• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

Did you know that the Kyoto tour of your dreams exists? Yes, and it’s 100% personalized and created by your local host around your interests. Customize and see only the places that spark your interest. From classic landmarks to neighborhood walks - your wishes are our command!

Destination

Kyoto, Japan

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

3 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

中文, English, 日本語, العربية, Français

Included

• Private guide
• All Withlocals tours are carbon neutral

Excluded

• Entrance tickets
• Tastings
• Transport
• All the above can be arranged with your local host through a personalised offer

What you can expect

Choose your local

Get to know these 4 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 In front of Yamanekoken Café - 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. This Experience is YOURS!

   See the landmarks and places in Kyoto that you pick on a 100% personalized tour. Make this a one-of-a-kind experience that will satisfy your curiosity with the help of a local. All you have to do is tell them your preferences and interests

4. See THE Main Attractions

   What’s on your bucket list? Hop from landmark to landmark admiring them from the outside, and get recommendations from your local host on what’s the best way to enjoy them to the fullest

5. Off the Beaten Path

   What if there’s a way to see the city’s main attraction from a different angle? All of this while avoiding the touristy crowds? It’s possible with a local by your side!

6. Neighborhood Exploring

   Spend some time deep-diving into the neighborhoods of Kyoto; there’s plenty of treasures to discover! From history, architecture, and local hangout spots, what area would you like to visit?

7. Amazing City Views

   Find the best lookout places in the city where you can spot your favorite landmarks as well as enjoy breathtaking views of the city - a picture-perfect personalized tour

8. All of Kyoto

   Go on a full-day tour to see the highlights of the city. Pick the places, duration and let a local take you on a journey where you’ll cross the must-sees from Kyoto off your list

9. 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

Jana🇺🇸 United States

(About local Guia)

18 April 2025

Guia was an amazing guide to have for my family during our time in Kyoto! We went on two tours with Guia, and she was so kind and helpful! We had some truly great experiences with Guia. She was able to share some stories and history behind what we were seeing-which really makes so much more of an impact, and she did so great with our three kids! She really made our time so much more meaningful. So glad we booked two tours with Guia. Thank you!Amazing guide and experience!

justin🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Ahmed)

13 January 2025

We are a family of two adults and two teens and we did the 3hr tour of Kyoto with Ahmed. We would highly recommend it. Ahmed met us at the station and took us on a tour through shrines, alleyways and local neighbourhoods. Ahmed was very friendly and very knowledgeable. We enjoyed hearing his insight of the local Kyoto sights as well as discussing Japan more generally. highly recommend

Bonnie

(About local Guia)

22 April 2025

We had a wonderful culture tour of the Gion area with Guia. Guia is very knowledgeable about the maiko/geisha training, culture and history. She also shared great insights into Japanese culture and life in Japan. Thanks!Insightful

Heather

(About local Guia)

20 April 2025

Guia gave us a wonderful tour in Kyoto - she was warm and personable. She was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot. The kids are still bringing up things they learned from Guia today on the tour. Guia was deft at giving a tour that met the needs of an age range of 11 yrs old to 54 years old. Guia is the perfect tour guide

Laura🇺🇸 United States

(About local Ahmed)

19 April 2025

We had booked our full day tour with Ahmed, but he was ill and offered a replacement guide instead. It was a little confusing, I wasn't sure who would show up or what the new guide's name was, but Manabu turned out to be fantastic and we had a great day. It was actually serendipitous, he was a former novice monk, so he had a lot to teach us about Shinto/Buddhism, the temples, the omamori, and even looked up our individual Buddhas. He knew a lot of places to go where the crowds were less intense, but being high season, the crowds were still intense. Ahmed had advised us to hire a driver for USD $500+ for the day to avoid packed public transit, but that wasn't in our budget after paying $700+ for the tour itself (for 3 people). We ended up using taxis instead, which was much more cost effective and much easier. We never had a problem finding a taxi, and it was not expensive. I'd recommend that for anyone, it was very convenient and the best of all worlds. We were able to see more and do more without time wasted on buses and trams, and it was nice to get a break from the crowds. The eight hours flew by, we had a wonderful day despite being jetlagged. Really glad we chose the full day tour, and wish we had more time to explore in Kyoto with what we learned! I think Manabu is not normally a Withlocals guide, but if I could choose him again, I would. A last minute substitution, but excellent

Unknown

(About local Ahmed)

13 April 2025

We really enjoyed our walking tour with Ahmed. He was extremely knowledgeable and shared a lot of great information with us.Very knowledgeable guide

Joost🇹🇭 Thailand

(About local Maha)

