About Activity
Temples, shrines, and tea ceremonies. The traditions of ancient Japan are still alive and well in the old capitol, Kyoto. Walking around this beautiful city can feel like you are in a time machine as its architecture has been preserved for centuries. Kiyomizu Temple towers over the historical Gion district, famous for its rich history of geisha. There is much history in this city that you don’t want to miss so book our Government Licensed and Experienced English-speaking guides for a walking tour of Kyoto!
Once your reservation is made, a guide will be in touch to plan your personalized tour. Choose 3 to 4 spots that you wish to visit and your guide will plan a personalized itinerary. If you do not know where to visit, ask the guide to send you their recommended itinerary based on your interests. Whether you are a history buff, love the beauty of old Japanese architecture, or just want to enjoy a green tea parfait, Kyoto has something for you!
Includes
- Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Kyoto
- Customizable itinerary (4h: 2–3 sites, 6h: 3–4 sites, 8h: 4–6 sites)
- Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Excludes
- Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
- Private Vehicle
- You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
- Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Departure Point
- This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please book our Private Kyoto Tour with Government-Licensed Guide and Vehicle (Max 7 persons).
Stop At: Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine You can see Japan's background that is off-limits to ordinary tourists after the tour. This short trip is a fantastic and great value way of experiencing Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine!
We are here to help you discover new things, the Fushimi Inari Shrine is so more than its famous tunnels of vermillion-red torii gates. Most people are satisfied by a scenic view of it. But this has a lot of stories to tell that will connect you to the Japan's history and culture and your guide will show you deeper. You will see a fascinating story attached to the origin of the shrine dedicated to the god of grains – that’s what “Inari” means – . This is also why you’ll see statues of the fox around the shrine. “Kitsune” or the fox is a servant to the god Inari. They are cunning tricksters, clever minded animals who make perfect guides for the treacherous business world. You may would want the foxes on your side after this tour.
Stop At: Kiyomizu-dera Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Discover one of Kyoto’s most popular temples—Kiyomizu-dera Temple by going on a comprehensive 1-hour guided tour. Exploring the temple grounds with a guide means you’ll be able to learn about Japan’s history and culture as you explore the magnificent building. Enjoy commentary from your English-speaking guide who will make sure you don't miss any important features.
Stop At: Nijo Castle Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site was built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1867).
Stop At: Gion Exploring the narrow alleyways of Kyoto’s Geisha District—Gion can be daunting for a first-time visitor. Eliminate the worry of getting lost by going on a guided tour. It’s a great way to discover hidden places that locals love, and to hear about Kyoto’s ancient past. Highlights include learning about Geisha culture and rituals, and visiting Gion, Pontocho, and Miyagawacho.
Stop At: Nishiki Market Nishiki Market (錦市場, Nishiki Ichiba) is a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi.
Nishiki Market has a pleasant but busy atmosphere that is inviting to those who want to explore the variety of culinary delights that Kyoto is famous for. The stores found throughout the market range in size from small narrow stalls to larger two story shops. Most specialize in a particular type of food, and almost everything sold at the market is locally produced and procured.
Stop At: Kyoto Imperial Palace Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included The Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所, Kyōto Gosho) used to be the residence of Japan's Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is located in the spacious Kyoto Imperial Park (京都御苑, Kyōto Gyoen), an attractive park in the center of the city that also encompasses the Sento Imperial Palace and a few other attractions.
Stop At: Pontocho Pontocho (先斗町, Pontochō) is one of Kyoto's most atmospheric dining areas. It is a narrow alley running from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori, one block west of Kamogawa River. The alley is packed with restaurants on both sides offering a wide range of dining options from inexpensive yakitori to traditional and modern Kyoto cuisine, foreign cuisine and highly exclusive establishments that require the right connections and a fat wallet.
Business hours and closing days of the restaurants, bars and shops along Pontocho vary by establishment, but most places are usually open from around 17:00 to 23:00. Some also open for lunch. An increasing number of establishments offer English menus.
Stop At: The Higashiyama District (東山) along the lower slopes of Kyoto's eastern mountains is one of the city's best preserved historic districts. It is a great place to experience traditional old Kyoto, especially between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine, where the narrow lanes, wooden buildings and traditional merchant shops invoke a feeling of the old capital city. Recent renovations to remove telephone poles and repave the streets have further improved the traditional feel of the district.
Stop At: Ginkakuji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Ginkakuji (銀閣寺, Silver Pavilion) is a Zen temple along Kyoto's eastern mountains (Higashiyama). In 1482, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa built his retirement villa on the grounds of today's temple, modeling it after Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), his grandfather's retirement villa at the base of Kyoto's northern mountains (Kitayama). The villa was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimasa's death in 1490.
