Kyoto Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

“A delightful way to discover quiet in Kyoto”

Our sound walk with Simon was one of the highlights of our entire trip to Japan. We started our time in Kyoto with this gorgeous, peaceful walk around the temples of Chion-in and Shoren-in, which are beautiful and surprisingly quiet. Our multi-age group all enjoyed walking slowly, recording the sounds that we heard, and learning about the temples and city from Simon. We would highly recommend this experience. Simon is a wonderful guide, full of local knowledge and adept at helping you to slow down and notice all the many wonderful details that this area of Kyoto has to offer.

“Michiko’s warmth and care helped create the perfect honeymoon day!”

This was our first time in Japan for our honeymoon, and while stopping in Kyoto, we wanted a local to show us around and help us discover places we wouldn’t have found on our own. Exploring Kyoto with our guide Michiko was one of the best decisions we could have made. The entire experience was thoughtfully planned, and her attention to detail and care truly stood out. We began the morning at Fushimi Inari Shrine to see the torii gates—arriving early made all the difference. Walking through the thousands of gates felt peaceful and surreal, and Michiko’s explanation of the history and meaning behind the shrine made the experience even more meaningful. Next, we visited the Silver Pavilion, including its stunning Zen garden and historical grounds. Learning about Zen philosophy and its influence on Japanese culture added depth to what we were seeing, and the garden was one of my favorite parts of Japan. Lunch at Cafe Chikoro was a charming, traditional experience with delicious home-style dishes made from fresh, local ingredients—somewhere we never would have found on our own. Our absolute favorite part of the tour was the bonsai nursery, Housyun-en inside Daitokuji Temple. This was a last-minute addition Michiko suggested after hearing about my interest in bonsai. Seeing trees that were hundreds of years old and the incredible care behind them was unforgettable. We ended the day with a stroll through Teramachi Shopping Street, a fun and lively way to wrap up with some shopping. Throughout the tour, Michiko was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive, making everything feel seamless yet relaxed. We learned so much and truly felt immersed in the culture. My wife and I cannot recommend her enough—her warmth and care helped create the perfect honeymoon day.

“Great Guide especially with kids! ”

Fumi planned the perfect kid-friendly Kyoto day for us! We even had a little adventure when I lost my wallet—but thanks to her help and a kind stranger, we found it. So grateful for her flexibility, patience, and kindness. My girls loved their day in Kyoto (even with the wallet search detour)! Highly recommend Fumi!