• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

Want to get a real local taste of the Kyoto? Give it a taste and find out on this private tour in Kyoto! Join a local host expert in food and culture on a tour that will satisfy your cultural cravings for with tastings, history, and highlights.

Destination

Kyoto, Japan

Category

Food Tours

Duration

2.5 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

العربية, English, Français

Included

• Private Guide
• 4 Tastings
• Entrance Sake Museum
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• Entrance to any other attractions than mentioned

What you can expect

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at Yoshijima Station Outside the North Exit - Kyoto to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. Food & Culture

   On this private tour, discover why is so relevant for the locals and their culture. Your local host is ready to take you on a tour where flavor, traditions, and cultural history combine to give you the perfect taste of Kyoto

4. Authentic Tastings

   To fully understand the significance of food in the Japanese culture, you must give it a try. And on this tour, you’ll get to enjoy Gekkeikan sake, Japanese pickles, and other tastings that put this food tradition on the map!

5. Food Traditions

   Do as the locals do and embrace the way they enjoy - the authentic way. Learn the history behind this local ritual, the right way to enjoy it, and tips and tricks on how to keep it alive for the rest of your stay

6. Cultural Highlights

   Visit highlights relevant to the food and cultural theme of your tour where you can know more about Kyoto and where your local host can give more insights and recommendations

7. Make it yours

   Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

   Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

   Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Andreas🇪🇸 Spain

(About local Mako)

25 June 2023

First of all Mako is a lovely person and a good guide with excellent English. I would highly recommend her. We have done several tours with withlocals, and always liked them, because they give you experiences that you wouldn’t be able to organize by yourself. This program was a bit different- the sake tasting at a brewery can be organized quite easily, the cafe next to it is on the main route to the museum, and with these two we were a bit running out of program and went to a temple - unrelated to the sake theme of the tour. In order to have this program up to the level we are used to with withlocals, it would need different things -visit a smaller brewery that’s less known, visit a rice field, something that’s not on the beaten path, if that makes sense. But again, we had a nice time with Mako and would not hesitate to do other tours with her.Great guide, program to be improved

Peter🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Mako)

8 May 2023

We booked the sake tour with guide Mako and we had a very great time. We learned a lot about sake and we tried several different flavours. Mako was a very nice guide and when you are in Kyoto you defenitly should book this tour with herVery nice tour

Merielle🇺🇸 United States

(About local Ollie)

10 February 2023

I'd give Ollie 5/5 stars. He was a super friendly and knowledgeable tour guide. He adapted the walking tour to our interests - bringing us to a bamboo garden in a beautiful fall forest when we told him we like nature and also to a building with walls covered in murals when I told him I'm a painter. The "Tom Cruise" steps aka the steps Tom Cruise walked up in the last Samurai was a cool spot to see too. I am also thankful to Ollie for knowing of a delicious vegan noodle restaurant and ending the walking tour at that location so we could grab lunch. It was one of our favorite meals that we had in Japan.Amazing Guide!

kelly🇺🇸 United States

(About local Yoshie)

2 January 2020

Our family did a Sake Tasting with Yoshie. What a great person!! She was so knowledge on the subject. We visited the sake brewery, Gekkeikan where we earned about the process of making Sake. There we also tasted 3 different varieties they make. Then afterwards, she took us to a place where we were actually able to taste a large variety of sakes. We did 5 flights of sake that each had 3 different sakes. It made it much easier to understand the different varieties. Yoshie is a wonderful person - so much fun! Can't say enough nice things about her. She was able to give us ideas of where to eat lunch beforehand in that area and made sure that we were on the right train back into Kyoto. You won't be disappointed.Off the Charts!!

Mathilde

(About local Maha)

6 January 2025

Nous avons passé une super après-midi avec Maha, qui nous a fait découvrir Kyoto et qui a adapté la visite à nos enfants (4 ans et 7 ans). Super expérience avec une guide enthousiaste et qui connait très bien la ville et la culture japonaise.Super visite de Kyoto avec nos enfants

Bernard🇫🇷 France

(About local Maha)

25 November 2024

Maha est très disponible et professionnelleTrès bon accompagnement

Mary Ellen 🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Maha)

13 November 2024

Maha was so helpful and friendly. Really enjoyed our time with her. We spent a couple of hours with her in Gion. She helped plan the rest of our time in Kyoto. Very knowledgeable. Lovely person. Afternoon tour in Gion

Florence🇨🇭 Switzerland

(About local Maha)

10 November 2024

We’re a group of 3 people and Maha guided us through Kyoto and the must to see sites for a one-day visit. Maha is very friendly, professional and knows very well the town and the Japanese culture. We enjoyed being with her and learning more about Japan. Thus, she gave us advice about our trip and good places where to go eating. We highly recommend her services. We all speak French and Maha speaks perfectly our language. Friendly & professional guide !