As the retirement villa of an art obsessed shogun, Ginkakuji became a center of contemporary culture, known as the Higashiyama Culture in contrast to the Kitayama Culture of his grandfather's times. Unlike the Kitayama Culture, which remained limited to the aristocratic circles of Kyoto, the Higashiyama Culture had a broad impact on the entire country. The arts developed and refined during the time include the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, noh theater, poetry, garden design and architecture.
Stop At: Nanzenji Suirokaku Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Nanzenji Temple (南禅寺), whose spacious grounds are located at the base of Kyoto's forested Higashiyama mountains, is one of the most important Zen temples in all of Japan. It is the head temple of one of the schools within the Rinzai sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism and includes multiple subtemples, that make the already large complex of temple buildings even larger.
The history of Nanzenji dates back to the mid 13th century, when the Emperor Kameyama built his retirement villa at the temple's present location and later converted it into a Zen temple. After its founding, Nanzenji grew steadily, but its buildings were all destroyed during the civil wars of the late Muromachi Period (1333-1573). The oldest of the current buildings was built after that period.
Stop At: Tofuku-ji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Tofukuji (東福寺, Tōfukuji) is a large Zen temple in southeastern Kyoto that is particularly famous for its spectacular autumn colors. The temple was founded in 1236 at the behest of the powerful Fujiwara clan. Its name is a combination of the names of two great temples in Nara that were also associated with the Fujiwara, Todaiji Temple and Kofukuji Temple. Tofukuji has historically been one of the principal Zen temples in Kyoto, and is a head temple of one of the schools of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.
In autumn, people come from all over Japan to see Tofukuji's autumn colors. The most popular view is of the Tsutenkyo Bridge, which spans a valley of lush maple trees. The view from the bridge is equally spectacular, and the 100 meter long, covered walkway becomes extremely crowded when the colors reach their peak, usually around mid to late November.
Stop At: To-ji Temple Toji Temple (東寺, Tōji), literally "East Temple", was founded at the beginning of the Heian Period just after the capital was moved to Kyoto in the late 700s. The large temple, together with its now defunct sister temple Saiji ("West Temple"), flanked the south entrance to the city and served as the capital's guardian temples. Toji Temple is one of Kyoto's many UNESCO world heritage sites.
About thirty years after the temple's establishment, Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism, was appointed head priest of Toji, and the temple became one of the most important Shingon temples besides the sect's headquarters on Mount Koya. Kobo Daishi also added many of the large wooden buildings that stand on the grounds today.
Stop At: Kinkakuji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji was the inspiration for the similarly named Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), built by Yoshimitsu's grandson, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, on the other side of the city a few decades later.
Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond, and is the only building left of Yoshimitsu's former retirement complex. It has burned down numerous times throughout its history including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much of Kyoto; and once again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955.
Stop At: Ninna-ji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Ninnaji (仁和寺) is one of the many great temples in Kyoto which are listed as World Heritage Sites. It is the head temple of the Omuro School of the Shingon sect of Buddhism and was founded in 888 by the reigning emperor. Over many centuries, a member of the Imperial Family used to serve as Ninnaji's head priest, and the temple was also known as Omuro Imperial Palace.
Due to the many wars and fires that ravaged Kyoto throughout its history, none of the buildings from the temple's foundation in the 9th century still survive. The oldest buildings date back to the beginning of the Edo Period in the early 1600s, including the main hall (Kondo), the Kannon Hall, the Niomon front gate, the Chumon inner gate and the five storied pagoda.
Stop At: Shugakuin Imperial Villa Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Shugakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮, Shugakuin Rikyū) was built in the 17th century by Emperor Gomizuno and is now managed by the Imperial Household Agency. It consists of the Upper, Middle and Lower Villa areas, each featuring gardens and buildings of the traditional imperial style.
Shugakuin's name comes from a former temple built on the same site in the tenth century. The Imperial Villa was constructed between 1655 and 1659, with a palace for Gomizuno's daughter added ten years later. More recently in 1964, the surrounding farmlands were bought by the Imperial Household Agency. They are leased out to local farmers who continue to work the fields.
Stop At: Kibune (貴船) is a small town in a forested valley in the northern mountains of Kyoto City, which developed around Kifune Shrine. According to legend, a goddess traveled in a boat from Osaka all the way up the river into the mountains north of Kyoto, and Kifune Shrine was built at the site where her boat journey had come to an end.
Kifune Shrine is dedicated to the god of water and rain and believed to be the protector of those at sea. Here you can obtain a unique type of fortune written on paper slips (omikuji) that reveal their messages when dipped into water. Okunomiya, the inner sanctum and original site of Kifune Shrine, lies about one kilometer further up the valley. It has a large rock, known as the boat stone, which is said to be where the goddess' yellow boat is buried.
