Experience the best of
Kyoto with Withlocals

"Our group of 4 had a really enjoyable tour with Ted. On an increddibly hot day, we took our time through Kabuki history, Kyoto Geikos and Hanamachi and a wonderful explanation of Buddhism and Shintoism, while perusing temples and shrines. Thank you, Ted, our time passed by very pleasantly and we forgot about the weather. "

"Better late than never! My husband and I had a tour with Ollie in November of last year. Ollie’s tour wasn’t just a tour. It felt like a local living. Ollie rented us bikes and took us what it felt like the whole Town. He showed us these little temple gems and gave us some stories behind them. Then we went for a matcha making tour, which was one of a kind. Overall the whole tour was truly a unique experience. The bike really gave it a special touch. I truly loved it and highly recommend a tour with Ollie. "

"Better late than never! Teddy-san was amazing. He was very responsive and more than willing to modify our tour to include a location we requested. He also recommended some temple night illumination events, and we’re so glad we followed his advice. The experience was absolutely beautiful! We also lost a souvenir we had bought for our niece and described to him where we had purchased it, but we couldn’t remember how to get back there. At the end of the tour, Teddy went out of his way to take us to the place he thought matched our description. It was such a kind and thoughtful gesture. We highly recommend Teddy—he’s sociable, very nice, and a fantastic guide."

"We had an amazing experience with Guia as our guide in the bamboo forest and Arashiyama! Her deep knowledge of the area’s history added so much value to our visit. Guia was incredibly patient and flexible, seamlessly adjusting the itinerary to suit our needs. As a family with varying ages, we were especially grateful for how well she connected with everyone, making sure each person felt engaged and included. Her warmth and attentiveness made this tour truly special. Highly recommend Guia for anyone looking to explore this beautiful area with an expert guide!"

"Guia was a pleasure to meet and to take this tour with. She is smart, funny and engaging, and extremely knowledgeable about local customs and Kyoto. It was a pleasure taking this tour with her!"

"The tour was the perfect way of beginning a stay in Kyoto. Guía is incredibly knowledgeable about Kyoto and introduced us to the best of food. I also appreciate her flexibility in personalizing the tour given my walking limitations and our late start. Thank you, Guia for such a amazing welcome!"

"I was incredibly fortunate to have Ted as my guide during my short time in Kyoto. He was accommodating with my last-minute request to add another participant to the tour and made me feel comfortable from the start. Despite the particularly hot and humid day, Ted was patient with my frequent stops for water and bathroom breaks. He always adjusted the pace to suit me and provided insightful answers to my many questions (and I had plenty!). Even though it was one of Japan's busiest tourism days due to a national holiday, Ted made the tour feel special, helping us navigate around the crowds. He even joined me in shopping for a gift for my family! Our time together was wonderful, and we ended the tour with a prayer at a shrine—I truly felt like I made a friend. I highly recommend Ted to anyone visiting Kyoto, especially for exploring the historic district. He also offers food tours and bamboo forest tours, which I'm sure are just as excellent."

"We had a great tour with Ted. He was so friendly and knowledgeable. He showed us some spots we would have missed otherwise and the only thing I might change was the timing of the tour to later in the day as many places were not yet open and our tour was 9-10:30. When choosing a guide, you should plan for a good experience with Ted. "

"Perfect way to get a first orientation discovering Kyoto by foot. Organized and very kowledgeable. Very good English communication before, during and after the tour to help us with recommendations "