Experience Kyoto
Beyond the Guidebooks
See the landmarks you’ve dreamed of, and the corners you didn’t know to look for — all in one personalized day.
Find your perfect experienceTop Kyoto Experiences
Kyoto’s Best-Kept Secrets: A Hidden Gems Discovery
$116.23 per person
3 hours
Kyoto’s Best-Kept Secrets: A Hidden Gems Discovery
$116.23 per person
3 hours
Uncover Kyoto’s hidden side with peaceful temples, serene gardens, and quiet canals, all curated to reveal the city’s authentic, crowd-free charm.
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Kyoto, Your Way: A Personalized 4-Hour Exploration
$147.03 per person
4 hours
Kyoto, Your Way: A Personalized 4-Hour Exploration
$147.03 per person
4 hours
Shape your half-day in Kyoto with iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and serene paths—crafted by your local host to match what excites you most!
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Your First Day in Kyoto: City Essentials and Cultural Insights
$116.23 per person
3 hours
Your First Day in Kyoto: City Essentials and Cultural Insights
$116.23 per person
3 hours
Ease into Kyoto’s rhythm with a thoughtful 3-hour introduction to its iconic sights, cultural nuances, and local tips, leaving you ready to explore.
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Kyoto, Your Story: A Full-Day of Icons, Culture & Hidden Gems
$270.23 per person
8 hours
Kyoto, Your Story: A Full-Day of Icons, Culture & Hidden Gems
$270.23 per person
8 hours
Your perfect Kyoto day, tailored to you. Explore icons, hidden gems & culture with a local host shaping a flexible experience around your interests.
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Mystical Gion: explore the iconic geisha district
$116.23 per person
3 hours
Mystical Gion: explore the iconic geisha district
$116.23 per person
3 hours
Explore Kyoto's most mesmerizing district, see stunning temples, traditional shops, and maybe even the odd geisha hurrying to her next appointment
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Find your perfect experience here.No scripts. No crowds. Just an experience built around you.
More than 26,605 5-star reviews and counting
26,605 5-Star Reviews and Counting
Trusted and recommended by travelers worldwide, including 99% on Google and TripAdvisor.
recommended by 99% of travelers on google
recommended by 99% of travelers on tripadvisor
How Personalization Works
All experiences are tailored to you—choose what excites you most.
Pick Your Experience
Browse and choose an experience that excites you—whether it’s hidden gems, local food, or cultural insights.
Share Your Interests
After booking, answer a few quick questions about your travel style and preferences so we can match you with the perfect host.
Connect & Customize
Chat with your host, discuss your interests, and fine-tune the experience before your adventure begins.
Want a sneak peek?
View a sample questionnaire
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Our Experiences
From hidden streets to well-known highlights—each one shaped by a local and tailored to you
Show prices based on:
Adults (Aged 13+)
Children (Up to 12 years old)
Real Stories, Real Connections
Bamboo Bliss: Friends Embracing Nature's Majesty
Smiles in a Bamboo Wonderland
Capturing Joy: A Serendipitous Smile at the Fushimi Inari Shrine
Beneath the Bloom: A Tranquil Escape
A Day of Discovery: Embracing Nature's Serenity
Joyful Wanderings in Kyoto's Enchanted Forest
Sunlit Smiles in Kyoto's Tranquil Courtyard
Blossom Moments: A Spring Picnic Under Cherry Trees
Radiant Smiles in the Starlit Evening
Harmony in the Cascade's Gentle Murmur
Pathway to Serenity: A Hidden Garden Escape
Family Adventure by the Golden Temple
Journey Through Kyoto's Timeless Torii
Whispers by the Waterfall: Friends in Nature's Embrace
Emerging Through the Wishful Archway
Morning Stroll by Tower Bridge: A Timeless Encounter
Tranquil Retreat: Guests in a Zen Garden
Charmed Moments Beneath the Pagoda
Bonds and Beauty at a Historic Site
Joyful Stroll in Japan's Historic Streets
Sky Painted in Gold: A Stroll at Dusk
Serenity Amongst Towering Bamboo
Tourists gathered at the base of the stepped roof pagoda in Kyoto.
Traditional building with tiled roof visible behind Japanese garden foliage.
Crowd gathers near Yasaka Pagoda in Kyoto’s Higashiyama District.
Group of people in front of the Chion-in Temple gate in Kyoto.
Two people standing in front of the Yasaka Pagoda in Kyoto, Japan.
