Stories & Culture
5 (93)

New Year traditions and hidden cultural gems: Kyoto edition

3 hours English
5 (93)
100% Personalized

Immerse yourself in Kyoto's New Year traditions with serene shrines, scenic streets, and authentic insights at vibrant local markets

How It Works

Book your date

Choose your preferred date, start time and group size for your experience.

Share your interests

Complete your personalisation form after booking, for a tailored experience.

Explore with your matched host

We match you with a local host who shapes the route around you.

Experience Overview

Time:

3 hours

What to expect:

Fully tailored to your preferences

Language:

Hosted in English (Other languages may be requested)

Meeting point:

Imahie Shrine Main Entrance

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring:

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

What’s Included:

3-4 New Year’s food tastings at Nishiki Market
3 Hour hosted experience
Immersive walking experience
Private and tailored experience

What’s Excluded:

Tickets to any attractions other than what has been listed
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)
Mostly walking, with food, drinks, transport and entry fees paid separately unless stated.

Reviews of Our Kyoto Experiences

Our guide, Kenta, is knowledgeable, personable, and professional. He showed us Gion District and Kenninji Temple in a two-hour tour. Because of my bad knees, he met us at our hotel. He grew up in the United States, communicating in English is not a problem at all. Highly recommend him!

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T
Tammy
Kyoto

Milo was an outstanding, knowledgeable, and upbeat guide. He was very communicative, punctual, and he even gave us tips for the rest of our trip. Highly recommend!

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R
Richard
Kyoto

Milo was superb! This man sure knows his history, and he is gifted in his ability to share his knowledge in a way that is both captivating and interesting. Even my teenage boys were paying close attention to him, and they never got bored (which says a lot for teenagers on a historical tour). Milo effortlessly guided us throughout Kyoto, and picked the perfect places for us to enjoy. When we return, we will seek him out to be our tour guide every time!

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K
Kelsie
Kyoto

Kenta came to meet us at our hotel, which helped us tremendously. He is friendly, knowledgeable and professional. His English is flawless. We had no problem communicating with him. At the end of the tour, he made sure to drop us off at a bus stop so that we can go back to the hotel.

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T
Tammy
Kyoto

My wife and I had a fantastic time with Ryuki. He was so great at explaining anything and everything, and he is also a solid photographer, ensuring we have memories for a lifetime. Would do this tour again with him!

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M
Michael
Kyoto

We had such an enjoyable time with Ryuki. He knew everything about the area, including where to get the perfect picture and how to avoid the crowds. I'm so glad we chose to do a private tour.

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M
Michael
Kyoto
See all reviews

Kyoto, Our Guests Way

Here are our guests exploring on a City Unscripted experience.
Smiles shared amidst the towering bamboo of Kyoto's paths.

Smiles shared amidst the towering bamboo of Kyoto's paths.

Exploring ancient architecture under Kyoto's soft, overcast skies.

Exploring ancient architecture under Kyoto's soft, overcast skies.

Strolling through Kyoto's serene bamboo paths.

Strolling through Kyoto's serene bamboo paths.

Embracing Kyoto's vibe on an unexpectedly bright day.

Embracing Kyoto's vibe on an unexpectedly bright day.

Exploring a unique paper sculpture in a Kyoto courtyard.

Exploring a unique paper sculpture in a Kyoto courtyard.

Enjoying the lively atmosphere at a Kyoto temple entrance.

Enjoying the lively atmosphere at a Kyoto temple entrance.

Perched on a banana sculpture, absorbing Kyoto's expansive views.

Perched on a banana sculpture, absorbing Kyoto's expansive views.

Smiles gleam beneath the vibrant torii gates of Kyoto.

Smiles gleam beneath the vibrant torii gates of Kyoto.

Evening strolls reveal Kyoto's enchanting pagoda under a twilight sky.

Evening strolls reveal Kyoto's enchanting pagoda under a twilight sky.

A glimpse of Kyoto's timeless charm on a clear day.

A glimpse of Kyoto's timeless charm on a clear day.

A festive moment surrounded by golden New Year decorations.

A festive moment surrounded by golden New Year decorations.

Strolling through Kyoto with a pagoda perfectly framed in view.

Strolling through Kyoto with a pagoda perfectly framed in view.

Exploring Kyoto's golden beauty amidst serene surroundings.

Exploring Kyoto's golden beauty amidst serene surroundings.

Enjoying a sunny day by the serene Kyoto statue.

Enjoying a sunny day by the serene Kyoto statue.

Smiles light up under the vibrant Torii gates of Kyoto.

Smiles light up under the vibrant Torii gates of Kyoto.

Uncovering peaceful beauty beneath a blooming cherry tree in Kyoto.

Uncovering peaceful beauty beneath a blooming cherry tree in Kyoto.

Exploring Kyoto's serene forests with ancient stone markers all around.

Exploring Kyoto's serene forests with ancient stone markers all around.

Exploring Kyoto's serene forest paths with bright smiles all around.

Exploring Kyoto's serene forest paths with bright smiles all around.

Enjoying a sunny day exploring Kyoto's traditional architecture together.

