• Private Tour
• Family Friendly
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

Imagine this: a scenic road trip from Kyoto to explore Arashiyama with stops along the way to discover viewpoints, villages, incredible nature, and cultural gems. Sounds like a dream? No, it’s possible on a Withlocals day trip with a local host leading the way!

Destination

Kyoto, Japan

Category

Day Trips

Duration

6 hours

Transport mode

Public Transport

Available languages

English, Indonesian, 日本語, עברית, Italiano, Español, العربية, Français

Included

• Private Guide
• Public Transportation
• 1 Local Tasting
• Tickets for Iwatayama Monkey Park; Okochi Sanso Villa and Tenryuji temple
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• Entrance for other attractions than mentioned
• Lunch (on guest expenses)

What you can expect

Choose your local

Get to know these 10 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.

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 Kyoto station - at the Central Exit in front of Porta Dining and 7 Eleven - 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. Station Meeting Point

   Meet and greet your local host at an agreed station and get an introduction to your full-day trip and what to expect

4. Scenic Trip

   This full-day trip is arranged for you, so all you have to do is enjoy the sights as your host takes you through Arashiyama while telling you incredible stories and insight

5. Only You & Your Host!

   Forget about cramped touristy buses, on this private day trip, you’ll have all of your host’s attention. Get the chance to speak 1-1 and get all of your questions answered for a personal experience that will make this trip more memorable

6. What’s in Store for You

   Check out from viewpoints, nature, and cultural gems such as Bamboo Grove, Tenryuji Temple and Monkey Park Iwatayama plus other stops your local host has prepared for you along the way

7. Optional Lunch

   Along the way, your local host will recommend you typical and local places where you can stop to have lunch and catch a break. Lunch is not included in the price

8. 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

Julie

(About local Guia)

5 July 2025

My 16 yr old son and I took a tour of Arishiyama Bamboo Forest, a villa, and the town area with Guia. My son was dead set against a tour at first, and afterward he raved about what a wonderful time it was and how he is “now sold on tours”! Guia was knowledgable and a great guide who knew how to pivot when some places were closed due to our need for a late start. We highly recommend a tour with her!Wonderful Afternoon with Guia

Wendi

(About local RYUKI )

12 June 2025

We had an amazing experience in Kyoto thanks to our wonderful tour guide. He was kind, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable—sharing the city’s history with real passion and excitement. He handled our large group of 10 (including teenage kids!) with ease and was especially great with the children, keeping them engaged and happy throughout the day. He was on time, organized, and sweet, and made our day in Kyoto truly unforgettable. Highly recommend! Big group with teen children.

Nathalie🇨🇭 Switzerland

(About local Eiji)

10 June 2025

We had the absolute pleasure of doing a guided tour of Kyoto with Eiji, and I can’t recommend him enough. From the very beginning, he was incredibly warm, kind, and welcoming — the kind of person who instantly makes you feel at ease. He’s extremely knowledgeable and shared so many fascinating stories and historical insights about Kyoto that really brought the city to life. What stood out the most was how thoughtful and patient he was with us throughout the entire experience. Eiji went out of his way to take so many beautiful photos of us along the way — such a kind gesture — and even sent them afterward to us, which meant the world to us. It’s little things like that which make a guide truly special. Overall, Eiji is not only an amazing guide but a genuinely lovely person. We were so grateful to have met him and will remember this day fondly. Thank you, Eiji!Eiji, a guide like no other

Sundy

(About local Guia)

2 May 2025

Guia took incredibly good care of us, from completing the booking to completing the tour. She was warm, friendly, efficient, considerate, knowledgeable, and patient with our large group. She helped us find just the right experiences, going above and beyond in some instances. The experience was delightful. We highly recommend her!Delightful

Sundy

(About local Guia)

2 May 2025

Guia took incredible care of us, from completing the booking to completing the tour. She was warm, friendly, efficient, considerate, knowledgeable, and patient with our large group. She helped us find just the right experiences, going above and beyond in some instances. We highly recommend her!Superb Service

Gabriel🇺🇸 United States

(About local Sebastian)

28 November 2024

Great experience!! Sebastian is the best guide of Kyoto!! My wife and myself went with him to all the best places, including all the temples and a tea ceremony. Ask for Sebastian if you are in Kyoto, Thank you!!!The Best of Kyoto with Sebastian!!