Sweet Escapades and Smiles
Family Adventures at the Five-Tiered Temple
Harmony in Front of the Tranquil Statue
Exploring Timeless Beauty Together
Friends Amidst the Serenity of the Bamboo Forest
Ink and Attitude: Celebrating Friendship in Style
Emerging Through Wishes: A Journey to Tranquility
Smiles Amidst the Serenity of Kyoto
Family Adventure in Kyoto
Family Moments at the Vibrant Torii Tunnel
Evening Stroll in Enchanting Kyoto
Captivated by Tradition: A Moment at the Temple
A Dazzling New Year Celebration
A Day of Smiles and History in Kyoto
Surrounded by centuries of tradition
Night Lights & Lantern Legends
Charmed in Gion
Hidden shrines and heartfelt connections
Golden Hour at Kiyomizu-dera
Ice Cream Break in Old Kyoto
Morning Light & Timeless Streets
Pagoda Strolls & Smiles All Around
Fushimi Inari, the Insider Way
Family Roots at Yasaka Shrine
A Table Full of Stories
New Friends in Old Streets
Tempura & Togetherness
The Fox Shrine Crew
Sannenzaka Strolls & Big Grins
Wagyu, Wasabi & Wonderful Company
Kyoto’s Rooftops & Reflections
Walking through the iconic Fushimi Inari gates
Big smiles and even bigger stories
Soft Steps & Serene Views
From ancient torii gates to new friendships
A wintery evening stroll and some of the best street snacks in the city
Wandering through a forest of giants
A day filled with culture and laughter
Wandering Kyoto’s shopping arcades
Golden hour, cherry blossoms, and two friends soaking up Kyoto’s quiet charm
A Cozy Culinary Moment tucked into a quiet Kyoto alley
The perfect view to end a perfect Kyoto day.
Family adventures down Kyoto’s most charming slope
Pagoda Postcard Vibes
Lunch with a local – and two new ramen lovers officially converted
Nothing bonds like good food and great company in Kyoto
Walking through these thousand torii gates
A Ryokan-Style Feast
Tucked away in Kyoto’s Arashiyama bamboo grove
Playful Spirits at Fushimi Inari
Matcha Dreams Come True
Cocktails with a view
A walk through time
Rural charm and cultural calm
A peaceful pause with Kannon
What Our Travelers Think
J
Alex was an amazing tour guide and knows everything about Kyoto and Japan. Super informative and gave us tips and recommendations for the rest of our trip. Took us to the bamboo forest, the temple and shrine. Highly recommend for first time visitors, especially in the beginning of your trip.
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O
Thank you Amy for a great tour of Kyoto. I was short on time as I had a flight to catch, but Amy was able to fit a lot into the time we had together including Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-Dera. She was also quite knowledgeable and shared great information about the sites we visited. Thanks again!
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M
Nuestro guia Kokoro fue muy bueno. Habla muy bien español y nos permitió conocer muy buenos lugares en Kioto. Ademas nos dio tips para ir por nuestra cuenta al dia siguiente y fueron muy buenos. Recomiendo mucho los tours privados con este guia. Our guide Kokoro was excellent. She speaks Spanish very well and showed us some great places in Kyoto. She also gave us tips for exploring on our own the next day, and they were very helpful. I highly recommend private tours with this guide.
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G
We had a great time walking around the best parts of Kyoto with Milo today for 5 hours. He was very knowledgeable and had excellent insights into history, culture and hidden secrets. He went at the pace we asked him to go at and he took into account all of our needs (food stops, comfort breaks, start point and end point).
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K
Emi was communicative prior to our meeting. She really tailored the tour to us. She was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. We had a wonderful time with her! Loved our tour! And Emi was a fantastic guide.
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W
Milo was a generous and considerate guide, who managed to keep our three teens well fed, interested and walking for five hours without a complaint (almost!) We finished the tour with plenty of recommendations to follow up on, and the offer to keep in touch if we needed any more help. Highly recommended!
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A
We loved learning some history of Kyoto and hidden areas.
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N
Amy was a fantastic host. A slight glitch at the start as we didnt know exactly where we were in Kyoto station and therefore had trouble locating the meeting point, but once together, Amy customised a tour that included almost we wanted to see, only missing a couple of things due to time constrants. Amy had so much history knowledge to share and explained about temples and other sites with enthusiasm give us such a great learning experience about the traditions. Amy helped us to find our way to our Shinkansen when leaving Kyoto and we are very much looking forward to returning and completing the sites of Kyoto with her in the future.
Show moreFAQs
Your questions, answered
Are experiences the same as tours?
No. Our experiences are unscripted and designed around you. Instead of following a rigid itinerary, your host will plan a personalized journey that feels natural, immersive, and unique.
What if I don’t know what I want to explore?
That’s completely fine! Select an experience theme or a flexible discovery experience, and after booking, answer a few questions so your host can design the perfect experience for you.
Will I be able to speak to my host beforehand?
Yes. After we match you with your host, we’ll introduce you so you can chat about the plan and make any tweaks before the day.
How do you match me with a host?
We ask a few questions. After you book, you’ll fill out a short questionnaire about your interests and travel style. We’ll then match you with the best local host to design your experience.
Can I request specific places or types of stops?
Yes! After booking, you will receive a questionnaire where you can highlight must-visit spots and anything else you’d like to include, and your host will craft your experience around them.
Will I know my itinerary in advance?
Yes, you will have the opportunity to chat with your host directly and agree on a plan for the day. However, there’s always room for spontaneity and local surprises!
Can I mix different themes in one experience?
Yes! You can blend food, culture, history, neighborhoods, or even a bit of nightlife if time allows. Just share your interests in the questionnaire, and your host will build the day around them.
Can my host meet me at my accommodation?
Hotel meet-ups are available upon request in central areas. If you're staying outside the city, your host will recommend the best meeting spot and guide you with directions.
Can I cancel if my plans change?
Yes. You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before your experience date—no questions asked.
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Here is What Our Guests Say