About

*Please note that we use public transportation for regular tours. If you need a private transportation, please contact me.

Hi! I'm Masaki Mori. Please call me Makoon.
I was born in Japan and have lived in Vancouver, Canada for about 10 years.
I'm a National Government Licensed Guide, guide trainer a professional program organized by Kyoto city,
English teacher,translator, professional breakdancer, and father of two young kids.

I used to be a business planner in a manufacturing company. After working in the corporate world for 6 years, I made a decision to quit the company because I found a perfect job for myself: tour guide. I love my city Kyoto, and my mission now is share this very unique city with people from all over the world.
I'd love to guide you to this city of 1200 years of history, share what I know about the modern and tradition, connect you to Japanese history and culture, take you to beautiful scenic locations, and support you making your trip UNFORGETABLE!!

I conduct over 100 private tours a year, and proud to say about 35% of my guests are either returning or by referral as of today (Jul. 2019).

Please join my tour, I will only try my best for you to make some great memories here in Kyoto.
See you soon.

Note: Seasonal price applies from Nov.15th to 30th, Mar. 15th to Apr. 20th, and Jun. 1st to Aug. 30th in 2020.

Price

The prices below are for a private tour for you and your partner, family or friends.

Duration	1 Person	Up to 4 people
Hourly rate	US$59.12	US$59.12
4 Hours	US$236.47	US$236.47
8 Hours	US$472.94	US$472.94

Tired of big cities and historic sites? Then how about surrounding yourself with wild monkeys in a beautiful mountain? In this monkey mountain, you can en...

5 Hours US$ 429 up to 4 people

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make changes after I book?

Yes! If you need to make changes such as removing or adding someone to your booking or changing the date or time of your tour, contact us by phone or email

Starting and ending points of the tour.

After you secure your booking, the starting and ending points of your tour can be customized to your convenience (ex.: your hotel, nearby stations, etc.). Don't worry, we will take care of you! Some tours may have an extra fee for this service, make sure to check the tour page.

What happens after I book a tour?

After booking a tour, the guide will accept (or decline) your booking within 24 hours. Then you will be noticed by email from GoWithGuide.

Is the price per person or per group?

The price is charged per group. Which means that you make a one-time payment for your entire group and the price will not change if it is less or more people.

Can I add more people to my booking?

Some guides accept extra people (more than the specified number) for an extra charge. Please check for the extras on the tour or booking page, or contact your guide directly to clarify.

Will there be other tourists in my tour?

No. Your tour is private, only for you and your family or friends, there will be no other group of tourists together in your tour.

Can the guide pickup me at the airport?

Yes, but there will be additional charge for that and it is not by car. The guide will go pick you up using public transportations. For further details, please contact your guide directly.

I'm travelling alone. Can I book this tour?

Yes, you can and you may be able to get a discount if you are traveling alone. Price depends on which guide you choose.

View More Frequently Asked Questions read more

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel in the first 14 day(s) before the meeting time, there is a 100% charge.
If you cancel between 15 and 29 day(s) in advance of the meeting time, there is a 50% charge.
If you cancel at least 30 day(s) in advance of the meeting time, there is a 100% refund.

Reviews ( 130 )

Heather ( Family with kids ) United States

Heather United States ( Family with kids )

Excellent

1 year ago

“ Off the charts A+++ Guide (look no further) ”

We were looking for Kyoto tours over two days with my husband and 9-year-old boy, and once we found Masaki's profile we were already sold (he was obviously intellectual and extremely good with families/kids), but literally he surpassed every expectation. Upon booking Masaki ("Makoon") immediately understood what we would need to keep our little boy engaged, so planning was easy from Day 1 (promptly following our initial email exchange we received a detailed, extremely well thought out personalized itinerary from which it was clear he absolutely understood our needs/desires and that we had found the right person). What I didn't expect, however, was that Makoon's two days with us would be the highlight of our entire (and amazing) time in Japan. Makoon is extremely charismatic, well-educat... read more

Masaki:

Dear Heather san, My sincere apology. I've just noticed my response to your wonderful review didn't go through. It's an honor for me to receive a review like yours. It was a thorough East to West Tour of Kyoto. I'm happy to hear you all made a great memory but particularly happy that your son enjoyed and learned about Japanese culture through "Kyoto Passport"! He is definitely extraordinary 9 years old! It's a hard time for all of us because of Corona virus.. please stay healthy and well. Maybe it's a good time to look at all the pictures from the trip! Warm Regards, Masaki Makoon Mori

Pearl ( Couple ) Canada

Pearl Canada ( Couple )

Excellent

1 year ago

“ Masaki was on of the best parts of our tour. ”

