Private Tour
Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Experience Kyoto with a private walking tour shaped around your interests and pace.
This experience combines Kyoto’s most iconic sights with quieter local corners, creating a day that feels both reassuring and personal. You may explore well-known places such as Gion, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Ginkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto Tower, or Togetsu-kyō Bridge, alongside lesser-known neighbourhoods and spots chosen around what interests you most.
After booking, you’ll receive a short questionnaire about your interests and travel style. Based on your responses, we’ll match you with a host who fits you well and who will be in touch before the experience to suggest ideas and shape a flexible plan together.
This experience is designed to adapt as you go — allowing time to linger, adjust pace, and explore Kyoto in a way that feels natural rather than rushed.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
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
This is a private City Unscripted experience: real people, real connections
After booking, you'll receive a short online questionnaire to share your interests, preferences, and must-sees. Your City Unscripted 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 maybe 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 To Expect
Kyoto
See Kyoto through the eyes of someone who calls it home—uncovering its hidden gems, rich culture, and untold stories with a passionate local by your side. This isn’t just a tour—it's a City Unscripted experience: real people, real connections, designed around you, full of authentic moments and unforgettable discoveries. Before your adventure begins, you will receive a short online questionnaire so we can craft an itinerary that reflects your interests—whether it’s exploring world-famous landmarks, savoring local flavors, or stumbling upon tucked-away treasures only locals know. Here are some highlights and hidden gems to spark your curiosity:
Pontocho District
Pontocho Alley—a stunning hidden gem often hailed as Kyoto's most picturesque street. With its car-free, timeless charm, traditional wooden shops, and intimate restaurants, it offers a glimpse into authentic Kyoto.
What‘s Included
Meet your host at your accommodation or a convenient central location (where accessible)
Flexible pacing and route, adjusted as you go
Local insight, recommendations, and cultural context
Pre-experience questionnaire to personalise your day
Private walking experience tailored to your interests
Direct communication with your local host before the experience
Food, drinks or entry fees (chosen together on the day, if desired)
Transportation (primarily a walking experience, public transport may be used at an additional cost)
Fixed or guaranteed itinerary
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
3 hour walking tour of Kyoto
Duration: 3 hours
Pickup included
4 hour walking tour of Kyoto
Duration: 4 hours
Pickup included
2 hour walking tour of Kyoto
Duration: 2 hours
Pickup included
5 hour walking tour of Kyoto
Duration: 5 hours
Pickup included
Reviews
1,527 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent private family tour
hanalaws,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Cici was excellent. She shared a recommended tour schedule beforehand for us to review and adapt as we wanted. But we didn’t need to change anything, she planned the perfect mix of famous spots and less touristy areas for us to see. Cici was very knowledgeable about Japanese history and the sites we visited. Highly recommend a tour with Cici.
Half Day Kyoto Walking Tour
Sandy E,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I highly recommend this tour. Mia was a great tour guide - very knowledgeable about the culture & history and very kind and fun! She also made sure to ask what we were interested in seeing during the tour. She also helped me find a celiac safe snack - roasted chestnuts!
Amazing walking tour with Ceci!
Maria S,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had the best time walking around with Ceci! She was very knowledgeable and fun! She also kept our children entertained for the whole trip which can sometimes be challenging. She tought us many things about Kyoto and took us to hidden places that were really cool. She also gave us great restaurant recommendations and at the end, she walked us to the subway to make sure we wouldn't get lost :)
Great tour of sights in Kyoto!
Lynn B,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Taiga was a great guide! We were very interested in Japanese history and he provided so much interesting information. The spots selected were just right. Thanks!
Walking the streets was like walking through time
Marie V,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Take your time walking through the shrine, the old town and admire the beauty all around you: the trees that have been so carefully grown and shaped, the care put into the gardens, the mountains, the quiet…
Kyoto is better with a guide!
Z8250PFjasonw,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Milo was a great tour guide to a lovely city. I was actually here in Kyoto last year and saw many of the same sites but without a guide. I gained so much additional perspective by going again but actually learning about what I was looking at! For example, Milo pointed out several geisha houses I'd have never noticed, and explained the cultural significance of the practice. Despite the rain, Milo picked us up from our hotel and walked us through several historical sites, shrines, and temples. He was very knowledgable about the history of the city and its culture. We'd all recommend.
Kyoto tour
David C,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really enjoy the tour with Kiyoto. It was amazing to know everything about Kyoto city!! Highly recommended. Also he knows a lot of important facts in every location we visit.
Kyoto Tour
N4659YFjosephm,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really enjoyed our tour with Mariko, she introduced us to the history and culture of the Gion district, Kyoto and Japan in a way which was interesting and engaging for the whole family. She provided us with some great local knowledge and recommendations
Jump Right in
Emily L,,Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was a great way to see some highlights of Kyoto. Our guide was Masaya. He’s a kind, knowledgeable and accommodating guide. We learned a lot and appreciate his time. Thank you.
Great day with Amy
341tals,,Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We spent a half day in Kyoto with Amy, and she was wonderful. Our group was pretty big, with both kids and adults, and she handled everything smoothly. She explained the history in a way that kept everyone interested and picked a mix of well-known spots and quieter places we never would have found on our own. Amy also recommended a great restaurant for lunch and even helped us with the reservation, which made things so much easier. The whole experience felt relaxed and enjoyable. We would definitely recommend her, especially for families or larger groups.
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