Stop At: Kurama-dera Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Kurama (鞍馬) is a rural town in the northern mountains of Kyoto City, less than one hour from the city center. Kurama is best known for its temple Kurama-dera and its hot spring, one of the most easily accessible hot springs from Kyoto.
Outdoor and indoor baths can be enjoyed at Kurama Onsen, a ryokan located at the upper end of the town of Kurama. It can be reached in a 10 minute walk from the train station along the town's only road or along a nature trail following the river. Staying guests can use the baths for free, while daytrippers pay 2500 yen(Weekday), 2700 yen(Weekend) to use all of the baths or 1400 yen(Weekday), 1600 yen(Weekend) for just the outdoor bath (rotemburo).
Stop At: Ryoan-ji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Ryoanji Temple (龍安寺, Ryōanji) is the site of Japan's most famous rock garden, which attracts hundreds of visitors every day. Originally an aristocrat's villa during the Heian Period, the site was converted into a Zen temple in 1450 and belongs to the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, whose head temple stands just a kilometer to the south.
As for the history of Ryoanji's famous rock garden, the facts are less certain. The garden's date of construction is unknown and there are a number of speculations regarding its designer. The garden consists of a rectangular plot of pebbles surrounded by low earthen walls, with 15 rocks laid out in small groups on patches of moss. An interesting feature of the garden's design is that from any vantage point at least one of the rocks is always hidden from the viewer.
Stop At: Arashiyama Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Arashiyama (嵐山) is a pleasant, touristy district in the western outskirts of Kyoto. The area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. Arashiyama is particularly popular during the cherry blossom and fall color seasons.
The Togetsukyo Bridge is Arashiyama's well known, central landmark. Many small shops, restaurants and other attractions are found nearby, including Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama's famous bamboo groves and pleasure boats that are available for rent on the river.
Stop At: Katsura Imperial Villa Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Katsura Imperial Villa (桂離宮, Katsura Rikyū) is one of the finest examples of Japanese architecture and garden design. The villa and garden in their present form were completed in 1645 as the residence for the Katsura Family, members of Japan's Imperial Family.
Visiting Katsura Imperial Villa requires joining a tour. The tour follows the garden's circular walking trail around the central pond. Palace buildings can be viewed only from the outside, and photographing is allowed only from designated spots. Tours in English are available.
Stop At: Daikaku-ji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Daikakuji (大覚寺) is a large temple in the northern part of Kyoto's Sagano district. It was originally built in the early 800s as the detached palace of Emperor Saga, who thoroughly enjoyed spending time in this calm area on the outskirts of Kyoto. Thirty years after the emperor's death, the palace was converted into a temple and has since been one of the highest ranked temples of Shingon Buddhism.
Daikakuji has had a role in several significant historical events. A succession of retired emperors reigned from here, and in the 12th century the temple hosted peace talks that reunited the Northern and Southern Imperial Courts after 50 years of civil war. Daikakuji is also featured in the Tale of Genji, the first novel in Japanese literature. Today, the temple is one of the best places to still feel the ancient court atmosphere described in the novel and is often used for filming historical dramas.
Stop At: Tenryu-ji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Tenryuji (天龍寺, Tenryūji) is the most important temple in Kyoto's Arashiyama district. It was ranked first among the city's five great Zen temples, and is now registered as a world heritage site. Tenryuji is the head temple of its own school within the Rinzai Zen sect of Japanese Buddhism.
Tenryuji was built in 1339 by the ruling shogun Ashikaga Takauji. Takauji dedicated the temple to Emperor Go-Daigo, who had just passed away. The two important historic figures used to be allies until Takauji turned against the emperor in a struggle for supremacy over Japan. By building the temple, Takauji intended to appease the former emperor's spirits.
Stop At: Yoshimine-dera Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Yoshiminedera (吉峰寺) is a temple of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism located in Kyoto's western mountains. Similar to Kiyomizudera on the opposite side of town, Yoshiminedera is built along the mountain side and looks out onto Kyoto. The temple grounds are spacious and there are many buildings distributed up the mountain side.
A priest from Enryakuji, named Gesan, established Yoshiminedera as a personal retreat in 1029. In 1467 the temple was destroyed in the Onin War but was rebuilt in 1621. The temple's main objects of worship are a Kannon statue carved by Gesan and a Kannon statue given to the temple by Emperor Gosuzaku in 1042.
Stop At: Togetsukyo Bridge The Togetsukyo Bridge (lit. "Moon Crossing Bridge") is Arashiyama's most iconic landmark. It was originally built during the Heian Period (794-1185) and most recently reconstructed in the 1930s. The bridge looks particularly attractive in combination with the forested mountainside in the background. A riverside park with dozens of cherry trees is located just adjacent to the bridge.
