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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?
QUESTION 2
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QUESTION 3
What is the first thing that you look for when arriving in a new city?
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How do you want to experience the city’s atmosphere?
QUESTION 5
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How much time do you have to explore?
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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

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 25,798 5-star reviews and counting

25,798 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 trip planning video call

See details

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

$25 per person
30-90 minutes
5 (47)
Half day in Magical Kyoto
Flexible Half-Day Discovery

Kyoto, Your Way: A Personalized 4-Hour Exploration

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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!

$147.03 per person
4 hours
5 (745)
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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

See our hosts and guests creating memories
A Cozy Culinary Moment tucked into a quiet Kyoto alley

A Cozy Culinary Moment tucked into a quiet Kyoto alley

A walk through time

A walk through time

New Friends in Old Streets

New Friends in Old Streets

Sky Painted in Gold: A Stroll at Dusk

Sky Painted in Gold: A Stroll at Dusk

Ice Cream Break in Old Kyoto

Ice Cream Break in Old Kyoto

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

Blossom Moments: A Spring Picnic Under Cherry Trees

Blossom Moments: A Spring Picnic Under Cherry Trees

Wandering Kyoto’s shopping arcades

Wandering Kyoto’s shopping arcades

Surrounded by centuries of tradition

Surrounded by centuries of tradition

A peaceful pause with Kannon

A peaceful pause with Kannon

Bonds and Beauty at a Historic Site

Bonds and Beauty at a Historic Site

A Ryokan-Style Feast

A Ryokan-Style Feast

Pathway to Serenity: A Hidden Garden Escape

Pathway to Serenity: A Hidden Garden Escape

Golden Hour at Kiyomizu-dera

Golden Hour at Kiyomizu-dera

Radiant Smiles in the Starlit Evening

Radiant Smiles in the Starlit Evening

A day filled with culture and laughter

A day filled with culture and laughter

Journey Through Kyoto's Timeless Torii

Journey Through Kyoto's Timeless Torii

Joyful Wanderings in Kyoto's Enchanted Forest

Joyful Wanderings in Kyoto's Enchanted Forest

 Pagoda Postcard Vibes

Pagoda Postcard Vibes

A Day of Discovery: Embracing Nature's Serenity

A Day of Discovery: Embracing Nature's Serenity

Morning Light & Timeless Streets

Morning Light & Timeless Streets

Family Roots at Yasaka Shrine

Family Roots at Yasaka Shrine

Wagyu, Wasabi & Wonderful Company

Wagyu, Wasabi & Wonderful Company

Soft Steps & Serene Views

Soft Steps & Serene Views

Wandering through a forest of giants

Wandering through a forest of giants

Kyoto’s Rooftops & Reflections

Kyoto’s Rooftops & Reflections

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

Cocktails with a view

Cocktails with a view

Family Adventure by the Golden Temple

Family Adventure by the Golden Temple

From ancient torii gates to new friendships

From ancient torii gates to new friendships

Family adventures down Kyoto’s most charming slope

Family adventures down Kyoto’s most charming slope

Rural charm and cultural calm

Rural charm and cultural calm

Beneath the Bloom: A Tranquil Escape

Beneath the Bloom: A Tranquil Escape

A Table Full of Stories

A Table Full of Stories

Tranquil Retreat: Guests in a Zen Garden

Tranquil Retreat: Guests in a Zen Garden

Walking through these thousand torii gates

Walking through these thousand torii gates

Pagoda Strolls & Smiles All Around

Pagoda Strolls & Smiles All Around

Capturing Joy: A Serendipitous Smile at the Fushimi Inari Shrine

Capturing Joy: A Serendipitous Smile at the Fushimi Inari Shrine

The Fox Shrine Crew

The Fox Shrine Crew

Sannenzaka Strolls & Big Grins

Sannenzaka Strolls & Big Grins

Emerging Through the Wishful Archway

Emerging Through the Wishful Archway

Whispers by the Waterfall: Friends in Nature's Embrace

Whispers by the Waterfall: Friends in Nature's Embrace

Charmed in Gion

Charmed in Gion

Joyful Stroll in Japan's Historic Streets

Joyful Stroll in Japan's Historic Streets

