Kyoto · PRIVATE

The 15 Best Private Tours in Kyoto

263 tours  ·  from $7 a head

A guide to yourself means the route bends around what you actually want to see, and stops when the children have had enough. The 15 below compare hourly rates, group size limits and whether transport is included.

Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available) - The forest trail and natural bamboo
Fushimi Inari Shrine Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available)

1.Fushimi Inari Hidden Hiking Tour (Private Option Available)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,750 reviews · from $63Our pick

Escape Kyoto’s crowds on a guided 7km forest hike to Fushimi Inari, with bamboo, quiet shrines, torii gates, and castle views.

“We met Yuko on one of the hottest (and very humid) days of the year to hike the Hidden Trail. She had mosquito repellent for me and right off the bat, I knew she was going to be a good guide. The other 5 individuals didn't show so we got her to ourselves and could move quickly on such a warm day. The trail is awesome but it's definitely something you need a local to show you. She knew the history of the area and all the fun facts. Yuko had a fun personality and is a ball of energy scrambling up those technical trails. It was a highlight of…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised - What two to five hours can realistically cover
Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised

2.Private Kyoto Tour with a Local, Highlights & Hidden Gems, Personalised

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,543 reviews · from $102

A private Kyoto walking tour shaped around your interests, pairing famous temples with quiet streets, local tips, and flexible pacing.

“A relaxed way to see the city and learn about the history and other quirky details. Milo was super knowledgeable not just about Kyoto but Japan. He answered my extensive range of questions beautifully. The pace was easy yet a lot of sites were packed in. My 11 year old daughter and I really enjoyed it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide - Fushimi Inari and Kyoto’s eastern sights
Guided, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

3.Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,369 reviews · from $155

Build a six-hour Kyoto day around four sights with a licensed local guide, using trains and walking to reach temples, shrines, markets, and historic districts.

“Excellent tour with Michi! He was so informative and taught us many things about Japanese history, culture, and the people. He was fluent in English and easy to understand. We did the Kinkaakuji/Ryoanji/Arashiyama itinerary. The first stop was my favorite. Michi took very good care of me and my two teenage children. I highly recommend this tour and this tour guide in particular.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour (up to 7 people) - Kinkaku-ji: Kyoto’s gleaming first impression
1-Day Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour (up to 7 people)

4.10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour (up to 7 people)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,108 reviews · from $179

See Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion, bamboo grove, Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Gion in one guided private day.

“100% worth it. We’re in Kyoto for 5 days, and I’m so glad we got to do this on our first day. We know the area better, got to see all the main sites, and didn’t have to worry at all about navigating the city. Just show up, sit back, and be led to the key sites. Chihiro was awesome. Funny, helpful, and just a great overall person to spend a day with. It was really great to spend time with a local and someone who really cares about giving you the best experience possible.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Nara Half Day Trip Walking Tour (Private Option Available) - Entering Todaiji beneath the guardian statues
1-Day Tours, Nara Day Trips, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Nara Half Day Trip Walking Tour (Private Option Available)

5.Nara Half Day Trip Walking Tour (Private Option Available)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 937 reviews · from $105

Explore Nara’s Great Buddha, lantern-lit Kasuga Taisha, merchant homes, lunch, and bowing deer on a five-hour guided walk.

“Yuuki was a wonderful tour guide to Nara! The experience was a nice mix of education, exercise, seeing beautiful places and just enjoying the area (and the deer of course). They were flexible with our (vegetarian) dietary needs. 5 stars all the way. A fantastic day!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide - Explore Gion, Higashiyama, and Kiyomizu-dera
Guided, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

6.Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 629 reviews · from $109

Review of Kyoto’s 4-hour private tour with a licensed guide, custom sights, hotel pickup, public transport, costs, and practical tips.

“Yuka was beyond amazing, she was so kind and explained everything in such depth. We couldn’t had asked for a better guide and feel so blessed to had met her… Yuka guided us through Kyoto with ease on a tight schedule. Thank you Yuka, we will be coming back—especially to see you again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kyoto: Private Tour with Local Licensed Guide - Four hours: choose a compact Kyoto introduction
Guided, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kyoto: Private Tour with Local Licensed Guide

7.Private Tour with Local Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 463 reviews · 4 - 8 hours · from $106

Plan Kyoto your way with a private licensed guide, flexible sightseeing, local food tips, and smart help with temples, trains, and crowds.

“Kazuo was the best tour guide I’ve had. Knowledgeable about the local culture, sites, and transit. He planned our entire day with complex logistics. He was prepared with references and stories for specific stops. He spoke great English and was a pleasure to be around. We were able to see so much of Kyoto in 1 day thanks to him. If you only have a short time in Kyoto, I couldn’t recommend him enough!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons) - The route is flexible, but six hours goes quickly
Guided, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)

Kyoto: Private Customized Walking Tour with a Local Insider - Choosing between shrines, gardens, Gion, and food
Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Kyoto: Private Customized Walking Tour with a Local Insider

9.Private Customized Walking Tour with a Local Insider

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 383 reviews · 2 - 6 hours · from $64

Shape your own Kyoto walking tour with a local host, from shrines and Gion alleys to Nishiki Market and quiet gardens.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with my guide Nisa. She was warm and personable and very knowledgeable about the Geisha culture as well as other aspects of Japanese life. I highly recommend this activity.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kyoto Customized Private Tour: See Top Attractions in 1 Day - Start with a route that matches your interests
1-Day Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kyoto Customized Private Tour: See Top Attractions in 1 Day

Kyoto: Private Customizable Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle - Nishiki Market for food and local color
Guided, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kyoto: Private Customizable Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle

11.Private Customizable Day Tour with Guide and Vehicle

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 334 reviews · 1 day

See Kyoto’s top temples, Gion, markets, and bamboo forest by private vehicle, with an English-speaking guide and a flexible one-day plan.

