Let our local experts guide you through a handpicked selection of things to do on a private tour. Think hidden gems, insider stories, and all the local vibes. Ready to find your private tour of Kyoto? Your adventure-packed day is just one click away!
Top 10 tours in Kyoto
Make your stay in Kyoto complete with these things to do
1
Choose your favorite local
The 10 Tastings of Kyoto: Street Food
155 reviews
3 hours | Food tours | Kyoto
Ready to taste the best food in Kyoto? Satisfy your cravings for local food and culture with highlights along the way, together with a foodie host. Enjoy 10 delicious and typical tastings that range from sweet to savory as well as drinks on a tasty food tour in 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!
Make your trip a wholesome experience by seeing what other cities outside of Kyoto have to offer. On this private day trip, you don’t need to worry about anything! Follow your local host to Nara and be back in Kyoto the same day but with more unforgettable experiences than before.
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!
Imagine this: a scenic road trip from Kyoto to explore Arashiyama with stops along the way to discover viewpoints, villages, incredible nature, and cultural gems. Sounds like a dream? No, it’s possible on a Withlocals day trip with a local host leading the way!
Explore the Imperial Palace & Nijo Castle with a Local
594 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
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 Tours in Kyoto with a Local
When you hit the road and land in a new city like Kyoto, there's an exciting way to dive into its soul: personalized local tours. Forget the typical touristy routes – these tours are like having a local friend show you around all the cool spots.
Imagine having someone who lives and breathes Kyoto spill its secrets. That's what local guides bring to the table. They know the hidden alleys, the best bites, and stories that never made it to the guidebooks. Whether you're into munching through food tours, wandering the city's streets, or going off the beaten path, a local guide hooks you up with a private tour that's authentically Kyoto.
The best part? These tours are all about you. No herding in big groups or rushing through places you're not interested in. With private tours, you're the boss. Whether it's snapping pics at iconic landmarks, diving into history, or checking out the art scene, the tour is tuned to your vibes at your tempo.
But it doesn't stop at city limits. Day trips let you escape the urban jungle and explore nearby wonders. And if you're just setting foot in Kyoto, kickstart tours give you a taste of everything. Think of it as a crash course in Kyoto awesomeness, guided by a local who knows the city like the back of their hand.
So, next time you're in Kyoto, ditch the ordinary. Grab a local tour and unlock the city's real magic – the stories, flavors, and places that make it uniquely Kyoto. Get ready to explore like a local!
"Engaged Tito on my first day in Kyoto for a comprehensive city tour. I arrived in the city before my companions, so my goal was to gain a broad understanding of Kyoto’s history and its significance in Japanese history. I also wanted to comprehend the origins of the temples and palaces. As a frequent traveler to ancient cities, I find immense satisfaction in unraveling their original histories and observing how certain aspects have persisted into the present day. Tito’s knowledge was remarkable at each location, skillfully weaving a tapestry of this imperial capital. His guidance was smooth, sophisticated, and accompanied by a vivid and detailed narrative.
.We concluded the day by spotting a geisha and listening to his profound insights into their secret society, influential nature and its evolution over time. The following days, my companion was astounded by the wealth of information and familiarity I had acquired in just one day in Kyoto. "
"Ted was extremely helpful in assisting to kickstart our 4 days here in Kyoto. He sat down with us and reviewed the area on a map explaining the layout of the city and pointing out important Sites for us to see. He also helped us to understand the subway train system giving us the confidence to travel on it ourselves. He also gave us some restaurant recommendations which was very helpful especially since I have a Sesame Allergy. He walked us around the area explaining about the Geisha culture and other tips that we wouldn't have known. We wrapped up our time with Ted with him teaching us how to pray at a local temple. We would highly recommend him as a guide!"
JanetAbout local YoshihiroKyoto, February 17, 2026
5.0
Perfect English, perfect amount of history
"Naoki was an excellent guide. He took us to several temples, explained the differences between the different religious traditions in Japan, took us through the Gion, the geisha district, was engaging and gave us the perfect amount of information about each site. He answered every question and was very knowledgeable. we had to change one of the stops at the last minute and Naoki was flexible. We were a group of 6, 60+. We had just finished skiing so our knees were not great but we easily got up the few stairs involved. We absolutely loved it. I highly recommend his tour!"
"We had a really fantastic time with Naoki/Stephen today and covered an enormous amount of Kyoto’s landmarks and also some lovely quieter spots without ever feeling rushed. Naoki was a wonderful guide, extremely knowledgeable, great company and very good at conveying lots of information and insights in a way that was easy to absorb. He answered endless questions, tailored the tour to our needs and went above and beyond in giving us lots of information for the following day. I would highly recommend him to anyone visiting Kyoto."
"We took a several-hour bike tour with Tiro in freezing January weather. In addition to offering us heating patches to help us stay warm, he gave us an engaging and fun experience as we saw all kinds of nooks and crannies around Kyoto. His humor and obvious love for history made the experience memorable. He also went above and beyond in finding us a perfect lunch place, helping us with photographs, and plotting out new places to visit on the rest of our trip. Highly recommended!"
"From the start Simone was friendly and very easy to talk to. He filled the day with lots of information not just about the places visited but also about the culture. His knowledge of about Arashiyama and the Bamboo Forest was excellent. Lunch was at a small out of the way, very friendly restaurant with excellent food which was also a great experience.
I would highly recommend Simone to anyone looking for an informative and friendly guide."
"Excellent tour with Naoki yesterday! We met him at a convenient location near the hotel and were taken with his easy demeanor. We trekked through hidden streets, historic neighborhoods and temples all the while tracing a historic path through Japanese culture and history. Particularly interesting was the discussion on Geishas, Shoguns and the Samurais. Having grown up near Kyoto, Naoki was bristling with information and answered all of our questions without hesitation. Post-tour, he sent us a thorough text summarizing restaurant options in Kyoto as well as Osaka. We tried one—fantastic! We highly recommend spending a tour with Naoki. Thank you sir!"
Kim and BrianAbout local NaokiKyoto, January 20, 2026
5.0
Fun experience
"Eiji was a fun and informative guide. He was very friendly, with good knowledge of the city. Eiji took us to places off the tourist trail. We felt safe on the bikes with him as our guide."
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
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