Private Kyoto Tours
Your very own intimate tour 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!
You want to see the highlights, but also discover “Local Kyoto” A.K.A. experience a personal feel for Kyoto’s people, culture and history.
I’ve taken clients just like you, 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.
Join a Private Tour and enjoy your very own intimate tour with the right mix of highlights and amazing hidden gems.
I can’t wait to help you have an experience of a lifetime!
Why join a Private Tour?
No language barriers
I'm a native English speaker originally from Canada who speaks Japanese fluently, helping to smooth out any communication problems.
Professional & Experienced Guide
With my 2 years at one of the best hotels in Kyoto and almost 10 years of full-time guiding, I know exactly what you are looking for and possess the knowledge and expertise to take you beyond the touristy stuff!!
Just like a local Friend
I'm just like a local friend, who happens to be a guide. However, more than just a guide, I'm someone you can easily relate to and I can speak on Japan from both a Japanese and Western perspective. I've gone through the pain of learning the language and other difficulties, so you don't have to!!
Unique Access to locals
With my access to locals, you are able to connect to Kyoto in ways you'd find difficult on your 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!
You’ve travelled all this way to Japan and if you do Kyoto on your own, you run the risk of going home disappointed, having only experienced the touristy side of Kyoto.
This won’t happen on a Private Kyoto tour with me.
I’ll help you 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.
You’ll leave Kyoto feeling happy and bring home everlasting memories with you.
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:
Native English, Fluent Japanese Speaker
Local Kyoto resident-over 15 years
Experienced Guide
Careful mix of the highlights with hidden gems
Access to local restaurants, places & people you'll miss on your own
Rare cultural Insights
Full-day Private Tour
Pricing-
￥50,000 (1-5 clients)
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￥4,000 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 4:30 pm (flexible with start/finish time) available on on a weekly basis: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
- I personally meet you at your 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-
￥35000 (1-5 clients)
-
￥4,000 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)
- I personally meet you at your 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
If you’re looking to experience the REAL Kyoto, I’m the person for you. I’m a native English speaker, plus fluent in Japanese so you don’t have to worry about language barriers. Plus, I’ve personally experienced most of the aspects of Japanese culture you’re interested in. This allows allows you in a unique way live vicariously through my experiences.
I’m just like a local friend, who happens to be a guide. My hotel experience and almost 10 years of guiding gives me the knowledge and expertise to break out of the mold and truly help you discover hidden aspects of Kyoto you won’t find otherwise.
I’ve actually lived and breathed Japan, racking up a lot of personal experiences and made lots of connections with locals over 15 years, providing you with hard to find experiences.
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 ¥40,000 up to 5 people. (excluding entrance fees, transportation fees, lunch) for Private Tours and ¥28,000 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.
