Private Tour
Explore Gion the iconic Geisha district on a Private Custom Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
The world of Geisha is shrouded in mystery, but your host’s personal stories and deep local knowledge will unlock the history, culture, and traditions of Kyoto’s iconic Gion district. This is not just a tour—it’s a personalized journey designed to immerse you in the city’s rich cultural tapestry and hidden corners.
After booking, you’ll receive a short questionnaire to share your interests and preferences. Your host will contact you personally to plan the day, ensuring an experience that’s tailored to your pace, passions, and style for an unforgettable Kyoto adventure.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
After booking, you'll receive a short questionnaire to share your interests, preferences, and must-sees. Your guide will personally reach out to craft a fully customized itinerary that suits your style—whether you love history, food, hidden gems, or cultural experiences.
This private tour is a walking experience. A private vehicle is not included.
Public transportation or local taxis may be used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with your host after your reservation is finalized.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Direct communication with your host for itinerary planning and local recommendations.
Flexible durations and start times—choose your preferred time when booking
Pre-tour questionnaire to tailor the experience to your preferences
Private and personalized walking experience with insider tips from a passionate local
Food, drinks and tickets to any attractions
Transportation (primarily a walking experience, public transport may be used at an additional cost)
Gratuities (optional)
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Gion
Immerse yourself in Kyoto’s most iconic and historic district, Gion, where the spirit of the city’s Geisha culture lives on. Explore narrow, lantern-lit streets lined with traditional wooden machiya houses, ancient teahouses, and hidden shrines, all brought to life by your local host’s rich storytelling. Before your adventure begins, you’ll complete a short questionnaire to share your interests—whether you’re curious about geiko and maiko traditions, intrigued by Kyoto’s architecture, or eager to discover lesser-known spots. Your host will design a fully personalized route to match your passions and pace. Here are some highlights you might explore: Important: As this is a private and personalized experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences.
Hanamikoji Street
Stroll along Gion’s most famous street, renowned for its historic ochaya (teahouses) and well-preserved Edo-period architecture. Your host will point out subtle cultural markers and offer tips on authentic local dining spots that you might otherwise miss. IMPORTANT: As this is a private and personalized experience, the places you visit may differ from those listed, and these will be chosen by your host based on your interests and preferences
Options
Gion Walking Tour - 3 hours
Duration: 3 hours
Pickup included
Gion Walking Tour - 2 hours
Duration: 2 hours
Pickup included
Reviews
42 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Kyoto - Falling in Love
Will K,
Sep 17, 2025
- Viator
5.00I had trouble falling in love with Kyoto at first after a bad experience getting here. Alexis helped me get past this and made me fall in love with this historic capital. He was an informative, engaging and funny tour guide. Funniest of all was that shrine for the bad relationships. Letting me discover info along the way for myself, like the crawling ritual, the rabbit god and the great pagoda were great touches. He was also an amazing photographer. Thank you, Alexis for selling me the great city of Kyoto! Cheers and all the best.
An informative & relaxed walking tour
SS M,
Apr 26, 2025
- Viator
5.00Our walking tour was informative, relaxed & very enjoyable. Our tour guide Olan was professional & very informative & equally very interesting.
Nisa was a amazing guide,...
Kate P,
Jan 7, 2025
- Viator
5.00Nisa was a amazing guide, this tour was amazing and she had so much knowledge and information and the whole family enjoyed.
Poor
Elaine W,
Nov 27, 2024
- Viator
2.00No geishas. Many many many people. Disgusting disrespect of temples by vendors. Guide more interested in showing us how western kyoto is than it's history. His recommended restaurant was horrible. We left after 1 hour on 3 hour tour.
Amazing tour, beautiful walks and great time with Ai the tour guide
Mara d,
Jul 8, 2024
- Viator
5.00We had the best of times in this tour. Our tour guide Ai, was really exceptional, she covered all the sites of interest we had, provided us with really interesting information and a really great time, she's adorable! We walked through amazing and beautiful places as well. Ai, was also very flexible and attentive to our needs and interests, she really made the best of this tour knowing what we were interested in and it was great to have her since we met her in a tour the previous day and she already knew a little bit of us. Ask for Ai if you're having this tour, we highly recommend her, we would ask for her everytime if we ever go again!
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