Excellent guide
Rozanna_V
Nov 6, 2026, 6:43:28 PM
Nov 6, 2026, 6:43:28 PM
Our day in Kyoto was amazing. Shuji is extremely knowledgeable and also very funny. Great tour overall! Highly recommend this tour with Shuji
About Activity
Kyoto keeps traditional arts and beauty alive, but the busses and subways can be confusing and provide challenges for those with walking limitations. At Japan Guide Agency, we want everyone to experience Kyoto so we are happy to provide this customizable, private guided tour with a vehicle!
Join us on a tour of Kyoto to see Kiyomizu Temple as it towers over the historical Gion district, famous for its rich history of geisha. The bamboo forest of Sagano and the gardens, shrines and temples in Kyoto will provide you with a window into old Japan.
Once your reservation is made, a guide will contact you to plan your personalized tour. Choose 4 to 5 spots from ‘Tour Details’ to visit. Whether you are a history buff, love Japanese architecture, or just want to enjoy a green tea parfait, Kyoto has something for you!
*Maximum 15 participants per tour.
*If you have a child or children in your group, please let us know the number and their age.
What's Included
Includes
- Private vehicle
- Customizable Walking Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'Itinerary' list'
- Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
Excludes
- Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
- You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
- Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under Itinerary
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- This tour departs only from Kyoto. We can not pick you up In Osaka, Kobe or Nara etc. Your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel in Kyoto area or your preferred location around Kyoto Station.
Itinerary
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Language Offered
Japanese - GUIDE
English - GUIDE
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
There are only a limited number of car seats and booster seats. Rear-facing car seats are not available. You must contact us directly if you need them.
Operated by Japan Guide Agency
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
Excellent guide and tour
Quest57225677069
Nov 5, 2026, 7:10:09 PM
Nov 5, 2026, 7:10:09 PM
Shuji is an amazing guide. He showed us the top sites of Kyoto in just one day. He is very informative and also had funny stories to tell us about Japanese culture could not have hoped for a better or better guide. I highly recommend him.
Great Kyoto Tour!!
HotelMan54
Nov 2, 2026, 7:16:31 PM
Nov 2, 2026, 7:16:31 PM
Our guide Shuji was probably the best guide we have ever had on a Viator tour! He was super knowledgeable, shared insights on Japanese history, told great stories about Kyoto history, and knew exactly what the best parts of the city were for our first visit. He was superb!! Thank you Shuji.👍
Perfect Day in Kyoto
Matthew_H
Nov 1, 2026, 5:48:12 PM
Nov 1, 2026, 5:48:12 PM
Great and personable tour guide. Perfectly paced, great agenda, and huge plus for private car. tour guide was amazing.
Worth every penny. Excellent experience
hobbitnj
Oct 26, 2026, 9:39:54 PM
Oct 26, 2026, 9:39:54 PM
To begin, we had Masaki Kitagawa.. These tours offer a range of attractions which cover the most famous sites and places and, quite frankly, you could do it yourself if all you wanted was to see the places and take photographs. However, if you have a two or three day window, having guide is not a luxury, it is a necessity if you want a reasonable understanding in an intelligible précis form. The purpose of a private guide, other than the convenience, is to learn as much about the sites as possible but, more importantly, to steep yourself in the history and culture of the country you are visiting. Masaki San was wonderful. He is knowledgeable in Japanese history and religious philosophy along with the customs and culture of Japan. His English is excellent and he is pleasant, friendly and helpful. This was a great way to see Kyoto and to delve deeply into the rich religious environment of both the Shrines and the temples. Masaki was a wonderful guide.
Top of the line team.
Journey45030303446
Oct 20, 2026, 3:14:12 AM
Oct 20, 2026, 3:14:12 AM
Our guide and driver were both excellent, accommodative and very helpful despite our last minute agenda revisions. I would recommend them both without question.
Experienced Guide
anitarH869AE
Oct 17, 2026, 8:06:26 AM
Oct 17, 2026, 8:06:26 AM
Part of a tour experience depend on the guide . Kuni made it all very interesting. He was very kind and attentive and made the whole trip very enjoyable . We highly recommend him .
