Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the Right Tour
Can you recommend a private walking tour in Kyoto?
We specialise in private walking, hiking and food tours that let you experience Kyoto at your own pace. Each tour is tailored to your interests, combining the city’s must-see sites with quieter temples, gardens, neighbourhoods, and mountain trails for a richer, more personalised guided experience.
Our private Kyoto walking tours are ideal for:
First-time visitors who want a deeper introduction to the city with an expert local guide
Couples, families, and small groups
Guests interested in Kyoto’s culture, history, food, and exploring quieter temples, gardens, neighbourhoods, and mountain trails
Those who value a flexible pace or a fully customised itinerary
Because each tour is private, we can tailor the route, start time and focus to suit the way you like to explore.
Absolutely! Kyoto is a wonderful city to explore with children, and we’ve guided many families over the years. Because our tours are private, we can adjust the pace, walking distance, and content to suit your family’s needs. If you’re bringing a stroller, please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly.
Walking distances vary depending on the type of tour and your interests. On a full-day tour, we usually cover up to 10 km (6 miles); a half-day walk is typically 4-5 km (3 miles), and our evening tours are around 3 km (2 miles).
For guests who love hiking, we can also create longer walks of up to 15-16 km (10 miles) in the mountains north of the city. Because your tour is private, we can adjust the route and pace to suit your preferences, with optional taxi transfers between sites if needed.
Tour Experience and Customization
The tour price covers your private guide for the duration of your tour except for our extended Nishiki Market food tour which includes tastings and an izakaya dinner.
Entrance fees to temples, gardens, and other sites, as well as any transportation for you and your guide are additional, but these costs are usually minimal.
Once your tour is confirmed, we’ll provide a full outline of all costs and if you have any questions about pricing, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Any tour over six hours includes a lunch break which we tailor to your tastes and preferences. Whether you’d like to enjoy a local café, a traditional restaurant, or some of Kyoto’s best street food, we can make it part of your tour experience.
Yes we do! While Kyoto and Japan in general can be tricky, we have curated an extensive range of vegetarian and vegan-friendly dining options to introduce to our guests.
Yes – we also offer the option of exploring Kyoto by bicycle as well as photography tours. Please feel free to email us directly for more information.
Yes, we can arrange private tours and guided walks in Uji and Nara to the south of Kyoto, as well as in Ohara and Takao in Kyoto’s rural north. These areas offer a mix of peaceful temples, stunning nature, and unique cultural experiences, all within easy reach of the city.
Practical Details
We usually meet you at your accommodation, especially for morning tours, but we’re happy to meet at a predetermined location if that’s more convenient for you. Just let us know your preference when booking!
As our tours are private, start times are flexible. For our morning tours, we recommend starting between 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM. For those looking to beat the crowds and enjoy a unique ‘early bird’ experience, we suggest starting at 7:00 AM for our Fushimi, Higashiyama and Arashiyama tours. It’s truly magical to have these iconic places to yourselves before the crowds arrive!
Depending on the tour, we use a combination of trains, buses, subways, and taxis. Taxis are especially convenient during peak seasons (March/April and October/November), or for guests with limited time or mobility concerns.
As our tours are primarily on foot, we recommend wearing a sturdy pair of shoes. For our Kibune and Mt. Hiei walks, good hiking boots will make the forest treks much more enjoyable.
Kyoto has a continental climate, so please dress warmly in the winter months, as snow is possible. For the humid summer months, lighter clothing is advised.
Booking & Cancellation Policy
Once the tour is confirmed, we will give you the option of paying by bank transfer or in cash (JPY) in the day of your tour. We will provide all the necessary details when booking to make the process as smooth as possible.
Depending on the time of year, we are able to accept last minute bookings within 24 – 48 hours. Please email us directly at info@kyotoguidedwalks.com, marking it URGENT BOOKING REQUEST
We understand that plans can change. Our cancellation policy is as follows:
- 100% refund if cancelled up to 7 days before the tour
- 50% refund for cancellations made between 7 days and 48 hours before the tour
- No refund for cancellations within 48 hours of the tour or for no-shows
If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let us know as soon as possible, and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
The tours run rail, hail or shine. During the wetter months of June / July, we advise taking an umbrella for our city tours and a waterproof jacket for our guided hikes. If a typhoon is approaching or exceptionally heavy rain is forecast, we will either offer to reschedule the tour or refund in full.
Please click on the Book Now page, input your details and select the tour(s) you would like to book. After checking availability, we will respond with confirmation details and payment instructions.