Uncover the best of Kyoto Day Trip the local Way

"We had a wonderful experience touring Kyoto-Arashiyama (Bamboo Forest, Nonomiya Shrine and Tenryuji Temple) with Naoki! Later in our trip, we had the joy of becoming acquainted with Osaka Castle with Naoki's guidance. Our tour dates were June 12th and 16th respectively. Naoki was very responsive and helpful when we were planning our tour. Even after our tour was over, he was kind enough to send us a recommendation for an eatery. He was punctual and very patient with our group which consisted of three generations (my husband and me, our children ages 13 and 11 and one set of grandparents). Naoki is INCREDIBLY knowledgeable about Japanese culture and history. His passion for being a tour guide is clear and inviting. His demeanor is perfect for this line of work. The information he shared gave us a unique perspective and enhanced the experience of each of the sites we visited. Best of all, Naoki is kind-hearted, warm and friendly. He did not hesitate to go the extra mile to help us, answer our questions and truly personalize our tour. Naoki was generous with his time and efforts and is even quite the photographer! We are so excited to have a new friend in Kyoto. Whenever we return to Japan, we will definitely seek out Naoki for another tour. I HIGHLY recommend Naoki for any tour for which he is available. "

"My tour with Guia was memorable in so many ways. Guia was so friendly and easy to get along with- throughout the day. Our conversations about Japanese culture were very enlightening. We visited many iconic sites and Guia provided historical background and context for each. Her knowledge of Japanese history, religion and culture was amazing. The details she pointed out and the historical anecdotes at each of our stops were fascinating. The pace was easy and the day flew by- far too quickly. I was totally satisfied with the content of the tour and the incredible knowledge of my guide. I wholeheartedly recommend that you select Guia to show you Kyoto- she is an amazing woman and an exceptional tour guide. "

"Naoki was an amazing guide, we covered so much in our 8 hour tour during a rainy day in June. Without Naoki we would not have understood the history behind the sites and got an understanding of Shinto religion and how to pray properly. My son ended up losing his passport and Naoki made calls to follow up afterwards. He is very thoughtful and kind. We used him the following night for a quick city tour of Osaka. Highly recommend! "

"Tour with Naoki was the best possible way to experience Kyoto! He is kind and open-hearted, witty and speaks excellent English. As soon as we met, we knew we want to book another tour with him :) he went above and beyond to take care of everyone in our mixed age group. Naoki took us to many amazing places with few or almost no tourists. Authentical Kyoto, magical, interesting, quiet…without the crowds we heard so much about. We appreciated the opportunity to spend some time with a local and talk about everyday life, too. Naoki lived abroad for a while, so he’s very open-minded and easy to connect with. We really enjoyed his company! Don’t think twice, just book any tour with Naoki, he will do his best to tailor it according to your wishes ❤️"

"Ren was the best tour guide we could have ever asked for: kind, considerate, thorough, and caring. Our day with her was an absolute delight. It wasn’t like spending the day with a tour guide - it was like spending the day with everyone’s favorite auntie. Hire her. You will be thrilled that you did "

"We had a wonderful walking tour of Fushimi Inari and the Gion district with Ryuki. While Fushimi Inari was understandably very crowded, Ryuki did an excellent job navigating the area and ensuring the experience remained enjoyable for everyone in our group. Our group included multiple generations with varying walking abilities, and Ryuki was incredibly thoughtful and attentive to everyone’s needs. He adjusted the pace when necessary and carefully chose routes that allowed all members of the group to participate comfortably and have a positive experience. Ryuki is exceptionally kind, patient, and clearly passionate about Japanese history and culture. He took the time to explain the historical and cultural significance of the sites we visited, making the tour both educational and engaging. "

"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 an excellent time with Tiro walking around the Gion district. His knowledge was very good and he was super friendly and very accommodating to our needs and requests. Would highly recommend as a great way to understand the Kyoto history and Geisha’s. "