Margaret🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Maha)

9 November 2024

Maha was a delightful guide to some interesting temples and a wonderful old area with street food and beautiful houses. She encouraged us to go back at night and we were glad we did. The lighting of the huge Pagoda was magical. As wonderful walking tour with Maha

Jarrod🇺🇸 United States

(About local Maha)

20 October 2024

Maha was a wonderful guide, knowledgeable and friendly. Had a great time walking through the main attractions of the tour and helped immensely on my upcoming itinerary for following days. This was the only tour I did in my time in Kyoto and it was definitely a highlight and my experience here was better because of it! Thank you Maha Great Day in Kyoto

Victoria🇫🇷 France

(About local Maha)

11 October 2024

Thank you, we spent a lovely afternoon and so much appreciated your patience with our kids. And even for small advice your gave us. Really helpful!Enjoyable afternoon

Camilla🇺🇸 United States

(About local Ollie)

22 August 2024

Better late than never! My husband and I had a tour with Ollie in November of last year. Ollie’s tour wasn’t just a tour. It felt like a local living. Ollie rented us bikes and took us what it felt like the whole Town. He showed us these little temple gems and gave us some stories behind them. Then we went for a matcha making tour, which was one of a kind. Overall the whole tour was truly a unique experience. The bike really gave it a special touch. I truly loved it and highly recommend a tour with Ollie. Ollie tookus on an unforgettable adventure

Castallo 🇮🇹 Italy

(About local Maha)

25 March 2024

Maha è una persona gentile disponibile e preparata, che ci ha preparato un percorso molto interessante nel breve tempo che avevamo a disposizione. La raccomandiamo caldamenteCi siamo trovati molto bene

Rami

(About local Maha)

21 March 2024

Maha was a perfect guide. Her knowledge of history combined with her caring a warm nature made it a perfect day for us. She is efficient, agile, patient, and positive. The day went fast and we loved the experience. Certainly highly recommend. RamiExcellent guide

Claire🇺🇸 United States

(About local Ayaka)

31 December 2023

Ayaka took us around Kyoto and was a lovely guide and so friendly! She answered all our questions about Kyoto, efficiently guided us through the city and shared parts of the Japanese lifestyle and culture with us. Ayaka is an AWESOME guide!!

Pieter Harry

(About local Ollie)

9 November 2023

With Ollie we had a great tour mainly through the green parts of the city. It was great to discover the tempels and the diversity of the city. Ollie is knowledgeable and can tell you a lot about the city.Great tour

email

(About local Ayaka)

16 October 2023

Our tour in Kyoto was terrific! Ayaka-San was extremely knowledgeable, informative and showed us some things that we would have never discovered on our own. She was very clear in her explanations, and we got to learn a lot about the Japanese symbolism and meaning behind the shrines. She taught us how to properly pay respects, and took some unforgettable photos of us. After the trip, Ayaka-San even helped us with food recommendations and helping to purchase something from someone that only spoke Japanese. She was not only a great guide, but a great friend! Would do again!Ayaka is #1!

Veran🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Maha)

11 October 2023

Maha is a personable and knowledgeable host. She took us to some great sights and gave some useful local insight to each. A friendly host! Excellent host

Sylvie

(About local Ayaka)

17 September 2023

Ayaka is super nice, flexible when plans changed and very professional! She is knowledgeable and very polite. I definitely recommend Ayaka!Great experience

Kevin🇺🇸 United States

(About local Ayaka)

23 August 2023

My teenage son and I had a great time exploring Kyoto with Ayaka. She was a great guide who was attentive to our interests and very flexible with the schedule. Outside of the tour she also gave us great suggestions on places to explore and even checked back in with us to ensure we were doing well when a typhoon came through a few days after our tour. I highly recommend her!Wonderful Time in Kyoto

Sarah

(About local Ayaka)

18 August 2023

Verwachting was wandeling + uitleg Kyoto Kregen matcha/thee proeverij Nooit meer Zou dit nooit meer doen.