Camilla🇺🇸 United States

(About local Yoshihiro)

21 August 2024

Better late than never! Teddy-san was amazing. He was very responsive and more than willing to modify our tour to include a location we requested. He also recommended some temple night illumination events, and we’re so glad we followed his advice. The experience was absolutely beautiful! We also lost a souvenir we had bought for our niece and described to him where we had purchased it, but we couldn’t remember how to get back there. At the end of the tour, Teddy went out of his way to take us to the place he thought matched our description. It was such a kind and thoughtful gesture. We highly recommend Teddy—he’s sociable, very nice, and a fantastic guide.Teddy is sweet and kind!

Candy🇺🇸 United States

(About local Guia)

19 August 2024

We had an amazing experience with Guia as our guide in the bamboo forest and Arashiyama! Her deep knowledge of the area’s history added so much value to our visit. Guia was incredibly patient and flexible, seamlessly adjusting the itinerary to suit our needs. As a family with varying ages, we were especially grateful for how well she connected with everyone, making sure each person felt engaged and included. Her warmth and attentiveness made this tour truly special. Highly recommend Guia for anyone looking to explore this beautiful area with an expert guide!Guia’s Tour was Arashiyama-zing

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

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

Colleen 🇳🇿 New Zealand

(About local Eiji)

24 February 2023

Eiji is a lovely guide, taking us to Arashyiyama and then to two wonderful temples. Eiji is well informed and was eager to meet our needs for both sights and restaurants and to see things at a pace that allowed us to appreciate everything. Thank you for a memorable day.Wonderful day trip

Sergiu🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Hiroki)

27 July 2025

I had an incredible time exploring Osaka with Hiroki! His knowledge of the city’s history, culture, and hidden gems made the tour truly unforgettable. Hiroki was friendly, engaging, and tailored the experience to our interests, ensuring we saw the best of Osaka. From the vibrant Dotonbori to serene temples, every moment was well-planned and enjoyable. I highly recommend booking with Hiroki for an authentic and memorable Osaka adventure! Thank you for an amazing experience!Thank you for an amazing experience!

Amber🇺🇸 United States

(About local RYUKI )

27 July 2025

We had a wonderful morning with Ryuki visiting temples and hidden gems. It was a wonderful intro to Kyoto and he even tailored our time to manage the heat of late July by visiting a delicious cherry blossom ice cream shop (our 9 year old loved it). I would absolutely recommend Ryuki to anyone visiting, he is born and raised in Kyoto making this a true "with locals" experience! Thank you Ryuki!Wonderful Tour with Ryuki

jameselliotlawrence1975

(About local Yoshihiro)

26 July 2025

We had a fantastic morning with Yoshihiro (Ted) at Shimogamo water festival. Ted has really considered our brief, 'off the tourist trail, with some fun for the kids', he hit the brief spot on. I would highly recommend booking a tour with Ted, his english is great and so is his patience and most importantly he has a wealth of knowledge. If/when I return to Kyoto i would happily spend some more time with TedAuthentic tour with a great guide

Dana

(About local Eiji)

24 July 2025

We had a great bicycle tour with Eiji! Eiji is a very kind, relaxed and happy guide. Hé told us many stories about Japanse culture and answered all of our questions. When we come back we will definitely contact Eiji again. Eiji is a great guide!

Sergiu🇩🇪 Germany

(About local RYUKI )

24 July 2025

Amazing experience! We had a fantastic time with Ryuki as our tour guide! He was incredibly kind, knowledgeable, attentive, and helpful throughout the entire tour. We learned so much, laughed a lot, and truly enjoyed every moment. Thank you, Ryuki, for making our trip so special – you’re the best! 🙏🌟Unfofetable, Amazing experience!

Dustin

(About local RYUKI )

23 July 2025

We went to Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Osaka and ended at Kyoto. Our last night we did a food tour with Ryuki, it was me, my wife and another couple. The girls wanted to cancel and do our “own thing” but we did the tour and we were all so glad we did. We did tours at other parts of Japan and this was by far the best! Ryuki knew all of the local spots to go, was fun, friendly, informative and we loved it. Next time we are in Kyoto we will meet with Ryuki for drinks!AMAZING GUIDE!!!