It was a good experience...
Gwyn_P
Oct 15, 2026, 9:36:52 PM
Oct 15, 2026, 9:36:52 PM
It was a good experience having a driver who knew how to how to take me to the sites I wanted to visit and a guide who could explain the significance and history of the site.
Great experience
Diana_D
Oct 12, 2026, 3:24:01 AM
Oct 12, 2026, 3:24:01 AM
We had a great experience our guide was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable she customized the tour to our needs
Sisters in Kyoto
460keishah
Oct 6, 2026, 8:52:43 PM
Oct 6, 2026, 8:52:43 PM
Umi was punctual, thoughtful and knowledgeable. A lovely lady who was flexible with times and easy to understand and converse with
Olive as a tour guide was wonderful
Dwayne_M
Oct 3, 2026, 10:10:05 PM
Oct 3, 2026, 10:10:05 PM
The tour with Olive was very informative. She met us @ our hotel lobby & prepared a taxi service that stayed with us throughout our tour. Olive always asked if we were comfortable with the climate of the car & her translation of historical sites as well as interpretation of the dining menu when we had lunch at an exceptional Sushi restaurant via her recommendation. Olive gave us the option of returning us to our hotel or allowing us to stay out on the town after the tour. We elected to stay in the shopping area & easily took our own cab back to the hotel. Wonderful day trip.
Outstanding Kyoto Private Car Tour with Excellent Guide!
charliesT2809QC
Oct 3, 2026, 8:32:05 PM
Oct 3, 2026, 8:32:05 PM
One day personalized Kyoto tour with a great English speaker, knowledgeable, and friendly guide named UMI (you-me)! We visited an Ancient Temple, a historic Castle, and a Shrine with beautiful garden areas in an attractive car with a superior driver. A lovely specialty lunch restaurant stop along the way. We would always use UMI and her company with Viator.
Wonderful Day!
18bobc
Oct 1, 2026, 3:54:19 AM
Oct 1, 2026, 3:54:19 AM
Harumi is an excellent guide and explained the history and traditions beautifully. It was truly a pleasure having her guide us through the Temples and Shrines.
Best tour guide for travel in Japan
kevinmR2498UW
Sep 30, 2026, 7:03:46 PM
Sep 30, 2026, 7:03:46 PM
Olive was a pleasure. She met us in our hotel lobby. Went over the days plan & made sure she fount the perfect driver I believe it was Mr. Ito who was also funny & gracious as well as a great driver. Olive coordinates every stop with the driver so as we tour the van was always ready to pick us up with no waiting between tours. Olive was an outstanding interpreter for our guided tour into all attractions as well as picking out the most perfect sushi restaurant. It was incredible.
Learning is fun with Harumi san!
kakeelma
Sep 27, 2026, 4:31:07 AM
Sep 27, 2026, 4:31:07 AM
My husband and I booked a private tour and car to visit places on the outskirts of Kyoto. Our tour guide, Harumi Sagayama, not only provided a wealth of knowledge about our stops but also about the culture, history and politics of Kyoto. She was also critical on helping us narrow down the choices available to us. Our driver, Suzuki san, provided an impeccably clean, safe and comfortable ride as well. Absolutely delightful all around.
Beyond beyond our imagination great, all thanks to our wonderful guide.
rayje
Sep 26, 2026, 3:47:21 PM
Sep 26, 2026, 3:47:21 PM
We decided to spend 28 hrs in Kyoto during our recent visit to Tokyo. With such limited time, we chose a custom guided tour divided into two segments during the two consecutive days we would be there. Etsuko was our guide and we were so lucky. We gave her our 4 Must-See sites and asked her for any suggested additions along the way. We loved the Shogun castle! We changed our Kyoto departure time, we disagreed with each other as a family about what sites to add, we had some difficulty with the heat, frazzled tempers, picky eating habits and a tree nut allergy and could she help us find a restaurant outside of the guided tour! Etsuko answered every question, made every accommodation, gave great great advice/suggestions, and even scored us a wonderful dinner reservation. We could not have been happier and I am sorry that we did not express our gratitude better to Etsuko directly. Do not hesitate to tour with Etsuko.
