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Private & personalized tours - just for you!

Experience City tours in the best of
Kyoto with Withlocals

Get the max out of your trip to Kyoto. Enjoy one of our hand-picked City Highlight Tours with the local expert of your choice.

City tours in Kyoto

Get the max out of your trip to Kyoto. Enjoy one of our hand-picked City Highlight Tours with the local expert of your choice.

City tours in Kyoto

Real People. Real Stories. Really Good Travel.

  • Feel like a local, not a tourist

    Always private. It's just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.

  • More you, less checklist

    Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.

  • Travel that feels good

    Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.



Top 10 city tours in Kyoto

Make your stay in Kyoto complete with these things to do

  1. 1Experience image
    Portrait from local Maha - Authenticity Radar
    Portrait from local Tiro - The City Explorer
    Choose your favorite local

    City Kickstart Tour: Kyoto

    178 reviews
    2 hours | City highlights 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.

    €33.09 per person
    Explore
  2. 2Experience image
    Portrait from local David - The Magician
    Portrait from local Jessica - Story Teller & Wanderer
    Choose your favorite local

    Full Coverage Kyoto City Tour

    127 reviews
    8 hours | City highlights tours | Kyoto

    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.

    €177 per person
    Explore
  3. 3Experience image
    Portrait from local marielle - Guide, Teacher & Storyteller
    Portrait from local Ren - The Life Coach & Artist
    Choose your favorite local

    The Beauty of Kyoto by Bike Tour

    134 reviews
    2.5 hours | City highlights tours | 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!

    €70.98 per person
    Explore
  4. 4Experience image
    Portrait from local Naoki - The Japanese Kansai Local
    Portrait from local Ren - The Life Coach & Artist
    Choose your favorite local

    Highlights & Hidden Gems of Kyoto

    389 reviews
    3 hours | City highlights tours | Kyoto

    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!

    €66.55 per person
    Explore
  5. 5Experience image
    Portrait from local marielle - Guide, Teacher & Storyteller
    Portrait from local Tiro - The City Explorer
    Choose your favorite local

    Treasures of Kyoto: Geishas and Traditions Tour

    100 reviews
    2.5 hours | City highlights tours | 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!

    €51.68 per person
    Explore
  6. 6Experience image
    Portrait from local Sebastian - Your Kyoto & Osaka Local Insider
    Portrait from local WAJID - Your Friendly and Expert Local Guide
    Choose your favorite local

    Withlocals Your Way! - Kyoto City Tour

    1,566 reviews
    3 hours | City highlights tours | Kyoto

    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!

    €66.18 per person
    Explore
  7. 7Experience image
    Portrait from local marielle - Guide, Teacher & Storyteller
    Portrait from local Tiro - The City Explorer
    Choose your favorite local

    Explore the Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle with a Local

    1,064 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

    €52.94 per person
    Explore
  8. 8Experience image
    Portrait from local Guia - Hostest with the mostest!
    Portrait from local marielle - Guide, Teacher & Storyteller
    Choose your favorite local

    Shinto Basics & Buddhist Insights: A Kyoto City Walk

    815 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.

    €51.84 per person
    Explore
  9. 9Experience image
    Portrait from local Erick - The Family Foodie
    Portrait from local Maha - Authenticity Radar
    Choose your favorite local

    Kyoto Garden Highlights: Golden Pavilion & Ryoan-ji

    582 reviews
    3 hours | | Kyoto

    With your local host, enjoy an easy, well-paced stroll between two of Kyoto’s most beautiful temple gardens: the shimmering Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) and the serene Ryoan-ji rock garden—ideal for clear stories, relaxed photos, and a gentle neighborhood walk between sites.

    €52.57 per person
    Explore
  10. 10Experience image
    Portrait from local Ren - The Life Coach & Artist
    Portrait from local Eiji - a Gentle Music Producer
    Choose your favorite local

    Kyoto by E-Bike: Temples, Culture & Scenic Paths

    495 reviews
    3.5 hours | | Kyoto

    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.

    €90.63 per person
    Explore
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Explore Kyoto with our incredible locals

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

  • Ahmed

    the expert foreign local

    23 reviews
    العربية・English
  • Guia

    Hostest with the mostest!

    106 reviews
    English・日本語
  • RYUKI

    Your Kyoto born guide RYÜKI

    106 reviews
    English・日本語
  • Yoshihiro

    The Japanese Local

    347 reviews
    English・日本語
  • Tiro

    The City Explorer

    78 reviews
    English・日本語
  • Sebastien

    Professional guide and Bamboo Flute Player

    7 reviews
    English・Français
  • David

    The Magician

    84 reviews
    English・Indonesia・日本語・Melayu
  • Ren

    The Life Coach & Artist

    15 reviews
    English・日本語
  • marielle

    Guide, Teacher & Storyteller

    2 reviews
    English
  • WAJID

    Your Friendly and Expert Local Guide

    13 reviews
    English・हिन्दी
See all locals

Private city tours with locals in Kyoto

Our locals will give you the best experiences that Kyoto has to offer

  • City Kickstart Tour: Kyoto
    Maha - Authenticity Radar
    Tiro - The City Explorer
    Choose your local

