own Chopsticks with Engraving Option, Award-Winning Authentic Ramen Making Experience in Kyoto, Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Kyoto?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Kyoto Bus Tour: Fushimi, Kiyomizu, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama.
Pick your date