Kazz is an outstanding...
Marvin_F
Sep 25, 2026, 8:17:00 PM
Sep 25, 2026, 8:17:00 PM
Kazz is an outstanding experiencedand friendly tour guide. He took us to many interesting places during the six hours as well as off the tourist path to more interesting places. He thoroughly explained everything from a current and historical perspective. Outstanding tour.
We had a great time! Kyoto is a beautiful city.
Cosmopolitan580857
Sep 23, 2026, 6:42:55 AM
Sep 23, 2026, 6:42:55 AM
Harumi and Kouzo San were very nice and constantly checked how we were doing. Our party had one member using a mobility scooter and they made sure she was taken care of and was comfortable all the time. She even played a traditional Japanese game with us in the car before we got dropped off and this completed a most memorable and enjoyable time with them.
Uncle yoshi!
Kandice_A
Sep 15, 2026, 8:11:36 PM
Sep 15, 2026, 8:11:36 PM
Yoshi was truly the warmest and sweetest tour guide, and he made our experience in Japan so memorable. From the moment we met him, he was incredibly kind, welcoming, patient, and easy to be around. We were traveling with our kids, and one of the things we appreciated most was how wonderful he was with them. He kept them engaged, made them feel included, and was so patient with all of their questions. Traveling with children can sometimes make tours feel stressful, but Yoshi made the entire day feel relaxed, fun, and effortless. He was also extremely knowledgeable and shared so much about the history, culture, and places we visited without ever making it feel overwhelming. It felt much more personal than a typical tour. He took the time to make sure we were enjoying ourselves and helped create moments we will remember long after this trip is over. By the end of the day, it honestly felt like we were exploring Japan with a friend rather than just a tour guide. We feel very lucky that Yoshi was part of our trip and would recommend him without hesitation, especially to families traveling with children. Thank you, Yoshi, for making our time in Japan so special!
Excellent Tour; Fantastic Guide!
paulmG5832ZI
Sep 10, 2026, 5:55:44 AM
Sep 10, 2026, 5:55:44 AM
Mrs. Harumi Sagayama was the absolute best guide ever. She was very knowledgeable about Japanese history, very personable, had a good sense of humor, and a great personality. Her English was impeccable. We couldn’t ask for a better guide or a better tour. We were very. Very pleased!
Best Tour Guide Ever!!
stevenkM3265FU
Sep 10, 2026, 4:25:48 AM
Sep 10, 2026, 4:25:48 AM
Harumi actually has a bachelor’s degree in tourism guiding!!! She studied for years and passed many history tests to get to this level. Her knowledge really shined when I asked off the wall questions. She’s invaluable. Absolutely fantastic welcoming professional perfect English and understanding of my culture as well being an American. I wasn’t afraid to offend her with my dumb small brained American thinking. Absolutely would recommend⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You want a great experience, book with guide Harumi!
A8062GEkristeng
Sep 6, 2026, 6:21:41 AM
Sep 6, 2026, 6:21:41 AM
What a wonderful experience! Our tour guide was Harumi and she was just as wonderful. She was very knowledgeable and made the trip fun! She had everything mapped out perfectly to our liking and made sure to show us some secret spots for excellent pictures!! Recommend her 100000000%!!
The only guided tour in Kyoto to book that is frictionless!
Panta_R
Aug 26, 2026, 2:39:04 AM
Aug 26, 2026, 2:39:04 AM
We had a perfect day with Yuji. We received confirmation of our booking and were in direct communication with our tour guide, Yuki, the week before. We expressed our interests and together with his expertise, he crafted an itinerary and shared it with us. I suggested that we change the order due to heat and he was able to rearrange and be flexible. He was attentive, knowledgable, and kind. He asked about lunch locations and took us to an amazing restaurant that was very nice and quick. Our driver was equally professional and warm.
Great intro to Kyoto
Jill_E
Aug 20, 2026, 1:39:50 AM
Aug 20, 2026, 1:39:50 AM
Expertly paced walking tour of 5-6 key spots in Kyoto. Lunch with Mr. Sumo was a special treat as he helped us order and learn about the food. All the best locations and so nice to have a guide willing to take photos of the group so we could all be in them.
