Kyoto Private Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized, See the City Unscripted | 4 hours

25 Reviews | Kyoto
Special Offer
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 8 travelers in total.
Adult (13-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 8
2
Child (0-12) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 8
0
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Kyoto Private Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized, See the City Unscripted
2 Adults x $215.95
$431.90
Approx Total
$431.90

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: Japanese, English
  • 4 hours with a host
  • Private and personalised experience
  • Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)
  • Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or taxi options)
  • Food and drinks
  • Tickets to any attractions
  • Transportation costs
  • Gratuities (optional)

Overview

Spend time with one of our hosts exploring Kyoto. Half a day is not nearly enough time to see the whole city, but with a host by your side you will get a feel for its energy. Explore one of Kyoto's traditional neighborhoods, and see Kyoto as you would if you were coming to visit a friend who lived here. Within 24 hours after booking, you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Meeting points

Starbucks Coffee - Kyoto Sanjo-ohashi Bridge
Japan, 〒604-8004 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nakajimachō, １１３ 近江屋ビル 1F

Open in Google Maps

(The host will be waiting in front of Starbucks Coffee) After booking, you can adjust the meeting point to fit your preferences with the help of our Experience Planners.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

  • Sanjo Bridge (Pass By)

    Sanjo area is full of old, family-run establishments, specialist shops and local life. You can also enjoy a stroll on Kamogawa river, while your local host shares with you stories about Kyoto’s history and traditional culture. IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences

  • Gion (Pass By)

    Kyoto’s most famous Geisha’s district (however, if you spot them, please act respectfully). 
Make sure to pay a visit to Hanami-koji street and then cross Tatsumi Bridge to reach Shimbashi, the most picturesque part Gion, with elegant traditional wooden houses of Kyoto housing high-class restaurants, cafes, and tea-houses. IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences

  • Yasaka Shrine (Pass By)

    Founded over 1350 years ago, Yasaka is the guardian shrine of the Gion entertainment district in Kyoto.
It is well known for its summer festival, the Gion Matsuri (July), arguably the most famous festival in the whole country. IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences.

  • Heian Shrine (Pass By)

    Famous for the massive Torii Gate at the entrance of its Omotesando (path to the shrine), it has a relatively short history, dating back to 1895. Heian Jingu was built on the occasion of the 1100th anniversary of the capital’s foundation in Kyoto, and it’s dedicated to the spirits of the first and last emperors who reigned in Kyoto. IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences

  • Kyoto Imperial Palace (Pass By)

    This used to be the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868, when the capital were moved to Tokyo. Visitors can see the palace buildings and gardens, but note that none of the buildings can be entered. IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences

  • Nijo Castle (Pass By)

    Stronghold that represents the prestige and power of the famous leader Tokugawa Ieyasu (the first shogun of the Edo Period). Ready to learn some Japanese history? We promise it won’t be boring with our local host! IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences

  • Nishiki Market Shopping District (Pass By)

    Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this 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 traditional food. Are you ready to indulge in some seasonal specialties? IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences

  • Pontocho District (Pass By)

    Pontocho Alley is considered to be the most beautiful street in Kyoto. It’s lined with traditional shops and restaurants, and no cars, modern buildings or gaudy signs are allowed. At dusk, with the red lanterns lining down the narrow street, Pontocho becomes a magical place. And, if you are lucky, you may have the chance of spotting a maiko (apprentice geisha).   IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalised experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • We’ll be in touch within 24 hours after booking to find out more about your personality, tastes and interests so we can assign a like-minded Local who can create a bespoke experience for you.

Free Cancellation

June 18100% refund
June 19No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.6

25 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    22
  • 4 stars
    0
  • 3 stars
    0
  • 2 stars
    2
  • 1 star
    1

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 22 reviews with 5 stars

Mai was exceptional!

Published on May, 2025

Mai was a wonderful guide who very efficiently shepherded us through the crowds in the train stations to the wonderful destinations of our choosing. She was amazingly accommodating and helped take photos for us. Even after our tour, she continued to assist us with recommendations. There is so much to see, so her guidance was so important.

Kyoto Tour

Published on Nov, 2024

Andy did a great job with the tour and showed us some of the less crowded places in Kyoto, which was what we were looking for

Kyoto Tour

Published on Nov, 2024

Andy did a great job with the tour and showed us some of the less crowded places in Kyoto, which was what we were looking for

Best way to see Kyoto

Published on Apr, 2024

Masaya was our guide for an 8 hour tour of Kyoto. He met us at our hotel. Masaya was very knowledgeable and enjoyable. We were able to see quite a lot of Kyoto in our 8 hours, much more than we would have been able to on our own. I cannot recommend the experience more. He also gave us recommendations for our remaining days in Kyoto which was very helpful.

Best way to see Kyoto

Published on Apr, 2024

Masaya was our guide for an 8 hour tour of Kyoto. He met us at our hotel. Masaya was very knowledgeable and enjoyable. We were able to see quite a lot of Kyoto in our 8 hours, much more than we would have been able to on our own. I cannot recommend the experience more. He also gave us recommendations for our remaining days in Kyoto which was very helpful.

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