GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
GoWithGuide
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
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Kyoto Private Tours

Book a Private Kyoto Tour with a Local Tour Guide

Kyoto Highlights Tours

Premium tour of Kyoto (1) : Arashiyama, Nijo-jo Castle & Kinkakuji templecover image

Premium tour of Kyoto (1) : Arashiyama, Nijo-jo Castle & Kinkakuji temple

Kyoto
8 hours

Why not enjoy your holidays in Kyoto? You can certainly get in touch with many things Japanese that we are proud of. They are old temples and shrines, cultural assets and the beautiful natural surroundings. You can also enjoy dropping in at souvenir stores and buy exquisitely made products, such as folding fans, porcelain and traditional Japanese cakes. I would like to take you to the following places, which are the three representative tourist destinations in this city: (1) Arashiyama It is the place where all the traditional natural beauties of Japan are combined together. They are Togetsukyo bridge, bamboo grove and the old temples. If you go up to the observation spot, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the gorge below. You can also see rickshaws of the olden times drawn by young people with smiling passengers on board. There are souvenir shops selling variety of goods and products. (2) Nijo-jo Castle (World Cultural Heritage Site) This castle was built in the early 17th century by the Tokugawa Shogunate government for the purpose of protecting the Kyoto Imperial Palace and as the accommodations when Tokugawa Shogun was in Kyoto. It was subsequently enlarged by successive Shogun. It is the castle as well as the palace, where you can see the powerful structures and beautiful gardens. You can learn, in addition, how great the power of Tokugawa Shogun was. (3) Kinkakuji temple (the Golden Pavilion) (World Cultural Heritage Site) The history of this temple began when the third Shogun of the Muromachi period acquired a tract of land in this area from a powerful statesman in 1397 and built a villa of his own to entertain the Emperor and members of the nobility. The upper two levels of the temple are covered with pieces of gold foil and are shining brilliantly against the background of the rich greenery. The pond in the foreground reflects the golden structure. It looks like the materialization of Pure Land of Buddha in this world. In addition, on the top of the golden structure is the shining phoenix.

FROM$200/ per group
Japan Tour Guide - Tatsuhiro N.
Tatsuhiro N.
4.55 / 5
(60 reviews)

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Kyoto Tour Reviews

Creating Special Memories - Heartfelt Thanks to Makoto for an Exceptional Kyoto Tour

Dear Makoto, Thank you for guiding my family and me through Kyoto this March. Thanks to you and your professional planning, we were able to see and experience the most special places, as well as the hidden gems of this ancient city. Combined with your wonderful humor and friendliness, this day became the best we could have had in Kyoto. We will always cherish this day in our hearts and would always choose to experience a tour with you again in the future. Once again, my sincere thanks, Makoto. Sincerely, Edgar

Most Excellent Guide for Gion and Pontocho districts in Kyoto

Minori did an excellent job guiding my family and I through Gion and Pontocho. Not only could Minori tell us about the geiko(Kyoto’s word for geisha) and maiko culture, she knew about all the items that caught our eye and explained it to us. Minori is very friendly and helpful and speaks English very well. Even though we only had heard of Gion district, Minori also brought us to Pontocho where there was a lovely bridge and a shrine. She showed us how to tell the two districts apart from the designs on the lanterns. We truly enjoyed Kyoto all the more with the insights Minori shared with us. I would highly recommend Minori if you are looking for a guide around the Gion and Pontocho districts!

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Private Tours in Kyoto

Unlock the mysteries of Kyoto with a local tour guide! From temples in Gion to lush gardens in Arashiyama, discovering Kyoto’s global appeal is one click away.

Ready to cool off from the day’s heat and high activity? Book a tour to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a mesmerizing forest of towering bamboo stalks. While a popular destination, private tour guides can lead you off the beaten path to explore lesser-known trails and rest stops, allowing you and your travel team to escape the crowds and rest in the peaceful ambiance of the grove.

Beyond the visual appeal, your Kyoto tour guide can share stories about the significance of bamboo in Japanese culture overall, and help you gain appreciation for Arashiyama's natural beauty in a more intimate way.