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
130 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.
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!
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!
Shinto Basics & Buddhist Insights: A Kyoto City Walk
144 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.
"Thoroughly enjoyed our 2 hours with Guia. She was engaging, flexible and fascinating to talk to about experiencing Japan as a foreigner. Highly recommended. "
"Ted (Yoshihiro) was an amazing guide bringing our group to discover a lot of secret parts of the local area! We tasted a variety of amazing dishes and he was super flexible with our requests! Ted was an amazing communicator and an amazing tour guide! We recommend him to anyone looking for an amazing tour!"
MathieuAbout local YoshihiroKyoto, September 28, 2025
5.0
Amazing tour with Shohei
"We had such a great and informative tour with Shohei! We learned so much. The imperial palace would not have been the same without his facts and storytelling. This tour was the best we had in Japan!"
"We spent a fun and informative afternoon with Shohei. Even though we’d been to Kyoto twice before, he took us to some sites we’d never visited. His knowledge of Buddhism and Shintoism and Japanese history and culture more broadly gave us insights we’d never have had if we were exploring on our own. His experience growing up in the US helped him better describe some of the more nuanced differences between Japan and “the west”. He also made some recommendations for places and restaurants to visit that were very helpful. I highly recommend booking a tour with Shohei if you’re interested in exploring some of the less “touristy” parts of Kyoto. "
"Tiro was an incredible guide during our time in Kyoto. He’s extremely knowledgeable about the local history and culture, and he knew all the best restaurants and hidden gems. On top of that, he went above and beyond by helping me plan a magical proposal to my now fiancée — something we’ll never forget. His warmth, expertise, and genuine care made our experience unforgettable. Highly recommended!"
"We had elderly people in our group and Eiji managed to plan the itinerary so there are plenty of rest stops. It was nice that we were able to cover a lot of places without being too tiring. He also took a lot of really nice photographs of the group. "
"We had a great morning in Kyoto with Ryuki, exploring hidden gems of the city, including temples, shrines, statues and food and drink that was not the standard tourist route. He had a great balance of information and letting us explore for ourselves and also gave us good tips for what else to see in Kyoto and where to eat. Highly recommended!"
"Everything was perfect. Ryuki asked what interested us most and he delivered. From the Shrine of 10,000 gates to the bamboo forest to the large 1,500 year old pagoda, we saw it all. The Japanese barbecue lunch was awesome too. Thank you Ryuki."
"We were a large group of 9 women, some of who had been to Kyoto before and some who were first time visitors to Japan. So we needed a customized tour that would please everyone and we loved Maha as our tour guide. She met us at our hotel and we used taxis to expedite our trips so that we could see more places. She spoke in English and Arabic to us and explained the culture and language while we walked.
We visited new places, I’ve never been to before and she was extremely patient with our group as we kept drifting off to buy souvenirs and snacks at random times. I loved exploring the narrow alleyways with her and she showed us her favorite places as well. Highly recommended."
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.
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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.
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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 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!
Choose your favorite local
Choose your favorite local
With Shohei
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