Kiyoto was helpful, knowledgeable, and charming to spend our day with. We were so appreciative of his love of the area. We would absolutely recommend!

If you do nothing else, organise a day tour in Kyoto with Kiyoto! I've just returned from a girls' trip to Japan and we were only meant to be in Kyoto overnight. I organised the 3-hour tour with Kiyoto, and as soon as we met up, he set about understanding the sights we had on our bucketlist and working out the quickest way to navigate and see as much as possible. He was knowledgeable about the various sights and was REALLY helpful with pictures. So much so that other tourists begged him to take their pictures when they saw some of the interesting poses he made us do! 3 hours is much too short, but he helped us in planning other things we could see even without him, sendin me detailed directions and instructions. You can tell he truly loves his city, and his enthusiasm made us fall in love with this amazing, historical place too. Arigato, Kiyoto - will definitely reach out if I'm ever down in your neck of the woods! Rachel

We had the absolute pleasure of spending the day in Kyoto with an incredible guide, Kiyoto (company: EMperience Japan; Instagram: @emperiencejapan), who made our visit truly unforgettable. From start to finish, he was knowledgeable, personable, and completely dedicated to making sure we had the best experience possible. He brought us to a fantastic variety of places that gave us a real sense of Japanese culture—from Fushimi Inari Shrine and Gion district to hidden gems we never would have found on our own. One of the highlights was our visit to the Nishiki Market, where he guided us through the vibrant stalls, introduced us to local specialties, and shared insights that made the experience even more meaningful. It’s clear he’s passionate about what he does, and it shows in every thoughtful detail of the tour. We can’t recommend him highly enough—if you’re visiting Kyoto and want a perfect mix of culture, history, food, and local charm, look no further. This was one of the best parts of our trip, and we’re so happy to support his growing business!

Taking a private guide is the only way to visit Kyoto sites. The cheap larger group tours are horrible. The small walking areas make large groups just an annoyance. Our guide Kyoto (his real name) was knowledgeable and friendly. Great English and gave just the right amount of information and didn’t sound like some corny tour guide. Highly recommended.