Stop At: Bamboo Forest Street The walking paths that cut through the bamboo groves make for a nice walk or bicycle ride. The groves are particularly attractive when there is a light wind and the tall bamboo stalks sway gently back and forth. The bamboo has been used to manufacture various products, such as baskets, cups, boxes and mats at local workshops for centuries.
Stop At: Okochi Sanso Garden Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included This is the former villa of the popular actor Okochi Denjiro (1896-1962), located in the back of Arashiyama's bamboo groves. Okochi Sanso consists of several different gardens and buildings, including living quarters, tea houses and gates. The buildings can only be viewed from the outside.
Stop At: Jojakkoji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included This mountainside temple was founded in 1596. With small, attractive buildings and gates, the temple has a quiet and understated atmosphere. Maple trees and moss are located just beside the paths and stairs that lead across the temple grounds. From a number of spots, visitors can enjoy views over Kyoto.
Stop At: Nisonin Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Similar to Jojakkoji, Nisonin Temple is a hillside temple with slightly larger and imposing buildings. A generally understated atmosphere on the temple grounds is partly due to the overhanging trees along approach. Founded in the mid 9th century, Nisonin is a temple of the Tendai sect. There are views over the city from the upper grounds.
Stop At: Gio-ji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Gioji is even more nestled into the forest than Jojakkoji and Nisonin. It is known for its moss garden that is punctuated with tall maple trees. The temple's entrance gate and small main hall have thatched roofs. The latter has an attractive round window looking into the gardens.
Stop At: Adashino Nembetsu-ji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Adashino Nenbutsuji is located at the end of the Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street. The temple was founded in the early 9th century when the famous monk Kobo Daishi placed stone statues for the souls of the dead here. Today, the temple grounds are covered by hundreds of such stone statues. In the back of the temple, a short path leads through a bamboo forest.
Stop At: Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Another ten minute walk north of the similarly named Adashino Nenbutsuji, the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple is famous for its 1200 stone statues of rakan, devoted followers of Buddhism, each with a different facial expression. Created relatively recently in the 1980s and early 1990s, the many statues stand across the temple grounds which cover part of a forested mountain slope.
Stop At: Daitoku-ji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Daitokuji (大徳寺) is a large, walled temple complex in northern Kyoto and the head temple of the Rinzai sect's Daitokuji school of Japanese Zen Buddhism. The complex consists of nearly two dozen subtemples and is one of the best places in Japan to see a wide variety of Zen gardens and to experience Zen culture and architecture.
Daitokuji's main buildings are usually not open to public but there are 4 subtemples which are open to public.
-Daisenin
-Ryogenin
-Zuihoin
-Kotoin(Currently closed)
Stop At: Myoshinji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Myoshinji (妙心寺, Myōshinji) is a large temple complex in northwestern Kyoto which includes about 50 subtemples in addition to its main buildings. While a few of the temple halls can be entered, the majority of the subtemples are closed to the public. However, visitors are free to wander along the walking paths. In several ways the temple complex resembles Daitokuji Temple.
Stop At: Eikando Zenrinji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Eikando (永観堂, Eikandō), formally known as Zenrinji Temple, belongs to the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism. Located north of Nanzenji, Eikando is very famous for its autumn colors and the evening illuminations that take place in fall. The temple has a long history, and there are a variety of buildings and a pond garden that visitors can explore.
Stop At: Sanjusangendo Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Sanjusangendo (三十三間堂, Sanjūsangendō) is the popular name for Rengeo-in, a temple in eastern Kyoto which is famous for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The temple was founded in 1164 and rebuilt a century later after the original structure had been destroyed in a fire.
Stop At: Kennin-ji Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Kenninji Temple (建仁寺) locates very close to the bustle of Hanamikoji and Shijo streets, the grounds of Kenninji Temple are expansive and pleasant to walk, and the two karesansui (dry landscape gardens) here offer the visitor an oasis of tranquility. It is thought to be the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.
Stop At: Byodoin Temple Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Byodoin Temple(平等院) is known for its Phoenix Hall, which is a National Treasure of Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Extra travel time is expected as it is located in Uji city in Kyoto prefecture
Public transportation options are available nearby Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible Suitable for all physical fitness levels Pick up & Drop Off is on foot Please reserve at least 2 weeks in advance Operated by Japan Guide Agency For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
Excellent and Enjoyable Tour with MichiemmapM7573EZ
Had a fantastic full day private tour with Michi. A natural teacher with excellent English who enjoyed showing us the sights of Kyoto. Knowledgeable. Highly organised by suggesting 3 different basic tour options so that we could choose according to our interests. It worked very well. We enjoyed the day that we spent together and seeing a part of what Kyoto has to offer. Thank you 🙏 Michi for a wonderful day.
