Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Kyoto Private Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
This is not just another city tour; this is the best of Kyoto from a unique perspective! Get to know Kyoto on a city tour that gives you the perfect overview, with city highlights, hidden gems, storytelling, and a local treat - this tour has it all!
Forget about big touristy groups and the crowds; it's time to see Kyoto at its best but from the eyes of a local. Check out main landmarks like Gion Area, Kiyomizu Temple, Yasaka-Jinja Shrine and uncover hidden gems and city secrets with the help of a knowledgeable local guide. And the cherry on top, a local treat is included.
Withlocals Highlights & Hidden Gems Private City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Private tour: only you & your local guide
CO2 Neutral: all tours carbon emissions are offset
What To Expect
Kyoto Municipal Zoo
Pass by the Zoo and get to see this neighborhood, which preserves the look and feel of feudal-era Japan in a wood-built historic quarter of narrow lanes lined with traditional pottery stores, tea houses, and restaurants for multi-course kaiseki meals.
Yasaka Shrine
Hokanji temple was built in the Asuka period (538 - 710)
Options
Best of Kyoto Private Tour
Short Description: Kickstart your Kyoto visit with your local private guide, get unique insights and tips and make the most out of your trip!
What‘s Included
Tickets for Kiyomizu Temple included
Private Tour
Local Guide
1 local drink/tasting
Hotel pick-up and drop off
Food & beverages not listed as inclusions
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
122 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great way to start on Kyoto!
Craig P,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great start and introduction to Kyoto. You walk your way through multiple neighborhoods and experience the culture, flavor and history of Kyoto and see how is has repurposed older estate homes and properties into modern day retail spaces. The highly for sure is Ryōzen Kannon Temple and the surrounding property. Truly beautiful and you can tell how each season must bring a different color scheme and beauty. Our guide Sebastian gave us the true insider scoop on all aspects.
Fantastic tour!!
Cynthia C,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00David was an awesome guide - fun, informative and interesting! He gave us a fantastic tour and took us through some of the less visited parts of Gion that we would not have ecperienced on our own. Would highly recommend this tour!!
Terrific Tour of Kyoto with our amazing guide Guia
Wesley B,Jul 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an absolutely wonderful experience on our tour in Kyoto with our guide, Guia. She was incredibly kind and attentive to my children, making the day enjoyable and engaging for the whole family. Guia shared so many fascinating facts and stories about Kyoto’s history, culture, and hidden gem…it truly brought the city to life for us. Her warmth and enthusiasm made the tour feel personal and memorable. I could not recommend this tour more highly. A perfect way to experience
Tiro: great tour guide
Lan B,May 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour includes very good sites. The tour guide Tiro is excellent - knowledgeable, pleasant and very thorough in his description and explanation…
Excellent Tour Guide
Katie h,Apr 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ted was punctual and very good at communicating prior to our tour. He gave us detailed information on the tour about Kyoto and the history and cultural events. Plus, he felt like a friend and was so kind and courteous and went above and beyond to help us figure out some plans for that evening and the next day.
A great guide
GrandmaBonnie47,Mar 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Eiji came highly recommended and we were very pleased. He is a very nice man and he gave interesting information without overwhelming us.
Great tour with a great guide!
956froga,Feb 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yoshihiro (or Ted to us Americans) is an excellent and knowledgable guide. He gave us a comprehensive view of Buddhist, Shinto, and secular traditions in Kyoto, has wide ranging knowledge of the city's art and history, and showed us the culture on a deeper level than most guides. He's also a very pleasant and fun guy. He also led us to an great tempura restaurant after and gave us some nice recommendations for other parts of our trip. I would highly recommend Ted to anyone visiting Kyoto.
Ted Kyoto talk&walk
834synn vel,Feb 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ted took us through the artistically startup journey led by the female with a sword - he gave insightful story telling linked to the Geisha neighborhood. The guiding towards temples and shrines gave us a good basis for continuing to visit interesting places in Kyoto. Thank you Ted!
Great time, Great City, Great Guide
ralphi2014,Dec 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the pleasure of joining a guided tour in Kyoto with Guia, and it was an unforgettable experience. Guia was incredibly friendly, funny, and entertaining, making us feel comfortable and engaged from the start. Her deep knowledge of Kyoto’s rich history and culture was impressive, and she shared it in a way that was both informative and captivating. She took us to the most beautiful and iconic spots in the city, as well as a few hidden gems we would have never discovered on our own. The time flew by, and by the end of the tour, we all felt like we had not only learned a lot but also gained a genuine appreciation for Kyoto. If you’re looking for an amazing guide who can bring the city to life, Guia is the one to choose. Highly recommended!
Great Introduction to Kyoto
courtneys968,Dec 29, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Shohei was right on top of communication with us in the days leading up to our tour, and he was responsive and flexible when our plans changed, which reduced our stress greatly. Shohei provided a great overview of Kyoto history and Buddhist practices, and this was greatly appreciated as we wanted to be sure we were respectful of customs. We really enjoyed our time with Shohei and recommend him highly.
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