Enjoying a sunny day exploring Kyoto's traditional architecture together.

Enjoying a peaceful picnic under Kyoto's blooming cherry blossoms.

Enjoying a peaceful picnic under Kyoto's blooming cherry blossoms.

A cheerful group captures a lively night in Kyoto.

A cheerful group captures a lively night in Kyoto.

Exploring a serene Kyoto garden with laughter by the stream.

Exploring a serene Kyoto garden with laughter by the stream.

A quiet stone path invites exploration through lush Kyoto greenery.

A quiet stone path invites exploration through lush Kyoto greenery.

Strolling through Kyoto's serene bamboo grove with wide smiles.

Strolling through Kyoto's serene bamboo grove with wide smiles.

Strolling through the vibrant torii gates of Kyoto's serene pathway.

Strolling through the vibrant torii gates of Kyoto's serene pathway.

Enjoying sweet treats amidst Kyoto's bustling food stalls.

Enjoying sweet treats amidst Kyoto's bustling food stalls.

Enjoying a rooftop view of Kyoto as the sky darkens.

Enjoying a rooftop view of Kyoto as the sky darkens.

Discovering joy with a friendly frog in Kyoto.

Discovering joy with a friendly frog in Kyoto.

Friends capture their Kyoto adventure under clear blue skies.

Friends capture their Kyoto adventure under clear blue skies.

Enjoying matcha ice cream in Kyoto's sunny outdoors.

Enjoying matcha ice cream in Kyoto's sunny outdoors.

A moody sky frames Kyoto's serene temple view perfectly.

A moody sky frames Kyoto's serene temple view perfectly.

Cherry blossoms frame a vibrant red temple in Kyoto.

Cherry blossoms frame a vibrant red temple in Kyoto.

A quiet moment at Kyoto's temple under the rain.

A quiet moment at Kyoto's temple under the rain.

A cheerful group enjoys a cherry blossom moment in Kyoto.

A cheerful group enjoys a cherry blossom moment in Kyoto.

Strolling through Kyoto under a striking torii gate.

Strolling through Kyoto under a striking torii gate.

Sunset stroll beneath a torii gate in Kyoto's warm glow.

Sunset stroll beneath a torii gate in Kyoto's warm glow.

A quiet moment beneath Kyoto's stunning pagoda as evening approaches.

A quiet moment beneath Kyoto's stunning pagoda as evening approaches.

Standing by a tranquil stream, soaking in Kyoto's serenity.

Standing by a tranquil stream, soaking in Kyoto's serenity.

Smiling under Kyoto's sun at a beautiful temple backdrop.

Smiling under Kyoto's sun at a beautiful temple backdrop.

Smiling in front of Kyoto's vibrant temple architecture.

Smiling in front of Kyoto's vibrant temple architecture.

Exploring the serene atmosphere inside a Kyoto temple.

Exploring the serene atmosphere inside a Kyoto temple.

Sharing a light moment outside a dazzling Kyoto theater at night.

Sharing a light moment outside a dazzling Kyoto theater at night.

A smiling group gathers under Kyoto's vibrant pagoda sky.

A smiling group gathers under Kyoto's vibrant pagoda sky.

Tranquil reflections ripple beside mossy rocks in Kyoto's serene garden.

Tranquil reflections ripple beside mossy rocks in Kyoto's serene garden.

A bustling crowd wanders through Kyoto under the pagoda's watchful spire.

A bustling crowd wanders through Kyoto under the pagoda's watchful spire.

Gathering beneath a historic wooden gate in Kyoto's serene streets.

Gathering beneath a historic wooden gate in Kyoto's serene streets.

Admiring Kyoto's cherry blossoms beneath the serene pagoda.

Admiring Kyoto's cherry blossoms beneath the serene pagoda.

Sharing smiles over soft-serve ice cream in a cozy Kyoto nook.

Sharing smiles over soft-serve ice cream in a cozy Kyoto nook.

Smiles abound in front of Kyoto's stunning pagoda backdrop.

Smiles abound in front of Kyoto's stunning pagoda backdrop.

Emerging with laughter from a tunnel of wishes in Kyoto.

Emerging with laughter from a tunnel of wishes in Kyoto.

Face to face with London's iconic Tower Bridge under a cloudy sky.

Face to face with London's iconic Tower Bridge under a cloudy sky.

Taking in the serene beauty of a Kyoto garden view.

Taking in the serene beauty of a Kyoto garden view.

Evening strolls near Kyoto's pagodas offer unexpected moments of charm.

Evening strolls near Kyoto's pagodas offer unexpected moments of charm.

Smiles all around at a scenic Kyoto temple terrace.

Smiles all around at a scenic Kyoto temple terrace.

Sunlight spills over a cheerful group in historic Kyoto.

Sunlight spills over a cheerful group in historic Kyoto.

Sunset casts a golden glow over Kyoto's bustling street scene.

Sunset casts a golden glow over Kyoto's bustling street scene.

Exploring the serene bamboo paths of Kyoto together.

Exploring the serene bamboo paths of Kyoto together.

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