Kyoto Private Car Tours

“Wonderful!”

I am a woman in my 50's and this was my first time travelling to Japan. Normally, this private tour is booked for a group of people who know each other, but since I was a solo traveller and it was not possible for me to join a group, therefore I booked this tour solely for myself. This was a very unique experience for me and it felt truly special. I booked this private tour with my Japanese guide Kanae. She is a wonderful guide and a very kind person, who also communicates very well in English. She is intelligent, knowledgeable, polite, caring and resourceful. It was so great and very convenient to travel from site to site to site with Kanae in her car. She is also an excellent driver and her car is very spacious, clean and comfortable. Touring this way, allowed me to save a lot of time and energy. During this tour, Kanae showed me many amazing places in Kyoto with beautiful architecture and stunning nature. She explained to me the significance of each place and she answered all my questions very well. I had so much fun and I truly enjoyed this private tour with her. Thank you Kanae for making this tour accessible, educational, easy and fun. I will treasure these moments forever. It was perfect for me, especially since I've developed problems with my feet while in Japan and I could not walk as far and for as long as I normally could in the past. I enjoyed having this private tour of Kyoto with Kanae and I highly recommend it. Thank you Kanae!!! Edyta (Canada)

“Unmatched Depth and Luxury—The Absolute Best Guide in Japan”

If you simply want to see Kyoto, book a standard tour. If you want to truly understand it, book Akira. He provided hands-down the best tour experience we’ve had in Japan, and honestly, nothing else even comes close. Akira had us start our day early, picking us up in a pristine luxury vehicle so we could comfortably beat the notorious crowds in ultimate style. But beyond the flawless, VIP-level logistics, what makes Akira exceptional is the sheer depth of his knowledge. It absolutely shows that he has direct connections to a top professor of Japanese culture at Kyoto University. As he guided us through various UNESCO sites, he masterfully explained both the practical history and the profound spiritual significance of each location. You don't just walk through the sites with him; you leave with a genuine understanding of their cultural weight. Do yourself a favor: reserve him as early as possible, and consider yourself incredibly lucky if you secure a spot on his calendar. An absolutely flawless experience.

Akira F.

(49 reviews)

Thank you so much for your kind words — I truly appreciate it. I had a wonderful day spending time with you. It was especially enjoyable because you have a great understanding of Japan, and I really admire your knowledge and interest in the culture. I believe this made our itinerary even more meaningful, and our conversations felt very natural and engaging throughout the day. I sincerely look forward to meeting you again in the future. I’ll be here waiting to welcome you back. Thank you once again!

“Wonderful Day”

We had a great day with Kanae. The best description is that it was like being shown around by a family member or old friend we had known for years. She was very organised, making contact in advance to clarify pick up arrangements and ask whether we had questions or requests. She was on time on the day, lovely to talk to, and very knowledgable on the sites visited, with best ways to access, parts to see, and how to avoid crowds (as much as possible).We are pretty quick walkers so finished at all the sites with lots of time to spare so Kanae took us to her favourite local Ramen shop for lunch. Great food and a place we would never have found ourselves - a highlight in its own right. Would definitely recommend and would certainly book with her again if in Kyoto.