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Answer a few quick questions, and we'll match you with experiences tailored to your interests, travel style, and how you want to explore.
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QUESTION 1
What kind of experience makes a trip unforgettable for you?
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QUESTION 3
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How do you want to experience the city’s atmosphere?
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Kyoto experiences!
Based on your travel style, these are our top picks for you.
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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 experience

Top Kyoto Experiences

Two women and a man engage in conversation while walking in a park in Kyoto

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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Half day in Magical Kyoto

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

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

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

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 26,374 5-star reviews and counting

26,374 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.
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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)
Pre-Trip Planning Session
Kyoto

Kyoto trip planning video call

5 (47)
30-90 minutes
From   $25   per person
See details

Video chat or email with a local to plan your perfect trip or get answers to all your questions

Kyoto’s Izakaya Experience: A Taste of Japanese Social Dining Local Food & Drink Tastings
Kyoto

Kyoto’s Izakaya Experience: A Taste of Japanese Social Dining

5 (71)
3 hours
From   $178.23   per person
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Discover Kyoto’s izakaya culture, where locals gather over shared plates, drinks, and conversation, with a tailored experience crafted to your tastes.

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Here is What Our Guests Say

We loved his personality, his enthusiasm. He took us to a restaurant where we could make our own yuba and taught us how to use public transportation Alix
From the moment our tour started we knew we were in for a special day. Alex 's knowledge of local customs and history made the tour very enjoyable Bob
Great guide really recommended Marcelo
Be inspired by their journeys
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Real Stories, Real Connections

