David T.
Very Special 1 day Kyoto tour just for you (8H)
Customized
“Kyoto with Tomoe”
We arranged our tour well in advance with Tomoe for a tour of Kyoto and the surrounding area. Our schedule was a little bit up in the air since we were arranging to meet friends in the middle of the day. In the days and weeks leading up to our visit, Tomoe was in constant communication, urging us to get our Shinkansen tickets and dinner reservations made in advance since it’s a very busy time in Kyoto. Even with a two-hour lunch break to meet up with our friends, we were able to see the most important sites: Kinkagu-ji, Nijo-jo and Arashiyama. I lived in Kyoto 44 years ago, and visited again 22 years ago, but I was still interested in having the local knowledge of the history of each stop and how best to navigate the routes and times. Tomoe saved us a lot of stress, and that alone is worth the cost. But having a local guide with knowledge of the history of Kyoto was so important to our family. Tomoe won our hearts and minds, and I’m happy to give her my highest recommendation.
“Amazing sightseeing ”
Kazuhiko is very kind and helpful with our trip in Kyoto.Thank you so much for everything you organise for us.
Kazuhiko G.
(161 reviews)Hello, Thank you for the nice review. Did you arrive safely in Tokyo? I am glad your lovely family enjoyed the tour despite the unfortunate rainy and cloudy weather. I had a great time too. I hope this tour will be a memorable one. I hope you will come to Japan again. Thank you !! Kazuhiko Goto
Annette H.
Kyoto-WH-Golden Pavilion, Rock Garden and more - from Osaka
“Great day in Kyoto with Hiroyuki”
We had a really great day in Kyoto with Hiroyuki (it was a long day too and we walked over 22,000 steps!). Excellent communication prior to the day, Hiroyuki arranged to meet us at the cruise port in Osaka and customised the itinerary to suit our preferences (including the market and main temples/shrines). He very helpfully suggested we booked tickets in advance for the truly fabulous Miyako Odori Geiko & Maiko show & tea ceremony. I think what made a real difference for us was the excellent information he provided whilst travelling on the train/metro from Osaka Port into Kyoto and during the rest of the day at all the main sights. Basically we had a compact history of Japan, Buddhism, Shinto, wars etc and he answered all our questions very well throughout the day (& showed us how to get metro/train tickets!). Hiroyuki was very kind and patient with us, letting us stroll around the market and stop quite often for photos, taking us to a nice little tea shop for a break, getting taxis between sights where necessary and guiding us through the very busy Gion area. We changed our plans on the day so we could get the bullet train back to Osaka just for the experience and Hiroyuki again helped with getting the tickets and finding the right platform at the enormous station! And escorted us right back to the ship. I honestly don’t think we would have seen or understood nearly as much had we tried to do this independently or in a larger tour group. We would definitely recommend getting a personal guide in this area and would 100% recommend and use Hiroyuki’s services again. Arigato ありがとう
Hiroyuki T.
(92 reviews)Thank you very much for your kind words. I really appreciate your words. ありがとうございます。 You showed a lot of interests and respects to our culture, it is always nice to spend time with people like you. Please come back to Japan again, there are a lot more that I want to show you. Mt.Koya is my most favorite destination. Check it on my page! Have a safe trip. Bon voyage.
With a real local of your choice
Just contact your favorite local
So no group tours with strangers
Create charming memories in Kyoto with a private guide! Tailored itineraries, insider knowledge, and personalized attention ensure an unforgettable journey.
Take on Kyoto’s traditional treasures with private tours in neighborhoods like Gion and Pontocho for a glimpse into the city's rich heritage. With their narrow alleys, quaint machiya houses, and traditional tea hubs, these areas create a sense of old-world charm. A private tour guide can navigate the centuries old streets, pointing out hidden gems such as specialty shops, historic landmarks, and hidden temples that branch off the typical trails.
Looking for deeper cultural experiences? Tour the city where Japanese tea ceremonies, kimono, geisha and the art of Japanese hospitality (omotenashi) thrive. Your guide will give the best recommendations for where to go, what to do and how to maximize your travel moments.