Private tour in Kyoto Tess L

8 hours Family trip in Kyoto

5.0

(73) reviews

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Tess L.

5.0

Guide rating

216

Reviews

Tours delivered

24 hrs

Avg. response time

Hello and welcome to Kyoto! My name is Tess and I am an experienced tour guide with 6 years of experience showing visitors around Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. As a self-proclaimed foodie, I am always on the lookout for the most delicious street food and the coziest Izakaya in town. I have extensive knowledge of Japanese wine, and I can point you in the direction of the best restaurants and special cuisine that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. Whether you are a connoisseur or simply enjoy trying new things, I can guarantee you an unforgettable culinary experience. In addition to my love for food, I also have a strong passion for Japanese history and culture. Having worked at the Samurai and Ninja museum, as well as a kimono and teahouse for three years, I have gained a wealth of knowledge about the customs and traditions of Japan. Whether you're interested in learning about the history of the samurai or the art of the tea ceremony, I can offer you an insightful and engaging tour. As your tour guide, I am committed to making your visit to Kyoto as enjoyable and memorable as possible. With my enthusiasm, positive attitude, and insider knowledge, I can help you discover the best that this city has to offer. So why not let me show you around and introduce you to the wonders of Kyoto? I'm looking forward to meeting you! 3 years - Samurai and Ninja museum tour guide 1 year - Maikoya tea house Kimono and hairdresser. I do not have any restrictions in regard to my guiding, I can offer a full range of experiences.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Tess L.

Overview of your Kyoto tour

Discover Kyoto's historical sites, favorite local spots, and hidden gems on a private walking tour with a local guide. .Arrange your trip to manage your time efficiently .Company with a knowledgeable guide to share Japan's history and culture .Visit the MUST-SEE sights and attractions in Kyoto .At your own walking pace .Only for your group, PRIVATE! .Pick up at the hotel / Kyoto city only 【More than 5P is available, please contact me】 After you book, you will receive a form to design your ideal itinerary based on your preferences.

Recent Reviews

John L.United States
3 weeks ago

What an awesome tour, Tess is knowledgable, friendly, and accommodating. Her English skills are top notch. She knows the area so well and spent an awesome day together. She organized the stops so well to avoid crowds and see the most. She pick out a great lunch spot!

Luisa M.
July 2026

Excelent full day tour in Osaka. Very communicative and with many data not only of Osaka History, but food and other hidden spots. Thanks!!

Frida N.Sweden
July 2026

We had a great time with our guide, Tess. We asked to visit some of Kyoto’s most popular sights, and she made sure we reached each one efficiently. She was also very knowledgeable about the sights and was an excellent photographer. She was very kind, answered all our questions and kept our spirits up when the summer heat began to drain our energy. Tess has a wonderful personality and a great sense of humour. I would wholeheartedly recommend booking a tour with her!

Josh L.United States
July 2026

Tess was a wonderful guide. She communicated well before our tour and removed all anxiety about our tour. She customized the tour for our family. Tess adjusted the speed and break points to account for the high temperatures during our trip. Tess is very knowledgeable and great at adjusting content for the group. You can be very co.fortable booking with Tess and you will have a great experience. If you visit bamboo forest, trust her with her photo recommendations. She took a panoramic photo in the forest that is the best of our trip.

Kerrie Monica M.United States
June 2026

Tess is by far the funniest, happiest, and knowledgeable tour guide we have had! She is a total breadth of fresh air and you immediately want to spend your whole day with her. She graciously met us in an off beat location and took us for a brief walk through of nishiki market. We are a family with an 11 year old from NYC and just wanted a quick experience there and her knowledge of the market helped us get in and get out and try a few foods she recommended that were fantastic. We then explored Nijo Castle, and her navigation throughout it made for a very pleasant experience. ( If you go, make sure to ask to feed to koi fish if you have kids!) Tess recommended a really great sushi restaurant for lunch that we all loved. I cannot recommend her enough and we were sad to have to say goodbye to her.

Ifat S.Israel
May 2026

Tess organized a highly engaging and well-paced tour. The route was thoughtfully planned, and her warm, cheerful, and attentive approach made us feel completely looked after all day. Plus, she’s an incredible photographer! Highly recommended. Thank you, Tess!

Your Kyoto tour itinerary

- Pick up at hotel / Kyoto city only - - Depends on your walking pace, visit 3-5 spots - Recommend Topics 【Must See in Kyoto】 - Thousand red gates -Fushimi Inari Shrine / Bamboo Grove / Golden pavilion - Kinkakuji 【History n Castle lover】 - 400 yrs old well reservation Castle - Nijo castle / 1200yr old Imperial Palace -Kyoto Imperial Palace 【Architecture】 - Gion distric / Higashiyama Area 【Culture n Activities】 - Tea ceremony / Monkey Park / Geisha Performance / Animal cafe / Kimono Rental / Rickshaws 【Japan Craft Shopping / Street Food】 - Nishiki Market / Kiyomizu-Dera Area 【Garden lover】 - Moss garden / Rock garden / Bonzai garden / Flowers / Hidden Gems tess.in.kyoto

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Public Transportation / Category: Train

We use public transportation such as trains, subways, and buses. It is sometimes advisable to use taxis to save time and energy. For private van, extra JPY45,000/1day. Toyota Alphad max for 7P

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Tickets: Admission tickets
Meeting location

Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

Hotel (in Kyoto), Station, ByGuide

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Family
History
Art And Culture
Architecture
Food And Drink
Tour reference number
1305118
Languages
English
Mandarin
Japanese
Activity level
Moderate
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Kyoto best suited for?

This private tour in Kyoto is perfect for families, as it is kid-friendly and offers a moderate activity level. It's also ideal for travellers who want to explore Kyoto's historical sites, local spots, and hidden gems at their own pace with a knowledgeable local guide. Whether you're interested in history, architecture, culture, or shopping, this tour can be tailored to your interests.

Can this private tour in Kyoto be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

What languages is this tour offered in?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-5 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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