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Kyoto State Guest House offers exclusive private evening tours for groups after the doors close to the public at 5 PM.

The Private Evening Guided Tour includes special access to two rooms usually closed to the public; Suimei-no-Ma, where summit meetings take place, and Taki-no-Ma, a private dining space with a view of the waterfall in the garden.

The Supreme Private Evening Guided Tour offers an even more exclusive experience, starting with vehicle entry through the main gate, as used during official state guest visits. In addition to the Private Evening Guided Tour itinerary, this tour features seasonal highlights such as koi feeding during the summer session from June to September and starry sky illumination in Yubae-no-Ma in the winter session from October to February.

Both tours offer a mesmerizing view of the illuminated waterfall in Taki-no-Ma during the winter session.

Take in the evening stillness of Kyoto State Guest House in an elegant private setting.

Tour Details

Guided tours for groups are available in Japanese and English.
*From July to October 2026, the “Private Evening Guided Tour” and the “Supreme Private Evening Guided Tour” will not be conducted due to construction work in the building.
*In July and August 2026, private daytime guided tours for groups will be offered as a special seasonal program.

■Private Evening Guided Tour

Tour Schedule	Admission: 4:40 PM at the Seiwain Rest House Dismissal: 6:40 PM at the Seiwain Rest House
Tour Fee	¥120,000 per group (up to 20 people) For groups exceeding 20 people, an additional fee of ¥6,000 per person will be charged (applicable only to the Japanese guided tour). *No discounts apply. *The minimum fee of ¥120,000 applies even if the group size is fewer than 20 people.
Max Group Size	◆Japanese guided tour Exclusive to one group of up to 30 people per day *The group will be divided into two smaller groups for the tour. *Children aged 12 or younger will not be admitted. ◆English guided tour Exclusive to one group of up to 20 people per day *Children aged 12 or younger will not be admitted.
Tour Highlights	The tour includes regular guided exploration of the open areas and exclusive access to Taki-no-Ma and Suimei-no-Ma, which are usually closed to the public. *During the winter session (October to February), the nighttime garden setting with the illuminated waterfall is offered as an exclusive seasonal highlight.

■Supreme Private Evening Guided Tour

Tour Schedule	Entry: 5:00 PM via the main gate by vehicle Departure: 6:25 PM via the main gate by vehicle
Tour Fee	¥200,000 per group (up to 10 people) For groups exceeding 10 people, an additional fee of ¥20,000 per person will be charged (applicable only to the Japanese guided tour). *No discounts apply. *The minimum fee of ¥200,000 applies even if the group size is fewer than 10 people.
Max Group Size	◆Japanese guided tour Exclusive to one group of up to 20 people per day *The group will be divided into two smaller groups for the tour. *Children aged 12 or younger will not be admitted. ◆English guided tour Exclusive to one group of up to 10 people per day *Children aged 12 or younger will not be admitted.
Tour Highlights	The tour includes exclusive entry and exit via the main gate by vehicle, regular guided exploration of the open areas, and special access to Taki-no-Ma and Suimei-no-Ma, which are usually closed to the public. A warm welcome with traditional incense awaits behind the main entrance doors. During the summer session, a koi feeding experience is a special delight. The special presentation of starry sky illumination in Yubae-no-Ma during the winter session creates a captivating atmosphere. *During the winter session (October to February), the nighttime garden setting with the illuminated waterfall is offered as an exclusive seasonal highlight.

How to Book Private Group Tours

Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis on our website.
Please note that only one of the Private Evening Guided Tour or the Supreme Private Evening Guided Tour will be conducted each day.
On weekends and public holidays, the Private Evening Guided Tour is the only option available.

*Click here to make a reservation.
*There is no option to choose between the “Private Evening Guided Tour” and the “Supreme Private Evening Guided Tour” during the reservation process. Once your reservation is confirmed, we will contact you by email to inquire which private tour you would like to book.

*Find the latest tour dates here.

Contact Us

For inquiries, please use our feedback form (responses available in Japanese and English).

https://www.geihinkan.go.jp/en/kyoto/feedback/

Please note that we can only assist with phone inquiries in Japanese.

Important Notices

1. Visitors showing symptoms such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue will not be permitted to join the tour.
2. Some of our staff may wear masks. We appreciate your understanding.
3. Private group tours are available exclusively by reservation. Please make a reservation in advance.
4. Reservations from organized crime groups, affiliated companies or organizations, or other anti-social forces will not be accepted.
5. We do not accept cancellations. If unavoidable circumstances arise, please reach out to us through the feedback form on our website. Please note that no-shows or repeated cancellations may result in future reservations being declined.
6. For vehicle entry for the Supreme Private Evening Guided Tour, copies of the driver’s license and vehicle inspection certificate must be submitted in advance. Submission instructions will be provided via email after a reservation has been made on our website. Please note that there is a limit on the number of vehicles allowed for entry.
7. There is no parking available at our facility. For those arriving by vehicle for the Private Evening Guided Tour, please use the paid parking facilities available at either the Seiwain Parking Lot or the Nakadachiuri Parking Lot. Please note that the Nakadachiuri Parking Lot is the only option for parking large buses. Due to limited lighting, the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden becomes very dark after sunset. We recommend bringing a flashlight to ensure a safe visit.
8. As Kyoto State Guest House serves as an official venue for state guest visits, scheduled public openings, including private group tours, may be canceled on short notice due to official engagements or operational reasons. We appreciate your understanding.
9. Please make your payment in cash upon arrival on the day of your visit. Additionally, we kindly request that the payment be consolidated and made by the group representative.
10. Please note that restrooms will not be available during the tour. We recommend using restroom facilities prior to your arrival.
11. Further guidelines for your visit can be found here.