12 April 2025

Maha took us for a night walk in Gion. She explained about architecture, history and culture. It was very interesting for us, the adults, as well as our kids. It was also fun, the kids really enjoyed it. It was a special experience that we will always remember. Thank you Maha. An amazing night walk in Kyoto

Bianca 🇬🇺 Guam

(About local Guia)

6 April 2025

Firstly Guias English is excellent and I mean truly excellent. She also has such a warm and friendly personality and instantly welcoming to all of us. She adapted the tour on the spot based on tastes of what we liked and every single food tour spot was a hit. In fact we went back to some of them another day Along the way she had plenty of information about the area, the history of the food and really made the experience a highlight of the trip. We looked to book another tour with her before we left kyoto but she was already booked up, unsupringly so. Definitely a fantastic hostess!

Sara

(About local Ahmed)

6 April 2025

Ilhan🇹🇷 Turkey

(About local Guia)

5 April 2025

We recently had the pleasure of taking a guided tour in Kyoto, and I cannot recommend our guide enough! With years of experience under her belt, she truly brought the city to life with her deep knowledge of its rich history and cultural nuances. Our day was wonderfully organized and flowed smoothly from start to finish, thanks to her meticulous planning. She was incredibly helpful, answering all our questions and providing insightful recommendations that enhanced our experience. From exploring beautiful temples to tasting local delicacies, every moment was memorable. Overall, our day in Kyoto surpassed our expectations, and we are grateful to our guide for making it so special. If you're considering a tour in Kyoto, definitely seek out her expertise for an unforgettable experience!Wonderful Day Trip

Cathy🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Guia)

4 April 2025

Guia was very knowledgeable and took us to some interesting places in Gion with full descriptions about traditions including Geishas. I had asked for a tasting of food during the tour but this did not eventuate. The tour was 2 hours not 2.5 hours.Comprehensive tour

Lindi🇺🇸 United States

(About local Guia)

1 April 2025

First of all pick Guia for the Kyoto food tour!! She was absolutely incredible, not only does she know all the best spots but she basically knows all the vendors even having inside jokes which was so cute! I’m literally still thinking about those tofu donuts she got us. She’s also fantastic at catering with what you like to eat and don’t as well as can’t eat, my friend has a seafood allergy and was great at finding optionsSo delicious

Unknown

(About local Guia)

31 March 2025

If you’re looking for a magical evening filled with delicious bites and Kyoto charm, Gia’s food tour is everything! From the moment we met her, she made us feel so welcome—like an old friend showing us her favorite hidden spots. We wandered through the beautiful streets of Gion, learning little secrets about the area’s history (Gia knows so much!), and then came the best part—the food! Every dish was a little work of art, bursting with flavors I never knew existed. And Gia explained everything in such a fun and engaging way that made us appreciate each bite even more. By the end of the night, our hearts (and bellies) were so full! If you’re ever in Kyoto and want an experience that feels both special and personal, this is the tour to book. Gia is an absolute gem, and this tour is a memory I’ll treasure forever!A Magical Night in Kyoto with Gia!

Louise

(About local Ahmed)

23 March 2025

A massive thank you to Ahmed, you were such a great tour guide. Very knowledgable, and we loved your flash cards. You took us to some some great spots off the hidden track which made the tour so memorable. Thanks again Great tour of Gion

Angela

(About local Maha)

19 March 2025

Maha a toujours le sourire et a su nous entoure de sa chaleur et son comprehension. Elle nous a facilite nos premiers pas au japon et elle a su se adapter parfaitement a souhaits. Roger a été ravi d'avoir une charmante guide parlant le francais a la perfection.Chaleur et experience

Andrew🇺🇸 United States

(About local Ahmed)

17 March 2025

Our family of four spent a wonderful day in Kyoto with Hiroshi. We had previously made arrangements with Ahmed, but he had a last minute health emergency, and he kindly arranged for another guide, Hiro. Hiro met us outside our Airbnb at the agreed upon time, and did a wonderful job moving us around the city on foot, by bus, and by train visiting historical sites, temples, shrines, and enjoying fantastic food. Hiro was an elementary school teacher for 30 years before retiring and becoming a guide, so he did an incredible job keeping our two teens interested by regularly quizzing us all about the places we visited. Besides that, Hiro’s English was great, his knowledge deep, and his personality warm and amendable. In all, we spent about 9 hours traversing the city with Hiro and enjoyed it immensely. We would do a tour with him again for sure, and we highly recommend him (and Ahmed, for making a great last minute substitution.) A great family day in Kyoto

Meeghan

(About local Guia)

14 March 2025

Guia was a wonderful guide who led us through the vibrant market and introduced us to local flavours. We enjoyed some delicious food and tasted sake and plum wine and bought some goodies to take home with us! Thank you for a wonderful Kyoto experience Guia! A wonderful, and tasty, Kyoto experience!

