Family-Friendly • 8 hours 5.0 (92)

Full family day in Kyoto with a local

Discover the best of Kyoto to be enjoyed by the whole family on an experience tailored to you by a host who knows what the kids will love to explore

Visit on the 15th, 21st and 25th of the month to catch one of the flea markets and grab amazing bargain kimono, ceramics, handicrafts etc.

What makes this experience special

Key highlights

  • See an area of Kyoto chosen by your knowledgeable host, but based on your family’s interests
  • Explore Kyoto’s cosmopolitan attractions, or head outdoors with a trip to the bamboo forest or botanical gardens
  • Take part in interactive, educational, and just plain fun experiences that kids will love
  • Visit family-friendly restaurants and tons of ice-cream parlors – your host reads a menu better than Google Translate does!
  • You’re guaranteed all-day entertainment within a relatively small radius of central Kyoto

What to know before you go

Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.

8 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested

What’s included

Private and personalized experience

8 hours with a host
Walking experience (if required, your host can suggest public transport or private taxi options)

What’s not included

Food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs

Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

The host will be awaiting you at Matsumoto Kiyoshi Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What to bring

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
  • Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.

How your day could unfold

A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you most

What you’ll do

You could ring the bells at the interactive Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Eastern Kyoto, check out the view from Yasaka Pagoda less than one mile away, or head a little further north and explore the Botanical Gardens while the young ones zip down the playground slide.

Nature lovers may choose to head 30 minutes out of central Kyoto to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where forest walks and a visit to Iwatayama Monkey Park are sure to keep the whole family entertained. Hungry? Your local insider will be happy to scope out the best family-friendly restaurants in the district – and decipher the kids’ menus. When it’s time for dessert, keep sweet teeth happy with Kyoto’s famous melonpan ice cream or funky-flavored shaved ice - why not try the bamboo? 

1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?

Real Stories, Real Connections

See our hosts and guests creating memories
Surrounded by centuries of tradition

Surrounded by centuries of tradition

Night Lights & Lantern Legends

Night Lights & Lantern Legends

Charmed in Gion

Charmed in Gion

Hidden shrines and heartfelt connections

Hidden shrines and heartfelt connections

Golden Hour at Kiyomizu-dera

Golden Hour at Kiyomizu-dera

Ice Cream Break in Old Kyoto

Ice Cream Break in Old Kyoto

Morning Light & Timeless Streets

Morning Light & Timeless Streets

Pagoda Strolls & Smiles All Around

Pagoda Strolls & Smiles All Around

Fushimi Inari, the Insider Way

Fushimi Inari, the Insider Way

Family Roots at Yasaka Shrine

Family Roots at Yasaka Shrine

A Table Full of Stories

A Table Full of Stories

New Friends in Old Streets

New Friends in Old Streets

Tempura & Togetherness

Tempura & Togetherness

The Fox Shrine Crew

The Fox Shrine Crew

Sannenzaka Strolls & Big Grins

Sannenzaka Strolls & Big Grins

Wagyu, Wasabi & Wonderful Company

Wagyu, Wasabi & Wonderful Company

Kyoto’s Rooftops & Reflections

Kyoto’s Rooftops & Reflections

Walking through the iconic Fushimi Inari gates

Walking through the iconic Fushimi Inari gates

Big smiles and even bigger stories

Big smiles and even bigger stories

Soft Steps & Serene Views

Soft Steps & Serene Views

From ancient torii gates to new friendships

From ancient torii gates to new friendships

A wintery evening stroll and some of the best street snacks in the city

A wintery evening stroll and some of the best street snacks in the city

Wandering through a forest of giants

Wandering through a forest of giants

A day filled with culture and laughter

A day filled with culture and laughter

Wandering Kyoto’s shopping arcades

Wandering Kyoto’s shopping arcades

Golden hour, cherry blossoms, and two friends soaking up Kyoto’s quiet charm

Golden hour, cherry blossoms, and two friends soaking up Kyoto’s quiet charm

A Cozy Culinary Moment tucked into a quiet Kyoto alley

A Cozy Culinary Moment tucked into a quiet Kyoto alley

The perfect view to end a perfect Kyoto day.

The perfect view to end a perfect Kyoto day.

Family adventures down Kyoto’s most charming slope

Family adventures down Kyoto’s most charming slope

 Pagoda Postcard Vibes

Pagoda Postcard Vibes

Lunch with a local – and two new ramen lovers officially converted

Lunch with a local – and two new ramen lovers officially converted

Nothing bonds like good food and great company in Kyoto

Nothing bonds like good food and great company in Kyoto

Walking through these thousand torii gates

Walking through these thousand torii gates

A Ryokan-Style Feast

A Ryokan-Style Feast

Tucked away in Kyoto’s Arashiyama bamboo grove

Tucked away in Kyoto’s Arashiyama bamboo grove

Playful Spirits at Fushimi Inari

Playful Spirits at Fushimi Inari

Matcha Dreams Come True

Matcha Dreams Come True

Cocktails with a view

Cocktails with a view

A walk through time

A walk through time

Rural charm and cultural calm

Rural charm and cultural calm

A peaceful pause with Kannon

A peaceful pause with Kannon

17,500+ 5-Star Reviews and Counting

Trusted and recommended by travelers worldwide, including 99% on Google and TripAdvisor.

recommended by 99% of travelers on google
recommended by 99% of travelers on tripadvisor
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What travelers think of this experience

Gabrielle Apr 2025

I highly recommend this tour. Our tour guide Ian was terrific! Friendly, knowledgeable and generous - we went to lots of incredible spots, temples and gardens. Then Ian took us to authentic restaurants and eateries, including one where we ate the best ramen of our lives! We started the day in beautiful Higashiyama and made our way through the old railway lined with cherry blossoms in Keage. It was truly magical! We visited Heian Shrine and the peaceful royal garden, enjoyed tea by the water and saw the two sacred trees - cherry and tangerine. After that we walked to Nanzen-ji Temple, passed the canal museum and took a cozy break at Shinpukan - with coffee and mochi. In the afternoon we wandered through Gino and Hanami Koji, passed the Yasaka Pagoda, visited the Love Shrine and ended at Pontocho Street. Ian was amazing and gave our whole family a remarkable experience - it was our favorite day of the trip!!

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Joshua Apr 2025

Jose was our tour guide and the custom itinerary was perfect. He met us at our hotel and took an easy walk around to multiple areas. He was. very knowledgeable and showed us all the intricate things we would never have looked for. excellent tour and good pace. He took us to a few local food places that had awesome food and was not flooded with tourists. highly recommend this tour as they will customize it for whatever you want to see.

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Joshua Apr 2025

Jose was very knowledgeable of each place we went and pointed out even the smallest details. We love history and nature and we asked a lot of questions. If he didn't know which was not often he looked it up quickly. He was a great conversationalist and interacted with our kids which was awesome. Very personable experience that we won't forget.

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Phyllis Mar 2025

Wonderful tour guide in a beautiful city!! Cherry blossoms, snacks, sites, culture, history, pictures and more..

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Phyllis Mar 2025

Highly recommend Ada!!!!

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Jasmine Mar 2025

We had a wonderful time touring with Nisa and would highly recommend her!

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