Tour guide in Kyoto Akari O.

Kyoto, Japan

Japanese, English

16

Tours Delivered,
Since Oct 30, 2025

8.0

Hours, Avg. response time

I'm Akari O., your private tour guide in Kyoto

Guide #76351

Ohkini! Thank you for reading my bio, my name is Akari. I was born and raised in Kyoto, and I truly love my hometown. I started guiding because I wanted to share the charm of Kyoto with people from around the world. Before I follow my dream of living abroad, I felt that I should first do something for the place where I grew up. Now I guide almost every day in Kyoto, from short walking tours to full-day experiences. I have a lot of knowledge about the Higashiyama area, where I grew up, and also about the Gion district, which is famous for its Geisha culture. Many of my guests enjoy hearing both the history and the local stories that only someone from Kyoto can tell. I try not to talk one-sidedly, but to make the tour a real conversation. I like to listen to guests’ questions and interests, and then adjust the tour so that it feels personal. My background is in hospitality and management, so I always try to notice what people need and make them feel comfortable. I also studied in Canada and the U.S., so I can guide in English with ease. I mainly offer tours in Kyoto City. From historical sites and cultural traditions to small local spots and daily life, I would like to show you many sides of Kyoto. Food, shopping, and even pop culture are also part of what I can introduce. If you are curious about Geisha districts or the atmosphere of Higashiyama, please feel free to ask me. I hope not only to share knowledge, but also to make a warm connection with each guest. Whether it is your first time in Kyoto or you have visited many times before, I want to make your trip memorable and enjoyable. I look forward to meeting you in Kyoto and spending a wonderful time together.

Delivers tours starting at

  • Kyoto

Tours by Akari O.

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Traveller reviews

5.0
  • Paweł D.Poland
    1 day ago

    Fantastic city tour! Akari is a great guide. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and spoke excellent English. The tour was full of interesting stories and local insights. She also took my request into account and adjusted the itinerary accordingly. Highly recommend!

    Replied from the guide, Akari O.

    October 2026

    Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure showing you around Kyoto and sharing some of the city’s history, culture, and hidden gems. I’m glad I could tailor the itinerary to your interests and make the experience memorable. I hope you had a wonderful time in Kyoto, and I’d be delighted to welcome you back again in the future!

  • Josh K.United States
    June 2026

    We loved Akari's expertise and enthusiasm. She is a true Kyoto local. Great pre and post tour communications and recommendations as well. Her English fluency is very strong and she will honestly answer any conceivable questions you have on traditional and contemporary Japanese culture. She made our brief tour very insightful, flexible and fun. We came away well prepared...

    Replied from the guide, Akari O.

    June 2026

    Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking time to share your experience. It was a real pleasure spending time with you family and introducing you to Kyoto. I'm happy to hear that Kyoto became a favorite part of your trip. One of the things I enkoy most as a guide is helping visitors fain a deepr understanding of both traditional and modern Japan while creating...

  • James B.United States
    May 2026

    Akari was an excellent guide: knowledgeable, friendly, and kind. In advance of the tour, she communicated the meeting spot which was very helpful. During the tour, she provided informative explanations and answered our questions. We recommend her for those who want an insider's walking tour of Kyoto.

    Replied from the guide, Akari O.

    May 2026

    Thank you so much for your kind review! 😊 It was truly a pleasure to spend the day with you and show you around Kyoto. I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found the information helpful. Thank you as well for your kindness and wonderful questions throughout the walk! I really appreciate your recommendation, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in...

  • Annie S.United States
    May 2026

    Akari is a fabulous guide. She is very knowledgeable and very accommodating to where we wanted to go. She’s also warm, friendly and fun! Couldn’t be better!

    Replied from the guide, Akari O.

    May 2026

    Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was such a pleasure spending the day with you. I’m very happy to hear you enjoyed the tour and felt comfortable exploring Kyoto with me. Thank you again for your kindness, and I hope to see you again someday in Japan!

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