Boasting 17 World Heritage sites and a stunning array of Buddhist temples and Shintō shrines, Kyoto is a treasure house of Japanese history and culture. But while this ancient city is one of the world's most culturally rich places, its true beauty can sometimes lie hidden behind modern facades. Take a Kyoto tour with a knowledgeable local guide to discover the 'real' Kyoto - the Kyoto of your dreams.

Walk with your guide around Old Kyoto, through winding alleys lined with traditional narrow wooden houses. In Gion Corner you can experience dance performances by apprentice geisha, and learn about the traditional Japanese arts of puppetry and flower arranging. Your guide will want you to see Kinkaju, the shimmering Golden Pavillion, and the beautiful Kiyomizu Temple - especially during the spring Cherry Blossom season.

Kyoto's attractions are too many to list, but your guide will make sure you see the very best this enchanting city has to offer on your private Kyoto tour.

Kyoto

Let me show you around my neighbourhood of Nishijin. This relaxed walking tour traverses quiet back streets, full of tiny shrines, empty temples, chance encounters, and friendly characters.  

We will visit a Japanese "wagashi" shop to see, and maybe sample, the beautiful, seasonal sweets. Nearby is a public bath-house, where we can get a sneak peak inside both the male and female bathing areas (before opening hours, of course!) and learn about the importance of bathing culture in Japan. We'll visit a Buddhist temple devoted to the disciplined Daruma, lunch in a family run cafe, and enjoy a performance on the Japanese harp.

 Finally, we'll tap into the long weaving history of Nishijin at the textile centre, viewing Kyoto craftsmen and women performing their art, and searching for the perfect souvenir. 

Wander the Backstreets of Kyoto

Meet the Locals: Half Day Kyoto Walking Culture Tour

Let's explore Osaka. This tour traverses the city from north to south as we hop subway lines like a local. 

We will start in trendy Nakazakicho, home to the most second-hand shops in Osaka, and the site of the city's oldest remaining buildings, then go deeper into Osaka's history with a trip to the museum and then the first Buddhist temple in Japan, Shitennoji.  

Our final stop is in the glittering district of Shinsekai, framed by the iconic Tsutentaku tower and filled with the delicious snacks Osaka is famous for. 

See the sights of Osaka

History, Culture &amp; Food: Half Day Osaka Exploration

Osaka Architectural Highlights Walking Tour

Osaka, the host city of Expo 2025 (World's Fair), has been a commercial and transportation center for western Japan for a long time. It's so vibrant, colorful, full of character, and worth a visit! You will love Osaka's laid-back culture, exceptional food, and friendly people.

We will visit iconic monuments and buildings to see how Osaka grew in significance historically and how locals enjoy the modern city.

The variety is what makes Osaka fun! From one of the foremost stone wall constructions built in the 17th century, a beautiful Buddist pagoda, a uniquely designed highrise complex that made the "top 20 buildings around the world" list, to Osaka's Times Square, you will experience a lot of different aspects of the city.

Why don't you join me? You might start considering staying in Osaka for another night!

Experiencing Osaka through Modern and Historical Architectures With a Local Guide

I was born and raised in Osaka, which is the city that shares the border with Nara but most of my elementary and middle school trips were destined to Nara, just like thousands of other schools in Japan do because Nara is where you can feel what Japanese tradition is without complicated explanations.

The tallest buddha statue generously smiling at me, in a biggest wooden hall with the scent of incense. Tranquil forested path full of moss-covered stone lanterns. Sacred deer freely roaming in the foot of the mountain.
All of these experiences were stuck in my head as a child and they gave me an idea of what our tradition is about despite the fact that I was one of those children who didn't mind history and religion and even hoped it was a trip to somewhere fancier like Disneyland.
More or less, the ideas of tradition we felt in Nara stay in our childhood memory and the more I learn about the tradition, the more it brings me back to Nara.

So if you want to experience the tradition, Nara is the perfect place!

Round trip ticket fee for Limited Express on the Kintetsu Line.

Experience the tradition and feel the atmosphere of the ancient imperial capital

Discover beautiful and mesmerizing Nara - Walking tour with locals

Capture Kyoto at her best on this comprehensive full day tour for photographers. Grab your camera and come see the sights with me. 

Starting early in Arashiyama, let's enjoy the calm of the river, before braving the bamboo grove. Leaving the crowds behind, we will explore the Sagano preserved district and its temples. 

We will return via bus to the river, and enjoy a coffee while watching the boatmen. Once recharged, we will take the Randen line east. We can stop at one of the sprawling temple districts on the Randen line. Your choice of Ninnaji, Myoshinji, Ryoanji or Kitano Tenmangu. During cherry blossom season, I can show you the famous "sakura tunnel" spot. 

After lunch, we we catch a bus to Higashiyama, moving through old shopping streets, and crossing willow lined canals, making our way to Yasaka shrine in Gion, and back into the crowds around Hokanji Pagoda. Don't worry, I know some nooks and lesser known photo spots and let you know where to snap an iconic sunset shot.

Full day highlights and hidden spots for photographers

Sunrise to sunset explore Kyoto photography tour

History and Architecture of Osaka - Walking tour with locals

Architecture is a living witness of history. Every time I stand in front of the huge stonewalls in Osaka castle, it gets me back to the chaotic civil war that happened in the 15th century right here at this location, which by the way one of my mother's side of the family's ancestors participated as a Samurai general!

In the process of Japan's modernization, there was a dramatic story of people who struggled between tradition and innovation.
When I first visited Tekijuku, which is the second destination of this tour, it was in the middle of the pandemic in 2020. Stepping into the rooms where young enthusiastic pathologists used to learn cutting edge western medicine to prevent smallpox was pretty impressive and this site became my favorite to introduce to the travelers.

At the end of the tour, I will introduce a significant western-style architecture in downtown Osaka. What was the reason that Japan rushed for westernization so much after the political transformation in the 19th century? Let's find out!

A Dramatic History from Samurai Warlords to Modern Capitalists of Japan!

Discover the legend of the most powerful Japanese sorcerer, who lived over a millennium ago. Join us on a journey to a shrine in his honor and the nearby dwelling of his terrifying inhuman assistants. At the shrine, you will find an array of magical religious charms and amulets adorned with symbols that may surprise you.

Witness the enduring power of the magical wards and lines that the sorcerer created to protect the city. These defenses have stood the test of time, and I will guide you through them. The malevolent entities that relentlessly sought to harm the emperor were never able to penetrate these formidable barriers.

It is believed that by containing all this evil near Kyoto, this Japanese mystic may have saved the entire world. Join us on this fascinating journey to uncover the secrets of this legendary sorcerer and his mystical powers.

Kyoto tours

Explore with 7 tours and 4 guides.

Felicity Maree

$ 210 (USD)

Felicity Maree

$ 284 (USD)

Madoka H.

$ 277 (USD)

Lisa W.

$ 556 (USD)

Felicity Maree

$ 875 (USD)

Lisa W.

$ 336 (USD)

Jay T.

$ 245 (USD)

Meet your local guides in Kyoto

Customize your tour

Kyoto tours

Things to do in Kyoto

Answers to your questions