Shuji is the best guide!margaretaK3654AQ
Shuji was the best guide-- very accommodating, friendly, and exceptionally knowledgeable. He guided my family through Arashiyama and Tenryu-ji, Nijo-jo Castle, and Kiyomizu-dera. My mother in law was impressed with all of his notes and the way he could explain broad concepts as well as little details; she always says the best guides are teachers and all of Shuji's notes reminded her of a lesson plan. We appreciated learning various things across different periods of Japan's history in the area [governing, Shintoism, Buddhism, etc] Our group loved the gardens at Tenryu-ji and Nijo-jo Castle; learning about the power dynamics between shogun and retainers through architecture at Nijo-jo Castle; and hearing stories about Kiyomizu-dera. [If releasing frogs into the pond is a good deed, what about catching them in the first place?] Shuji also recommended we walk the historical preserved path after our tour ended at Kiyomizu-dera, and it was a perfect end to a perfect day! We recommend this tour with Shuji as your guide 100%
Thanks, Kazz! Kyoto was wonderful!O5229TIjasonm
Our day with Kazz in Kyoto made our trip! He was extremely prepared, knowledgeable, and attentive and even made a photographic journal of our day together. Kyoto is a beautiful city and we were able to maximize our enjoyment of it through Kazz’s eye for detail and commitment. It was a great day!
Excellent 6 hour Kyoto walking tour with English speaking guide, Norifumi KamonkarenbK7702WM
Norifumi was a great guide and a delight to spend 6 hours with. We had emailed before the trip and jointly tailored the day to our interests and energy. Nori had an excellent grasp of the history and an interesting way of conveying it. He was flexible and helpful when we needed to adjust the last hour.
Unforgettable experiencegawecki
It was really great tour . Harumi was a perfect guide with a fantastic sense of humor . She was also extremely professional with a profound knowledge of the town history . We really enjoyed the tour and highly recommend Harumi as a guide
Fabulous tour of West Kyoto with MichiKevinrmurphy
Just a really good experience and Michi looked after us well and knew where to go. Contact a few days before the tour and we could customise what we wanted to see.
A very full and exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable day, and Michi knew so much.
Kyoto Historic sitesStoryteller794469
Full day tour around Kyoto on self selected sites, planned with excellent communication in advance with Shuji.
Harumi was a guide who was on top of every detail for us! She created a great and custom experience for me and my family. We thoroughly enjoyed her knowledge and company and learned amazing detail about Kyoto. We thank her very much for bringing such great hospitality to our experience!
Family Friendly Kyoto273bradleyj
Andy was a cordial host that conveniently and comfortably helped us navigate through public transit to get through multiple high demand tourist attractions. He was patient with our kids dynamic emotions and desires and made for a family friendly enjoyable day while still explaining the local culture and history. Highly recommended tour and tour guide for an all inclusive Kyoto experience.
Customised family day in KyotorebeccahX6976RL
My two young children and I spent a fabulous day in Kyoto with Lily.
She created a customised itinerary for the day from a long list of options which ensured everyone was happy.
Lily was kind and made my children very comfortable and provided interesting details and history for all to appreciate and understand.
She was also very patient with 2 young childrens in tow on a very rainy day!! Oh, and a great photographer! Thank you Lily!
Customizable tour with Harumi-sanH1282JBkarinas
We had an amazing tour with Harumi in Kyoto. From the moment she was paired as our guide, she contacted us to personalize the daytrip. She shared great suggestions and ideas for the tour.
During the tour, she shared so much information about Japan, the history, culture, and meanings. So informative and thoughtful.
We had an amazing time with her and would highly highly recommend.
Kazuo Sumi is a great guide.TrailBlazer47194
Our guide Kazuo Sumi was excellent. We had a wonderful time, learned a lot of new things about Japanese culture and history, practiced navigating transport, enjoyed a perfect lunch. Kazuo-San even facilitated a purchase of a UV blocking umbrella, which was much needed on that sunny day.
Kazuo Sumi San was an amazing guide! As a Kyoto native, he is very knowledgeable about the history of the city. It was a wonderful day and tour!
Tour guide Kazz was great. Very informative and showed us around which was great
Kazz is the way to go when touring Kyoto’s one dayRichard_E
Kazz was an AMAZING guide. His knowledge of Japanese history and love of Kyoto is apparent! When touring with Kazz, feel free to enjoy the moment and let him capture the memories with his professional camera. He shares the pictures online with you after the tour. I could have never seen so many iconic sights in Kyoto in one day had I tried myself. Just send your list of sights to see before hand and he plans the rest. A great combination of walking, subway rides, and zipping in taxis. I highly recommend when your time in Kyoto is limited.
