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Enjoy Kyoto like a local
Let our local experts guide you through a handpicked selection of things to do on a private tour. Your personalized escapade in Kyoto tomorrow is just a click away - don't miss out!
Make your stay in Kyoto complete with these things to do

















Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore Kyoto with locals









Always private. It's just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.
Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.
Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.
Our locals will give you the best experiences that Kyoto has to offer
Discover experiences based on your interest
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You'll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You're choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that's okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You'll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
You're choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that's okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
As the promise of a new day dawns upon us, the question arises - how best to uncover the treasures of Kyoto? Look no further than the expertise of local guides. Amidst the myriad things to do, a guided tour led by those who call Kyoto home offers an unrivaled experience.
While guidebooks provide insights, a local's perspective unveils hidden gems and tales that breathe life into the streets. From historical anecdotes to culinary delights, local guides curate authentic experiences tailored to your interests. Beyond mainstream attractions, they lead you to charming cafes, serene alleys, and the pulse of the city.
With a private tour, your adventure unfolds at your pace. No bustling crowds, no missed opportunities. Solo explorers, couples, or families - all can relish Kyoto through the eyes of a local. As the sun sets on today, let a local-led tour illuminate your tomorrow, revealing the heart and soul of Kyoto unlike ever before.
Reviews from guests about our tours and locals
"Eiji was an amazing tour guide. We had very clear instructions on where to meet him and it was easy to find the bike shop. Once on the bikes we rode through the back streets of Kyoto was shown places that we wouldn’t have expected to see and had a wonderful time on this tour. It was absolutely fantastic and a big thank you to Eiji!!"
"David was an excellent tour guide in Kyoto. He was friendly, genuine, and easy to talk to, which made the entire experience feel relaxed and enjoyable. He was attentive to our needs and took the time to make sure we were comfortable throughout the tour. David was also very knowledgeable about Kyoto’s history and culture, and he shared interesting insights that made the places we visited even more meaningful. We had an amazing time with him and would highly recommend David to any friends visiting Kyoto."
"My husband and I, along with our 8 year old daughter, had a wonderful time exploring Kyoto with Ren. We wanted to get an introduction to Kyoto from a local’s perspective and we loved the brilliant restaurants, supermarkets and shops she showed us, especially the amazing 100 yen shop! She even helped us buy a travel card for our daughter and sent us loads more tips and recommendations. We visited a Buddhist temple, and then the Pokemon Center and Nintendo Shop. We would have missed the Mario photo op on the roof if she hadn’t taken us up there. As a former game dev myself, I was keen to hear about Ren’s career and was in awe of some of her projects and friends. She was a brilliant, thoughtful guide, and an extremely kind and interesting person to hang out with!"
"We had a great morning with Ted! He took time to share parts of Kyoto with us and we saw parts we wouldn’t have found alone Ted was also awesome with our kids and was patient and told us everything answering questions along the way"
"Our day with Ren in Kyoto was the absolute highlight of our trip to Japan. From the very first email, she was incredibly responsive, helping us craft a custom itinerary that perfectly balanced Kyoto's must-see landmarks with hidden local spots we never would have found on our own.Her knowledge of Kyoto’s history, culture, and architecture is profound, but she shares it in a way that is engaging, conversational, and fun. She helped us navigate the complex subway system effortlessly, saving us hours of travel time, and knew exactly when to visit crowded areas to avoid the massive tour bus rushes. Ren also went above and beyond by taking beautiful photos of our family throughout the day and recommending incredible, authentic lunch spots within our budget. If you want a deeply knowledgeable, warm, and professional guide who feels like an old friend showing you around his hometown, book Ren immediately, we would in a heartbeat!"
"He took plenty of time to show us some beautiful and special places in Kyoto that we probably would not have discovered on our own. We cycled along the river, stopping several times while Tiro gave us interesting explanations and pointed out things we would otherwise have missed. We visited the shrine dedicated to beauty and even tried a delicious “beauty potion” 😊. Later, we visited the oldest shrine and then continued cycling downstream, passing the old palace before making our way to a temple. Tiro was incredibly attentive throughout the tour and also made sure to take the children’s needs into account, for example by stopping for a little drink break when needed. To finish the tour, we cycled through the Gion district and were even lucky enough to see real geishas! 😊 We honestly would have loved to spend the whole day cycling around Kyoto with Tiro. A fantastic experience and highly recommended! 🚲❤️"
"We really enjoyed our introduction to Kyoto. Guía was great and very knowledgeable about the city and Japan more generally. Thank you for sharing your beautiful city with us!"
"We did our bike tour through Kyoto with Tito today and had a blast! He took us to places where we would have not gone on our own and adjusted the tour spontaneously to our wishes. Because of his flexibility, we could visit a temple and partake in a cleaning and candle celebration, which only takes place this time of the year. We traveled through little Streets, learned about Kyoto, went to an old-fashioned coffee and tea house, (which we would not have found on our own) and spend some time at the river and finally a food market, with the best sushi!! We had a great time and really appreciate all the time Tiro took to explain to us the history of Kyoto at all the different places we stoped. He is a well of information! Thank you for showing us these places in Kyoto and for all the explanations and stories how the city evolved and the religion behind it. Thank you for going beyond our expectations! All the best for you and your family! ♥️ "
"Marielle guided us through Kyoto, and gave us all the details in a very enthousiast manner. We really enjoyed her laughs! Tour was adapated to our interests, and she gave us plenty of tips for the days to come! Book her, you will not be disappointed!!"
"We had a fabulous experience cycling through some spectacular sights in Kyoto. From the older part of the city, philosophers path and back along the riverbank. Sebastian was full of knowledge and made the experience very enjoyable for our family including a 12 & 9 yr old. I’d highly recommend this tour. "