Michael🇺🇸 United States

(About local Ayaka)

7 August 2023

Ayaka was so nice, so considerate and so thoughtful in how she planned an unforgettable experience. We never felt rushed when we wanted to spend more time in any spot and were able to get everything she planned done, which Ayaka tailored after we told her our interests. Would definitely recommend her to anyone traveling in the area. Okini Ayaka-San!!!Incredible Guide and New Friend!

cleveland_30🇺🇸 United States

(About local Ayaka)

31 July 2023

Ayaka is an awesome tour guide. We got a nice introduction to Kyoto and she was able to show us the popular areas and markets. We took a few extra breaks as it was really hot. She also helped to make us a lunch reservation. Thanks, we had a great time. Morning tour in Kyoto

Marcel🇫🇷 France

(About local Maha)

18 July 2023

The day we spent with Maha was interesting. However, due to the excessive walking time in the heat, and some bus delays, we were quite uncomfortable, and finally missed a part of the program. The price of your services is extremely high. We could have rented an air conditionned car with an English speaking chauffeur for 10 hours, costing less than 550€, and would have had a 100% more comfortable day for a total cost of far less than the nearly 750€ you charged even including entrance fees and an ice cream. Evaluation of a day in Kyoto

Paola🇺🇸 United States

(About local Ayaka)

17 July 2023

Ayaka-san was very nice and sweet with me and my daughter. She showed us local festivals and a very local Ramen restaurant that was delicious. She gave us tips on what to do and recommendations for our remaining time in Kyoto. She answered all of our questions and was very polite and easy to be around. Thank you Ayaka-San!!!

Cosmo🇭🇰 Hong Kong

(About local Maha)

9 July 2023

Sabrina🇺🇸 United States

(About local Ayaka)

28 June 2023

We booked this last minute and we were so glad Ayaka was able to show us around! She was very kind, accommodating and knowledgeable about the city. She showed us the highlights of the city and also recommended some more sightseeing spots and sent us traveling tips even after we parted ways. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide! Amazing Tour Guide!

Nate🇺🇸 United States

(About local Mako)

26 June 2023

This was our third tour in Japan and my kids said that Mako was their favorite guide. She was very nice and knowledgeable. She let us customize the tour to our energy levels and we still got to see so much! We highly recommend her.We had the best time!

Lilli🇺🇸 United States

(About local Mako)

21 June 2023

She was so professional, nice and patient with our family group! We thoroughly enjoyed her tour! Highly recommend her! She knows this city well! Great bike tour with Mako!!

Darcy🇺🇸 United States

(About local Mako)

10 June 2023

Mako completed our day in Kyoto wirh her charm and grace. She knew so much about the city and highlights, (local short cuts also) our day was flawless. I would highly recommend Mako for your day in Kyoto.Japanese hospitality and Charm

Unknown

(About local Yuko)

1 June 2023

Yuko was a great tour guide through Nishiki Market. She was energetic and engaging. We tried foods we never would have considered without her and enjoyed almost all of them. We even found a new favorite furikake. She adjusted the tour to accommodate our food preferences and allergies. We were especially appreciative of her advice sprinkled throughout the tour on other things to do and see in Kyoto and Osaka (our next stop). We recommend a tour with Yuko!!Yuko did a wonderful job!

Vera🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Mako)

27 May 2023

Mako is a real Kyoto local and truly the sweetest person! She showed us the highlights of her beautiful city whilst we had great conversations about Japanese life and culture. We learned a lot but more importantly had a lot of fun together with Mako. Her English is exceptional as well!Best tour guide

Maurizio🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Mako)

25 May 2023

We felt immediately at ease when meeting Mako, and she came across as a knowledgable and very capable tour companion. Mako is quick to give the tour structure, and tailor it to your particular interests. Mako is also excellent at sharing her knowledge and ensuring you get the best experience possible from the tour. It was also a pleasure talking to Mako about Japan in general and learning more about the country. We would recommend Mako without hesitation and would look to choose her again should we ever need another tour guide. Overall an excellent and well conducted walk, with a lovely guide.A warm and friendly guide.

Andrew🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Mako)

24 May 2023

Mako provided us with a friendly, informative and enjoyable tour of v the famous shrines and Gion area. Hee command of English was very good as was her capacity to respond thoughtfully to questions. Kyoto revealed

Luke🇸🇬 Singapore

(About local Ollie)

23 May 2023

We had a great day with Ollie as he expertly guided us through Kyoto and served up the main temple highlights as well as some hidden gems that made our day even more special. We were able to tailor the 8 hours we had with Ollie perfectly and the pace was spot on. Highly recommend!Great Experience with Ollie

Amanda🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Ollie)

13 May 2023

Ollie was an outstanding tour guide especially as it rained all day.Full day Tour of Kyoto

Paul🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Ollie)

14 April 2023

Thank you very much Ollie. Good Experience with hidden gems. Easy to communicate with you. All the best for a wonderfull future Thanks Ineke and PaulOllie was great

chris🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Ollie)

11 April 2023

Despite teaming rain we enjoyed a wonderful exploration of Kyoto with Ollie . Ollie gauged our interests and took us to some amazing temples ,shrines and gardens , even an amazing , hidden shrine with beautiful moss covered stones . He was very informative providing us with little gems of information about the sites we visited . Lunch was enjoyed at a great restaurant overlooking the old part of Kyoto . Would highly recommend Ollie for any excursions around Kyoto . Thanks Ollie

