Explore the castle grounds, the ornate Karamon Gate, Ninomaru Palace exterior with its famous nightingale floors engineered to detect intruders, and the scenic East gardens of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Explore the serene outer walls, Shishinden (Throne Hall), Seiryo-den (Imperial residence), and palace gardens of the former Imperial Court — the seat of Japan's Emperor for over a millennium.
It was very interesting and knowledgeable tour. We loved the guide. Vincent is half Japanese and half American so he was able to explain very well cultural differences as well
Vincent was extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the tour and very patient with all my questions!
Vincent is a very talented young man who gives you a lot of information in a very relaxed way. You walked us around all the venues giving us a really good time. It’s definitely an experience to have
Our private tour of Nijo Castle and the Kyoto Imperial Palace was one of the highlights of our time in Kyoto, and an experience we will remember for a very long time\. The opportunity to explore two such historically significant and magnificent sites with a knowledgeable private guide made all the difference\. Rather than simply walking around and admiring the buildings, we gained a much deeper understanding of Japan’s fascinating imperial history, its traditions, its architecture and the remarkable people who shaped the country\. Nijo Castle was truly impressive, with its magnificent interiors, beautiful gardens and extraordinary historical significance\. The Kyoto Imperial Palace was equally captivating, offering a wonderful insight into the lives of Japan’s emperors and the country’s rich cultural heritage\. What made this tour so special was the personal experience, the fascinating explanations and the opportunity to appreciate these remarkable places at a comfortable pace\. Having a private guide allowed us to ask questions, explore our interests and gain insights that we would almost certainly have missed on our own\. **This was far more than just a sightseeing tour — it was an unforgettable journey into the heart of Japanese history and culture\.** We would recommend this experience without hesitation to anyone visiting Kyoto\. If you want to understand and appreciate the incredible history of Japan rather than simply see its famous landmarks, this private tour is an absolute must\. A truly exceptional experience, thoroughly worthwhile and worth every penny\. **Five stars without question\!** 🇯🇵✨
Great explanation very knowledgeable
Vincent was great. Very informative. He was very patient with my young intellectually challenged son who just loved him!
Vincent was a wonderful guide. in addition to sharing the history and culture of the times of the Nijo Castle and Imperial Palace, he shared a lot of the general culture and gave recommendations for other sites for us to visit in Kyoto. He answered many questions we had and was a delightful guide. We really enjoyed the private tour as we felt he did a great job personalizing for our interests.
Super sick experience with Vincent, he knew all the answers to our questions and was super knowledgeable about the places we went! Highly recommend.
Our guide was phenomenal! Friendly and knowledgeable and went way above and beyond!! So great!!
Vincent was very knowledgeable and helpful. It was easy to meet and the tour was excellent
Vincent was a wonderful tour guide. Extremely knowledgable on countries history. Far more than other guides we've had. He was constantly answering our questions about Japanese culture old and current as well. Very accommodating. Definitely choose this tour!!
Vincent was a wealth of information! He was an excellent guide and gave us plenty of time to take pictures and the really soak in the sights.Highly recommend!
Vincent was a great guide. We really got a good sense of the sights we visited and it was interesting to hear about the Japanese culture. Thank you for the great tour!
Im from germany and traveled alone. The guide Vincent was very good his explanations were easy to understand and he had great recommendations for places to eat. I recommend it to all travellers.
Truly amazing, this tour made me feel welcomed and educated. The guides actually care and want to be there with you. Could not recomend any higher
Vincent is the best tour Guide I’ve ever had he was very informative answered all my questions no problem and he made the tour very fun if you have the chance to book a tour with Vincent I would 100% recommend it!!!
Vincent is an excellent guide: highly knowledgeable, personable and great company. He has a real gift for imparting historical information, without it ever becoming dry, and was able to pitch everything at a level that kept two adults and their 10 year old daughter engaged for well over two hours, in the heat of the Kyoto Summer. The personal attention that Vincent is able to give on a private tour is well worth the small extra cost over other group tours – I can’t recommend him highly enough.
Vincent is an excellent guide: highly knowledgeable, personable and great company. He has a real gift for imparting historical information, without it ever becoming dry, and was able to pitch everything at a level that kept two adults and their 10 year old daughter engaged for well over two hours, in the heat of the Kyoto Summer. The personal attention that Vincent is able to give on a private tour is well worth the small extra cost over other group tours – I can’t recommend him highly enough.
Booking this tour was a great decision. His English is flawless, which made everything super easy. What I appreciated most was his timing. He knew exactly how to beat the crowds, so we barely had to wait anywhere. He is really knowledgeable about Kyoto and showed us some great, budget-friendly spots completely away from the usual tourist traps. Highly recommended if you want an authentic and stress-free trip. I’m already back home and missing Japan crazy. Greetings from Switzerland!
Was a great tour and my guide also was very cool and educating come this tour without hesistation.
Vince was awesome. My wife and I went to Kyoto on our honeymoon and were lucky enough to get a solo tour with Vince. He was very accommodating to us and made sure we were comfortable, laughing and learning the entire time. He was very social and made sure we had the best time possible. Also very intelligent and could answer any question I thought of, which was plenty! This guide is a must to learn about Shintoism, Buddhism & any tips and tricks for living in Kyoto for the duration of your stay. We cannot recommend him enough!
Vince was an excellent tour guide & taught us so many valuable and historical facts about Japanese culture throughout Nijo Castle. He was very personable, accommodating, and gave us endless trips for navigating the city throughout the remainder of our honeymoon. We could not recommend him enough!
Amazing tour with a fantastic guide. The pace was perfect, and we never felt rushed. I especially appreciated how the guide explained the historical significance of both locations in a simple and interesting way. It made the experience much more meaningful than visiting by ourselves. Great tour for history lovers and first-time visitors to Kyoto.
Castle and palace tour Vincent was a very attentive and friendly guide. He explained everything quite wonderfully. It was very interesting. We now have a lasting positive memory. Vincent even helped us top up the Suica ticket. Thank you very much, Vincent.
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