Full family day in Kyoto with a local
Full family day in Kyoto with a local
Full family day in Kyoto with a local
Full family day in Kyoto with a local
Full family day in Kyoto with a local
Full family day in Kyoto with a local
Full family day in Kyoto with a local
Full family day in Kyoto with a local

What you'll do

You could ring the bells at the interactive Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Eastern Kyoto, check out the view from Yasaka Pagoda less than one mile away, or head a little further north and explore the Botanical Gardens while the young ones zip down the playground slide.

Nature lovers may choose to head 30 minutes out of central Kyoto to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where forest walks and a visit to Iwatayama Monkey Park are sure to keep the whole family entertained. Hungry? Your local insider will be happy to scope out the best family-friendly restaurants in the district – and decipher the kids’ menus. When it’s time for dessert, keep sweet teeth happy with Kyoto’s famous melonpan ice cream or funky-flavored shaved ice - why not try the bamboo? 

Where you’ll go

“But will the kids enjoy it?” You won’t have to ask again. Your host has it covered, and now the whole family – you included – is guaranteed a stress-free, kid-approved vacation. Temple-hopping across central Kyoto could get old really quickly for the kids, but a bullet train driving simulation at the Kyoto Railway Museum? Yes, please!

Give the kids a lesson in the comic book drawing at the International Manga Museum, or let them learn the traditional art of samurai swordsmanship at the Kyoto Samurai Experience. A kimono class is a perfect way to appreciate Japanese culture and dress up in something beautiful, or a dolphin show at the aquarium is an ideal end to an eventful, educational, and, above all, exciting family adventure. 

  • Private & 100% personalized tour

  • 8 hours

  • Matched to your ideal host

  • Walking tour (may use public transport)

  • Hosted in English (On request: Arabic, Bulgarian, Cantonese, Catalan, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish)

  • Meet at your accommodation or a central location

Experience outline

  • See an area of Kyoto chosen by your knowledgeable host, but based on your family’s interests
  • Explore Kyoto’s cosmopolitan attractions, or head outdoors with a trip to the bamboo forest or botanical gardens
  • Take part in interactive, educational, and just plain fun experiences that kids will love
  • Visit family-friendly restaurants and tons of ice-cream parlors – your host reads a menu better than Google Translate does!
  • You’re guaranteed all-day entertainment within a relatively small radius of central Kyoto

Things to know

What’s included

  • Private and personalized experience

  • 8 hours with a host
  • Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)
  • Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

What’s not included

  • Food and drinks
  • Tickets to any attractions
  • Transportation costs
  • 
Gratuities (optional)

Cancellation

  • Cancel 7 days before the experience for a full refund
  • Worry-free cancellation terms: book with peace of mind knowing that you can cancel for free up to a day before the experience and receive a full refund.

Photos taken by our hosts and guests

City Unscripted guests photos

Reviews

    Love the Polaroids and photos that Kenta took for us. He also recommended great restaurants and was very knowledgeable.

    June 2023

    Michelle S

    Very informative and interesting tour. He was very personable and was able to make adjustments on the fly. He goes out of his way to help us when we informed him that my Mother in Law lost her phone yesterday.

    June 2023

    Euan S

    I would highly recommend Kenneth to anyone coming to Kyoto!

    June 2023

    WEICHIN C

    I booked a full day walking tour. Ruyki was assigned as my guide. The day I spent with him was one of the best days of my trip. In advance he suggested a couple of plans and I chose one of them. He met me at my hotel. We went to the first shrine on the plan. After that, we went off script. He took me to one of his favorite ramen places. We sat in a park and talked. He showed me parts of Kyoto station I did not know existed. We finished the day with ice cream. His English was pretty good. On the actual tour, he was knowledgeable. I just chose to forego the formality of a tour for a more authentic day in Kyoto.

    April 2023

    Benjamin F

See more reviews

Meet our local hosts in Kyoto. One of them will tailor this experience to your wishes!

We’ll expertly match you to your best suited host based on your interests, personality and the experience vibe you’re after.

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