Sarah B.United States
Tess was fabulous. We really enjoyed our day with her. She was funny and thoughtful, as well as an excellent historical guide. We would have spent the whole trip with her if that had been an option!
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Private tour in Kyoto Tess L
Kyoto Samurai & Ninja culture tour
5.0
(27) reviews
-
5 hours
30 minutes
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
-
5 hours
30 minutes
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
226
Reviews
Tours delivered
23 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.
Explore Kyoto with a former guide from the Samurai and Ninja Museum
Overview of your Kyoto tour
Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure through Kyoto's rich cultural history? Join me for an immersive tour of Kyoto's Samurai and Ninja culture. Discover the grandeur of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the secrets of Nijo Castle, and the hidden tactics of Nijo Jinya. Finally, indulge in local delicacies at Nishiki Market, the oldest fish market in Kyoto. This tour is your chance to experience the rich cultural heritage of Japan's legendary warriors and explore Kyoto like a local. (Optional) Experience 450yrs old Martial arts, Tamiya-ryu. In 1600, Tamiya is the famous samurai family name. During Edo period, 95% of the samurai school use this martial art. (This tour more than 4p is available, please message me)
Recent Reviews
Douglas H.United States
Our two days in Kyoto with Tess and Hide were wonderful! We had so much fun exploring first with Tess and then with Hide and got great perspective of this amazing city from each of them. It was a great benefit to communicate in advance with Tess who outlined our itinerary for both days. She gave us realistic expectations of how much we could see in our time frame given that we were traveling from Tokyo on the Shinkansen. They helped with luggage logistics and our hotel check-in and gave us additional ideas for meals and things to do on our own before and after the tours. They also helped us with timing our visits to popular tourist sites to avoid crowds and use our time wisely. We recommend Tess and Hide without reservation!!
Nicole B.
Tess was a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. She modified our tour to make sure that my 8 and 10 year old remained interested and not too tired. Her English was excellent. She provided a lot of information about the history of each place that we went to and kept it interesting and fun. The sword training at the end of the tour I would also highly recommend. Thank you Tess for a great day and memorable experience in Kyoto!
Peter W.United States
Tess was great! Very enthusiastic and knowledgeable she made for a fun and informative trip.
Alexa L.
We had a great time exploring the Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle, and Nishiki market with Tess. She was very knowledgeable about the history of these places and Kyoto in general. We're also glad we added on the samurai sword class. It was fun and helped us experience some of the history we had learned about on the tour.
Peter M.United Kingdom
We took this tour with Tess plus a later night time tour and had an amazing time. Aside from the knowledge she shared we felt like we were with a friend. We had so much fun. Tess is an absolute natural - her guiding was effortless. Please don’t hesitate to book Tess!
Your Kyoto tour itinerary
Meet up at hotel lobby - Walking Experience - (Visiting 3 spots, Nishiki Market is must, others 2 spots are by choice. ) •Kyoto Imperial Palace, the former residence of Japan's Imperial Family until 1868. (Monday close) •Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site built by the Tokugawa shoguns 420 years ago. Most historic and excellently preserved castle. •Nishiki market, the oldest fish market in Kyoto. > Takoyaki(octopus ball), Karaage(Japanese fried chicken), Koroke(Fried mashed potato), skewer octopus, Maccha sweets, and many famous Japanese street food. •Nijo Jinya, a former hotel for Daimyo during their visits to Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace. >It was built around 1670 and has functioned as an accommodation for daimyos (feudal lords) who stopped by on their way to and from their official duties. (Restricted to high school students and above) • (Optional/1hrs) Martial arts training, SAMURAI IADO sword training, or Ninja experience. •The itinerary is flexible.
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
Walking tour
What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Tickets: Admission tickets
Meeting location
Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Hotel, station, by guide
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Art And Culture
History
Food And Drink
Tour reference number
1075548
Languages
English
Mandarin
JapaneseActivity 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 those interested in exploring the rich cultural history of Samurai and Ninja. It's ideal for travellers who want to experience Kyoto like a local, with the guidance of Tess L., a former guide from the Samurai and Ninja Museum. The tour is also suitable for families, as it is kid-friendly, and for those who enjoy moderate walking activities.
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?
How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?
What languages is this tour offered in?
What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?
Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
-
5 hours
30 minutes
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
-
5 hours
30 minutes
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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Book with a deposit
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- The remaining balance will automatically be charged to your credit card 30 days before your tour date.