    City Kickstart Tour: Kyoto

    4.9
    178 reviews
    2 hours • City highlights tours
    from €33.09 per person
  • Full Coverage Kyoto City Tour
    David - The Magician
    Jessica - Story Teller & Wanderer
    Choose your local

    Full Coverage Kyoto City Tour

    4.9
    127 reviews
    8 hours • City highlights tours
    from €177 per person
  • The Beauty of Kyoto by Bike Tour
    marielle - Guide, Teacher & Storyteller
    Ren - The Life Coach & Artist
    Choose your local

    The Beauty of Kyoto by Bike Tour

    4.9
    134 reviews
    2.5 hours • City highlights tours
    from €70.98 per person
  • Highlights & Hidden Gems of Kyoto
    Naoki - The Japanese Kansai Local
    Ren - The Life Coach & Artist
    Choose your local

    Highlights & Hidden Gems of Kyoto

    4.9
    389 reviews
    3 hours • City highlights tours
    from €66.55 per person
  • Treasures of Kyoto: Geishas and Traditions Tour
    marielle - Guide, Teacher & Storyteller
    Tiro - The City Explorer
    Choose your local

    Treasures of Kyoto: Geishas and Traditions Tour

    5.0
    100 reviews
    2.5 hours • City highlights tours
    from €51.68 per person
  • Withlocals Your Way! - Kyoto City Tour
    Sebastian - Your Kyoto & Osaka Local Insider
    WAJID - Your Friendly and Expert Local Guide
    Choose your local

    Withlocals Your Way! - Kyoto City Tour

    4.9
    1,566 reviews
    3 hours • City highlights tours
    from €66.18 per person
  • Explore the Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle with a Local
    marielle - Guide, Teacher & Storyteller
    Tiro - The City Explorer
    Choose your local

    Explore the Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle with a Local

    4.9
    1,064 reviews
    3 hours •
    from €52.94 per person
  • Shinto Basics & Buddhist Insights: A Kyoto City Walk
    Guia - Hostest with the mostest!
    marielle - Guide, Teacher & Storyteller
    Choose your local

    Shinto Basics & Buddhist Insights: A Kyoto City Walk

    4.9
    815 reviews
    3 hours •
    from €51.84 per person
  • Kyoto Garden Highlights: Golden Pavilion & Ryoan-ji
    Erick - The Family Foodie
    Maha - Authenticity Radar
    Choose your local

    Kyoto Garden Highlights: Golden Pavilion & Ryoan-ji

    4.9
    582 reviews
    3 hours •
    from €52.57 per person
  • Kyoto by E-Bike: Temples, Culture & Scenic Paths
    Ren - The Life Coach & Artist
    Eiji - a Gentle Music Producer
    Choose your local

    Kyoto by E-Bike: Temples, Culture & Scenic Paths

    4.9
    495 reviews
    3.5 hours •
    from €90.63 per person
  •  Half-Day Uji from Kyoto by Train: Byōdō-in, Ujigami Shrines & Tea Stories
    David - The Magician
    Erick - The Family Foodie
    Choose your local

    Half-Day Uji from Kyoto by Train: Byōdō-in, Ujigami Shrines & Tea Stories

    4.9
    334 reviews
    4 hours •
    from €79.78 per person
  • Family Friendly Kyoto City Tour
    Maha - Authenticity Radar
    Tiro - The City Explorer
    Choose your local

    Family Friendly Kyoto City Tour

    4.9
    318 reviews
    2.5 hours •
    from €48.71 per person
  • Arashiyama, Nara & Fushimi Inari: Day Trip from Kyoto by Train
    David - The Magician
    WAJID - Your Friendly and Expert Local Guide
    Choose your local

    Arashiyama, Nara & Fushimi Inari: Day Trip from Kyoto by Train

    5.0
    299 reviews
    10 hours •
    from €128 per person
  • Discover Fushimi Inari: Kyoto’s Iconic Shrine by Day or Evening
    marielle - Guide, Teacher & Storyteller
    Tiro - The City Explorer
    Choose your local

    Discover Fushimi Inari: Kyoto’s Iconic Shrine by Day or Evening

    4.9
    263 reviews
    2 hours •
    from €33.09 per person
  • Nishiki Market Bites: Kyoto Food Walk
    Ren - The Life Coach & Artist
    Maha - Authenticity Radar
    Choose your local

    Nishiki Market Bites: Kyoto Food Walk

    5.0
    247 reviews
    2 hours •
    from €77.21 per person
  • Discover Hiroshima in a Day by High-Speed Train from Kyoto
    David - The Magician
    WAJID - Your Friendly and Expert Local Guide
    Choose your local

    Discover Hiroshima in a Day by High-Speed Train from Kyoto

    4.9
    151 reviews
    12 hours •
    from €218 per person
See all experiences

Other private city tours with locals nearby

Other travelers went to these amazing experiences near Kyoto

  • City Explorer: Hiroshima & Miyajima Day Trip from Osaka by Shinkansen
    Hiroki - The Passionate Local Guide
    Sebastian - Your Kyoto & Osaka Local Insider
    Choose your local

