Walking Tours In Kyoto

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Top private tours in Kyoto

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

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The best private guides and local insiders in Kyoto

Looking for the top Kyoto walking tours for a 100% authentic experience in one of the world’s most iconic cities? City Unscripted has got you covered. In Japan’s lantern-lit gem, centuries-spanning history, captivating culture, and breathtaking beauty await, and our local insiders can’t wait to show it all to you on the best walking tours in Kyoto. On our Kyoto walking tours with knowledgeable local guides to lead the way, there’s no such thing as a wrong turn, and every road you take will lead you somewhere incredible. We’ll make sure you won’t waste a second in the heart of Japan’s cultural gem. What are you waiting for? Kyoto is calling.

Meet some of our Kyoto private guides

Kokoro

Kyoto

Ada

Kyoto

Passionate culture sharer on a mission to show you Kyoto through her eyes.

Alex

Kyoto

Kyoto culture enthusiast, excited to share hidden gems and vibrant traditions!

Ryuki

Kyoto

History buff & foodie uncovering Kyoto’s temples, hidden shrines & tasty bites.

Emi

Kyoto

Food enthusiast and Kyoto insider with a knack for uncovering the best bites and serene spots along the Kamo River and beyond.

Kenta

Kyoto

Tea and garden lover uncovering Kyoto’s serene corners and cozy coffee spots.

Angelia

Kyoto

Cici

Kyoto

Nature lover and cultural explorer with a passion for uncovering how Kyoto’s history and traditions are shaped by its landscapes.

Tess

Kyoto

Culture lover sharing Kyoto’s traditions, tea, and the city’s most amazing spots!

Vanessa

Kyoto

Kyoto host who loves hidden temples, top teas, and the city's natural magic!

Kyoto off the tourist trail

Any visitor is well aware that Kyoto is known for cultural attractions like the iconic Higashiyama district, ancient temples, and traditional teahouses – but there’s a lot more to be explored when you have a local insider planning the best walking tours in Kyoto for you. Step off the tourist trail in the warm glow of Gion and see the city beyond your guidebook on our private walking tours in Kyoto. Whether you sample street food at centuries-old Nishiki Market, snack on gyoza dumplings at sunset, or stroll along secret cobbled paths, our Kyoto walking tours let you see the city like a local.

Tailored tours on foot

Our local hosts plan the best walking tours of Kyoto because, at City Unscripted, we tailor all our experiences 100% to you. Before planning your Kyoto walking tours, our local insiders get to know a little about your personality and passions, then plot a route that highlights everything you’ll love about the city. The city has something for everyone. Whether you want to walk past the places where you’ll find Kyoto’s most delicious cuisine, scope out the high-octane nightlife scene, or uncover cultural gems on your private walking tours in Kyoto, we’ll make your dream day a reality.

The taste of Kyoto

Ask any traveler who’s experienced Kyoto walking tours, and they’ll tell you that the food scene here is unbeatable. Local eateries, traditional markets, street food stalls, and high-end restaurants serving Kaiseki – a centuries-old multi-course dinner – all await visitors on Kyoto walking food tours. From mouthwatering small plates at a hole-in-the-wall izakaya to delicate sweet treats at a traditional tea ceremony, authentic Japanese eating is represented best on Kyoto walking food tours – but there’s no lack of modern foodie attractions, like 100-yen sushi restaurants and trendy bars.

Kyoto travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Kyoto and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

Alex was a fantastic tour guide. We had limited time so could only do a 3 hour tour but somehow managed to tick off a lot of my Kyoto list with information on culture, religion and geography. We did a large part of Gion which was my personal favourite! It really was the best way to discover Kyoto in an afternoon!

12 January 2026

Dana L
We packed as much as we could into our 4 hours with Amy our guide . She came to our hotel to meet us and Explained all our Japanese history and the different cultures and ways of the life here in Kyoto. If you get Amy you will be in good hands and she is always keen and ready to take pictures as we moved around temples and shrines . Wear your best and most comfortable shoes and Kyoto is not as well connected so often a good walk is necessary. Amy took us to the best shops to try out local delicious foods and sweets and macho tea and saka . We left the tour with hundreds of photos of a great day .

11 January 2026

Murray B
We were paired with Kenta, who did an amazing job of tailoring the tour to exactly what we wanted to see! We kept it open ended and asked him to take us off the beaten path -- especially after just visiting Tokyo, we wanted a quieter tour. Kenta totally delivered! The temples we visited had almost no crowds, and he took us on a path alongside a tranquil creek for much of the tour. Kenta also just had SO MUCH knowledge about so many things! I mentioned offhand my (little) knowledge of the various Japanese writing systems, and he dived into a quick history of each one. We definitely will book this tour again the next time we're in Japan!

6 January 2026

Cari E
Milo made such a difference to our stay in Kyoto. We booked a 3 hour tour which was perfect for us and he brought us to Nene no Michi Maruyama park Chion in temple gate (pure land sect) Heian shrine gate Nanzenji temple Philosophers path The silver temple He is so knowledgeable and passionate about Kyoto’s fascinating history. He also connected so well with my two sons who are 23 years and 21 years old. After the tour, he sent us numerous recommendations for the rest of our Japan holidays. For sure, we will come back to Kyoto and book Milo again!

6 January 2026

Claudio R

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★★★★★

Elizabeth

1 January 2026

We had the BEST time with Benny! We were only in Hong Kong for 36 hours, and in that time I feel that we were able to see a small glimpse into the REAL Hong Kong, beyond the tourist zones (which, to be fair, are also fabulous - HK is a terrific city and impressed us all around). We ate some incredible bites across many different neighborhoods while walking and talking about everything we were seeing. It is clear that Benny and City Unscripted truly love Hong Kong and want to share it with visitors. Benny reached out a week or so before our visit to confirm preferences and allergies, and made sure to follow up on our requests and specifics during the tour. He was so knowledgeable and fun, and again I cannot stress enough how much we loved our four hour tour, and the many steps we got in! If you do one thing in Hong Kong, let it be this!

Ben

13 January 2026

Totally customised and insightful highly recommended

Deborah

12 January 2026

Great!!