Katrin🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Ollie)

9 April 2023

Olli was a very nice and courteous guide. he adapted the route to my wishes and was even able to show me a few hidden corners and paths that weren't so crowded. so we had a little more peace. At the end he showed me a very nice café and gave me a few addresses and tips for the coming days. it was very nice excursion and I recommend itRecommend Olli and the Tour

Birgit🇳🇴 Norway

(About local Ollie)

1 April 2023

I was travelling on my own and only had a short days stop in Kyoto. I booked Ollie so that I could see as much as possible when I was there. The chat service is great, then I could make wishes and it was easy to communicate. He met me at the train station and we visited several places, by train, taxi and bike. And we had a great meal together. Ollie had picked the best places and it made me want to come back. He is a very relaxed person, and although we did a lot in short time the tour was never stressed. He had lots of information, and since we share a passion for hiking he gave me lots of tips for future trips. I highly recommend Ollie, I had a great day hanging out with him!Custom made day with Ollie

Theo🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Ollie)

14 October 2022

We spent a lovely day with Ollie showing us around Kyoto. Highly recommended Friendly and knowledgeable guide

Jay🇺🇸 United States

(About local Ollie)

14 July 2022

Thanks Ollie for a fun, informative, and spirited hike about Kyoto! There is so much to see. I started with the Arishiyama temple tours, fabulous! You’ll enjoy Kyoto even more with a local tour to get oriented and a flavor for what this ancient city has to offer. And you will find Ollie is a professional, friendly, and experienced tour guide. Thx Ollie!Great day urban hiking Kyoto!

Sarah🇯🇵 Japan

(About local Ollie)

23 March 2022

The tour was prepared according to what I like and it was perfect. Ollie created a wonderful tour with places that are hidden and beautiful. The stories, the history and the details made this experience one to remember for ever. If you want to have fun and enjoy a full day Ollie is amazing. He will always make sure you visit the best places at the best time and also his choice for food was yummy! The best soba and tempura I had in Japan! Thank you Ollie for making me feel like I was walking and discovering Kyoto with a friend. I had a great time. THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE

Sue🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Yoshie)

29 March 2020

Thank you Yoshie for spending the morning with us and showing us some of the highlights of Kyoto. We appreciated your knowledge, your sense of humour and of course where you took us. We really enjoyed all areas that we visited and of course coming across a Maiko making her debut was just an added bonus! Thank you for your tips about other places to go and visit - we really had a great time and enjoyed meeting you very much. And thank you too for the travel tips to get to our meeting point - made our morning a beeze!Put this on your list of must do things in Kyoto!

Ben🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Yoshie)

16 March 2020

Wonderful experience combining historical tour of Shrine's, Temples, shops and buildings in old Kyoto and the market. Gave us a great base for the rest of our time in Kyoto and I would highly recommend. Yoshie was very friendly, easy to communicate with (we were a bit late) and laughed at our jokes. So very helpful, thank-you so much Yoshie you were a great tour guide. Perfect tour

Jennifer🇺🇸 United States

(About local Yoshie)

6 March 2020

Yoshie showed the four of us, including our two kids (8 & 6) around Kyoto. She was very knowledgable and energetic, and was great with the kids. We made good time, even through a surprise ice storm! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Yoshie to other travelers visiting Kyoto looking for a great, insightful guide.Fantastic time with Yoshie

John🇺🇸 United States

(About local Yoshie)

6 March 2020

My wife and I really enjoyed our time with Yoshie. She was very personable and spoke great English. She showed us the main attractions along with other lesser known areas. We also learned about Japanese culture and history as we walked. More importantly she helped my wife shop at the local shops and also took us through the local market and of course the amazing food court at the basement of a department store. We highly recommend her as a local guide.Relaxing stroll with a local

Anne🇺🇸 United States

(About local Yoshie)

4 March 2020

We had such an amazing time in Kyoto with Yoshie. We only had two nights there and wanted to make the most of it. She adapted the tour to what we were interested in and was able to help us experience food and talk to people who we wouldn't have been able to otherwise. She is SO knowledgeable, fun and excited to share Kyoto and the Japanese culture. I would highly recommend this tour and Yoshie as your guide. Thank you, Yoshie!Yoshie is the best!

Monia🇮🇹 Italy

(About local Yoshie)

14 February 2020

Yoshie è stata supe!!! Ci ha fatto fare un tour negli angoli speciali di Kyoto, indicato diversi ristorantini tipici 😋ed è stata molto carina e cordiale, parla benissimo L’ Italiano voto 10!!!Super guida per gli angoli preziosi di Kyoto

David🇺🇸 United States

(About local Yoshie)

29 January 2020

Yoshie was just great Very informative and she clearly loves Kyoto and its culture Yoshie was perfect