Damiano🇮🇹 Italy

(About local Yoshihiro)

23 July 2025

Best guide everTed simply the best

Zac🇺🇸 United States

(About local Sebastian)

23 July 2025

Sebastian sabe mucha historia local y todos los detalles del castillo. Además él supo conectar con la gente del grupo menos inspirado por la historia, contando temas japoneses interesantes para ellos para que todos se lo pasaran muy bien. Sebastian fue fantástico!

Paula🇩🇰 Denmark

(About local Yoshihiro)

21 July 2025

We had the best time with Yoshihiro who was very communicative before our tour which made is feel very welcome. He was incredibly flexible and gave is three good optional tours on the day which was specifically nice because it was so warm so we adjusted the original plan. We visited SO many spots that we would never have seen, food we never would have tried if it wasnt for Yoshihiro. Hils english is great and he is incredibly helpful with all kinds of other tips for after the tour. Can highly recommend! Charming knowledgable guide

Vladmir

(About local Hiroki)

20 July 2025

Thank you Hiroki for amazing experience. We were looking for guided culinary tour as a family (2 adults and 3 teenagers). We started through busy Namba area, and Hiroki took us to very special and diverse restaurants, each very different from another with special atmosphere and delicious food. Calmly navigating through the crowded streets, Hiroki made us feel cozy and comfortable. We also had a lot of question about the culture and Hiroki was eager to share his insight, which made our experience even more meaningful. Thank you again. Amazing culinary experience in Osaka

Katja🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Hiroki)

20 July 2025

We loved the foodtour with Hiroki. He was very kind and let us try many different kind of foods. From trendy to traditional. We loved to make our own okonomiyaki. He also gave us some tips for the rest of our trip. Thank you so much, Hiroki. Fantastic foodtour

Leslie🇺🇸 United States

(About local RYUKI )

19 July 2025

We were touring Kyoto on an extremely hot day. Ryuki, who is a Kyoto local, did an amazing job of taking us to many of the most beautiful and historic places, while also showing us some indoor local restaurants and shops so that we could cool down for a few minutes every now and then. Our whole family loved Ryuki's positive, upbeat personality as well as his many trivia facts about the city. We really enjoyed our experience and would highly recommend Ryuki to anyone! Ryuki is the best!

Anna🇮🇱 Israel

(About local Yoshihiro)

19 July 2025

We had a fantastic tour with Ted in the center of Kyoto! It was engaging and full of interesting information. Ted patiently answered all of our questions and even recommended a great restaurant and other places based on our interests. We definitely recommend taking a walk with Ted!Great Experience

Bernie🇺🇸 United States

(About local Tiro)

19 July 2025

We met Tiro right on time at the designated spot and hit it off right away. He was fun and really good at and excited to be a guide. He was full of little and big facts and tied in the history of what we were seeing as well as giving great tips about current Kyoto. Tiro kept things moving, we walked and talked a lot but still took time for a break or 2. Felt like an old friend by the time we left for our hotel Had a Fantastic Tour with Tiro

Kristian🇩🇰 Denmark

(About local Hiroki)

19 July 2025

Nice easy going guidance by Hiroki taking us to places we wouldnt go / find ourselves. Easy to talk to and nice likable personality. We had a great time. Great local knowledge and special places

Andrew🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Simone)

18 July 2025

Simone is a great guide. He was very knowledgeable, but also very accommodating and personable. Highly recommend. Our group had a variety of tastes/wants/needs, and he was able to meet them all. Thank you, Simone!Simone is great

Tom🇺🇸 United States

(About local Simone)

17 July 2025

We could not find a better guide than Simone. Smart, energetic, well informed, good sense of humor. I would also consider Simone for general touring not only a food tour. We have done many and Simone is at the top of the list! Book him now, you won’t be disappointed. Japanese food beyond sushi and shashimi!

Bill🇺🇸 United States

(About local Guia)

16 July 2025

Guia started our Kyoto food tour in a small teppanayaki-style restaurant, the kind with a hot griddle in the middle of each table. Among the items she ordered for the four of us to try was yakisoba, a delicious noodle dish that I couldn’t stop eating. Luckily Guia knew exactly how to make it and wrote the recipe for it in my phone. From there we went on to the Nishiki Market where we sampled a lot of food from an unending number of stalls. One of the next best stops was to briefly sit at a counter to be served the famous Wagyu beef. Yum. Guia never rushed us through the market and was so patient as we quizzed her about all the packages of food that were new to us and written in Japanese. Having grown up in the Philippines , she is a native English speaker, always a welcome help.Fantastic food tour of Kyoto

Yasa

(About local David)

16 July 2025

David has his soul in Japan and these tours. He speaks fluent English and knows the hidden paths to avoid crowds. The tour is worth every penny!!The tour is worth every penny!

