Make your stay in Kyoto complete with these things to do
1
Choose your favorite local
City Kickstart Tour: Kyoto
142 reviews
2 hours | City highlight tours | Kyoto
Welcome to Kyoto! Want to know the best places to eat? Cool events in town? Which places to go to and which to avoid? Or simply get some help to navigate the city? Book this private tour with a local and get the perfect introduction to Kyoto to start your city trip on the right foot.
Ready for a jam-packed tour, full of history, culture, stories, and sights? Checkmark from your travel bucket list all your must-sees of Kyoto, because if there’s a Withlocals tour that shows you all the city's ins and outs, it’s this complete and personalized tour of Kyoto.
Enjoy the freedom of exploring Kyoto on a bike tour with a local. Cover more ground, take scenic routes, and cycle through main spots like the Philosopher's path and Gion Area. Take in the views as you bike through the city in a safe and fun way, and hear fascinating stories at every stop along the way!
Want to see the best of Kyoto? We got you covered. But as you can expect from a Withlocals experience, the real excitement is its hidden gems. Join your favorite local and get a feeling of the city's real vibe on a tour that has it all, so you can say: I experienced the real Kyoto!
You’ve probably heard that Kyoto is well-known for its Geishas and Traditions, but do you know the stories and origin behind it? Or how much influence it has on the locals daily life? On this private city tour, you are in for a cultural treat!
Did you know that the Kyoto tour of your dreams exists? Yes, and it’s 100% personalized and created by your local host around your interests. Customize and see only the places that spark your interest. From classic landmarks to neighborhood walks - your wishes are our command!
Discover Kyoto in an active and immersive way! On this 3.5-hour e-bike tour, you’ll explore serene temples, scenic rivers, historic streets, and vibrant cultural districts—all while enjoying the freedom of cycling through this beautiful city.
Shinto Basics & Buddhist Insights: A Kyoto City Walk
221 reviews
3 hours | | Kyoto
With your local host, explore Gion and two of Kyoto’s most loved temples—Kiyomizu-dera and Kennin-ji—with clear, down-to-earth stories about Shintō and Buddhism you can use for the rest of your trip.
Explore the Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle with a Local
194 reviews
3 hours | | Kyoto
With your local host, trace Kyoto’s power corridors—from the shogun’s ornate Nijo Castle to the calm avenues of the Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gyoen)—with clear stories, easy pacing, and photo-friendly stops
Traveling to Kyoto with kids? We’ve got you! See the best of Kyoto on a family friendly tour and discover the city through your kid’s eyes. Your private tour includes fun activities, entertaining stories, a tasty treat, and unforgettable memories that your whole family will cherish forever.
"Eiji was a delightful guide and very easy to work with. He shifted course for us when the crowds became too much for our taste. Gave us nice insight into Kyoto life."
"My teenage son and I had an 8 hour day with Guia exploring Kyoto yesterday and it was everything I hoped it would be! Guia is an exceptional guide - warm, friendly, knowledgeable and easily adapted the day to best suit us. It was such a relief to be able to relax and let her guide us, knowing we were in such safe hands. It really felt like being shown around by a friend - who knew her stuff! Thank you Guia we really appreciated you going that extra mile for us and also sharing your stories - really special!❤️"
"Eiji was interesting, engaging and a super photographer. He is a very easygoing person to be with as well as being flexible with the elements of the tour - we chose the three hour Highlights and Hidden Gems. He showed us details which we would definitely not have noticed on our own and explained everything very well. Not only did we have a lovely time with him, learning on the way, he also took lots of photographs which he sent on later giving us the perfect memories of the day. Domo arigato, Eiji!"
"My son and I had a wonderful tour with Eiji. He showed us beautiful places is Kyoto that we wouldn’t have found on our own, and had great suggestions for off the beaten path things to do. "
"We had an absolutely fantastic experience with Ryuki. From the moment we met him, he was warm, gracious, and genuinely attentive to what we wanted from the day. He’s clearly a very hard worker and went above and beyond to give us a perfectly paced “expedited” tour that still managed to feel relaxed and comprehensive, never rushed.
He also has a great eye for fun and flattering photos — he suggested creative angles and poses, handled all the logistics, and captured memories we never would have gotten on our own. Throughout the tour, he was patient, kind, and easy to talk to, which made the entire experience feel effortless and enjoyable.
We would highly recommend Ryuki to anyone looking for a personable, professional guide who truly cares about his guests and their experience."
"We took a tour in Kyoto with Naoki and it was absolutely perfect. He arrived early so there was no waiting around for the guide that you sometimes experience with other tours and his English was perfect which obviously was very important for us. He tailored the tour to exactly how we wanted it, making sure to check that we were enjoying it and asking if there were any changes we'd like to make several times. His knowledge and story telling have been the highlight of our Japan trip so far and we fully recommend booking a tour with Naoki. "
"We had an incredible walking tour through Kyoto with our guide, Tiro. He delivered the perfect mix of education, insight, and entertainment—turning the day into a truly engaging experience. Tiro highlighted all the major sites with fun, thoughtful anecdotes that brought Kyoto’s history and culture to life.
What made the tour even more special was his willingness to take us off the typical tourist paths. Those moments in quieter, lesser-known areas gave us a more authentic perspective of this stunning city.
We couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Highly recommended!"
"Our tour with Eiji was a wonderful start to our time in Kyoto. He adjusted the route so we wouldn't overlap with another tour we had booked and brought us to some quiet spots as requested. We had a lovely time touring the side streets and gardens and learned so much! Plus he recommended a delicious lunch option plus sent a list of other recommendations. He was friendly and patient and a joy to spend the morning with."
"We had a wonderful engaging day with Simon. His vivid stories brought Japanese customs and history to life. His passion mixed with humour and questions for us, kept our fascination and curiosity going overtime. We really appreciated the engaging conversations we had about current Japanese life. You will find more gems from Simone than any guide book! "
"Tiro was the perfect guide – flexible to what I wanted to do, while making sure to hit the highlights and some neat asides along the way. This was a perfect first day in Kyoto!"
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.
Tailored to your wishes
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.
Chat before you book
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.
Travel that supports locals
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.
Feel good about where your money goes
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.
Trusted by millions
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.
Secure & flexible booking
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.
Private & Personal
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.
Private & personalized city tours in Kyoto with a local
Discover Kyoto like never before with a private city tours led by a local guide. These tours are tailored just for you, with no fixed routes or crowds. Whether you’re into history, hidden alleys, iconic landmarks, or everyday local life, your guide will customize the experience to match your interests.
Walk through Kyoto with someone who truly knows the city, hear the stories behind the sights, and uncover corners most tourists miss. Want to focus on art, neighborhoods, or cultural quirks? It’s your tour, your pace. Perfect for first-time visitors or seasoned explorers, our personalized city tours help you connect with Kyoto in a meaningful way.
Say goodbye to generic tours and hello to a one-of-a-kind local experience in Kyoto.
City Tours in Kyoto
Tailored to your wishes
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.
Chat before you book
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.
Travel that supports locals
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.
Feel good about where your money goes
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.
Trusted by millions
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.
Secure & flexible booking
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.
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
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