Private tour in Kyoto Tomoko H

Tomoko's Customized Kyoto Full Day Tour

4.9

(233) reviews

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-7 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
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 8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-7 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

Tomoko H.

4.9

Guide rating

543

Reviews

Tours delivered

9 hrs

Avg. response time

Hi! I'm Tomoko and I'm a national licensed tour guide in Japan. I specialize in tours of Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. But I can take you to different cities, as well. I have been professionally licensed since 2006 and since then I have guided many people from many countries - individuals, couples and groups. My favorite way to guide you is with walking tours. That way, you can feel the real charms of the places in a relaxed mood. You will feel as if you are with a close friend who is both knowledgeable and kind. I am totally passionate about my country and its culture One of the things I love most is to see people smile and hear them say "wow" when they learn or see something new. There is an intimacy on my private tours. And when I am planning the tour with you, I can arrange everything in advance. Best of all, when you work with me on your plans, it helps to create a relationship even before you get here. About me? I am an easy going and cheerful person. I have received many "thank you" letters from my clients… and many have referred to me as knowledgeable, friendly, warm and interesting. (Sometimes - even funny!) As I, myself, love to travel and have been to many countries, I appreciate how important it is to enjoy an inside perspective of a city or country. Here in Japan, I will make you feel like a "visitor", not a "tourist". And. . . I'm also a jazz singer. I sometimes have jazz gigs in jazz bars. I'd love to sing for you in my tour, if you'd like. I will be very happy if you will allow me to be your guide and I promise, you won't regret touring with me. I'm a national licensed English speaking tour guide. My National Gide Certificate is #EN00259. I graduated from Doshisha University, English Literature Department. I'm not a driver. I can accompany you in your vehicle or I can arrange for a separate car and driver.

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

Overview of your Kyoto tour

Kyoto has so many attractive places to see as the 1000-year-capital. It has so many temples and shrines, beautiful gardens, cozy town houses and alleys. There are 17 world heritage sites in Kyoto. If you are not visiting Kyoto for the first time, or if you have plenty of time to stay there, you have chances to visit not only famous tourists' sites but also small unique places according to your interests. As I've lived in Kyoto for all my life, I know such places very well. For example, Komyoin temple's zen garden (very quiet with few people), Murinan Garden, restaurants and cafes loved by Kyoto local people, and so on. Would you please let me plan your private tour with you? Important! I require that you be covered by your own travel insurance policies. By accepting my services and participating in the tour, you release me of any liability for any injury or accident occurring during the tour. If you are not covered by your own travel insurance policy, please let me know as soon as possible.

Recent Reviews

Mary Anne W.United States
2 weeks ago

Tomo was a wonderful guide. There is so much to see and the sites are a bit spread out so she helped really focus on the must-see places. In the morning, we focused on the western side of Kyoto (several UNESCO Heritage). We preferred to spend more time in fewer places, esp. given the heat, and Tomo was able to provide detailed historical and cultural information throughout the day. In the afternoon we focused on Arashiyama, with a wonderful lunch spot she picked, visiting the famed bamboo forest, and the Tenryu-ji Temple, where we enjoyed an extended stay overlooking the beautiful Sogenchi garden pond while a thunderstorm passed. We enjoyed some selected shopping and ended the day with a short trip to Gion. She gave us some great recommendations for the next day on our own and we felt comfortable navigating the city after a day with her. Thank you, Tomo!

Melanie R.United States
June 2026

Tomoko was very accommodating with our tour wishes. We were able to fit in everything we wanted to see. She’s very knowledgeable about the history of her home town. We thoroughly enjoyed our day. We would definitely book with Tomoko again.

Michelle R.United States
June 2026

Tomo was incredible! Prior to arriving in Kyoto she communicated with us and planned the perfect day for our family of 4. We were able to see many sites and she has so much knowledge about each place we visited. She brought us to a fantastic lunch soba/udon restaurant as well. This has easily been one of the best tours we have been on and we will totally be using her in the future when we return!

Josh E.United States
June 2026

Tomoko (Tomo) is absolutely fantastic! Our tour was completely magical even on a day where the rain was fairly steady at times. We requested some "off the normal path" type of stuff and she did just that! She is highly immersed in her culture and helps to clear some of the misconceptions with truths about the culture in Kyoto. We did no feel rushed and her English is very proficient. Highly recommend! When we go back we will use Tomo again!

Helen M.United States
June 2026

Tomoko was a wonderful, friendly and very knowledgeable tour guide. She shared her love of her home town and expertly guided us as we traveled to the Kinkokuji Temple, Ryoanji zen garden, the Fushimi Inari shrine, and Kiyomizu -dera temple. We traveled by subway, bus and even taxi. It was a very full day of touring, and we were just enchanted by the amazing history of Kyoto. She even went out of her way to ask the proprietor of a local cafe (where we had lunch) about the type of tea they were serving. We then decided to purchase the same tea from the local tea shop right before we traveled on to Osaka the following day! Thank you so much and we hope to return to Kyoto to learn more about the beautiful city plus surrounding areas>

Ann Marie A.United States
May 2026

Tomoko was wonderful. Full of knowledge and so proud of her city. She went above and beyond giving us a wonderful tour of Kyoto.

Your Kyoto tour itinerary

Detailed itinerary will be decided according to your requests. This is a sample itinerary:- Meeting at your hotel - We visit Kinkakuji and Ryoanji (taking photos of the beautiful golden pavilion and the garden in Kinkakuji and world-famous rock garden in Ryoanji) - Lunch - Arashiyama area(Tenryuji temple and the bamboo forest) - Fushimi Inari Taisha( mysterious many torii gates tunnel) - Ending the tour in Gion (the most famous Geisha district )area or Kyoto station. Kinkakuji, Ryoanji and Tenryuji temples have differnt kind of gardens and they are all designated as UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

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

During this tour we will walk and take public transportation or Taxis

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Admission fees and taxi fees.
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Tickets
Private Transportation
Private Transportation With Driver
Accommodation
Tastings
Equipment
Classes Workshop
Services
Meeting location

Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: your hotel

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
City Highlights
Nature Wildlife And Safaris
Religious Sites
Tour reference number
153415
Languages
Japanese
English
Activity level
Minimal

Traveller reviews

4.9

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Kyoto best suited for?

This private tour in Kyoto is perfect for travellers who want a personalized experience exploring both famous and unique local spots. It's ideal for those interested in history, culture, and beautiful landscapes, and who wish to connect with a local guide for deeper insights.

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?

What languages is this tour offered in?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-7 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
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 8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-7 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
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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