Michi is great
Andrew_H
Aug 19, 2026, 7:39:13 AM
Aug 19, 2026, 7:39:13 AM
Michi was a wonderful host and guide. His knowledge of Kyoto, Japanese history and religious philosophies was impressive. My family truly appreciated his energy and passion. He was thoughtful and proactive. He emailed weeks ahead to schedule the day based on our interests.
Very good private tour of Kyoto with Kazuo
Pascale_Q
Aug 7, 2026, 3:50:06 AM
Aug 7, 2026, 3:50:06 AM
We had a wonderful experience during our Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide. Our guide, Kazuo, was truly outstanding from start to finish. He shared an impressive amount of knowledge about Kyoto’s history, culture, temples, and daily life. You can feel how passionate he is about his city, and he explains everything with the calm, precision and kindness so typical of Japanese guides. His English was clear and easy to follow, which made the whole day even more enjoyable. Kazuo was also extremely friendly, attentive and careful. He always made sure we were comfortable, took the time to answer all our questions, adapted the pace of the tour, and anticipated our needs without us even asking. Travelling by car made the experience smooth and relaxing, allowing us to see more places without rushing. We felt very well taken care of throughout the day, and we learned so much thanks to him. We highly recommend Kazuo to anyone looking for a personalized, insightful and stress‑free discovery of Kyoto.
We really enjoyed our...
Lawrence_M
Aug 5, 2026, 5:05:43 PM
Aug 5, 2026, 5:05:43 PM
We really enjoyed our tour with Ken because he was incredibly knowledgeable, kind, gracious, and thoughtful. His depth of knowledge about Kyoto’s history, culture, and traditions was truly impressive, and he shared it in a way that was engaging and easy to understand. Our time in Kyoto was so limited and precious, and Ken went above and beyond to make the most of every moment. Thanks to his thoughtful planning and expertise, we were able to see and appreciate far more than we ever could have on our own. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide. 10 out of 10!
A Day to Remember!
Donald_C
Jul 30, 2026, 8:52:43 PM
Jul 30, 2026, 8:52:43 PM
Etsuko was so knowledgeable and as sweet as she could be! And they were very flexible about what we wanted to accomplish during the day. Our driver was excellent and also knowledgeable….. these might be the most polite two people I’ve ever met.😍
Private Kyoto tour with a licensed guide and separate driver
amydJ3030YT
Jul 30, 2026, 4:57:02 AM
Jul 30, 2026, 4:57:02 AM
Our guide, Masa was very knowledgeable and efficient. He took us to great tourist sites- Fushimi Inari, Bamboo forest and other Kyoto sites. He gave great insights to Gion and local Kyoto hot spots in central Kyoto. Even in the heat, he didnt stop and led the way for us. Having a car at the ready with a/c on was great, and made it an efficient day. Our 3 teenage boys enjoyed our day of culture and touring Kyoto. Highly recommend!!!
Wonderful tour in Kyoto
Inspiration448287
Jul 26, 2026, 10:02:12 PM
Jul 26, 2026, 10:02:12 PM
We had a private 7 hr tour and Yuji was our guide and did an amazing job. The driver was also great and the van was comfortable and clean. It was summer so this really made things better that we were able to go right to the temples without waiting. Yuji was very knowledgeable and friendly. His English was great. We also had Chinese speakers in our group and we were able to use a translator service. We had a group of 7 aged 7-80 and he made sure that everyone had a great time! The restaurant stop also features local specialities (like yodofu) which we requested. We would love to hire Yuji again if we were back in Kyoto or Osaka!
Excellent guide and support
M2443VKandrewl
Jul 18, 2026, 11:38:15 PM
Jul 18, 2026, 11:38:15 PM
Kuni-san was an excellent guide and very friendly and knowledgable. Kuni-san greatly assisted with meeting one of our family member medical needs on the day and was very helpful in supporting us and changing the itinerary and assisting our family member. I would HIGHLY recommend Kuni-san as a guide and this tour defintely met our needs as a group of 4.
