Japan

Kyoto

Create charming memories in Kyoto with a private guide! Tailored itineraries, insider knowledge, and personalized attention ensure an unforgettable journey.
Take on Kyoto&rsquo;s traditional treasures with private tours in neighborhoods like Gion and Pontocho for a glimpse into the city's rich heritage. With their narrow alleys, quaint machiya houses, and traditional tea hubs, these areas create a sense of old-world charm. A private tour guide can navigate the centuries old streets, pointing out hidden gems such as specialty shops, historic landmarks, and hidden temples that branch off the typical trails.
Looking for deeper cultural experiences? Tour the city where Japanese tea ceremonies, kimono, geisha and the art of Japanese hospitality (omotenashi) thrive. Your guide will give the best recommendations for where to go, what to do and how to maximize your travel moments.&nbsp;

Local Tour Guides in Kyoto

Let your imagination come alive and journey through Kyoto's wonders with a private virtual tour! Immerse yourself in its beauty from the comfort of home.
Want to experience the iconic Sakura season but can&rsquo;t get to Kyoto in time? A virtual cherry blossom highlights tour is the perfect solution. With the sights and sounds of places like Arashiyama and Gion as your backdrop, you can engage with your tour guide as they reveal why Sakura are such an important symbol of Japan.
Beyond the peaceful pink blossoms, take on the rest and relaxation Kyoto has to offer with a zen garden tour centered around enhancing your quiet time. From the comfort of your screen, you can soak up the reflective vibe of Kyoto with a series of expert guided temple tours featuring perfectly carved Buddha statues, tranquil water features and plenty of time.

Kyoto Virtual Tours & Experiences

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.

Kyoto Private Tour Guide

Unlock the mysteries of Kyoto with a local tour guide! From temples in Gion to lush gardens in Arashiyama, discovering Kyoto&rsquo;s global appeal is one click away.
Ready to cool off from the day&rsquo;s heat and high activity? Book a tour to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a mesmerizing forest of towering bamboo stalks. While a popular destination, private tour guides can lead you off the beaten path to explore lesser-known trails and rest stops, allowing you and your travel team to escape the crowds and rest in the peaceful ambiance of the grove.
Beyond the visual appeal, your Kyoto tour guide can share stories about the significance of bamboo in Japanese culture overall, and help you gain appreciation for Arashiyama's natural beauty in a more intimate way.

Private Tours in Kyoto

Explore Kyoto hassle-free with a private car transport! Enjoy comfort, convenience, and a knowledgeable driver who navigates the city's sights with ease.
Chartering a private car for you and your travel team opens you up to an itinerary that&rsquo;s free of transit hassle and reliance on public transport schedules. No longer limited to the city center, Kyoto's outskirts offer picturesque landscapes and cultural treasures waiting to be explored. Places like the Ohara district, with its rural charm and scenic beauty, provide a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. Just book a day trip and rest as you take on greater Kyoto, one stop at a time.
With a private Kyoto car and driver, your tour transforms into a gateway through the city&rsquo;s rich history, told from the perspective of a local who knows their way around. From the senbon torii gates to the Golden pavilion, transit becomes a simple convenience, even if you just need a ride to and from the airport.

Kyoto Private Cars, Van & Transfers

Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour

Ancient Wizard of Kyoto [4 Hours]

You can discover the truly traditional Kyoto things like professional artifact shops, hidden Japanese sweets shops, art galleries and so on.
Of course, you can visit some temples and shrines which have long histories.
It is a much quieter area than major sightseeing spots and you can see true Kyoto.

Ichijou street is 
1) Ichijou street has a myth about ghosts walking on the street. There is a border bridge between this world and another on this street.
2) This street cuts across a part of Nishijin area where are a lot of textile werehouse.
3) There are many kinds of traditional shops ,rice cake shop, craftwork shop and etc.
4) Also you can see the daily life shops for Kyoto people like Tofu shops,  Japanese cloth or wear shops and etc.
5) And also You can visit some museums like Raku ware( a type of Japanese traditional pottery) museum.

[Ichijou street] Hanging around east-west street  in Kyoto

Kyoto, Arashiyama Expedition Walking Tour

Fushimi & Uji memorable full day tour from central Kyoto

You can discover the truly traditional Kyoto things like professional artifact shops, old Kyo-Machiya buildings, traditional sweets and so on.
Of course, you can visit some temples and shrines .
It is a much quieter area than major sightseeing spots and you can see true Kyoto.
I will help your conversation with shop clerks by interpeting Japanese to English and vice versa.

In Bukkouji street
1) There are lots of traditional shops like urushi lacquering, kimono, Kyoto sweets and so on. You can visit them.
2) The name of this street "Bukkouji" comes from famous temple's name Bukkou-ji along the street.
3) Also you can see the daily life shops for Kyoto people, for example, Japanese spice Hichimi, Japanese cloth kimono and etc.
4) Along this street there is a famous temple named "Mubu-dera" which used to be a office of "Shinsen-gumi", security team of Kyoto in the end of Edo period.