Walking through the iconic Fushimi Inari gates

Walking through the iconic Fushimi Inari gates

Tucked away in Kyoto’s Arashiyama bamboo grove

Tucked away in Kyoto’s Arashiyama bamboo grove

Tempura & Togetherness

Tempura & Togetherness

Bamboo Bliss: Friends Embracing Nature's Majesty

Bamboo Bliss: Friends Embracing Nature's Majesty

Nothing bonds like good food and great company in Kyoto

Nothing bonds like good food and great company in Kyoto

Morning Stroll by Tower Bridge: A Timeless Encounter

Morning Stroll by Tower Bridge: A Timeless Encounter

Matcha Dreams Come True

Matcha Dreams Come True

Harmony in the Cascade's Gentle Murmur

Harmony in the Cascade's Gentle Murmur

Big smiles and even bigger stories

Big smiles and even bigger stories

The perfect view to end a perfect Kyoto day.

The perfect view to end a perfect Kyoto day.

Sunlit Smiles in Kyoto's Tranquil Courtyard

Sunlit Smiles in Kyoto's Tranquil Courtyard

Charmed Moments Beneath the Pagoda

Charmed Moments Beneath the Pagoda

Night Lights & Lantern Legends

Night Lights & Lantern Legends

Friends Amidst the Serenity of the Bamboo Forest

Friends Amidst the Serenity of the Bamboo Forest

Hidden shrines and heartfelt connections

Hidden shrines and heartfelt connections

Fushimi Inari, the Insider Way

Fushimi Inari, the Insider Way

Smiles in a Bamboo Wonderland

Smiles in a Bamboo Wonderland

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

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

Playful Spirits at Fushimi Inari

Playful Spirits at Fushimi Inari

Linda Nov 2025

Awesome experience with Afifa. My daughter and I enjoyed all of the beautiful and historic places. Afifa’s kind and warm personality made the experience especially enjoyable. She’s awesome! Thank you

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Monica Nov 2025

Our day with Kiyoto was nothing short of OUTSTANDING. It was clear how much care and thought he put into creating a personalized experience. He guided us through Kyoto in a way that felt intimate and authentic, taking us to places we never would have discovered on our own. What stood out most was his deep connection to the city’s history and his eagerness to share it with us. It felt like we were uncovering Kyoto’s stories together. Before our visit, he reached out with thoughtful questions to understand our interests, and that preparation made the day feel perfectly tailored. He also made sure we captured every moment, helping us take wonderful photos and videos along the way. It was a truly special experience, and we’re so grateful for the time we spent with him. Kiyoto is such a good soul! Highly recommended.

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Jochen Nov 2025

A super tour, with a good mix of culture and street food/market. Austen was a great guide who speaks excellent English, guided us competently, and helped us with shopping. It was a great introduction to/in Kyoto that we never could have achieved on our own with just "onboard resources".

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David Nov 2025

Hiro has been a kind polite and very accommodating guide, who kept my family engaged and made the tour a delight.

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Marina Nov 2025

We had a private tour of 6 for our tour. Our guide Kenta was extremely knowledgable about the area and the history. He customized our itinerary based of mf of my wants. He got us to every place we wanted to go! He went above and beyond for us! We would do this again!

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Morgan Nov 2025

We had an amazing experience with Kiyoto in Kyoto! He picked us up at our hotel and took us all throughout the city. Kiyoto made it feel like we were exploring with a friend, while also learning so much about the culture and history. He knew all the best spots to visit that didn’t have long lines and introduced us to customs and activities we never would have discovered on our own. In addition to touring, he took incredible photos and videos of us throughout the day so we could remember our visit, and he even shared restaurant recommendations and helped set us up for our next stop. Kiyoto is such a happy and friendly guy who loves sharing his hometown with others. He truly made our time in Kyoto feel even more special!

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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.