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Kyoto

Kyoto Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

Discover Things to Do and Plan a Trip to Kyoto, Japan with a Local Guide

New Kyoto Tour Guides

Toshi T.
Japan

Toshi T.

New Kyoto Private Tours

Kyoto Tour Reviews

“Great Day ”

We spent two days in Kyoto thoroughly enjoying tours guided by Toshiyo san. First day was combined walking and public transportation and second day was private car with Toshiyo san. Toshiyo san is a tour guide with excellent knowledge and a very pleasant personality. She provided us with a tour plan in advance but allowed us to make adjustments based on our interests as well as the current conditions in Kyoto. This turned out to be greatly beneficial to us since we decided to make dynamic itinerary adjustments based on weather conditions and size of tourist crowds.  We ended up making important adjustments due to a typhoon that was approaching.  This allowed us to have a wonderful time while allowing us to not have any interruptions that would have affected our return Shinkansen trip to Tokyo. She helped us rearrange our Kimono rental appointment and photo shoot which we were so thankful for since without her recommendations we would have had to cancel due to bad weather.  We ended up having amazing photos. Toshiyo san also steered us towards less crowded experiences in areas filled with tourists.  We had a wonderful time enjoying a beautiful garden in the mountains without any crowds.  On one day she used her car to bring us to sites that would have been difficult to get to with public transportation. Further, Toshiyo san is a wonderful person.  We connected on many common interests and we thoroughly enjoyed our conversations with her on both tour as well as non-tour topics. By the end of our time together, she was our close friend and we will always have fond memories of our experience with her. We hope to visit with her on a future trip to Japan.  We wholeheartedly recommend her to you as a guide.

“Great Day ”

We spent two days in Kyoto thoroughly enjoying tours guided by Toshiyo san. First day was combined walking and public transportation and second day was private car with Toshiyo san. Toshiyo san is a tour guide with excellent knowledge and a very pleasant personality. She provided us with a tour plan in advance but allowed us to make adjustments based on our interests as well as the current conditions in Kyoto. This turned out to be greatly beneficial to us since we decided to make dynamic itinerary adjustments based on weather conditions and size of tourist crowds.  We ended up making important adjustments due to a typhoon that was approaching.  This allowed us to have a wonderful time while allowing us to not have any interruptions that would have affected our return Shinkansen trip to Tokyo. She helped us rearrange our Kimono rental appointment and photo shoot which we were so thankful for since without her recommendations we would have had to cancel due to bad weather.  We ended up having amazing photos. Toshiyo san also steered us towards less crowded experiences in areas filled with tourists.  We had a wonderful time enjoying a beautiful garden in the mountains without any crowds.  On one day she used her car to bring us to sites that would have been difficult to get to with public transportation. Further, Toshiyo san is a wonderful person.  We connected on many common interests and we thoroughly enjoyed our conversations with her on both tour as well as non-tour topics. By the end of our time together, she was our close friend and we will always have fond memories of our experience with her. We hope to visit with her on a future trip to Japan.  We wholeheartedly recommend her to you as a guide.

“A Phenomenal Gion Night Tour with Jasmine”

 Jasmine was phenomenal. She is so kind and clearly passionate about her work. At every stop she gave us such a rich history of the spot — she explained the differences between a Shinto shrine and a Buddhist temple, and between a geiko and a maiko, in a way that made Gion come alive for us. She was incredibly accommodating with my mom, who is older and cannot walk fast or very far because she needs hip replacement surgery. Jasmine adjusted to her slower pace without ever making us feel rushed, kept us on time, and adapted whenever we needed — and we still saw everything we wanted to see. Even when it started to drizzle, she happily took me to the last spots I wanted, Yasaka Shrine and the Yasaka Pagoda, and even brought me into a sweet shop to show me the things that are specific to Kyoto and make wonderful omiyage. What made the tour truly special was how she connected with all three of us. She took the time to get to know us, shared plenty of great recommendations along the way, and even offered to make dinner reservations on our behalf. She took so many photos — and kept reminding us to stop for them, which I was so grateful for. At the end of the night, she even hailed our cab. We had such a wonderful time. I truly hope to see her in Hawaii someday, and when we come back to Kyoto — hopefully next year or the year after — we plan to book her again. Thank you so much, Jasmine. If I could give you 10 stars, I would! Mahalo nui loa — thank you very much. And aloha ʻoe — until we meet again.

Kyoto Private Tour Guide

Discover Kyoto's hidden gems with a private tour guide! Navigate the city's rich history, culture, and food like a local with a tour guide that knows the way.

Push beyond tour favorites like Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari Taisha, and the crowds they attract, towards hidden gems waiting to be discovered with the help of a private tour guide. One such place is the Tofuku-ji Temple, known for its stunning autumn foliage and serene atmosphere. A private tour guide can provide insights into the temple's architecture, Zen gardens, and historical significance, allowing visitors to appreciate its beauty beyond the surface level.

With calmer crowds, you and your loved ones can create the kind of memories you want, with no interruptions. In Kyoto, your private guide will ensure you have the time, knowledge and space to savor moments of tranquility and reflection and soak in the spiritual ambiance of this lesser-known gem.