[Bukkouji street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto

This tour is a walking tour, but not so tough. It includes Fushimi Inari Shrine, the most popular tourist’s destination and the top of Inari Mountain. Walking under the thousands of Torii gates, we will enter the sacred world of Mt. Inari where the deity came to earth.
Sennyuji temple might be a lesser known place even for Japanese people, but this temple is very venerable because it has been worshiped by aristocrats and imperial house for a long time. I will take you to old mausoleums of the emperor and aristocrats in confidence.
At Sanjusangen-do temple you may be mesmerized by the 1001 statues of Kanon Bodhisattva and guardian deities from India in the old wooden hall. It’s also well known as a venue for the famous Japanese Archery contest called "Toshiya". My ancestor "Daihahiro WASA", he is a record holder of the contest. I will show you the evidence of it at the temple!! 


Kyoto Hiking tour Fushimi Inari to sanjusangen-do

On this tour, you can enjoy the fall foliage. Although local people visit them, they are not well known to foreign tourists. I'd like to say that these places are less crowded, but they have their own beauty next to none. We can take some breaks sitting in front of the garden with a nice view of the fall foliage.
We need some tips to get there. 

Less crowded, stunning fall foliage - Kyoto

You can discover the truly traditional Kyoto things like professional artifact shops, hidden Japanese sweets shops, art galleries and so on.
Of course, you can visit some temples and shrines which have long histories.
It is a much quieter area than major sightseeing spots and you can see true Kyoto.

In Anekouji street
1) There are many old Kyoto-style houses, Machiya (more than 100years old). And they are used even now as traditional shops like miso shop.
2) Kaleidoscope museum, Kyoto Shibori(dyeing method) museum are very unique.
3) You can discover many kinds of traditional shops ,rice cake shop, craftwork shop and etc.
4) Also you can see the daily life shops for Kyoto people like Tofu shops,  Japanese cloth or wear shops and etc.


[Anekouji street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto

Half-day eastern Kyoto off the beaten track

You can discover the truly traditional Kyoto things like professional artifact shops, hidden Japanese sweets shops and so on.
Of course, you can visit some temples and shrines which have long history.
It is a much quieter area than major sightseeing spots and you can see true Kyoto.
I will help your conversation with shop clerks by interpeting Japanese to English and vice versa.

In Matsubara street
1) We go over Matsubara bridge which used to be Gojou bridge and has famous fighting story.
2) There are lots of shops which are related to Japanese tradition like urushi lacquering, dying for kimono, sweets, japanese candle and so on. You can visit them.
3) Also you can see the daily life shops for Kyoto people, for example, Japanese pickles, Japanese cloth, reed curtain and etc.
4) And this street acrosses strange name street whose name is "Tensi-tukinuke doori" that means "street being penetrated an angel".


[Matubara street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto

Half day western Kyoto, two bamboo forests

Kyoto Murasakino ( Daitokuji ) to Kamigamo tour ( peaceful tour with no hassle with crowd )

Toriimoto walking tour & secret waterfall ( hidden course of Kyoto north of Arashiyama )

Walking Tour of Kiyotaki to Takao ( hidden course Kyoto Arashiyama to north : Nature Tourism )

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Top Kyoto, Japan Private Tours and things to do: Visit Kyoto, Kyoto with Local Guides. Check reviews, photos, request an itinerary, plan a day trip or walking tour.

Off the Beaten Path Kyoto Private Tours

Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour

Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour

Ancient Wizard of Kyoto [4 Hours]

Ancient Wizard of Kyoto [4 Hours]

[Ichijou street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto

[Ichijou street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto

Kyoto, Arashiyama Expedition Walking Tour

Kyoto, Arashiyama Expedition Walking Tour

Fushimi & Uji memorable full day tour from central Kyoto

Fushimi & Uji memorable full day tour from central Kyoto

[Bukkouji street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto

[Bukkouji street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto

Kyoto Hiking tour Fushimi Inari to sanjusangen-do

Kyoto Hiking tour Fushimi Inari to sanjusangen-do

Less crowded, stunning fall foliage - Kyoto

Less crowded, stunning fall foliage - Kyoto

[Anekouji street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto

[Anekouji street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto

Half-day eastern Kyoto off the beaten track

Half-day eastern Kyoto off the beaten track

[Matubara street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto

[Matubara street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto

Half day western Kyoto, two bamboo forests

Half day western Kyoto, two bamboo forests

Kyoto Murasakino ( Daitokuji ) to Kamigamo tour ( peaceful tour with no hassle with crowd )

Kyoto Murasakino ( Daitokuji ) to Kamigamo tour ( peaceful tour with no hassle with crowd )

Toriimoto walking tour & secret waterfall ( hidden course of Kyoto north of Arashiyama )

Toriimoto walking tour & secret waterfall ( hidden course of Kyoto north of Arashiyama )

Walking Tour of Kiyotaki to Takao ( hidden course Kyoto Arashiyama to north : Nature Tourism )

Walking Tour of Kiyotaki to Takao ( hidden course Kyoto Arashiyama to north : Nature Tourism )

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