Temple, shrine & monastery tours
The 13 best private temple tours in Japan you can book right now, with what each one costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is first for a reason, so start there.
Review of a private Tokyo to Nagano snow monkey tour with Zenko-ji, Shibu Onsen, Obuse, luxury vehicles, and flexible hotel pickup.
“The snow monkey park was amazing, and our guide Waqas was prompt with picking us up during our activities. Was also very flexible with how we used our time.”
Review of a flexible private Tokyo tour covering temples, markets, Harajuku, Shibuya, and local transit with multilingual guides.
“Everything was perfect and customized to our desired. The tour was not rushed and we took all the pictures we wanted on every spot. We explore Tokyo in a day, ate the best sushi and ended up in a special place. The tour guide gives multiple food recommendations”
Review of a private Tokyo to Nagano tour with snow monkeys, Zenkoji Temple, Obuse, Shibu Onsen, and flexible luxury transport.
“Raza was fantastic guide and very informative on the tour. He is very knowledgeable about Tokyo and all of Japan and provides great insights in to the locations and surrounding areas visited. He is a safe and reliable driver, a very friendly and humble guy, and we felt in good hands for all of our trip. would have no issue at all travelling with him again next time we are in Japan! Thanks so much Raza for a fantastic tour and all of your knowledge and experience!”
Review of a private Tokyo to Nagano tour with Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji, Obuse, Matsushiro, and luxury door-to-door transport.
“Our driver, Skander, was excellent - highly recommend him. We got to see some amazing snow monkeys bathing in the hot springs before soaking our own feet in an outdoor public foot spa (water was really hot! The temple was also very interesting (and interactive! We got to walk through a dark tunnel and turn an octagonal revolving sutra case for luck). We had a great day”
Explore Asakusa with a private local guide, from Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street to crafts, snacks, and Kappabashi kitchen shops.
“This 2 hour tour was great to walk around Asakusa neighbourhood and visit the Sinsoji Temple. Shelina did an excellent Job and was very kind and concerned with our needs in every moment. I would highly recommend this tour.”
Review of Nara’s 3-hour private tour covering deer, temples, gardens, guide Masa, meeting details, value, and practical tips.
“Masa was a great tour guide! Very prepared, very fun and educational, and we were able to eat at a good soba restaurant :)”
Review of a private Tokyo to Nagano tour with snow monkeys, Zenkoji Temple, Shibu Onsen, Obuse miso, and door-to-door transport.
“Had a beautiful day at snow monkey park and Togakushi shrine ( special request)”
Review of Nikko’s private Tokyo day tour, with Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, hotel pickup, and an English driver.
“We had a great day. The pick up from the hotel went smoothly, a quiet beautiful drive through a beautiful landscape, after which we had more than enough time at the different parts to visit the temples and shrines. We enjoyed it a lot. Thank you for the lovely day.”
Review of a private Asakusa food tour with Sensoji Temple, Thunder Gate, Nakamise Street, three Japanese foods, and a local guide.
“It was nice meeting Sewa our tour guide who showed us the busy street food and the beautiful historic temple.”
Explore Osaka’s oldest temple on a private 90-minute Shitennoji tour with a guide, central temple access, and a peaceful Japanese garden.
Review of a private Tokyo tour to Nagano, Jigokudani Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji, Obuse, Shibu Onsen, and Matsushiro Castle.
“The driver is very friendly. However, the experience was not what we expected. It is advertised as a guided tour with an English-speaking guide, but I would rather call it a transportation service. The driver hardly speaks English, so we couldn’t communicate with him, and he didn’t provide any explanations. It is also important to consider that departing from Tokyo takes almost 4 hours one way and another 4 hours back, which doesn’t leave enough time to do everything listed in the itinerary. The advantage we found is that the car is very comfortable, and they pick you up and drop you off at the destination of your choice. The…”
Explore Sumiyoshi Taisha in Osaka with a private 90-minute guide, from fortune-telling stones to the famous Taiko Bridge.
Visit five Tokyo shrines and temples, collect hand-written Goshuin, and learn Shinto customs on a private, car-based cultural tour.
“I enjoyed our tour. Oishi brought us to the different shrines and pointed out the highlights of every shrine. He brought us to a very good sushi restaurant. We loved the food. He was accommodating in our request to visit Asakusa Shrine even if it was not part of our original plan.”
