Kyoto · KYOTO BUS TOURS

15 Kyoto Bus Tours Worth Booking

16 tours  ·  from $27

Good kyoto bus tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour - Sanjusangendo offers a quieter interior stop
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PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour

1.PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13,518 reviews · from $129Our pick

Start near Kyoto Station at 7:50 a.m. and spend 8 to 9 hours visiting Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangendo, Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari. Guides such as Sakura, Mai, At-Chan, and Nagomi lead the day, with multilingual audio on the coach and an optional buffet lunch.

“I had a wonderful time on this tour to see places like The Golden Pavilion, Sanjusangen-do Temple, and other temples and the Shrines. At-Chan was our very informative tour guide and we learned a lot from her. Thank you At-Chan for everything and our Japanese Lunch Buffet was the bomb!!!”

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Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour - Sanjusangen-do and its remarkable wooden hall
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Kyoto: Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour

2.Fushimi Inari, Kinkakuji, Bamboo Grove 1 Day Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,316 reviews · 510 minutes - 9 hours · from $122

Spend nine hours visiting Kyoto highlights with an English-speaking guide such as Den, At-Chan, Sakura, or Tommy. The route covers Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangen-do, Arashiyama, Tenryuji, Kinkakuji, and Fushimi Inari, with coach transport, entry tickets, Wi-Fi, and optional buffet lunch.

“We just finished a tour of Kyoto’s most iconic sites, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience. From start to finish, the organization was seamless, allowing us to take in all the beauty of the city without any stress. The highlight of our day was undoubtedly our guide, Den. She was incredible—knowledgeable, professional, and so engaging. She shared fascinating insights at every stop that really made the history of the temples and shrines come to life. Also, a special mention for the food: it was delicious! The lunch spot chosen was authentic and high-quality, which made the day even more special. If you are looking for a smooth, insightful, and…”

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Kyoto: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket - Starting at Kyoto Station
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Kyoto: Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket

3.Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 2,034 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $27Best value

Use a one or two-day mobile-voucher pass to ride Kyoto’s open-top sightseeing bus between major temples, markets, shrines, and museums. You can follow two routes, hear audio in seven languages, and spend as long as you like at stops such as Kinkakuji, Ginkakuji, Nijo Castle, and Kiyomizu-dera.

“Amazing , the bus drivers and the attendants were both great”

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Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour - Nara Park and the deer of the old capital
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Kyoto/Osaka: Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour

4.Nara, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,275 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $52

See Nara Park, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Arashiyama in one 9 to 10-hour bus tour from Osaka or Kyoto. English and Chinese-speaking guides such as Amy, Willa, Christine, and Fiona lead the day, with free time for bamboo, temples, food, and photos.

“Our Kyoto tour was truly unforgettable, and a huge part of that was our incredible guide. Not only were they deeply knowledgeable, but the way they shared Kyoto’s history and stories made every temple, street, and moment come alive. On top of that, she was unbelievably kind and thoughtful, even surprising us with delicious Hokkaido rice biscuits along the way (which were so good!). Add to that a great sense of humor, perfectly timed jokes, and an easygoing vibe, and the entire tour felt warm, relaxed, and full of laughs. If you’re looking for a guide who combines history, heart, and humor, Amy is the one. Kyoto felt richer, more…”

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Kyoto: Nara & Traditional Matcha Experience Bus Tour - Starting near Kyoto Station at 8:00 AM
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Kyoto: Nara & Traditional Matcha Experience Bus Tour

5.Nara & Traditional Matcha Experience Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 185 reviews · 8h 30m · from $122

Travel from Kyoto to Nara and Uji with an English-speaking guide such as At-chan, Nanami, Mai, or Tsubasa. Visit Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, and Byodoin Temple, feed Nara’s deer, enjoy optional Japanese lunch, and make matcha in Uji.

“Tsubasa was an excellent tour guide as we adventured through Kyoto, Nara, and Uji! We learned so much about Japanese culture, history, and more. Tsubasa made sure the tour ran efficiently! We were in and out of destinations with a reasonable time to explore, eat, take photos, and shop.”