Duncan🇫🇷 France

(About local Guia)

13 March 2025

We were a group of 23 people and Guia took us on an extremely enjoyable tour of Kyoto. Guia planned a bespoke itinerary and even booked our restaurants for us at our request, liaising with us prior to our day with her. We really enjoyed the Golden Pavilion, covered market streets and the Tea Ceremony / Kimono experience. Guia was an excellent host, we highly recommend!Fun, flexible and memorable

Amanda

(About local Guia)

7 February 2025

Guia took us on a wonderful tour and found lots of tasty items for us. We had a great time. Thank you so much!Wonderful time

Rod🇯🇵 Japan

(About local Guia)

3 February 2025

Great tour with Guia - she adapted her tour to our mobility needs, and took us to some food outlets that stretched our culinary experience! Nothing was too much trouble, and we had interesting conversations about not just food - Japanese culture and life. Great food tour

Jessica🇺🇸 United States

(About local Guia)

20 January 2025

Guia is so warm and friendly and has immense knowledge of food history and culture. We had a great time walking the market stalls with her and talking about life in the different places we’ve lived. She took some great photos of us as well enjoying the food, and seemed to know all the vendors personally! We got pretty fantastic bites to try that was catered to each of my family members tastes and preferences. Overall, I’ve been on food tours on nearly every continent, and this one ranks as one of the best because of its diverse foods, cultural beauty, excellent conversations with our guide, and opportunity to buy a few extra things with her expertise. Book this, you won’t regret it. We had a blast with Guia!

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

Desha

(About local Ahmed)

5 January 2025

Ahmed was very helpful and adaptable to our needs how to get around Kyoto especially with buying train tickets. He is very knowledgeable about temples, Japanese traditions and restaurant recommendations. Even before meeting him he contacted me ensuring everything will be fine (I was quite stressed about being in Kyoto and not knowing the language). I was very grateful for that. We booked him for 3 days but after 1st day his child got sick so he organised amazing Matheus De Mello to take care of us for the next 2 days. We are extremely grateful since getting around Kyoto is very challenging if you don’t know Japanese language and not familiar with train system. Kyoto - highly recommend get the guide

Guy🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Guia)

4 January 2025

We loved our tour with Guia. She showed us the main shrine and the surrounding markets and explained the role of geisha and the training involved. Whilst we didn’t see any geisha on their day off, she provided us with the details for a geisha performance and also arranged for us to attend a tea ceremony. Would definitely use her again, if we’re in Kyoto againAwesome tour with great guide

Ralph🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Guia)

31 December 2024

We had the pleasure of joining a guided tour in Kyoto with Guia, and it was an unforgettable experience. Guia was incredibly friendly, funny, and entertaining, making us feel comfortable and engaged from the start. Her deep knowledge of Kyoto’s rich history and culture was impressive, and she shared it in a way that was both informative and captivating. She took us to the most beautiful and iconic spots in the city, as well as a few hidden gems we would have never discovered on our own. The time flew by, and by the end of the tour, we all felt like we had not only learned a lot but also gained a genuine appreciation for Kyoto. If you’re looking for an amazing guide who can bring the city to life, Guia is the one to choose. Highly recommended!Great time, great city, great guide

John

(About local Guia)

30 December 2024

She’s a great person and a great guide and really knows her stuff. I’m really glad that I spent the time with her and it was a short tour, but I got a lot out of it!Local soulful knowledgeable!

Jamie

(About local Guia)

29 December 2024

My wife and I booked a half day walking tour of Kyoto with Guia. She was an excellent guide and produced a steady stream of fascinating information about Kyoto, its culture, traditions and landmarks which was just what we, as first time visitors to Kyoto, needed to start our visit here. Guia - you were a star. Thanks so much. Kyoto Tour with Guia

Kara🇯🇵 Japan

(About local Guia)

28 December 2024

We had a great time touring Kyoto with Guia. We enjoyed her stories and she was great with my three kids. We enjoyed seeing some of the less crowded areas of Kyoto, and the kids had fun learning how to walk like ninjas. Her tour was accessible and leisurely paced - we took the stairs up to the temple, but there was a van available or a less steep path.Relaxed tour of Kyoto

Celeste🇺🇸 United States

(About local Guia)

26 December 2024

Guia was wonderful, helping us orient ourselves on our first day. She adapted instantly to our interests, telling us cultural and historical information. As we walked through the market, she pointed out the best foods and products. It was like visiting a friend who lives in a foreign city—comfortable and warm. Thank you!Like being with a friend

Daniel

(About local Guia)

26 December 2024

Guia was amazing. She knew a lot and was extremely flexible and thoughtful. I highly recommend her and plan on booking more days with her in future when I come back to Japan. Fantastic Day!