Masaki was a great story teller and guide. He had a way of making historical sites become stories of human interest rather than just dates and facts. In fact, his personality was one of the attractions of Kyoto. He shared some family insights that allowed us to see a side of Japanese life that normally we wouldn’t know. It was a perfect couple of days. Thanks Masaki and I hope you continue and succeed with all of your personal interests. John & Pearl

Masaki:

Dear Pearl san and John san It's truly an honor for me to hear words like these. I'm also really glad everything worked out nicely including the weather! "his personality was one of the attractions of Kyoto" This is one of my ultimate goals as a tour guide, I can't thank you enough. I will keep studying and really hope to see you again in the future! Warm Regards, Masaki Makoon Mori

Krystal ( Family ) Singapore

Krystal Singapore ( Family )

Excellent

1 year ago

“ Wonderful 1st visit to Kyoto ”

First time visit to Kyoto to see autumn foliage and we chosen Makoon as our guide. He made a allergy card for my mum as it could be useful for my mum while we are in japan. We went to Arashiyama and we loved it. He shared with us his knowledge of Japanese culture and Kyoto history. The one day tour with Makoon as our guide is totally worth it. He took some pictures of us and these picture are memorable for us. We had okonomiyaki for lunch and it was yummy. Me and my mum really enjoy the tour and will certainly have Makoon as our guide again if we get to go Kyoto again! Thank you Makoon :)

Masaki:

Dear Krystal san, I'd like to show my appreciation to your kind review. I was glad that you got to see some of the highlights of autumn foliage. It was indeed beautiful especially in that small less known temple! Please enjoy those pictures and remember the great time you spent in Kyoto. Warm Regards, Masaki Makoon Mori

Karleen ( Friends ) United States

Karleen United States ( Friends )

Excellent

1 year ago

“ Great tour of the "hidden" gems of Kyoto...just as requested. ”

Since this was not the first visit to Kyoto for us, we did not need to visit the places included in the usual Kyoto tour but wanted to learn more about the history of Kyoto. We expressed interest in the Meiji Restoration era and Masaki did a wonderful job taking us to the places that were important in that era, including the history and stories about each place. It was a 5 hour walking tour of "hidden gems" and it did not disappoint. We had the good fortune to have a maiko, a geisha in training, walk by us. Masaki even ordered good weather for for the 6 of us .

Masaki:

Dear Karleen sanm I'd like to appreciate to your kind review! The tour with you was great for me too, as I could really go deep with a lot of hidden gems and secret history of Kyoto! I was really happy to hear you found a lot of new things about Kyoto even though you had come here quite many times! I'm sincerely looking forward to meeting you again. Warm Regards, Makoon

Ellyn ( Friends ) United States

Ellyn United States ( Friends )

Excellent

1 year ago

“ Wonderful Day in Kyoto ”

Masaki (Makoon) is an excellent guide. Besides being so knowledgeable, he is charming and fun to be with. We had been to Kyoto before, but Makoon made it seem like a whole new experience. We enjoyed walking in the Gion area and seeing another side to the more formal sights in Kyoto. He was very caring and considerate as my husband has a bit of trouble walking and he made sure we took breaks and walked at his slower pace. I could not have chosen a better guide....just excellent in every way.

Masaki:

Dear Ellyn san, It's truly an honor for me to recieve words like yours. I'd like to thank you again for your decision to come to Kyoto. When you are on a cruise ship, going out for a tour is actually a challenge. Bus tours are not always flexible, public transportation is complicated, and more than anything, time restriction. We saw quite a lot in the limited time, and I'm especially happy to hear it was "a whole new experience"! There's always more in this ancient capital! I'm sincerely looking forward to seeing you again! Warm Regards, Masaki Makoon Mori

See all reviews ( 130 )

Excellent		98%
Very Good		2%
Good		0%
Poor		0%
Horrible		0%

Masaki

About

Price

Private Tours

Your very own Kyoto Tour!

Be a Monkey Experience

Your very own Kyoto Tour! (Jun. 20th to Aug. 25th in 2021)

Your very own Kyoto Tour! (Mar. 20th - Apr. 20th)

Your very own Kyoto Tour! (Nov.15th - Nov.30th)

Be a Monkey!!　 Experience (Nov.15th - 30th)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make changes after I book?

Starting and ending points of the tour.

What happens after I book a tour?

Is the price per person or per group?

Can I add more people to my booking?

Will there be other tourists in my tour?

Can the guide pickup me at the airport?

I'm travelling alone. Can I book this tour?

Cancellation Policy

“ Off the charts A+++ Guide (look no further) ”

“ Masaki was on of the best parts of our tour. ”

“ Wonderful 1st visit to Kyoto ”

“ Great tour of the "hidden" gems of Kyoto...just as requested. ”

“ Wonderful Day in Kyoto ”

Blog

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