Tour guide in Kyoto Andrew W.

Kyoto, Japan

English, Japanese

126

Tours Delivered,
Since Mar 19, 2019

3.0

Hours, Avg. response time

I'm Andrew W., your private tour guide in Kyoto

Guide #32596

This is the Kyoto you came for. The spiritual, insightful one. Travel deep into the heart of Japan for an authentic and unforgettable journey into Japanese aesthetics, history, and world view. Your whole perception of Kyoto will be profoundly different afterwards. Drawing on my 12 years of experience as a landscape designer in the U. S. A. , 5 years working in the traditional garden industry in Kyoto, and my self-studies in Eastern philosophy since as long as I can remember, I am able to provide experiences for my guests that are unique and from the heart. Living in Kyoto for 15+ years, I have come to fully understand that by limiting one's precious time here to visiting only the "must see" sites, one can hardly experience the beauty, serenity and deep spiritual nature of this town. Unless your idea of an enjoyable time is fighting through dense crowds, endless souvenir shops and noisy surroundings, I'd really recommend steering clear of most of the "must-see's" all together. By visiting lesser known but nontheless stunning sites that are far off the usual tourist route, we can immerse ourselves in the exquisite and mystical nature of Kyoto. The experience we will share will feel less like a tour and more like a meaningful day considering design, philosophy and history while visiting amazing locations of harmony and beauty. Available for half-day, full-day, and multi-day tours, I hope I can lead you on an enchanting and introspective outing while helping you to better understand this enigmatic country of Japan. Over 1,350 5-star reviews on various travel websites. Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture. 5 years experience working in traditional Kyoto garden companies. Certificate of Graduation from the Kyoto Japanese Gardener Training Program. 12 years professional experience working in garden design/ build in the U.S.A. As we travel through the town we will utilize public transportation, taxis or walk. As I am not a driver, I can arrange for a separate car and driver.

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Traveller reviews

5.0
  • Leslie C.United States
    October 2025

    It was very enjoyable and informative to spend time visiting Zen gardens with Andrew as our guide. His expertise and approach made all the difference in helping us to fully appreciate the gardens and temples. We have a much better understanding and appreciation of Japanese history and Zen Buddhism and how the gardens embody that world. He is very pleasant, knowledgeable,...

    Replied from the guide, Andrew W.

    October 2025

    Hello Leslie, It was my great pleasure to spend the time with you both in the gardens. I very much appreciate your kind words and wish you all the best in the future!

  • Alain D.
    May 2025

    Andrew was the perfect guide to visit magnificent gardens in Kyoto. He is very knowledgeable about culture, religion, history and we learned a lot about Kyoto from him. We highly recommend him. The only thing that we were not satisfied with is the price we paid: close to one thousand canadian dollars for a day is a bit much.

    Replied from the guide, Andrew W.

    May 2025

    Thank you for your kind words and for having me as your guide in Kyoto.

  • Prue W.Australia
    March 2025

    Very thoughful commentary and insights from Andrew on the philosopy and practice of Japanese garden design as well as the practice of Zen. Expertly delivered and paced, providing ample time to soak in and appreciate the wonderful gardens and the context in which they were designed.

    Replied from the guide, Andrew W.

    March 2025

    Thank you so much Prue. I appreciate your kinds words. It was very nice to spend those moments with you all in the gardens.

  • Vivian M.
    March 2025

    I love gardens and - on my own - I've visited and admired several of the famous gardens of Kyoto. After taking Andrew's tour, my appreciation and understanding of the gardens has deepened immeasurably. He explained the historical, philosophical and symbolic context of each of the four gardens we visited. His communication style is both approachable and nuanced. All of...

    Replied from the guide, Andrew W.

    March 2025

    Thank you Vivian! I very much appreciate your kind words. I had a great time showing you some of my favorite places in Kyoto. I wish you all the best!

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