    City Explorer: Hiroshima & Miyajima Day Trip from Osaka by Shinkansen

    4.9
    397 reviews
    12 hours •
    from €195 per person


Find tours by category

Discover tours based on your interest

  • City highlights tours 23
  • Day trips 3
  • Food tours 3
  • Photo tours 2
  • Night tours 1


Other experiences you might like

Explore more unique experiences that our locals offer in Kyoto

  1. Slide 8
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    image of undefined, undefined
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    & 10 other locals

    The 10 Tastings of Kyoto: Street Food

    4.9
    177 reviews
    Book now
  4. Slide 3
    image of undefined, undefined
    image of undefined, undefined
    & 12 other locals

    City Kickstart Tour: Kyoto

    4.9
    178 reviews
    Book now
  5. Slide 4
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    & 18 other locals

    Full Coverage Kyoto City Tour

    4.9
    127 reviews
    Book now
  6. Slide 5
    image of undefined, undefined
    image of undefined, undefined
    & 8 other locals

    The Beauty of Kyoto by Bike Tour

    4.9
    134 reviews
    Book now
  7. Slide 6
    image of undefined, undefined
    image of undefined, undefined
    & 17 other locals

    Highlights & Hidden Gems of Kyoto

    4.9
    389 reviews
    Book now
  8. Slide 7
    image of undefined, undefined
    image of undefined, undefined
    & 12 other locals

    Treasures of Kyoto: Geishas and Traditions Tour

    5.0
    100 reviews
    Book now
  9. Slide 8
    image of undefined, undefined
    image of undefined, undefined
    & 12 other locals

    City Explorer: Nara Day Trip

    4.9
    821 reviews
    Book now
  10. Slide 9
    image of undefined, undefined
    image of undefined, undefined
    & 16 other locals

    Withlocals Your Way! - Kyoto City Tour

    4.9
    1,566 reviews
    Book now
  11. Slide 10
    image of undefined, undefined
    image of undefined, undefined
    & 9 other locals

    Explore the Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle with a Local

    4.9
    1,064 reviews
    Book now
  12. Slide 11
    image of undefined, undefined
    image of undefined, undefined
    & 12 other locals

    City Escape: Day Trip Arashiyama & Bamboo Grove

    4.9
    932 reviews
    Book now
  13. Slide 0
  14. Slide 1


Why is Withlocals the best place to book a tour?

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 & 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.

  1. Japan
  2. Kyoto
  3. Tours in Kyoto
  4. City tours in Kyoto

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Featured for Kyoto
  • City Kickstart Tour: Kyoto

    4.9
    · 178 reviews
    From€33.09/person
    Maha - Authenticity Radar
    +12
    Choose your local
  • Book now

    Travelers love our locals

    Reviews from guests about our tours and locals

    • 5.0

      What a bike through Kyoto?

      "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!!"

      local Eiji
      guest ANNETTE
      ANNETTEAbout local EijiKyoto, September 10, 2026
    • 5.0

      Perfect intro to 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!"

      local Ren
      guest Gabrielle
      GabrielleAbout local RenKyoto, August 19, 2026
    • 5.0

      Great company and great with kids

      "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"

      local Yoshihiro
      guest Gareth
      GarethAbout local YoshihiroKyoto, August 15, 2026
    • 5.0

      Tiro was great!

      "Our family of 5 was blown away by Tiro’s bike tour of Kyoto. He’s knowledgable with a flare of levity. Tiro quickly read our interest with a few leading questions and catered the tour accordingly. Not a second wasted, we managed to cover so much ground…history, culture, nature, local food recommendations and architecture. Don’t hesitate to book with Tori. "

      local Tiro
      guest Marquisha
      MarquishaAbout local TiroKyoto, August 10, 2026
    • 5.0

      We absolutely loved our tour with Tiro!

      "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! 🚲❤️"

      local Tiro
      guest Isabelle
      IsabelleAbout local TiroKyoto, August 10, 2026
    • 5.0

      A Fantastic Tour!

      "We were extremely impressed with Tiro’s knowledge of ancient Japanese history and were continuously entertained by his general knowledge of Japanese culture. The tour itself was short but compacted with plenty of conversation and laughs. Thank you Tiro very much for a wonderful experience!"

      local Tiro
      guest Sophie
      SophieAbout local TiroKyoto, August 8, 2026
    • 5.0

      Great guide!

      "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!"

      local Guia
      guest Dan
      DanAbout local GuiaKyoto, July 29, 2026
    • 5.0

      An unforgettable bike tour with Tiro! ♥️

      "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! ♥️ "

      local Tiro
      guest Pat&Jules and Liam
      Pat&Jules and LiamAbout local TiroKyoto, July 21, 2026
    • 5.0

      Excellent storyteller!

      "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!!"

      local marielle
      guest Dominic
      DominicAbout local marielleKyoto, July 18, 2026
    • 5.0

      Wonderful bike with family

      "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. "

      local Sebastian
      guest Paula
      PaulaAbout local SebastianKyoto, July 17, 2026