Kyoto TourTrail65429092687
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep knowledge about the history and culture of Japan. He is flexible and accommodates changes if you so desire. He is also very empathetic. I had a sprained back and he ensured we took elevators everywhere. You will be lucky if he is assigned as your guide .
Kyoto Guided Tour489caelinp
My friend and I had a great experience on the tour. We travelled all around Kyoto with our guide Kazuo Sumi. He is a sweet older gentleman who had a great depth of knowledge about each place we went to. We told him places we wanted to go and he made the itinerary for us. There is no one better to have as your guide!!
Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge
Kazz gave a great one on one 8 hour custom tour of KyotoT6871WWricharde
Ryoich Kazuma (Kazz) was an amazing guide! He picked me up at my hotel and expertly guided me around Kyoto, showing me a custom set of sites. His background revealed interesting facts about the sites and related Japanese culture. He photographed moments for me and later shared all the pictures, allowing me to enjoy the sites rather than focusing on taking all my own pictures. He prepared an itinerary in advance and gave me useful information about how much local currency would be needed as well as estimated admission and transportation costs. Basically have 15000 yen ready and use a Suica card and everything is easy! We had a lovely lunch around midday as well. I highly recommend the tour and can’t say enough good things about Kazz! Love every moment!!
Kyoto private family tourVoyager795644
Our family of 5 (kids age 8, 10, 12) had a fantastic experience with Yoshi as a tour guide on our full day Kyoto tour. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and very flexible with kids on the trip. We highly recommend him!
Thank you, Ken-san!!fdorerabadia
Jun 18, 2026, 11:49:27 AM We booked this full-day tour directly with JGA, and we're very glad we did. The day was filled with history, fascinating locations, and unforgettable memories. Our guide, Ken-san, was great — knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and always mindful of our schedule, ensuring we made the most of our time. If you have the opportunity, this tour is absolutely a must-do. Highly recommended.
Ninja Hiro was the BEST!!!Global68036092023
Wow what an experience from the very start Hiro was absolutely amazing. Her English was fantastic. She was funny, she was knowledgeable. She taught us about the history at every location we visited. She was able to knock out nine spots from our list. Hiro was extremely sweet and funny and accommodating every request we had. she went above and beyond and made this a spectacular day. this will be a memory We will never forget, an experience We will always be thankful and grateful for hiro and our driver, they were absolutely amazing! She asked questions and shared her experiences and interacted with us. It was absolutely beautiful a day We will never forget. A huge thank you to our Ninja Hiro! just to add, she was extremely friendly and we all wish to have her stamina, her energy and her wisdom at her age!!!
It was lovely to spend time with our guide Reiko. Before the trip, she asked about our specific interests, and then created a tailored schedule based on that. Thanks to Reiko's local knowledge, we visited spectacular shrines and beautiful gardens at a time of day when there were hardly any other visitors around - a rarity in Kyoto. It was a very hot day and Reiko adjusted the schedule to make sure that we always felt refreshed and energised.
Kyoto private 8 hour walking tour with Mayumi736ramans
What an excellent private 8 hour walking tour we had with Mayumi.
She arrived before time to pick us up from our hotel.
As we were exhausted from the day before, requested to delete the pickup by an hour and she obliged with no problems.
She arranged the tour so that we could see exactly what we wanted.
She took great care of my son's allergies and made sure that we would eat lunch at an appropriate and delicious place.
Although I've seen Kyoto many times it was my son's first time and Mayumi was sofa enthusiasm and knowledge for the city that we both had a very enjoyable time.
She even gave us great recommendations after the tour finished for places to eat or visit.
I would highly recommend Mayumi for anybody who wants to do a walking tour of Kyoto or Osaka.
Lovely Day of Kyoto Shrines, Temples and SightsCorey B
Michi was great! Strong English skills and a lot of on point information and knowledge. He worked with and improved our desired itinerary for the day and we covered a huge amount of ground - both sightseeing and physically. We were with him for 8 hours and his energy level kept us going from beautiful site to site. Arranged a lovely lunch along the way and our family of 6 adults really appreciated the day with him. Would use him again.
An Exceptional Full-day Tour of Kyotocredo84
Our tour of Kyoto with Hiro was a highlight of our recent trip to Japan. We spent eight full hours visiting temples, shrines, and historical sites, mostly in the Higashiyama and Gion areas, including Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangen-do, Kennin-ji, and other spectacular places. Hiro is an exceptionally knowledgeable guide with a comprehensive expertise on Japanese history and the cultural significance of the sites we visited. We learned so much from him and were very thankful for his deep knowledge and his patient and friendly demeanor. Thank you, Hiro san, for an amazing and truly memorable day!
