Private Kyoto Tours
Intimate tours to enjoy the right mix of highlights and hidden gems for an experience of a lifetime!
See the highlights and discover some hidden gems!
Working at the hotel, I constantly encountered guests who felt disappointed because they wasted their time on only the touristy stuff.
There is so much to see and do in Kyoto but with so little time and a ton of possibilities, it’s difficult to know what’s right for you. I get it!
Your clients want to see the highlights, but also discover “Local Kyoto” A.K.A-a more personalized feel for Kyoto’s people, culture and history.
I’ve taken many clients on Private Tours of Kyoto. Before my tour, they didn’t know what to see, how to get there and worried about wasting their precious time on places or things, uninteresting to them.
Have your clients join a Private Tour and rest assured they will enjoy an intimate tour with the right mix of highlights and amazing hidden gems.
I can’t wait to help your clients enjoy an experience of a lifetime!
Why join a Private Tour?
No language barriers
Myself along with other guides are fluent in both English and Japanese, helping to smooth out any communication problems
Professional & Experienced Guides
Myself and other guides I carefully select, possess the knowledge, expertise and passion to take your clients beyond the touristy stuff!!
Local connection you can count on!
I'm just like a local friend, who happens to to possess experience in hospitality and professional guiding in Kyoto. I'm someone you can easily relate to and I can speak on Japan from both a Japanese and Western perspective to help create memorable experiences for your clients. I've gone through the pain of learning the language and other difficulties, so your clients don't have to!!
Unique Access to locals
With my access to local Kyoto, your clients will be able to connect to Kyoto in ways they'd find difficult on their own.
Join a Private Tour in 4 easy steps:
1. Click JOIN A TOUR
2. Choose Private Tours
3. Finalize the booking
4. Discover the hidden side of Kyoto
Discovering Local Kyoto is a once in a lifetime chance, you don't want to miss out on!
Your clients have travelled all this way to Japan and if you don’t use local experts such as us, your clients run the risk of going home disappointed, having only experienced the touristy side of Kyoto.
This won’t happen on Private Kyoto tours with us.
We’ll help your clients find the right mix of highlights and amazing hidden gems!
My Private Tours are designed with attention to just the right mix of highlights and hidden gems.
Your clients will leave Kyoto feeling happy and bring home everlasting memories with them.
I've helped these clients discover the Hidden Gems:
Didn’t expect to spend time at the Zen temple, just talking about tea ceremony and had no idea it was similar to a martial art. I would definitely recommend this tour to a friend."
I also felt as if we were being showed around by a local friend. Highlights of the tour for me were navigating the railway system; delving into the city's ancient history; feasting on the architecture; artisan gallery shopping; sharing a tasty local meal."
Greg showed us things that we would NEVER have found on our own – a scale model of old Osaka, the fall colors in Mino Park, and even edible maple leaves!"
Certificate of Excellence 2018
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on TripAdvisor
Discover the hidden side of Kyoto. A simple booking away.
What You'll get on a Private Kyoto Tour:
Fluent English, Japanese Speakers
Guides with deep connection to Kyoto
Experienced/Knowledgable Guides
Careful mix of the highlights with hidden gems
Access to local restaurants, places & people you'd miss on your own
Easy to understand/unique cultural insights
Full-day Private Tour
Pricing-
￥80,000 (1-5 clients)
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￥5,000 fee for every extra person
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costs will differ, depending on lunch and way we get around (walking/public transportation or taxi)
-
entrance into temples is free for me due to my guide license
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Note: entrance fees, transportation fees and lunch are not included, separate from the guide fee
Tour Details
- Tours start 9:30 am until 4:30 pm (flexible with start/finish time) available on on a weekly basis: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
- the guide personally meets clients at the accommodation or place of choice (within Kyoto city limits)
- Walking is the main way to get around for these options but also use a blend of taxi and public transportation (clients pay for transportation fees)
Tour Options
Fushimi Inari shrine
Off-beaten-path garden
Sanjusangendo temple
Nijo castle
Nishiki market
Ginkakuji Silver temple
Philosopher’s Path
Off-beaten-path garden
Lesser known temple
Yasaka shrine
Hidden temple & shrine
Off-beaten-path garden
Restaurant only locals know
Backstreets of Kyoto
Half-day Private Tour
Pricing-
￥40000 (1-5 clients)
-
￥5,000 fee for every extra person
-
costs will differ, depending on lunch and way we get around (walking/public transportation or taxi)
-
entrance into temples is free for me due to my guide license
-
Note: entrance fees, transportation fees and lunch are not included, separate from the guide fee
Tour Details
- Tours start 9:30 am until 13:30 (flexible with start/finish time)
- the guide personally meets clients at the accommodation or place of choice (within Kyoto city limits)
- Walking is the main way to get around for these options but also use a blend of taxi and public transportation (clients pay for transportation fees)
Tour Options
Fushimi Inari shrine
Off-beaten-path garden
Sanjusangendo temple
Ginkakuji Silver temple
Philosopher’s Path
Off-beaten-path garden
Hidden temple
Lesser known shrine
Off-beaten-path garden
Have Questions? We've Got Answers
You will find a host of guides out there, but do they have the ability to take your clients past the touristy stuff? I’m a long-term resident, possessing 10 years plus guide experience who has personally invested my own time, energy, and money learning about Kyoto and developing unique internal relationships with local Kyoto businesses, guides artisans, and universities-I can use to help your clients discover the hidden side of Kyoto
Hands On Kyoto guides are more like a “local friend” who helps your clients get an insider’s look into Kyoto.
Hands On Kyoto guides are easy to relate to and communicate with since they speak both English and Japanese.
We have a deep personal connection to Kyoto, providing your clients with unique insights into Kyoto people, culture and beyond.
The maximum number for the price quoted is for 5 people.
There is a booking form we ask clients to fill out. You simply list basic information concerning your tour choice, name and contact details and we reply as soon as possible.
Rain or shine our tours will be held. However, during the typhoon season (August-October) we experience torrential downpours and strong winds and in these cases the tours will be cancelled. I will contact those of you who have booked to let you know the tour is actually cancelled.
Price is ¥80,000 up to 5 people. (excluding entrance fees, transportation fees, lunch) for full-day Private Tours and ¥40,000 up to 5 people for half-day tours.
Unfortunately, we don’t accept credit cards or online payments at the moment. Please pay us in cash (Japanese yen) on the day of the tour.
