Kyoto Private Tours

“Highly recommend Nori! Nori is truly amazing and his global travel experience adds to the Kyoto tour! ”

What a fantastic tour experience with Nori - 1. He is very knowledgeable about the historical significance of the various Japanese time periods. He is able to weave the historical series beautifully and it takes you back in time. 2. His global work experience adds a lot of flavor to the tour. 3. He is flexible with what we wanted on the tour. 4. He gave us some great food, tea ceremony suggestions for our time in Tokyo. Highly recommend Nori!

“From Pandas to Planets – A Perfect Day with Sami”

We can’t say enough good things about our guide, Sami — he was simply amazing! It was our last day in Tokyo, and we were feeling a bit tired and unsure about how to make the most of it. Sami stepped in and completely transformed the day. He customized the itinerary on the fly, making sure every member of our family had something to enjoy — and somehow managed to fit in all the highlights of Tokyo! - He got us last-minute tickets to teamLab Planets right on time. - Took our son to Bouldering at B-Pump, which he absolutely loved. - Brought us to the zoo to see the pandas. - Helped us find one of the best vegan restaurants we’ve ever been to. - Took us to Ueno, which we hadn’t seen yet — so glad we did! - Took us shopping in Akihabara — what a cool spot for souvenirs and tech finds! - And even made sure we got back to the hotel smoothly. Along the way, Sami shared so much about the culture and history — like how Kyoto means “capital” and Tokyo means “eastern capital.” It was like exploring the city with a knowledgeable friend. Truly a perfect ending to our trip — thank you, Sami!

“Great Tour of Kyoto”

This was our first visit to Kyoto and we had an ambitious sightseeing plan for our time in Kyoto. Kenji made it not only possible but truly enjoyable. From the start, he was very responsive and worked with us to design a tour that included all the locations we wanted to visit. When we met him at our hotel, he gave us a clear, well-organized schedule that made the most of our day while keeping a comfortable pace. Kenji brought along visual aids and informative handouts that provided valuable context about each temple and shrine we visited, as well as insights into Shinto and Buddhism. These resources were especially helpful in bridging any language gaps and gave us a much deeper understanding of Kyoto’s rich cultural sites. Kenji’s planning was impeccable — he timed our visits so that we could experience popular spots without the crowds. For example, when we arrived at the Bamboo Forest, it was nearly empty, which made it even more special. Throughout the day, Kenji expertly guided us from the southeast to the northwest of Kyoto, covering all our must-see spots efficiently and without feeling rushed or tired. We truly appreciated his knowledge, thoughtful planning, and the care he took to make sure we had an unforgettable day in Kyoto. We highly recommend Kenji to anyone looking to explore Kyoto with an insightful and well-prepared guide!

Kenji M.

(90 reviews)

Your Reply Coralee-san, What a wonderful review of tour you gave me! I'm very glad to hear that you liked my guiding at each spot and preparation for our tour. Despite of rather tight schedule filled with six popular tourist destinations, we managed to complete all of them with your cooperation as scheduled. It was my great pleasure that I could guide you and your nice family so enjoyably. It will also make me more proactive to next tour. Arigatogozaimashita, Kenji