Bernard🇫🇷 France

(About local Maha)

25 November 2024

Maha est très disponible et professionnelleTrès bon accompagnement

Gavin🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Guia)

22 November 2024

Spent a great afternoon exploring the Kyoto food market with Guia. The food and drinks were delicious. Her knowledge of all things Japan was top notch and I learnt a lot from Guia. A very enjoyable experience. Thank you Guia. Awesome Food and Drinks with Guia

Neil🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Guia)

16 November 2024

Guia was super friendly and adapted iur tiur to our requirements. She helped us gind a vegan ramen cafe for a delicious lunch and orivided further recommendations for the rwst of the trip. Eould mot hesitate to use her again. Great guide

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

Christine therese🇵🇭 Philippines

(About local Guia)

4 November 2024

Time was short but Guia gave a great over view of the history and culture of Gion . She has a good vibe and was considerate of the difference in ages in our travel group. She was very helpful in sharing with us the Dos and Donts and even helped us get a dinner reservation since we were a big group of 8 . Great introduction for the area

Ulrike 🇩🇪 Germany

(About local Ahmed)

29 October 2024

The time with our guide was just great and fantastic. We felt from the first minute well and interesting informed Ahmed was flexible and warmheard friendly The places he show us had been just brillant My sons & myself enjoyed the experience so much 🫶 Fantasic interesting hours

Peter🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Guia)

28 October 2024

We had a second very good trip with Guia …. This time food! If you want a relaxed, informative and diverse trip around all the different Japanese and Kyoto foods and specialities, Guia is a great person to take you …..all those foods you knew nothing about and never seen before all nicely introduced and explained. Great!Great food

Peter🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Guia)

27 October 2024

Great temples and shrines, well organised, friendly , informative and historic. Good pace and engagement. All round excellent. Excellent day out

Cristina 🇨🇭 Switzerland

(About local Guia)

22 October 2024

We had a fantastic time with Guia. She teaches English for children and instantly connected with our 11 and 13 years old boys making the tour a lot more fun for them. Not only the food was delicious but Guia was also flexible when we wanted to taste different things and gave lots of information and tips about Kyoto. The stop at the Nishiki Tenmangū shrine was a great added bonus. The market can get very crowded, before booking it might be a good idea to ask for suggestions about best time to visit. This was a great tour with a fantastic guide!Brilliant afternoon in Kyoto with Guia

Melanie

(About local Guia)

22 October 2024

We only had limited time in Kyoto, but we really feel we had the best experience from our tour with Guia. She was flexible and adjusted the tour to what we wanted to see. Couldn’t have asked for a better way to experience this amazing city. Perfect introduction to Kyoto

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

Julie🇺🇸 United States

(About local Guia)

19 October 2024

1

Guia was wonderful. She navigated seven adults around Kyoto. We had a perfect afternoon tour. Very knowledgeable and funny as well. Would highly recommend. Would definitely book again and request Guia. Excellent tour!

Bryanna🇺🇸 United States

(About local Guia)

13 October 2024

We had an incredible experience with Guia! She was not only extremely knowledgeable about the city's history and landmarks but also made the entire day feel like we were exploring with a close friend. Her friendly and engaging personality made us feel right at home, and she even took the time to tailor the tour to our interests. It was such a joy to spend the day with her, and their passion for the city truly shone through. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a memorable and personal tour experience!

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

Anya🇺🇸 United States

(About local Guia)

22 August 2024

Guia was so knowledgeable and offered such knowledgeable and deep insights into Kyoto and Japanese culture generally. We learned so much during our walking tour. It was a super hot day, and Guia was very considerate of our 11-year old, not only engaged him with her stories but also treated us all to delicious matcha ice cream treats! I cannot recommend Guia highly enough!10

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

Gil🇺🇸 United States

(About local Guia)

18 August 2024

Guia was a pleasure to meet and to take this tour with. She is smart, funny and engaging, and extremely knowledgeable about local customs and Kyoto. It was a pleasure taking this tour with her!A terrific tour with a an excellent guide

Madeline🇺🇸 United States

(About local Guia)

18 August 2024

The tour was the perfect way of beginning a stay in Kyoto. Guía is incredibly knowledgeable about Kyoto and introduced us to the best of food. I also appreciate her flexibility in personalizing the tour given my walking limitations and our late start. Thank you, Guia for such a amazing welcome!Excellent tour. Excellent guide.