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From Kyoto: Nara History Guided Half Day Bus Tour with Lunch - Meeting in front of Kyoto Avanti
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From Kyoto: Nara History Guided Half Day Bus Tour with Lunch

6.Nara History Guided Half Day Bus Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 114 reviews · 6 hours · from $77

Travel from Kyoto to Nara for a six-hour guided outing with Todaiji entry, Kasuga Taisha, Nara Park deer, and a Japanese-style lunch. Guides such as Yuko, Tammy, Emiko, Aki, and Sachi have led recent departures. Expect group transport, plenty of walking, and no large luggage.

“Such a good experience. Emiko-san was very knowledgeable and was happy to answer all of the group's questions. We took the train from Kyoto to Kintetsu-Nara and then took a small private bus around Nara. The sites we visited (Todai-ji, Kasagutaisha Shrine, the deer) were all amazing. The weather was bad but Emiko-san made the day very interesting and educational.”

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Osaka/Kyoto: Katsuoji, Kinkakuji, Arashiyama 1-Day Bus Tour - Arashiyama gives you the day’s best walking time
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Osaka/Kyoto: Katsuoji, Kinkakuji, Arashiyama 1-Day Bus Tour

7.Katsuoji, Kinkakuji, Arashiyama 1-Day Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 33 reviews · 9 - 10 hours · from $56

Spend 9 to 10 hours visiting Katsuoji, Arashiyama, Togetsukyo Bridge, Kimono Forest, Nonomiya Shrine and Kinkakuji. English and Chinese guides such as Willa, Steven, Theodore and Amanda keep the day moving, while round-trip bus transport saves you several complicated connections.

“really good tour, good itinerary and the guide kept the day and schedule on track. was a really nice day and you got free time at each location so you could do some exploring but Willa was also happy to show you where things were and answer questions. the bus and driver where really good also. clean and comfortable and the driver was polite and presentable.”

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From Kyoto: Nara History Guided Half Day Bus Tour with Lunch - Meeting in front of Kyoto Avanti
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From Kyoto: Nara History Guided Half Day Bus Tour with lunch

8.Nara History Guided Half Day Bus Tour with lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $78

Leave Kyoto Station at 7:45 a.m. with an English-speaking guide for a five-and-a-half-hour group tour of Nara. Visit Kasuga Taisha, see Todaiji’s huge Great Buddha, feed the deer in Nara Park, enjoy Japanese-style lunch, and return to Kyoto. Guides may include Tammie or Mana.

“We had a lovely time! It was amazing to see all of the deer and the stunning temples and shrines. Our brilliant tour guide, Mana made the experience great too! :)”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Kyoto Bus Tours, Kyoto Tours, Sagano Romantic Train Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Kyoto Bus Tour: Sagano Railway & Hozugawa River Boat Ride

9.Kyoto Bus Tour: Sagano Railway & Hozugawa River Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 21 reviews · from $127

Start at Kyoto Station, ride the Sagano Railway from Saga to Kameoka, then take a roughly 90-minute Hozugawa River boat ride to Arashiyama. A Japanese-speaking guide manages the schedule, while GPS audio guidance is available in English, Chinese, and Korean. Free time follows in the bamboo grove area.

“This tour was OCD-level organized! From meeting point at bus terminal at Kyoto Station to assigned seating on bus to railway and assignment of cars, to boat boarding to directions for free time in Arashiyama, our guide was on top of everyRead more”

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Amanohashidate & Miyama 1-Day Bus Tour: From Osaka/Kyoto w/ Lunch - A 12-minute cruise across Miyazu Bay
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Amanohashidate & Miyama 1-Day Bus Tour: From Osaka/Kyoto w/ Lunch

10.Amanohashidate & Miyama 1-Day Bus Tour: From Osaka/Kyoto w/ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · from $97

Spend 9 to 10 hours visiting Amanohashidate and Miyama by air-conditioned bus from Kyoto or Osaka. You’ll see Chionji Temple, cruise beneath the famous sandbar, visit Kasamatsu Park and Kayabuki no Sato, and eat an included lunch. English and Mandarin guides are available, with Harry often praised for his help.

