Experience the best of
Japan with Withlocals

"Shohei was a great guide and gave us a perfect short overview of Kyoto. He was especially good with our three tired kids on a hot day!"

"Our family of five had an incredible experience with Ryuki as our guide in Kyoto. From the moment we met him, his warm, jovial personality made the day enjoyable and engaging for everyone. Being a Kyoto native and someone who studied Japanese history, Ryuki’s knowledge of the city, its culture, and its historical sites was exceptional. He didn’t just point out landmarks—he brought them to life with fascinating stories and local insights that gave us a much deeper appreciation for Kyoto. What really impressed us was how expertly he managed the day. He adjusted our schedule on the fly to avoid the busiest times and routes, allowing us to experience even Kyoto’s most popular attractions with surprisingly few crowds. It felt like we had insider access to the city. Ryuki also knew all the perfect spots for family photos, helping us capture some of our favorite memories from the trip. His attention to detail and ability to balance history, sightseeing, and fun made the entire experience seamless. By the end of the tour, we felt like we had not only seen Kyoto but truly understood it. We enjoyed our day so much that I’ve already recommended Ryuki to friends who are planning to visit Kyoto. If you’re traveling with family—or really anyone looking for an engaging, knowledgeable, and genuinely fun guide—I highly recommend Ryuki. He was one of the highlights of our time in Japan."

"We were with Ryuki for 2 tours - hidden gems and street food tour. He is absolutely delightful and took us to several shrines and temples. Related stories from past to present. And the food tour was great. We went to a stand up restaurant, with amazing fish, then off to a department store for deep fried goodness. He gave us ideas of places to visit for the rest of our time in Kyoto. "

"We had a 2 1/2 hour tour with Ted. Ted was very kind and knowledgeable. He speaks both Japanese and English and gave an authentic and interesting tour of the Gion District. He was able to talk to both adults and children equally well. He went out of his way to give recommendations for things we could do later in the day and week. Can’t wait to return and take another tour with Ted!"

"Ren was amazing from our very first communication. It felt like she committed 100% of her energy—just for us—ensuring our experience was not only memorable but also heartfelt. Her attentiveness, care and personal touch can not be overstated. A gem of a human who we are now very happy to call our friend. "

"My husband and I loved our tour to the Gino district with Yoshihiro. We met at a spot close by and spent about two hours with him. We learned a lot about the world of the Maiko and Geiko (something I found fascinating) plus got to see a wonderful spot in Kyoto, and even made an offering and prayer to a shrine. Loved the experience."

"We loved both yours with Gia!! Very friendly and helpful. Highly recommend Gia!!"

"Ryuki was amazing. He’s personable, funny, and planned a really fun day for our family and friends. He was great with both the adults and kids! We felt like we were just spending a day with a very knowledgeable friend. Highly recommend! "

"Alessandra is an engaging and knowledgeable host. I requested a shopping tour for local fashion. She took to me to some very interesting places including vintage, second-hand and local designers only available in Japan. It was so fun."

"I’m a repeat customer. This time came back with my family and Shohei was fantastic. Even though he’s probably done this tour multiple times, he made it feel new and relatable. He’s awesome!"