Andrew

(About local David)

15 July 2025

David was a great guide - knowledgeable, energetic, and funny! He customized the tour just for us and even did magic to entertain the kids. Highly recommended!Great guide - knowledgeable, energetic and funny!

Wu🇺🇸 United States

(About local Yoshihiro)

15 July 2025

We loved spending time touring Gion and Nishiki market with Ted! He is very knowledgeable about the history of Kyoto, and he recommended amazing food for us at Nishiki market! Definitely recommend Ted, he is a fantastic guide and he was very accommodating. Learned a lot about the Culture of Maiko/Geiko, as well as Kabuki history. Ted even sent us food recommendations for our next destination which was Osaka. Superb!A great tour with Ted

Tamara

(About local Eiji)

14 July 2025

We thoroughly enjoyed our tasting tour with Eiji. He was friendly, informative and accommodating to the fussy needs of our teenager. He also took loads of fantastic photos for us. I highly recommend booking a tour with Eiji, you won't be disappointed.Fantastic day with Eiji

Elicia🇺🇸 United States

(About local Eiji)

14 July 2025

Eiji was very very nice, and he took us to some interesting spots in Kyoto, but it was also the least informative city tour I have ever been on, anywhere in the world. Mostly, he took us to spots and took our photo, and/or gave us 5 minutes to walk around. He didn't tell us much of anything about any of the areas. If you are mostly interested in getting a bunch of group photos around Kyoto, then this tour will work for you. Not very informative

Jenn🇺🇸 United States

(About local Simone)

13 July 2025

We had such an amazing time on this food tour with Simone. Our stomachs AND our hearts were full! Simone is a knowledgable guide, excellent communicator, history buff, foodie and he managed to connect with each of us in our group, spanning ages 65 to 17--no easy feat. Our teen son said he had no idea that a tour or a tour guide could be like this--this GOOD! It was worth every penny and more! If he's open, book it now. You will not regret it. Truly, Simone is that "One in a million." --from US family of 4 (foodies)The BEST!

Jeppe🇩🇰 Denmark

(About local RYUKI )

12 July 2025

Ryuki was super sweet and kind. He has a vast knowledge of the area. We had a great tour, where we learned many new things, and saw some very beautiful places. It was a very good experience! Beautiful tour in beautiful Kyoto

Tao🇺🇸 United States

(About local Eiji)

9 July 2025

I had the pleasure of having Eiji as our guide, and I can honestly say he made the entire experience unforgettable! From the start, he was incredibly friendly and approachable, making everyone in our large group feel at ease. Eiji's ability to smoothly manage the group and accommodate last-minute requests was truly impressive. No matter the change, he handled everything with ease and kept things running perfectly. He was also incredibly responsive to any inquiries I had, ensuring I felt well taken care of throughout the trip. At one point, there was a slight issue with one of the bikes, and without hesitation, Eiji swapped his own bike to make sure no one had any issues. That extra attention to detail really stood out and showed how much he cared about everyone’s experience. The ride itself was so much fun, and the treats Eiji brought for us were a lovely, thoughtful touch. He created a warm, friendly atmosphere and was a joy to be around. His energy and enthusiasm truly made the trip enjoyable, and I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a guide who goes above and beyond. Thank you, Eiji, for an unforgettable adventure!Exceptional Guide

Khatera

(About local Tiro)

8 July 2025

Tiro was the best guide! He was very knowledgable and interactive with our kids, kept everyone engaged, yet learning tons of information about Kyoto and Japan. Highly recommend Tiro!!!!Fantastic guide!

alisa.lev89

(About local Eiji)

6 July 2025

We were lucky to meet Eiji San. He was exactly what we were looking for and got to learn and connect and explore. Great time! Amazing guide!

