Kyoto Tour from Kobe

[Jamietravelstheworld]

Will be on an Oceania tour in October 2023 that docks in Kobe. I'd like to do a non-ship tour to Kyoto on our half day and am looking for recommendations. Probably a private tour because of what I'm interested in. I'm not finding much when I google.

 

Thanks.

[Hlitner]

On 10/17/2022 at 7:25 PM, Jamietravelstheworld said:

Will be on an Oceania tour in October 2023 that docks in Kobe. I'd like to do a non-ship tour to Kyoto on our half day and am looking for recommendations. Probably a private tour because of what I'm interested in. I'm not finding much when I google.

 

Thanks.

Patience grasshopper :).  I think we need to consider that Japan's entire tourist system has been down for more than 2 years.   Tour companies have gone out of business, lost their employees, etc.  Now that the country has effectively reopened (on Oct 11) I would expect to slowly see tour companies resuming their work.  You might want to watch "Tours by Locals" as that is more individual vs company based.  Tour consolidators such as Viator are also starting to resume more activities.  We plan on being in Japan during March for about 2 weeks prior to taking a cruise.  DW and I tend to favor independent travel so we are not looking at tours even though we do plan on spending 6 nights in Kyoto.  

 

Keep in mind that Kyoto is a relatively large city that would be overwhelming to anyone planning to only spend a few hours in that amazing town.  You will truly need to prioritize what is important (to you) and try to set something up that covers those priorities.  I suspect that by next October Kyoto will again be packed with tourists and there will be crowds at the most popular shrines/sites.  While it is good to see the world starting to return to normal the downside is that crowds mean delays and the need to further focus one's efforts.

 

Hank

[BruceMuzz]

Kyoto originally translated as “Capital City”, as it was the Capital of Japan for a long time. There is really a lot to see there. Even though transportation from Kobe to Kyoto is quick and easy, it may be quite a challenge.

 

Can you imaging a Japanese tourist telling you he wanted to visit Washington DC for 3 hours to see the sights?