“We had a great day discovering somewhere that was a lot less touristy. We were the only English people on the tour, it was all Chinese. Harry was great though and came to explain everything to us throughout the day. The stops were all amazing as was the included lunch. I'm vegetarian and Harry arranged for a delicious vegetarian option for me. I would definitely recommend the trip as you drive through some beautiful countryside and see something other than the cities.”

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Kyoto 1 Day Golden Route Bus Tour - Fushimi Inari and the orange gate walk
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Kyoto 1 Day Golden Route Bus Tour

11.Kyoto 1 Day Golden Route Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $71

This 9-hour-45-minute English-guided bus tour links Kyoto’s major sights, including Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji, and Kinkaku-ji. You’ll travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, eat a Kyoto-style buffet lunch, and follow guides such as Kuri, Toshi, Haromi, or Yoko.

“Trip was good. The guide was very helpful. The English wasn’t that good but she was always ready to answer the questions. It was a rainy day which made the tour a bit slow but overall it was good. Thanks”

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Full Day Hiroshima and Miyajima Bus Tour - From Kyoto or Osaka to Hiroshima by Shinkansen
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Full Day Hiroshima and Miyajima Bus Tour

12.Full Day Hiroshima and Miyajima Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $111

Travel from Kyoto or Osaka to Hiroshima by Shinkansen, then tour Miyajima and Hiroshima by air-conditioned bus with an English-speaking guide. You’ll visit Itsukushima Shrine, see the Great Torii Gate, explore the Peace Memorial Museum, and have free time for lunch on Omotesando 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”

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Hiroshima, Miyajima 1 Day Bus with Indian Lunch from Osaka, Kyoto - The Atomic Bomb Dome gives the day its moral center
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Hiroshima, Miyajima 1 Day Bus with Indian Lunch from Osaka, Kyoto

13.Hiroshima, Miyajima 1 Day Bus with Indian Lunch from Osaka, Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $280

Spend about 12 hours exploring Hiroshima and Miyajima by air-conditioned bus. Meet at Hiroshima Station, visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Museum, Itsukushima Shrine, and Omotesando Street, then enjoy Indian curry with a vegetarian option arranged in advance. Guides such as Yuko, Joe, and Azura lead the day.

“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.”

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Kyoto Sagano Romantic Train in Arashiyama Bus Tour - The Hozugawa River ride is the day’s highlight
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Kyoto Sagano Romantic Train in Arashiyama Bus Tour

14.Kyoto Sagano Romantic Train in Arashiyama Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 6 reviews · from $156

Spend about eight hours with an English-speaking guide on Kyoto’s Sagano Romantic Train, the Hozugawa River boat ride, Tenryuji, Arashiyama’s bamboo forest, and a Kyoto-style buffet lunch. Guide quality can vary, and the boat may be replaced by Toei Kyoto Studio Park in poor conditions.

“Amazing experiences. Guide Ms Yoka was very informative and excellent. Tour was very well organized. Lunch was yummy . The best part was the boat ride . Don’t miss this tour.”

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Kyoto Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour - Kyoto Station is the key starting point
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Kyoto Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

15.Kyoto Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 5 reviews · from $45

Ride Kyoto’s SKY HOP BUS between Kyoto Station, Kiyomizu-dera, Ginkakuji, Kinkakuji, Gion, Nijo Castle, and more. You get a one or two-day pass, multilingual audio commentary, earphones, onboard Wi-Fi, and a rain poncho. Seats are unreserved, and buses may arrive about every 50 minutes.

“I have never had a bad experience with Viator, having utilized them for years, until now. We spent a lot of money on these tickets, and the experience was terrible. I feel guilty leaving only one star as I know Viator only subcontracted this tRead more”

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Explore Kyoto

Pick a lane, a temple or a tea room.

The lanes

GionHigashiyamaWalking ToursNight WalksRickshaw Rides

Temples and shrines

Fushimi InariKiyomizu-deraKinkaku-jiNijo CastleZen Sitting

Tea and food

Tea CeremoniesMatchaNishiki MarketCooking ClassesSake Tastings

Out of town

NaraOsakaUjiSagano RailwayPrivate Car Days