Private tour in Kyoto Eco H

Kyoto Half-Day History/Culture Tour with Two Local Guides!

5.0

(39) reviews

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Hours icon 4 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

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-
Hours icon 4 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Eco H.

5.0

Guide rating

85

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Tours delivered

13 hrs

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🪷 We only have one profile, but we are two guides! Eco and Saki working together to give you the best Japan travel experience possible! Would you like to visit Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, Kanazawa, Tokyo, or anywhere else in Japan please send us a message! Please address your message to both of us so that we know you have read our profile. --- 🍵 Who are we? Eco has called Kyoto his home for the last 8 years, and is now working as a lecturer in History and International Law at two nearby universities. He completed his Ph.D. in Contemporary Asian Studies here in Kyoto in 2024 and looks forward to sharing all he knows about Japanese history and religion. If you are particularly interested in the history and culture of Kyoto and the wider region, Eco can provide the historical context behind the places we visit. He particularly enjoys introducing guests to lesser-known sites that offer a unique perspective on the area. During our tours we will also be accompanied by Saki, who was not just born and raised Kyoto, but is also officially licensed with Kyoto's Certification of Tourism and Culture. She will provide the inside view on Japanese culture from the eyes of someone born into it. Currently, Saki is a Ph.D. candidate in History at a prestigious private university in Kyoto, as well as an experienced guide who has been working as a part-time guide for over 7 years, having done many tours throughout the city. She's also well versed in popular culture, so if you have any interest in animation, music, fashion, video games, or manga she would be happy to discuss with you. Together we hope to provide a great mix of knowledge and experience. --- ⛩️ What kind of guests do we hope book our tours? Our tours are designed as intellectually engaging experiences for curious travellers. Rather than simply visiting Kyoto's famous attractions, our guests are interested in understanding the history, religion, culture, and daily life that have shaped the city. We think of our tours as walking lectures where we bring the knowledge we normally share in the classroom to a wider international audience. If you are the kind of person who normally enjoys attending lectures, visiting museums, or exploring the stories behind the places you visit, then you have found the right guides. If, on the other hand, you are simply looking for transportation between Kyoto's major attractions, there may be guides better suited to your needs. --- 🗾 On our page we have a number of tours listed, please have a look! - Either half-day or full-day tours of our hometown, or take an evening tour if you are interested in local food and the Gion Geisha district. - Want to visit somewhere special near Kyoto, please consider the Miho Museum tour for beautiful landscapes and architecture. - Do you like anime and video games? We have a pop-culture tour for you! - Just a few hours? Take our quick and concise Imperial Palace tour. - Have multiple days and want to visit somewhere outside of Kyoto? We can take you to Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, Kanazawa, or even Tokyo with the bullet train!

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Eco H.

Overview of your Kyoto tour

We like to think of our tours as outdoor walking lectures, using specific sites to highlight historical events, religious concepts, and aspects of life in Kyoto. Rather than focusing on the standard tourist attractions, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of the city. Like most visitors, you do not need a guide simply to visit famous landmarks. What makes our tours special is that we take you to lesser-known locations and provide the historical and cultural context that brings them to life. We also include lunch at local restaurants and visits to shopping arcades and markets, offering a glimpse of everyday life in Kyoto. We can also customize the experience to match your interests. Whether you are interested in a particular historical period or aspect of Japanese culture, we can tailor the tour accordingly. Alternatively, if you prefer to arrive with no specific agenda and simply learn as much as possible, we can provide an engaging introduction to the many wonders of Kyoto.

Your Kyoto tour itinerary

We can provide tours based on individual requirements, desires, wishes and interests. Every tour is unique and customised on the fly. However, a typical tour could include famous highlights such as: ・The Kyoto Imperial Palace. ・Nijo Castle of the Samurai Government. ・Local Shopping Arcade. ・Local Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples. ・The Nanzen-ji temple and incline and surrounding area. ・Ending in the world-famous Gion district. Detours to other surrounding popular sights such as Arashiyama, the Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-ji, Heian-jingu shrine, the Philosophers path, Yasaka-jinja shrine, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama and Kiyomizudera temple are all possible. However, as mentioned in the description please let us advise you regarding when and how to visit, as these places are very crowded and we prefer to do tours which are more intimate/personal. Please use the 'message guide' feature to contact for a customised tour.

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

Mainly using public transportation. Kyoto has excellent public transportation facilities including subways, trains and busses. If you are interested in private transportation, either private car with driver or taxi service this can be arranged for an extra fee. Please be sure to contact us well in advance if you would like a private hire.

What's included
Other: Included with this tour is the guiding services of two experienced guides. One Japanese guide born and raised in Kyoto, and one long term resident scholar of Japanese history.
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Please note that any additional expenses such as food, drink or entry tickets are not included as part of the tour expenses.
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Tickets
Private Transportation
Meeting location

Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

We can meet you at your hotel or at any other convenient location. Pick-up outside of Kyoto city, i.e. Kansai or Itami Airport or Tempozan or Kobe Cruise Terminal, would incur a 10.000 JPY per guide pick-up fee to cover our time and travel expenses from Kyoto.

  • You can request a different meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout process.
Other details
Tour categories
History
Art And Culture
Religious Sites
Off The Beaten Path
Food And Drink
Tour reference number
1236355
Languages
English
Dutch
Japanese
German
Activity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible
5.0

Traveller reviews for this private tour in Kyoto

39 reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who is this private tour in Kyoto best suited for?

This private tour in Kyoto is perfect for travellers who want to explore the city beyond the typical tourist attractions. It's ideal for those interested in history, culture, and everyday life in Kyoto. With the flexibility to customize the tour, it's also great for anyone with specific interests in Japanese culture or history.

What should I bring or wear?

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?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 4 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 4 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-10 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
Start time
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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