Whispers by the Waterfall: Friends in Nature's Embrace

Whispers by the Waterfall: Friends in Nature's Embrace

A Day of Discovery: Embracing Nature's Serenity

A Day of Discovery: Embracing Nature's Serenity

Joyful Wanderings in Kyoto's Enchanted Forest

Joyful Wanderings in Kyoto's Enchanted Forest

Sunlit Smiles in Kyoto's Tranquil Courtyard

Sunlit Smiles in Kyoto's Tranquil Courtyard

Blossom Moments: A Spring Picnic Under Cherry Trees

Blossom Moments: A Spring Picnic Under Cherry Trees

Radiant Smiles in the Starlit Evening

Radiant Smiles in the Starlit Evening

Harmony in the Cascade's Gentle Murmur

Harmony in the Cascade's Gentle Murmur

Pathway to Serenity: A Hidden Garden Escape

Pathway to Serenity: A Hidden Garden Escape

Bamboo Bliss: Friends Embracing Nature's Majesty

Bamboo Bliss: Friends Embracing Nature's Majesty

Journey Through Kyoto's Timeless Torii

Journey Through Kyoto's Timeless Torii

Beneath the Bloom: A Tranquil Escape

Beneath the Bloom: A Tranquil Escape

Emerging Through the Wishful Archway

Emerging Through the Wishful Archway

Morning Stroll by Tower Bridge: A Timeless Encounter

Morning Stroll by Tower Bridge: A Timeless Encounter

Tranquil Retreat: Guests in a Zen Garden

Tranquil Retreat: Guests in a Zen Garden

Charmed Moments Beneath the Pagoda

Charmed Moments Beneath the Pagoda

Bonds and Beauty at a Historic Site

Bonds and Beauty at a Historic Site

Joyful Stroll in Japan's Historic Streets

Joyful Stroll in Japan's Historic Streets

Sky Painted in Gold: A Stroll at Dusk

Sky Painted in Gold: A Stroll at Dusk

Friends Amidst the Serenity of the Bamboo Forest

Friends Amidst the Serenity of the Bamboo Forest

Family Adventure in Kyoto

Family Adventure in Kyoto

Sweet Escapades and Smiles

Sweet Escapades and Smiles

Family Adventures at the Five-Tiered Temple

Family Adventures at the Five-Tiered Temple

Harmony in Front of the Tranquil Statue

Harmony in Front of the Tranquil Statue

Exploring Timeless Beauty Together

Exploring Timeless Beauty Together

Serenity Amongst Towering Bamboo

Serenity Amongst Towering Bamboo

Ink and Attitude: Celebrating Friendship in Style

Ink and Attitude: Celebrating Friendship in Style

Emerging Through Wishes: A Journey to Tranquility

Emerging Through Wishes: A Journey to Tranquility

Smiles Amidst the Serenity of Kyoto

Smiles Amidst the Serenity of Kyoto

Family Moments at the Vibrant Torii Tunnel

Family Moments at the Vibrant Torii Tunnel

Evening Stroll in Enchanting Kyoto

Evening Stroll in Enchanting Kyoto

Captivated by Tradition: A Moment at the Temple

Captivated by Tradition: A Moment at the Temple

A Dazzling New Year Celebration

A Dazzling New Year Celebration

A Day of Smiles and History in Kyoto

A Day of Smiles and History in Kyoto

Family Adventure by the Golden Temple

Family Adventure by the Golden Temple

Smiles in a Bamboo Wonderland

Smiles in a Bamboo Wonderland

Capturing Joy: A Serendipitous Smile at the Fushimi Inari Shrine

Capturing Joy: A Serendipitous Smile at the Fushimi Inari Shrine

Surrounded by centuries of tradition

Surrounded by centuries of tradition

Night Lights & Lantern Legends

Night Lights & Lantern Legends

Charmed in Gion

Charmed in Gion

Hidden shrines and heartfelt connections

Hidden shrines and heartfelt connections

Golden Hour at Kiyomizu-dera

Golden Hour at Kiyomizu-dera

Ice Cream Break in Old Kyoto

Ice Cream Break in Old Kyoto

Morning Light & Timeless Streets

Morning Light & Timeless Streets

Pagoda Strolls & Smiles All Around

Pagoda Strolls & Smiles All Around

Fushimi Inari, the Insider Way

Fushimi Inari, the Insider Way

Family Roots at Yasaka Shrine

Family Roots at Yasaka Shrine

A Table Full of Stories

A Table Full of Stories

New Friends in Old Streets

New Friends in Old Streets

Tempura & Togetherness

Tempura & Togetherness

The Fox Shrine Crew

The Fox Shrine Crew

Sannenzaka Strolls & Big Grins

Sannenzaka Strolls & Big Grins

Wagyu, Wasabi & Wonderful Company

Wagyu, Wasabi & Wonderful Company

Kyoto’s Rooftops & Reflections

Kyoto’s Rooftops & Reflections

Walking through the iconic Fushimi Inari gates

Walking through the iconic Fushimi Inari gates

Big smiles and even bigger stories

Big smiles and even bigger stories

Soft Steps & Serene Views

Soft Steps & Serene Views

From ancient torii gates to new friendships

From ancient torii gates to new friendships

A wintery evening stroll and some of the best street snacks in the city

A wintery evening stroll and some of the best street snacks in the city

Wandering through a forest of giants

Wandering through a forest of giants

A day filled with culture and laughter

A day filled with culture and laughter

Wandering Kyoto’s shopping arcades

Wandering Kyoto’s shopping arcades

Golden hour, cherry blossoms, and two friends soaking up Kyoto’s quiet charm

Golden hour, cherry blossoms, and two friends soaking up Kyoto’s quiet charm

A Cozy Culinary Moment tucked into a quiet Kyoto alley

A Cozy Culinary Moment tucked into a quiet Kyoto alley

The perfect view to end a perfect Kyoto day.

The perfect view to end a perfect Kyoto day.

Family adventures down Kyoto’s most charming slope

Family adventures down Kyoto’s most charming slope

 Pagoda Postcard Vibes

Pagoda Postcard Vibes

Lunch with a local – and two new ramen lovers officially converted

Lunch with a local – and two new ramen lovers officially converted

Nothing bonds like good food and great company in Kyoto

Nothing bonds like good food and great company in Kyoto

Walking through these thousand torii gates

Walking through these thousand torii gates

A Ryokan-Style Feast

A Ryokan-Style Feast

Tucked away in Kyoto’s Arashiyama bamboo grove

Tucked away in Kyoto’s Arashiyama bamboo grove

Playful Spirits at Fushimi Inari

Playful Spirits at Fushimi Inari

Matcha Dreams Come True

Matcha Dreams Come True

Cocktails with a view

Cocktails with a view

A walk through time

A walk through time

Rural charm and cultural calm

Rural charm and cultural calm

A peaceful pause with Kannon

A peaceful pause with Kannon

M
Melinda 7 January 2026

Our tour guide Mia was awesome. She was fun and enjoyable and had lots of interesting facts about the area and sites we were seeing. Very relatable to our two sons who are 25 and 29. She was very flexible when we opted to change up the itinerary and was very patient when we needed to take lots of breaks to get out of the heat and rehydrate. Would highly recommend this tour and especially the guide, thanks Mia.

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A
Amanda 6 January 2026

We loved getting to see the temple with the statues. I dont remember the name exactly.

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N
Nolan 5 January 2026

Mia was amazing! She knew the answer to every question we asked and just knew so many small fun facts that made it really unique.

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P
Patricia 5 January 2026

We had an amazing night tour of Gion, thanks to Milo’s impressive local knowledge from history to culture to trivia. He was extremely engaging and the private tour allowed for spontaneous dialogue. He was well organised in the routing, and it was highly personalised. Have been on a number of personal guide tours in different cities and Milo is by far the best!

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N
Norberto 2 January 2026

Our walking tour of Kyoto was wonderful and very informative. Our local guide (Amy Sato) was very knowledgeable about the local landmarks and Japanese culture and traditions. Along the tour Amy also knew all the interesting spots and made frequent stops at interesting food shops or hidden city treasures that we would have never found on our own. Our time went fast and we wish we had more days to explore the rest of Kyoto with Amy. Highly recommend this tour!

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W
William 3 January 2026

Mia was a wonderful guide, provided a wonderful experience for my wife and I as we toured Nara!

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Y
Yan 1 January 2026

My husband, my 10 years old and I had a great experience in Kyoto. Mia was our private tour guide. She is very kind and very accommodating to our interests. She approached us before our trip and tried to understand our needs. My boy is not very much interested in temples but as a family, we would still like to explore this iconic city. Mia tailored our trip to see the most famous shrine Fushimi Inari Taisha and Gion district for local dining and shopping. The blend of culture and food was perfect for our family. She kept the explanations and conversation interesting. My boy was engaged all the time. For many places in the world, you can travel with online assistance, like ChatGPT. But for sophisticated places like Kyoto, it was a best decision we made to hire a local guide. Mia was exactly who we needed.

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S
Susan 1 January 2026

Amy guided us through Kyoto explaining history and cultural while riding public transportation. She prepared us for the sites we were to visit during the tour. Provided an understanding of Japanese history and culture. Also gave us recommendations on other important sites to visit and where to experience food and markets.

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FAQs

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.