Great Visit to Kyoto with Andy MuraoCosmopolitan813643
May 27, 2026, 11:32:51 PM Andy Murao (Japan Guide Agency) provided my wife and me with a memorable visit to Kyoto. He was well versed in all we saw. We were pleased with the insights he provided on what it meant to live in Japan and enjoyed hearing stories about his family. He had thoroughly planned our tour and obviously optimized the experiences to give us the most benefit. We spent another day in Kyoto on our own buoyed by the confidence we could get around after Andy's guidance; our Geisha District tour was great.
Maya our guide was excellent. She showed us the sights of Kyoto in a relaxed style. An excellent day.
Kyoto - 8 hours with a Government GuideW3641VHelaineg
What a fabulous trip lead by our very knowledgeable and personable guide, Shuji. I had booked this tour a few months ago and right away Shuji was in contact to discuss the itinerary. We had just a day to visit Kyoto as we were on a cruise, so time was precious. After a few emails back and forth we decided on the itinerary and Shuji was waiting at the port to meet us for our adventure.
Of course one day is not enough to really see everything but I felt that we made the best use of the time that we had in the city and packed a lot in.
Shuji was interesting and engaging and I wish that he could have come along with us to be our guide around the rest of Japan, his is English was excellent.
Don't hesitate about booking this trip, we saw so much more than we would have if we did it by ourselves. Even navigating the trains and knowing the best places to have lunch and the best spots for photos at each attraction is worth its weight in gold. Thank you Shuji!
Kazuo was brilliant. Very knowledgeable and planned a very detailed itinerary - including our requests for specifics. He ensured our tour was authentically Japanese, avoiding high tourist venues whilst still giving us wonderful photo opportunities. We learnt a lot about Japanese culture and heritage. Would highly recommend Kazuo.
Amazing tourVoyage67840583711
Kazuo was an excellent guide, very friendly and personable which made the tour feel more enjoyable. He showed us all the sights and had all the knowledge to assist with our tour. Also his patience for us mooching in the shops was appreciated. I would recommend a tour with Kazuo if you want to see the sights of Kyoto.
Exceptional Kyoto Guide with Local Insight and Seamless PlanningcatherinecD339KD
Excellent guide. Accommodated demanding schedule with patience and expertise. We managed to cover an amazing amount of ground and places in one day, but never felt rushed. We thoroughly recommend Masa to anyone visiting Kyoto, he is a lovely gentleman and a Kyoto local who knows where to go, how to get there efficiently, the key features and provides insights into the places that others may not know.
Kyoto - a time travelling experienceIrmgardWenzel
Apr 20, 2026, 12:39:45 AM Kazuo Sumi showed us the versatile city of Kyoto and we learned not only about the history but also about modern daily life. No question was left unanswered and we recommend a tour with Kazuo very much.
Fantastic day in the North of Kyotomassimo73gu
Yuki has been great throughout the day and she has given us so much information about the places we were visiting
Perfect experience in KyotoklaussG55ZE
Kazuo is a very respectful and friendly guide. He was very well organized and brought us safely and in time to all selected sights. He provided us with all the necessary information.
Kyoto TourHappiness35074872881
Very knowledgeable guide, gave a great overview of the history and insights into the places we visited. The Sushi Restaurant he took us to lunch was unforgettable. Make sure he takes you there. We covered a lot of the city’s sights in a smart fashion. Using bus and subway as he navigated us through the city. You need to be physically able and have a reasonable fitness level as there is a lot of walking. Kazou san certainly delivered.
Enjoyable trip to NaraV2986ONlaurar
Mar 16, 2026, 10:35:18 PM We had a wonderful time exploring Nara with our guide Kazuo. He was knowledgeable, kind, and very organized. From the beginning, he communicated clearly, asked about our interests and ensured that our trip was memorable and enjoyable. Having private transportation was a big plus. Highly recommend this 1-day trip to Nara.
Excellent Kyoto immersion!David M
Our guide, Kazou Sumi is an excellent English communicator and translator, and he efficiently led us on a tour of scenic highlights and cultural immersion that made our first day in Kyoto exceptional. He helped us to make the most of our day, tailoring our experience to our desired destinations, and even making time to have a delicious lunch at a Raman house that we would not have found on our own.
Expert guide stop to stopkatlia
We had a wonderful day with our guide Haru. We got to choose which places we wanted to visit and he put together our itinerary and expertly guided us from stop to stop. It was worth the price to have someone expertly navigate the public transportation. No time was wasted getting lost and figuring out where to go. He knew so much about each place we saw and answered all of our questions. We could stop and spend as little or as much time as we wanted at each site. It was A LOT of walking but absolutely worth it.
