Uncover the best of Kyoto Day Trip the local Way

"We spent three hours in Kyoto with Ted as our guide, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our visit. Ted has a deep knowledge of Japan’s history and culture, and he explains it in a clear and engaging way that never feels academic or overwhelming. He walked us through Kyoto’s past and traditions, talking about geishas, Kabuki theater, Buddhism, Shintoism, and how all of this still shapes daily life today. He also took us to quieter places, away from the crowds, which made the experience feel more real and special—especially in a city where tourism can feel quite intense. Ted treats both the culture and the people he guides with real respect. He is easy to talk to, thoughtful, and genuinely enjoyable to spend time with. The tour felt personal, not scripted, and we never felt rushed. We would recommend Ted without hesitation. If we return to Kyoto, we would gladly spend time with him again, and we would suggest him to anyone who wants to understand the city beyond the surface."

"The Treasures of Kyoto: Geishas and Traditions Tour with Ted was the ideal start to my first time in Kyoto. In just a short time, I learned more than hours of pre-trip Googling ever taught me. Ted also did me the huge favor of steering me clear of the classic tourist traps — thank you, truly — and later sent me a bunch of personalized recommendations based on what I was interested in. He even checked in during my trip to make sure I was doing okay. Who does that? Someone extremely kind and generous who cares about making your trip to Kyoto as memorable as can be. Ted is kind, generous, and genuinely passionate about sharing Kyoto in an authentic way. If you want a guide who goes above and beyond, book him."

"Yoshihiro (“Ted”) was absolutely fantastic. He is so kind and gentle, and extremely well informed. He gave us a great 3 hour tour of some of the best spots of Kyoto - but equally ones where there weren’t so many crowds. He told us the history and background, but also about current and local topics. Before the trip he sent me other suggestions for things we might like to book in advance, and after the trip he continued to give us advice and travel tips. He was the best guide we have had in Japan, I cannot thank him enough. A truly lovely man. "

"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 booked the street food tour with Guia and it was one of the highlights of our trip to Kyoto. Before our travels I reached out to her a few times with questions and she was always very prompt and helpful. When we met her in person, we immediately felt comfortable…like we were meeting a friend that was showing us the town! She has a great, relaxed and cheerful personality and took us to some hidden gems that we would not have found on our own. It wasn’t a “one size fits all” tour. She completely customized stops based on what we were in the mood for. Highly recommend this tour with Guia."

"Naoki was very easy to talk to. He customised our itinerary according to our needs. We had two senior people in the group, and had also requested a non crowded part to be added. We ended up taking public transport , which we may not have done if we were on our own, so this was an amazing experience. Naoki made sure we were all okay with the pace and the distances we could walk. There was absolutely no rush and he even helped us reserve a table at a vegan ramen place, because we had dietary restrictions but didn’t want to miss out on local Japanese cuisine. Naoki was always in touch , since I chose him as our local guide, and helped me ease the trouble of figuring out our local tour. We just had one day in Kyoto and wanted to cover some popular and not-to-miss places, which we did. He was super helpful and took amazing photos too! He also spoke about the history of the places we visited, always confirming if we wanted to know more. We really enjoyed our walk with him and are grateful for having found a local friend! "

"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!❤️"

"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!"