Private Tour Guides In Kyoto

Tailoring each experience to your wishes by locals who love their city

Top private tours in Kyoto

From exploring cool neighborhoods to eating with the locals to seeing iconic sites, these are some of our favorite experiences

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The best private guides and local insiders in Kyoto

If you’re seeking the best private tour guides in Kyoto to help you make the most of your visit, look no further than City Unscripted. The most magical city in all of Japan, Kyoto is a perfectly preserved pocket of Japanese history and culture that feels like stepping into a fairytale. Our fantastic private tour guides in Kyoto are eager to share with you the Japan of centuries ago. All of our handpicked private guides in Kyoto are intimately familiar with every inch of their city, and they’ll help you experience this historic gem beyond major tourist sights like lantern-lit Gion, the famous geisha district, and 1200-year-old Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Meet some of our Kyoto private guides

Tess

Kyoto

Cultural enthusiast with an insider's knowledge of Kyoto's traditional neighborhoods, tea ceremonies, and all the amazing cultural and historical spots.

Vanessa

Kyoto

Vibrant Kyoto host with a knack for uncovering hidden temples, savoring the best teas, and reveling in the city's enchanting natural wonders!

From tourist sights to secret gems

Kyoto may be known for iconic attractions like the wood-built Higashiyama district, ancient temples, and traditional teahouses, but there’s so much more to be explored when you have one of our knowledgeable private tour guides in Kyoto leading the way. Whether you jostle through centuries-old Nishiki Market, the crowded “Kitchen of Kyoto”, join locals snacking on gyoza dumplings as the sun sets over Kamo River, or even belt out a song at a karaoke bar, our private tour guides in Kyoto will help you strike the perfect balance between the highlights and hidden gems off the tourist trail.

A range of top-notch tours

City Unscripted offers a wide range of diverse tours in Kyoto – simply pick your type of tour, and our private tour guides in Kyoto will personalize the experience for you! You might want to squeeze in as many tourist sights as possible on a must-see experience, or take a day trip to the Arashiyama bamboo grove. Perhaps you’ll book our fantastic food experience, or maybe you’ll simply spend a full day with one of our private tour guides in Kyoto exploring a combination of iconic sights and hidden gems you wouldn’t find in your guidebook. Whatever you decide, we’ll make this a day to remember.

Itineraries 100% tailored to you

At City Unscripted, we understand that no two travelers are the same. You could be a history buff who wants to move between Kyoto’s ancient temples and shrines, a culture-lover eager to catch a geisha performance at Gion Corner, or a fanatic foodie who dreams of experiencing traditional Kaiseki dining. That’s why our private tour guides in Kyoto take the time to plan the perfect tour 100% personalized to you! All our itineraries are created with your personality and passions in mind. With one of our private guides in Kyoto planning your trip, your dream day will be made a reality.

Kyoto travel tips and inspiration from our Travel Magazine

Find essential city info, travel tips and the best things to do in Kyoto and around the world recommended by our local hosts

Latest reviews from our guests

Excellent experience with Hanna! She was very knowledgable and worked on the itinerary with me ahead of time. Immediately recommended to our friends as well!

February 2025

Robin S
Milo was incredibly friendly and informative. Would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking to see the highlights of Kyoto

February 2025

John P
Great experience, great tour guide. Toga has an in-depth understanding of Japanese history and was able to easily translate that to us, an American audience. We could not have been more happy with our tour.

February 2025

Markus W
If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience in Kyoto, look no further than a tour with Ryuki! We had the absolute pleasure of exploring Gion with him, and it was hands down one of the highlights of our trip. Ryuki is not only incredibly knowledgeable about Kyoto’s rich history, but he also has a gift for storytelling that brings the past to life. As we wandered through the charming streets of Gion, he shared fascinating insights about the area’s geisha culture, historical landmarks, and hidden gems that we never would have found on our own. Beyond his expertise, Ryuki is a joy to be around—warm, engaging, and genuinely passionate about what he does. He made us feel welcome and ensured that every moment was enjoyable. Whether you’re a history buff or just want a deeper appreciation of Kyoto, Ryuki is the guide you need. This tour was worth every moment, and we can’t recommend Ryuki highly enough. If you’re visiting Kyoto, make sure to book with him—you won’t regret it!

February 2025

Briana B