Kyoto private tours

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Top private tours in Kyoto

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

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The best Kyoto private tours & experiences with locals

Looking for the ultimate Kyoto private tours in Japan’s glittering cultural gem? City Unscripted has got you covered. The cobbled streets and winding lanes of this otherworldly cityscape are best explored on foot with a passionate local leading the way. On private tours in Kyoto, you’ll immerse yourself in a snapshot of centuries-ago Japan, where geishas float down lantern-lit alleys and traditional multi-course meals are fit for ancient royalty. But more than that, our private tours of Kyoto will show you the surprisingly modern marvels of this living museum – a world of neon-lit nightlife and festive karaoke bars – and reveal how these two halves collide.

Meet some of our Kyoto local hosts

Tess

Kyoto

Culture lover sharing Kyoto’s traditions, tea, and the city’s most amazing spots!

Vanessa

Kyoto

Kyoto host who loves hidden temples, top teas, and the city's natural magic!

Experience Kyoto like a local

Kyoto’s major attractions like Gion, the glittering geisha district, and wood-built Higashiyama have played host to hundreds of thousands of happy visitors over the decades. But Japan’s perfectly preserved piece of history has many more secrets only a local guide could reveal on Kyoto private tours with us. Step off the tourist trail and experience the city through a local’s eyes. On private tours in Kyoto, explore bustling traditional markets, head to a local haunt for an ice-cold beer and bar snacks, and watch the sunset over Kamo River while snacking on Gyoza dumplings.

Immerse yourself in Japanese culture

There are so many ways to experience Japan’s iconic culture in Kyoto, and we’ll make sure you have several opportunities to do it on Kyoto private tours with our local insiders. From attractions like the 1200-year-old Kiyomizu-dera Temple to traditional teahouses serving pastel-colored Rakugan confections, the city is a journey back in time. Private tours in Kyoto with City Unscripted let you explore these cultural gems with a knowledgeable local who understands the history and heritage intimately. Learn about the way of life on private tours of Kyoto with someone who lives it every day.

Kyoto private tours tailored to you

What do you enjoy most about seeing a new city? Before planning your personalized itinerary for your Kyoto private tours, that’s the first question we’ll ask you. Kyoto is a culinary capital, a historic hub, and a nature-lover’s nirvana all at once, so we make sure your Kyoto private tours are tailored to suit your personality and passions. Our range of tours – from full-day experiences to day trips to food tours – cater to any type of traveler. Just tell us what it is that brings you to this fairytale city and we’ll be sure to craft private tours in Kyoto that you’ll never forget.

Kyoto travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Kyoto and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

Kenta was a phenomenal tour guide. We had a big age range in our group (9 to 73) and had to take many breaks. Kenta was very accommodating and let us set our own pace. He knew a ton about Kyoto and its history and was ready to answer all our questions. He picked a perfect itinerary for our interests and our abilities. It was a wonderful tour and we would highly recommend it for anyone visiting Kyoto.

Jul 2025
If you are staying in the Gion area (or even if you are not) this is a really great tour! Our guide, Emi, walked us all about and explained about the culture and history of Gion, Kyoto and Japan. She was very patient with us and answered all of our questions. We had her choose the itinerary for us and she did an excellent job!

Jul 2025
What a fantastic tour. We love the personal touch. Great communication building up to the tour. You get to really tailor your tour to what you want to see. Our guide Emi was a fabulous host. Very friendly and knowledgeable. She knew all the short cuts to avoid the crowds and we seen lots of little back streets that we just wouldn't have found on our own. She even helped us get our IC cards from the station at the end of our trip. I highly recommend doing this trip at the start of your holiday. It gets you up close and personal with your surrounding area and gives you the confidence to carry on exploring on your own. Nothing beats a bit of local knowledge. A must do for those of you who prefer small group tours. Big shout out to Emi, we'll done.

Jul 2025
Milo was outstanding. So knowledgeable and catered the tour to our requests. Highly reccomend him. .

Jul 2025