Kyoto Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

D

David W.

5 / 5

Dec 16, 2025

Let's Visit 2 spot and Obanzai restaurant!

Dec 16, 2025

Kyoto

6 hours

Customized

“Fantastic Guide! Well worth the experience!”

Michiko was a fantastic guide during our trip to Kyoto! We enjoyed the tour, and will definitely choose her again the next time we're back. Having Michiko was a huge game-changer to our overall experience. At first, we were hesitant about getting a Tour Guide, as I usually use Google my way around. We're not in the habit of paying for Tour guides, but we're glad we chose Michiko. Kyoto is getting really crowded, and public transport early in the morning can be tricky. Michiko comes with her own car, and it made a huge difference to our day. It was so convenient being driven and not having to worry about how to get there. We could cover more attractions, and she even brought us to a few local spots, which was a real treat! At the attractions, she gave context to the buildings and narrated some key facts that we really appreciated. Michiko is a Kyoto native, and we enjoyed her insights of the city. We always enjoy talking to locals, about how they live/work/play, and the chats with her were refreshing. She has a good command of English, and we never felt awkward throughout the 6 hours. She had lived overseas, and that really helped in relating to us as foreigners. Overall, we're happy with her service, and really recommend engaging her for a day tour (or two!). It's not cheap, but we feel it was well worth the price!

“A memorable Kyoto experience ”

My family and I enjoyed our Kyoto tour immensely. We learned so much in just a few hours. Akira shared a wealth of knowledge in such an engaging and interesting way. He is full of energy and enthusiasm, which made us even more eager to learn about Kyoto’s history. I had requested a “less walking” tour, and Akira was very thoughtful in accommodating this - my parents were extremely happy and comfortable throughout the experience. I highly recommend Akira to anyone looking for a local tour guide in Kyoto. You won’t regret it! :)

Akira F.

(15 reviews)

Thank you very much for your kind words and high praise. We truly had a wonderful day in Kyoto together. We visited historical sites, experienced some of the most beautiful spots in the city, and enjoyed excellent food along the way. I sincerely hope that Kyoto — and the time we spent together — has left you with warm memories and a lasting impression. I very much look forward to welcoming you back to Kyoto again in the future. Thank you once again.

“Putting the "Personal" Touch in the Tour”

This was our first time in Kyoto and rather than walking cluelessly from one site or one shrine to another, we decided to get a tour guide to learn the history and meaning behind the places we visited. We could not have asked for a better tour guide than Yoshie, who made our tour one of the most memorable days of our trip. Not only was he incredibly informative about each place we visited, but he also weaved in entertaining stories and little historical tidbits that one would not find in a tour book. Yoshie also knows the best places and angles to take photos and would miraculously have us pose in pictures where no other tourists were in our photo (many of which ended up in our holiday card this year!). We ended the day at an Izakaya of his choosing and were treated to warm welcomes, cozy local vibes, and delicious food. It was also my husband's birthday, and the restaurant owner surprised him with a cake, and the whole place ended up singing happy birthday to him. We were very moved by the generous spirit and my husband was grinning ear to ear. If you want a personal touch, someone with deep knowledge and the gentle manner to share it with you, and a more profound grasp of the history of Japan in that region, Yoshie is your person! We have already recommended him to our friends who are going to Kyoto next year!

Yoshihisa T.

(273 reviews)

Hi Amy. I really appreciate your marvelous comment on my tour in Kyoto. I am delighted to learn that you had such a great time in every aspect of the tour, from my silly jokes, photo-taking spots to the food and warm atmosphere of the izakaya. I am looking forward to your next visit to Kansai area someday again. With warm wishes. Yoshie