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$206/ per group
Japan Tour Guide - Tatsuhiro N.
Tatsuhiro N.
4.58 / 5
(65 reviews)

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Kyoto Tour Reviews

Lovely cherry blossom and temples tour with Kaz

Kaz was such a lovely tour guide. She spoke excellent English and was very knowledgeable about Kyoto. Her communication before we met was excellent and we agreed on a personalised tour . Sakura was in full bloom and we had an amazing time walking along the Philosopher’s path and admiring the beautiful cherry blossom and lots of people dressed up in Kimonos or wedding outfits. We went to a couple of temples and timed them so they were not busy and ended up in a really fun isakaya restaurant where luckily Kaz was able to order for us as it was all in Japanese. What a great day in Kyoto

Flexible guide with a lot of knowledge

We had a private tour with Toshiyo-san in Kyoto. She speaks English very well and had a lot of knowledge about the history of Kyoto and the culture of Japan. I asked her to show us around Kiyomizu-dera and Gion. However when we got to Kiyomizu-dera it was packed with foreign tourists and Japanese school groups. We asked Toshiyo-san to show us less busy places and she pivoted so expertly and took us to a few other interesting and beautiful spots in Kyoto were we were not fighting the crowds. We took a bus and subway - we enjoy traveling more like locals. After our tour she made sure we knew how to get to our next stop. It was a delightful morning with Toshiyo-san!

Valerie T.

Toshiyo O.

Dear Valerie Thank you very much for having me as your guide and getting to know about our culture. I am glad you had good time in Kyoto. I appreciate your kind review. Thank you. Toshiyo

Personalised, Insightful, and Unforgettable Kyoto with Kazue

What a delightful day with Kazue in Kyoto! She helped us design a custom itinerary that engaged both me and my young teen. Her flexibility throughout the day allowed us to follow our curiosity and energy levels. Our conversations were rich and wide-ranging — from local culture and customs to daily life, real estate, and the education system — making the experience deeply meaningful. Kazue’s warmth, knowledge, and attentiveness made the day a memorable journey through the heart of Kyoto. Highly recommended!

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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.