Committed and hardworking guideEC1andonly
Yoshii couldn’t have done more to help me see the places on my list. He was extremely generous with his time and very patient throughout. He was very knowledgeable and had prepared photocopies of relevant information which he gave me. He communicated clearly. He’s a very hardworking, committed and polite guide with a relaxed, friendly and caring manner.
Great tour with Lily511mariferr
Dec 23, 2025, 11:24:24 PM We had a lovely tour with Lily in late October. After booking she contacted us shortly and created an itinerary based on what we told her we were interested in seeing, including a lunch reservation. She also added some extra short stops to temples we wouldn’t have have known about otherwise. She was also very kind & knowledgeable about Kyoto’s history.
What a wonderful experience!kimberlyz0
Tanaka son was knowledgeable, prepared and professional. His knowledge of the city and it's deep, cultural and historical roots made the tour absolutely delightful.
The perfect Kyoto guide! Kind, professional, and so relaxed.herm_sb2025
Nov 13, 2025, 12:47:57 AM We had the absolute pleasure of spending two full days with Kazz as our private guide in Kyoto, and it was a true highlight of our entire trip to Japan.
From the moment we met him, Kazz was incredibly kind, extremely polite, and just a true gentleman. What really set the experience apart was how "super relaxed" he made everything. We had a packed itinerary, seeing sights like Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, and Kinkaku-ji, but we never once felt rushed.
Kazz set a perfect, easy-going pace that made navigating the busy temples and streets completely stress-free. His knowledge of the city, its history, and all the "hidden gem" spots he showed us was exceptional. He answered all our questions and was simply a lovely and interesting person to spend time with.
If you are looking for a private guide in Kyoto, we cannot recommend Kazz highly enough. He made our visit to the city truly special and unforgettable. Thank you, Kazz!
Great Day in Kyoto with AkiBen H
This was our second tour with Aki in Kyoto and we enjoyed it very much. Aki organized a perfect schedule. Thank you so much
A great guide and Kyoto experience265eugenek
Oct 28, 2025, 11:09:44 PM Ito was a real gentleman, he explained everything in detail, he showed us all the major attractions in Kyoto. He is willing to put an extra time and I would highly recommend him as a guide.
He usually uses public transport such as trains and I would suggest not taking the trains back during p.m. rush-hour unless you want a true Japanese experience.
We took several of his business cards, we intend on keeping him busy with our fellow American travelers.
Kyoto a very busy cityJoycetraveller
Tatsuya Ito was great! His English was very goo, he was very accommodating and knowledgeable. He gave us great insight into the Japanese history, culture, people and way of life. We choose to have him meet us at the port of Kobe where our ship came in and took trains and buses around town in Kyoto.Although Traffic is heavy and I would have elected to be in taxis and paid the extra costs given the size of the crowds on the trains especially during rush hour.
Having both local...Robert_M
Having both local currency and transportation cards beforehand, allowed our group to commence our journey immediately. Our guide, Karkoo Tanigawa was so helpful and accommodating to our party of 6 adults. Our journey was planned to take into account both the warm weather and walking restrictions. Her English was excellent and her explanations of the sites was detailed. As this trip was on our first day, it allowed us to experience all means of public transport which gave us confidence for later journeys.
Great guided tour of Nara with Kazuo SumiM7281YUcarolines
Our family of four had a great time touring Nara with our guide Kazuo Sumi. We were staying in Kyoto and travelled roundtrip to Nara with Kazuo on the train. Kazuo planned out a full day that made very good use of our time but did not feel too rushed. Kazuo provided good context information on the sites and had a great understanding of the public transportation to maximize our times as we toured. We really appreciated Kazuo's detailed communication and planning ahead of our trip. He found out what sites or experiences we were most interested in, gave helpful suggestions and even planned a lunch reservation for us at a well regarded vegan restaurant which made the vegetarians in our family very happy. As a former teacher, Kazuo also had a good personality for interacting with our two teenage children and all of us enjoyed the experience of having him as our guide for the day.
Amazing tour guide.J2772RLmariag
Excellent tour guide. We learned extensively about Japanese culture. Great attitude and demeanor. Funny, easy going always attentive to our questions. We’ve traveled extensively and he set the bar pretty high for future guides !
Must do tour when in KyotonataliecD2865AI
Our guide Shuji was fab from start to finish. With his help we visited Nijo castle, ryoanji temple, the golden temple, Nishiki market and Kiyomizu temple. Good use of public transport meant we even had time to stop for lunch in market and ice cream at end. Tour was at our pace and we didn’t feel rushed.
Shuji English is strong, having lived and worked in uk. Would highly recommend both the tour of Kyoto and Shuji as a guide. It’s a brilliant way of learning more about the area from its history to using public transport..