Raf🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Yoshihiro)

6 July 2025

Yoshihiro took al the time to give us a fantastic experience. He also gave us extra advice through whatsapp, also about OsakaGreat knowledge and service

Kathi

(About local Simone)

5 July 2025

Simone was great and very knowledgeable. We got so much in in a short time. He was engaging and accommodating, even with the crazy heat.

Vanessa🇺🇸 United States

(About local Yoshihiro)

5 July 2025

The day we had our private tour with yoshihiro it was raining very hard in Kyoto, and even so we had an amazing time! We learned so much we would not have learned about geishas and its history. He also made sure to give us recommendations that accommodated it us it was a wonderful time and we highly recommend!!!!Wonderful knowledgeable experience

Emma🇨🇷 Costa Rica

(About local Simone)

4 July 2025

Simone was an amazing tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about Japan and its history and answered all our questions. He took us to great places in Kyoto, especially ones a bit more niche we wouldn’t have found on our own. He was very patient with us and even took the time to send us restaurant recommendations later. 10/10, would definitely recommend you book your tour with him. Informative and beautiful tour

rsilverberg25

(About local Yoshihiro)

4 July 2025

Ted was awesome . Highly recommend him in Kyoto. Knew his stuff and was very accommodating to our group was above and beyond what we expected . Enjoy …Ted was an amazing guide in Kyoto

Jason

(About local Simone)

2 July 2025

We had an incredible time on our food tour in Osaka, thanks to our fantastic guide, Simone. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and made us feel welcome right from the start. Simone took us to excellent local spots we never would have found on our own, and every stop had delicious food and great stories behind it. He shared so much interesting history about the city and culture, which made the experience even more memorable. We left full, happy, and with a deeper appreciation for Osaka’s amazing food and city. We highly recommend this tour and cannot recommend Simone enough to anyone visiting!A wonderful Osaka food tour experience

Steven🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Guia)

1 July 2025

Guia was a lovely lady who had a wealth of knowledge and a happy friendly personality. She expertly guided us around Kyoto and a smooth and effective pace, taking into consideration the heat that particular day. I would highly recommend her and will miss her smiley face.Fun and informative

David and Susan🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Yoshihiro)

30 June 2025

Yoshihiro was most accommodating and came to our hotel to meet us. He is very friendly and clearly knowledgeable on all Kyoto has to offer. He gave detailed historical information with insights on why this beautiful city came to be and encouraged us to see the Silver Temple and its gardens which was the highlight of our visit. Meeting Yoshihiro

Lynley

(About local David)

29 June 2025

David’s tour was excellent!! He gave us many choices to personalize our experience, was very knowledgeable and kind. We enjoyed our tour tremendously and would highly recommend him to others!Fully Personalized experience

Mojca🇸🇮 Slovenia

(About local Tiro)

28 June 2025

This was a special experience to have a guide all by yourself and with so much flexibility. Tiro guided us around so smoothly, so all we did was enjoy the area without looking at the map or reading the guide book. He told us most interesting facts and stories, which we enjoyed very very much. During the tour we had a deliciouis snack. Three hours passed soo quickly, but without any further dues Tiro showed us all what he planned. We enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and we loved the seven rule quize. We keep it in mind as we go, especially the last one :) We are very greatful for this experience and we highly recommend Tiro for the tour. Afterwards ( and even before we arrived to Kyoto), he gave us further recommendations on food, which turned out to be delicious. Last, but not last, during the tour we got lucky to see maiko on the street. Excellent experience

Charma🇺🇸 United States

(About local Eiji)

25 June 2025

This tour was fantastic! Eiji made the experience exceptional, and I would recommend him to anyone considering this tour. For the Nishiki Market portion of the tour, Eiji recommended the foods and we had the ability to decline and try something different. We chose to take his recommendations and try the things he thought we would enjoy. He focused on the shops that had been in the market for a very long time and not the new pop-up tourist trap stalls. He took a ton of pictures for us as we tried the different things. He also explained the origin/history of the foods we were trying. Part two of the tour was even better! Eiji took us to several different shrines and explained the rituals that are performed by those who worship at the shrines. He walked us through areas in Gion and pointed out things we never would have known or never would have seen. He gave us an education into things that we were interested in learning but didn't expect to get from this tour. This was by far one of the best tours I have taken in many years of traveling. When I go back to Kyoto, I will book a tour with him again! Thank you Eiji for making this a wonderful time for us. Amazing Guide