Kyoto Private Tours & Local Tour Guides

“Visit to Kyoto September 2025”

I highly recommend Shuji as a guide. He was very well organized with excellent communication in the lead up to our trip. He prepared the perfect itinerary for 4 adults and 2 teenagers across two half days. He was also flexible and we changed our start times (to early morning) to accommodate for the hot weather. Overall a great experience. Thank you Shuji.

Shuji O.

(45 reviews)

Thank you for the kind words. Even in the terribly hot weather, we could still had fun on our tours. I owe this to your wonderful understandings and supports. Yes, everything, including the breakfast at the cafe, was very nice. I was really happy with you all. Please enjoy Hakone! Thank you very much.

“Fantastic Time in Kyoto with Yasu”

Yasu was a wonderful guide, working collaboratively with us to design the perfect day. Yasu accommodated our last minute schedule changes and was a joy to spend the day with. Yasu is very intelligent, accomplished, and knowledgeable. Hi friendly demeanor made for a wonderful day in Kyoto for me and my family. We would all highly recommend him for your next tour!

“Another Perfect Day with Toshiyo in Kyoto”

Day two with Toshiyo was even more incredible than our amazing first day. Her flawless English and extraordinary knowledge of Kyoto continued to astound us as we explored three magnificent sites. At Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Toshiyo's expertise truly shone. She explained the temple's wooden construction techniques, the significance of the famous stage, and guided us to perfect viewing spots we never would have found alone. Her insights into Buddhist traditions and the temple's history transformed our visit into a deeply meaningful spiritual experience. The Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) was absolutely breathtaking, but Toshiyo's knowledge made it extraordinary. She revealed the symbolism behind the gold leaf covering, explained the garden's design philosophy, and showed us the best angles for photos while sharing fascinating stories about the pavilion's reconstruction. Without her guidance, we would have missed so many important details. At the Kyoto National Museum, Toshiyo's cultural expertise was invaluable. She helped us understand the significance of various artifacts, explained artistic techniques, and provided historical context that brought the exhibits to life. Her ability to make complex cultural concepts accessible was remarkable. Throughout both days, Toshiyo's genuine kindness, patience, and enthusiasm made every moment special. She anticipated our interests, answered countless questions with grace, and revealed hidden aspects of Kyoto that only a true expert could share. Toshiyo is simply the best guide we've ever experienced. Her combination of vast knowledge, perfect English, and warm personality created memories we'll treasure forever. Anyone visiting Kyoto would be incredibly fortunate to have her as their guide.