Great way to see Kyoto
margaretsM7923ON
Jul 16, 2026, 6:50:46 PM
Jul 16, 2026, 6:50:46 PM
Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.
Wonderful Tour, Wonderful Guide!
Dianna-fam
Jul 11, 2026, 7:44:43 PM
Jul 11, 2026, 7:44:43 PM
My teenage boys and I had a wonderful private (driving) tour of Kyoto with our guide Kaeko! After I booked the Japan Guide Agency tour through TripAdvisor, Kaeko reached out to me directly about our itinerary. She was very accommodating and responsive during the planning stage, and the tour went exactly as planned, with a lot of interesting history/facts provided along the way. She spoke very good English and was easy to understand. Would highly recommend this tour (and Kaeko!) as a very efficient/immersive way to experience and explore Kyoto.
Private Tour
Rahul_P
Jul 11, 2026, 6:16:25 AM
Jul 11, 2026, 6:16:25 AM
Highly recommended if looking for a comfortable tour of kyoto. Our guide and driver were amazing. The guide was very knowledgeable and explained everything with great details as we toured around.
Amazing tour, fantastic guide!
SEAN_S
Jul 10, 2026, 10:44:51 PM
Jul 10, 2026, 10:44:51 PM
We really enjoyed our experience on this tour. Take-San was our tour guide. He was really amazing. He took the time to share information about every stop and was thoughtful and flexible around scheduling the day. The best part was that he actually would walk with us to the destinations. Not only was that great because he got to share information about the sights, but he was also available to take great pictures of our family too. I highly highly recommend this tour… we had a great time!
1st time in Kyoto this is a must!!!!
kinji1182
Jul 7, 2026, 4:59:53 PM
Jul 7, 2026, 4:59:53 PM
We had a great experience with our guides! We are a family of 4 (8 and 5 year old). Both guides, Michi and Masaki, were very accommodating to the pace with kids, food options for vegan and gluten free and very knowledgeable and friendly the entire time. Highly recommended
Great custom tour
E4742KDmariannas
Jul 7, 2026, 4:33:27 AM
Jul 7, 2026, 4:33:27 AM
We really enjoyed the trip with Riko-san. She customized our tour to our timing and interests and our visit was perfect. We really enjoyed the itinerary that Rico suggested. Thank you!
Fun day in Kyoto
Yanamummy
Jul 5, 2026, 5:30:25 AM
Jul 5, 2026, 5:30:25 AM
Our guide, Akira Tsutsumi, arrived on- time with the driver and was patient as we scrambled to grab bings we had left in our room. We did a 6hour tour and he explained all the history and shared fun facts, was organized, engaging with the kids and polite. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who is in Kyoto for a short time. We did not have time to cover Arashiyama Bamboo Forest however in our itinerary but he did recommend we go there. But we did cover (1) Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera + Higashiyama streets, and Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) in detail. We had light rain throughout an it was nice to have a comfortable car service for the day.
Well worth the trip
David_T
Jul 1, 2026, 6:38:52 AM
Jul 1, 2026, 6:38:52 AM
Nara is a magical place with awe-inspiring temples and countless bowing deer. Amazing experience and Haruka was a cheerful and fun guide.
Harumi and our driver...
Arielle_H
Jun 24, 2026, 8:48:21 AM
Jun 24, 2026, 8:48:21 AM
Harumi and our driver were amazing! We worked together to develop the itinerary, and when she suggested we divert to a different Temple because some of our family members couldn’t walk so far, we trusted her completely and were so happy with her choice. They went out of their way to find accessible entrances for us too. Plus she made a wonderful lunch recommendation- the sushi conveyor belt restaurant had food for everyone and provided us with lots of giggles. Wouldn’t change a thing!
Highly recommended when in Kyoto
Winni_H
Jun 23, 2026, 1:09:41 PM
Jun 23, 2026, 1:09:41 PM
Our tour guide Kazu was very knowledgeable in terms of the history and explaining many of the wonderful ancient sites around Kyoto. Definitely a must! Otherwise, I think it would be difficult to tourists to understand on their own.