“We had an amazing day trip in Kyoto thanks to Sam ,He was an excellent driver,smooth, safe, and always punctual also an outstanding guide. Sam knows Kyoto incredibly well and shared fascinating history, local insights, and hidden gems we never would have found on our own. He was flexible with our schedule, patient, and genuinely cared about making the day perfect for us. The experience felt effortless and personal from start to finish. I highly recommend Sam to anyone visiting Kyoto—you’ll be in great hands.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kyoto: Private Highlights Tour with Guide and Luxury Vehicle - Arashiyama starts with bamboo, bridges, and hillside views
Guided, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, VIP

Kyoto: Private Highlights Tour with Guide and Luxury Vehicle

Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide - Todaiji and the Giant Buddha
Guided, Nara Day Trips, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

14.Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $155

Explore Nara with a licensed private guide, choosing four highlights among temples, deer park, gardens, shrines, and old town streets.

“Junichi is such a fantastic guide, our family( parents and a high schooler boy ) had an unforgettable tour in Nara! Even long before the tour, Junichi reached out to us to try to understand our interests and expectations. As this is the first time for us to visit Japan, he provided us tons of great information about how to prepare the trip in Japan, like SUICA card, taxi apps, cash exchange and so on, which turned out to be lifesaving for us during the stay. As he grows up in Nara, he is highly knowledgeable, and passionate too, shared a wealth of historical facts of the area, which enriched…”

Check availability →Read our full review

Explore Kyoto | Private Tour - Local English Driver(guide option) - Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion
Guided, Private, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews, Tours

Explore Kyoto | Private Tour – Local English Driver(guide option)

15.Explore Kyoto | Private Tour – Local English Driver(guide option)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 203 reviews

A flexible private Kyoto car tour covers Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Fushimi Inari with an English-speaking driver.

“This Tour, of Kyoto was one of the best guided tours of our travels. We are seasoned travelers who have had guides in multiple locations outside the United States. Our guide, Fuji was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and had an excellent command of the English language. Fuji is local to the Nara, Osaka, and Kyoto area and brings that knowledge to bear in his detailed historical explanations of various sites. While delivering historical details, he also made the trip fun and exciting. Bonus, he took us for lunch to a local husband and wife restaurant for Ramen and soup, which was one of the best meals we had at an extremely…”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Private

★ 5.0Higashiyama | Kyoto: Sakura Season Private Rickshaw Tour3 reviews
★ 5.0Nara Private Customizable Half Day TourFrom $1603 reviews
★ 4.4Half-Day Private Guided Tour to the Old Town of GionFrom $963 reviews
★ 5.0Essential Private Tour with Deer Park and TemplesFrom $1273 reviews
★ 5.0Photo Shoot with a Private Vacation Photographer in KYOTO, JAPAN3 reviews
★ 5.0Customized Private Kyoto Tour by a local tour guideFrom $1713 reviews
★ 5.0Private Customized 3 Full Days Tour Package: Discover Kyoto, Arashiyama and Nara3 reviews
★ 5.0Customized Private Tour with a Local GuideFrom $1683 reviews
★ 5.0Private Journey in Nara’s Historical WonderFrom $1,2073 reviews
★ 5.0Private Full-Day Customizable World Heritage TourFrom $2033 reviews
★ 5.0Nara：Private Tea Ceremony(Max 5 ppl) -Master Matcha Making-From $503 reviews
★ 5.0Fushimi Inari Shrine Private Photoshoot3 reviews
★ 5.0Half-Day Private Tour of 4 Must-See Spots & Deer ParkFrom $1203 reviews
★ 5.0Fushimi Inari Shrine Private Photoshoot3 reviews
★ 5.0Kyoto Private Photoshoot Experience with a Professional Photographer3 reviews

Keep browsing

Gion Geisha District ToursFushimi Inari Shrine ToursKyoto Tea Ceremony ExperiencesArashiyama Bamboo Grove ToursWalking ToursNara Day Trips
Scroll to Top

Explore Kyoto

Pick a hillside, a tea room or a kitchen.

Temples and shrines

Fushimi InariKiyomizu-deraKinkaku-jiNijo CastleTemple Gardens

Gion after dark

Gion WalksNight WalksEveningsDinnersIzakaya Lanes

The tea table

Tea CeremoniesMatchaWagashiCooking ClassesSake Tastings

Out of the city

NaraUjiArashiyamaAmanohashidateHiroshima & Miyajima