Tour guide in Kyoto Akari O.

Kyoto, Japan

Japanese, English

Tours Delivered,
Since

6.0

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
  • Michael Y.United States
    3 days ago

    Akari customized a tour specific to the sights that we wanted to see and in the order that we wanted to walk it. She was very knowledgeable about each destination and was a great photographer for us as an added bonus. She gave us recommendations for lunch and other things to do for the balance of our time in town. She was very easy to talk to and her English was...

    Replied from the guide, Akari O.

    November 2026

    Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was truly a pleasure showing you around Kyoto and creating a tour tailored to your interests. I hope my recommendations made the rest of your stay even more enjoyable. I would be delighted to welcome you and your friends back to Kyoto someday!

  • Tom M.United States
    1 week ago

    Such a wonderful person and knowledgeable guide! We had high expectations going in and those expectations were far exceeded!! A++! Thank you, Akari, for blessing us and our trip. We hope to reconnect soon!

    Replied from the guide, Akari O.

    November 2026

    Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words! It truly means the world to me. Seeing that A++ made me so happy! It honestly put a huge smile on my face! I feel equally blessed to have met you, and looking for reconnecting again also!

  • Leslie T.United States
    2 weeks ago

    Akari was above and beyond our expectations. She has deep knowledge of Kyoto as her family has lived there for generations. She has deep connections to the area, to the people and to the culture. She not only kept our tour fun and interesting, she also knew of all the best places to take photos. Our best pictures from our trip to Japan were taken by Akari. If you want...

    Replied from the guide, Akari O.

    October 2026

    It was an absolute pleasure showing you around Kyoto! I truly enjoyed our time together and sharing the beauty, culture, and hidden corners of my hometown with you. Thank you for your kind words and for being such wonderful guests. I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that we were able to capture some special memories along the way. I hope you enjoy looking...

  • Hillary M.United States
    3 weeks ago

    Can’t say enough good things about Akari! This was my first tour with toursbylocals and communication was great! Akari and I worked out a customized itinerary for me through the app ahead of time and it was a perfect day. Her English is perfect and her energy and creativity match too. We had a lovely conversation throughout the day. I will definitely book more tours when...

    Replied from the guide, Akari O.

    October 2026

    Thank you so much for your lovely review! It was such a pleasure spending the day with you and exploring Kyoto together. I really enjoyed our conversations and putting together an itinerary tailored to your interests. I'm so happy to hear you had a wonderful day! I would love to show you more of Kyoto when you return, and I hope you enjoy many more wonderful experiences...

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