Best Kyoto experience ever
Jody D
Jun 22, 2026, 9:17:31 PM
Jun 22, 2026, 9:17:31 PM
Kazu is a fantastic person and an even better tour guide! We went EVERYWHERE we wanted to go and he was super helpful in allowing us to eat beforehand! We went to the bamboo forest , multiple temples and shrines and even 7/11! The driver was so professional as well. I'm delighted by the tour!
Amazing guided experience
Andrew_M
Jun 21, 2026, 5:19:36 AM
Jun 21, 2026, 5:19:36 AM
Harumi is an amazing guide. Knows everything about the sites she takes you to. She is excellent with kids and even brought them oregami and treats. The heat was a bit oppressive and we were so glad we paid for the driver with a large and clean air conditioned van. Harumi, the guide, was a true professional. She devised a very good itinerary and was also flexible when the kids were hungry, etc. Would highly recommend.
The best tour with Harumi.
298malindaf
Jun 20, 2026, 3:58:50 AM
Jun 20, 2026, 3:58:50 AM
What a great tour with our awesome guide, Harumi S. She was very knowledgeable and a joy to be around. Would definitely book a tour with her again!
Great Tour!
Bridget_D
Jun 16, 2026, 7:24:47 PM
Jun 16, 2026, 7:24:47 PM
Great tour! Yoshi was a fun friendly tour guide. He had so much knowledge of Japanese history and great information about the places we toured. We were picked up and dropped off at our hotel. Yoshi contacted me ahead of time to decide on places of interest and an itinerary for the day. In 6 hours we had plenty of time to see Arashiyama, Tenryiji Garden, Kinkajou. Fushima Inari Taisha, and Kiyomizu. Would definitely recommend!!!!
The Best Private Japan Tour
Excursion53934544817
Jun 15, 2026, 6:59:08 PM
Jun 15, 2026, 6:59:08 PM
The tour guide was one of the nicest people I have ever met. She was very fun. The driver was very safe and just as kind.
Amazing day in Kyoto customized for our family
EMILY_B
Jun 13, 2026, 9:48:23 AM
Jun 13, 2026, 9:48:23 AM
Our tour guide was exceptional! She went out of her way to customize the day for our family so it was an action packed adventure combining history with a bit of fun for the kids. It was the perfect first day in Kyoto. We saw so much in 6 hours and learned a lot of history. Harumi (our guide) was friendly and went the extra mile to make us feel special. She took many photos of us that were amazing! Thank you for exceeding our expectations.
Kyoto highlights
Jennifer_P
Jun 13, 2026, 12:04:23 AM
Jun 13, 2026, 12:04:23 AM
We had a very nice tour around Kyoto’s highlights with our very knowledgeable guide. He was very accommodating to our diverse age group’s needs and requirements to stop for food and bathrooms :) We really enjoyed the history we learned along the way. Despite it being hot and sunny, we were able to enjoy the stops and see a lot in one day. I also liked that we could pick the stops we’d like to see and customize to our group’s preferences. We decided to see Nijo-Jo Castle as our last stop, and so glad we did. Great tour overall.
Perfect day, customized to our requests, with an excellent guide.
Jeni_C
Jun 12, 2026, 12:47:20 AM
Jun 12, 2026, 12:47:20 AM
What an incredible experience! Our guide, Kazu, was so knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. Our tour was customizable, and Kazu provided excellent recommendations. We visited the most amazing sites, and Kazu provided education, adding a lot of history and depth to what we were viewing. His expertise helped us bypass crowds, and spend our time efficiently. I cannot say enough good about this trip, I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Kyoto.
Fantastic tour for a 3 generation family group
479jenic
Jun 11, 2026, 11:51:46 PM
Jun 11, 2026, 11:51:46 PM
This experience was amazing! We visited as a 3 generation family group, and everyone enjoyed the tour tremendously. Our guide, Kazu, provided a lot of education, adding meaning and depth to the sites we were seeing. Because of his experience and expertise, we were able to avoid most crowds. Kazu was friendly, efficient, knowledgeable, punctual, and efficient. This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
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