Joined 2017
Ahmed A.
Available Areas
Kyoto (Living), Nara
Languages
Arabic (Native), English
Response Time
1 hour on average
Availability Updated
--
About Tour Guide Ahmed A.
Hello! I’m Ahmed, a passionate tour guide based in Kyoto, Japan. Originally from Kuwait, I moved back to Palestine where I earned my Medical Degree (MD) in 2008. In 2015, I was fortunate to receive a Japanese government scholarship to pursue further studies at Kyoto University, one of Japan’s top institutions.
Living in Kyoto opened my eyes to the rich history and stunning scenery of this ancient city, which served as Japan’s capital for over a thousand years. It ignited my passion for culture, history, and food, leading me to embark on a rewarding career as a tour guide.
I have traveled extensively across Europe and Asia, and I love sharing my knowledge of Japanese culture with others. I can provide historical insights at every stop, recommend the best local cuisine, and create personalized itineraries, including day trips from Tokyo to Kyoto.
I’m fluent in English and Arabic, and I thrive on connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Whether you’re interested in exploring temples, experiencing traditional cuisine, or simply enjoying the beauty of Kyoto, I’m here to make your visit unforgettable.
Your safety and comfort are my top priorities. I measure my temperature before our tours and am happy to wear a mask if it makes you feel more comfortable. While I'm not a driver, I will accompany you in your vehicle or arrange for a separate car and driver if needed.
Book with confidence and get ready to explore Kyoto with me! I can’t wait to show you why I believe this city is the most beautiful in Japan.
Ahmed, MD, PhD, MBA
Important
See the calendar for availability
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
1-Tailored Full Day Private Experience of Kyoto for 1 Day Visitors
This full-day private tour offers a personalized experience of Kyoto’s iconic landmarks. Perfect for 1-day visitors, it covers famous sites like Bamboo grove, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine and Nijo Castle. You'll also explore the historic Gion area, known for traditional teahouses and geisha culture. The tour provides historical insights and great photo opportunities, and can be customized. Book now to make the most of your Kyoto visit with a fully tailored, exclusive experience.
Discover Kyoto: 6-Hour Guided Sightseeing Tour
Experience Kyoto's highlights in just 6 hours with our guided tour of Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, and Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). Start at Fushimi Inari, renowned for its stunning torii gate pathways, then explore Nijo Castle's impressive architecture and gardens. End with the breathtaking beauty of Kinkaku-ji, where the gold-leaf temple glistens in its pond. Perfect for a comprehensive yet concise exploration of Kyoto's most iconic sites.
Kyoto in a Day: Ultimate Sightseeing Adventure
This comprehensive tour takes you to the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the stunning Kinkaku-ji, the majestic Nijo Castle, and the vibrant Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of torii gates. You’ll also experience the serene beauty of Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the historic charm of the Gion District, known for its traditional teahouses and geisha culture. Perfect for visitors looking to immerse themselves in Kyoto's rich history & culture—all in one unforgettable day.
Nara Highlights: Personalized One-Day Private Tour
Embark on our Exclusive One-Day Nara Tour for a personalized and immersive experience. Explore Nara’s highlights, including the grand Todai-ji Temple with its massive Buddha, the serene Kasuga Taisha Shrine with its lanterns, and the charming Nara Deer Park where friendly deer roam. This private tour offers a tailored itinerary showcasing Nara's rich history and culture, with flexibility to match your interests. Ideal for a comprehensive exploration of Nara in one memorable day.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Gion District Exploration
Join our tour for a captivating journey through Kyoto's historic and cultural highlights. Begin with a visit to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, renowned for its stunning architecture and panoramic city views, beautifully illuminated as twilight descends. Next, immerse yourself in the charm of the Gion District, Kyoto’s famous geisha quarter. Wander through its traditional streets, lined with historic wooden machiya houses and teahouses.
Kyoto's Top City Highlights: 2-Day Tour Experience
This tour takes you through Kyoto’s iconic and culturally significant landmarks. You'll explore famous sites such as the shimmering Kinkaku-ji Temple and the majestic Nijo Castle,an Edo-period marvel that offers a glimpse into Japan’s rich history. This tour is designed to provide a perfect blend of Kyoto’s historical, cultural, and scenic beauty, ideal for first-time visitors. It ensures a deep, immersive experience of Kyoto's timeless charm, creating lasting memories of Japan's cultural heart.
Reviews
Matthew W.
