
PRIVATE Early Bird Tour in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu Temple
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is PRIVATE Early Bird Tour in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu Temple worth booking?
PRIVATE Early Bird Tour in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu Temple is a 3-hour experience in Kyoto, Japan, from $158 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 70 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (9)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $158 per person
Join the Early Bird Experience and beat the crowds! We take you to the top sightseeing spots in Kyoto while the rest of the city is still waking up! Let us put each place in context and teach you more about local customs
What you get
About this experience
Join the Early Bird Experience and beat the crowds! We take you to the top sightseeing spots in Kyoto while the rest of the city is still waking up! Let us put each place in context and teach you more about local customs and history while we enjoy a beautiful morning together. See all the highlights of Kyoto comfortably with your knowledgable and friendly guide. This experience is perfect for those who naturally rise in the early morning, or for those who just want to have a unique experience and don't mind getting up early for it. It can also be an amazing way to take advantage of your jet lag! Along the way, we give you insights about Buddhism, Japanese garden design, history and more. We are also happy to help you with any questions you have about Kyoto or Japan and can even help you plan your days ahead. Beat the crowds on the Original Early Bird Tour of Kyoto.
What's included
Included
- All Fees and Taxes
- Taxi fares
What you'll see and do
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
We take you through this maze of sacred torii gates stopping to take some epic photos and explaining the history behind this very special place.
45 minutes here
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Considered an icon of Kyoto, this is also the most famous temple in Japan and has sweeping views of the city. Simply breathtaking in the early calm of the morning.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Sannenzaka Ninenzaka
Wander the cobblestoned streets of this preserved district with it's quaint shops and townhouses.
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kyoto
We wait for you right in front of the JR Inari station. Luckily there is just one exit and at that time of day we are likely the only people there.
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, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Kyoto Fun
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- 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 9 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
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for PRIVATE Early Bird Tour in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu Temple. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent tour to beat the hordes of tourists
This excellent, private tour started at dawn from the easily accessed train station opposite Fushimi Inari. From there our friendly guide introduced us to Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu temples - before the hordes of tour groups arrived. He managed the logistics & provided excellent information. This delightful private tour ended at a tiny, outdoor coffee shop - optional coffee - it was excellent. And the guide then made a number of really useful suggestions to enhance our stay in Kyoto & made sure we found the bus stop for our ride back to our hotel.
via Tripadvisor
Get out of bed and take this tour with Kyoto Fun!
You may think it's crazy to get up early when you are on vacation, but this tour was certainly worth it. We met our guide Shanda and immediately headed to Fushimi-Inari, arriving before the crowds and able to score some fabulous solo photos. More important than the photos though was Shanda's positive energy and deep knowledge of the culture and traditions behind everything we saw. She added tremendous value to our experience providing deep insights and lessons that will last a lifetime. My daughters (late 20's) and I had a wonderful morning and think of this tour as one of the highlights of the trip. Kyoto Fun is great to work with and their guides are excellent English communicators.
via Tripadvisor
Excellent Tour Guides!
We did two private tours in Kyoto with Kyoto Fun - both were fantastic! Kevin B. took us for a 6 hour tour in the west part of the city. He was a lot of fun and gave us great information. Two days later, we did the early bird tour with Shanda. This tour was about 3 hours long and she was an excellent guide, so full of knowledge about the beautiful shrines and temples we saw. Both guides were friendly and had a great rapport with our college age sons. We highly recommend them and the private tours - you get to see so much of the city!
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic introduction to Kyoto
Kevin gave us a great introduction to Kyoto. He showed us around the metro and took is to a lovely small restaurant for lunch which was delicious. He also followed up with an email with more suggestions of places and restaurants to visit and where to get good coffee! As a fellow European he understood our needs!!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with Kevin as your guide. We are happy to hear that he was able to make your trip to Kyoto a memorable one, and we hope to have the pleasure of serving you again in the future!
via Tripadvisor
LOVED this bike tour!
Best way to see Kyoto!!!! Most delightful day riding around seeing the most gorgeous sites. Best tour guide too!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $158 to $24000
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Kyoto Fun, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 72.8.
See everything Kyoto Fun runsWhy this scores 70
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
PRIVATE Early Bird Tour in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu Temple: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kyoto.
How much does PRIVATE Early Bird Tour in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu Temple cost?
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Prices start at $158 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 PRIVATE Early Bird Tour in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu Temple take?
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Plan for about 3 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 PRIVATE Early Bird Tour in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu Temple worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 9 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 PRIVATE Early Bird Tour in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu Temple?
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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 PRIVATE Early Bird Tour in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu Temple suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book PRIVATE Early Bird Tour in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu Temple?
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Around 3 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?
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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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does PRIVATE Early Bird Tour in Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu Temple start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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 : Chopsticks Making Workshop with Engraving Option in Gion, Ultimate Kyoto Arashiyama Tour: Bamboo, Monkeys & Hidden Gardens, Kyoto: Gion Hidden Gems & Geisha Culture 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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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