Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Kyoto Private Tour | 3 hours

112 Reviews | Kyoto
From $149.07 per person Lowest Price Guarantee
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 8 travelers in total.
Adult (1-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 8
2
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Best of Kyoto Private Tour
2 Adults x $279.57
$559.14
Approx Total
$559.14
Short Description: Kickstart your Kyoto visit with your local private guide, get unique insights and tips and make the most out of your trip!

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: Japanese, English
  • Tickets for Kiyomizu Temple included
  • Private Tour
  • Local Guide
  • 1 local drink/tasting
  • Hotel pick-up and drop off
  • Food & beverages not listed as inclusions

Overview

This is not just another city tour; this is the best of Kyoto from a unique perspective! Get to know Kyoto on a city tour that gives you the perfect overview, with city highlights, hidden gems, storytelling, and a local treat - this tour has it all! Forget about big touristy groups and the crowds; it's time to see Kyoto at its best but from the eyes of a local. Check out main landmarks like Gion Area, Kiyomizu Temple, Yasaka-Jinja Shrine and uncover hidden gems and city secrets with the help of a knowledgeable local guide. And the cherry on top, a local treat is included. Withlocals Highlights & Hidden Gems Private City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups.

Meeting points

198 Nakanochō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0075, Japan

Open in Google Maps

At the entrance of the Minamiza Theatre, next to Gion Shijo station

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

  • Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Garden

    Pass by the Zoo and get to see this neighborhood, which preserves the look and feel of feudal-era Japan in a wood-built historic quarter of narrow lanes lined with traditional pottery stores, tea houses, and restaurants for multi-course kaiseki meals.

    30 minutes

  • Yasaka Shrine

    Hokanji temple was built in the Asuka period (538 - 710)

    20 minutes

  • Kongoji Temple

    Learn more about the folk faith, which says that to have a wish granted, you must sacrifice one desire.

    20 minutes

  • Kiyomizu-dera Temple

    Over 1200 years have passed since the foundation of Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Halfway up Mt. Otowa, one of the peaks in Kyoto’s Higashiyama mountain range stands the temple

    30 minutes

  • Yasaka Shrine

    Before getting to see another shrine, you will have a coffee. This is one of the most famous shrines in Kyoto. Founded over 1350 years ago

    20 minutes

  • Gion

    Gion is Kyoto's most famous geisha district

    20 minutes

  • Kamogawa River

    Another unmissable place in Kyoto is Kamo-gawa river. This is probably the most famous and arguably the most popular river in Kyoto.

    20 minutes

  • Nishiki Market Shopping District

    Explore a 400-year-old market, sample local Japanese goodies and shop for souvenirs

    20 minutes

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Private tour: only you & your local guide
  • CO2 Neutral: all tours carbon emissions are offset

Free Cancellation

June 09100% refund
June 10No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.9

112 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    103
  • 4 stars
    5
  • 3 stars
    2
  • 2 stars
    2
  • 1 star
    0

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 103 reviews with 5 stars

Excellent Tour Guide

Published on Apr, 2025

Ted was punctual and very good at communicating prior to our tour. He gave us detailed information on the tour about Kyoto and the history and cultural events. Plus, he felt like a friend and was so kind and courteous and went above and beyond to help us figure out some plans for that evening and the next day.

A great guide

Published on Mar, 2025

Eiji came highly recommended and we were very pleased. He is a very nice man and he gave interesting information without overwhelming us.

Great tour with a great guide!

Published on Feb, 2025

Yoshihiro (or Ted to us Americans) is an excellent and knowledgable guide. He gave us a comprehensive view of Buddhist, Shinto, and secular traditions in Kyoto, has wide ranging knowledge of the city's art and history, and showed us the culture on a deeper level than most guides. He's also a very pleasant and fun guy. He also led us to an great tempura restaurant after and gave us some nice recommendations for other parts of our trip. I would highly recommend Ted to anyone visiting Kyoto.

Ted Kyoto talk&walk

Published on Feb, 2025

Ted took us through the artistically startup journey led by the female with a sword - he gave insightful story telling linked to the Geisha neighborhood. The guiding towards temples and shrines gave us a good basis for continuing to visit interesting places in Kyoto. Thank you Ted!

Great time, Great City, Great Guide

Published on Dec, 2024

We had the pleasure of joining a guided tour in Kyoto with Guia, and it was an unforgettable experience. Guia was incredibly friendly, funny, and entertaining, making us feel comfortable and engaged from the start. Her deep knowledge of Kyoto’s rich history and culture was impressive, and she shared it in a way that was both informative and captivating. She took us to the most beautiful and iconic spots in the city, as well as a few hidden gems we would have never discovered on our own. The time flew by, and by the end of the tour, we all felt like we had not only learned a lot but also gained a genuine appreciation for Kyoto. If you’re looking for an amazing guide who can bring the city to life, Guia is the one to choose. Highly recommended!

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