“Solid comprehensive tour of Kyoto”
We arrived in Kyoto around dinner time and had the following day to tour around the city. I looked online for a guide and found Ahmed who was thankfully available on short notice. Ahmed did an excellent job efficiently taking us around to the areas we wanted to see. Had we done it ourselves, it would've taken 3 days, and having a guide was especially helpful since it rained all day. Moreover, Ahmed has a deep historical understanding of each of the sites which was great, and he speaks fluent English which made our interaction easy. If you go with Ahmed, it is absolutely imperative that you also have him order a driver since that's what allows you to see so much. Given our last minute situation, we accepted the high combined cost for guide/taxi/tickets.
Ahmed A.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm really glad I could help make your time in Kyoto enjoyable, even with the rain, and that the tour was efficient and informative for you. Wishing to meet you again in Kyoto
Peter C.
“Deceitful And Inconsiderate”
Be careful when booking with Ahmed. I recently booked a tour with him for the following day. A prior/separate GoWithGuide tour to Mt Fuji from Tokyo included transportation for a similar price and I accidentally overlooked that the transportation was not included in this cost. In less than 4 hours, I realized my mistake and asked to cancel. We were communicating via WhatsApp and he seemed understanding and recommended that I reach out to GoWithGuide for the refund, which I did immediately. See photo for our conversation. Come to find out, he tells GoWithGuide that he refuses to sign off on the refund. Also, there was never any proof provided regarding “turning down another tour” and I generally doubt he received another request as this all took place so quickly. I would recommend staying away from booking any tours from Ahmed unless you are comfortable knowing that you will never get your money back if something happens at the last minute.
Ian B.
“Night time highlights ”
Ahmed was not able to guide us on our visit because of illness but arranged a substitute guide, Matheus. He was fabulous, adapting to our needs easily. A very enjoyable experience.
Ahmed A.
Great you enjoyed it. Thank you so much
Other Popular Tour Guides in Kyoto
Yosshi S.
Thank you for visiting my page. I will guide you to the ancient capital cities with 1000 years of urban development and 100 years of filming and screening history. I grew up in Osaka, studied in Kyoto, and worked for 20 years as an urban planning expert for the national and local governments. During this time, I surveyed many community development sites throughout Japan. I welcomed business leaders to encourage investment in the cities. After quitting my career, I became a film-loving professional engineer. I visited unique cities in foreign countries to see urban planning and locations that appeared in picturesque film scenes and posted photos on social media (90 cities in 30 countries up to now). The more I saw foreign cities, the more I loved my hometown. I wanted to know about the travel industry and got a national license as a Guide-Interpreter and Travel Service Manager. I have started guiding based in the old capital cities. The entire area of old Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara has been a Metropolitan area centered on the Imperial Palace, and the actual location of the Palace has changed 15 times since the 7th century. This area has many historical spots and hidden attractions in different times and places: the townscape, temples, shrines, landscaped gardens, and historical drama locations (SAMURAI drama). I will create your favorite tour using my list, and guide you leisurely. I look forward to hearing from you.
Koichi W.
Hi! I'm Koichi. I was born in Osaka, I studied in Kyoto when I was a university student. Now I live in Shiga next to Kyoto. I am a national government licensed tour guide. I have been guiding about 160 groups over the past twelve months. I usually guide my customers mainly in Kansai region including Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe and Shiga by public transportation systems. Well, I am curious about Japanese history, especially the history of Japan's ancient times since I was raised next to the world biggest mausoleum of the ancient Emperor called "Nintoku" in Sakai city Osaka which has just become one of the world cultural heritage sites. I dug out some ancient earthen ware vessels around there when I was a primary school student like the adventure archaeologist “Indiana Jones" (It’s our secret!!). That was my hobby. Now, one of my hobbies is outdoor activities such as mountaineering, kayaking, skiing and others. So I would like to take you to some good places where you can enjoy Japanese unique nature. I love to guide foreign visitors from all over the world. I think it is my calling or heavenly given job. Let's go and enjoy together! I hope to see you soon.
Yasuhisa K.
I have worked in the multi-national organizations including UN agency for around 30 years and stationed at various cities including Rome, Bangkok and Hanoi. Although I have retired from those international carriers, I wish to keep the international cooperation and develop the friendship with people who visits our country. As I like history and am practicing Noh song and wood curving of Buddha images, I have decided to live in Nara where is surrounded by many historical places and traditional cultures, when I returned back to Japan in 2017. I wish to offer you custom made trip ideas to be able to enjoy the atmosphere of old city, Nara. I am also planning to develop trip plans to enjoy the local cultures. Please call me Yasu.
