FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Tour Information
As our tours are private, the prices listed are for a group of up to 5 people. For larger groups or 6 or more, please contact us for pricing.
The tour price covers the cost of your private guide for the duration of the tour. Transportation and entrance fees for each person and the guide are additional but these are usually minimal. Once the tour is decided, we will outline final costs and if you’re unsure about any pricing, please ask!
We usually meet you at your accommodation, particularly for morning tours, but can also meet at a predetermined location to suit.
As our tours are private, start times are flexible. For our morning tours, we recommend starting at 8:30am – 9am. For those wishing to beat the crowds and have a unique ‘early bird’ experience on our Fushimi, Higashiyama and Arashiyama tours, it’s best to start at 7am. It’s magical to have these places to yourselves before everyone wakes up!
On a full day tour, expect to walk up to 10 kms. On a half day tour, we usually walk 4 – 5 kms and on our evening walks, 2 – 3 kms. For serious walkers and hikers, we can also tailor walks up to 15 kms in the mountains north of the city.
Any tours over 6 hours in length will include a stop for lunch and we like to tailor this to our guests tastes.
Yes we do! While Kyoto and Japan in general can be difficult, we have put together an extensive range of vegetarian and vegan friendly dining options to introduce to our guests.
Absolutely! Kyoto is a great city to explore with children and we have looked after many families. If you are coming with a stroller, please inform us before hand.
Depending on the tour, we use a combination of trains, buses, subways and taxis. Taxis can be particularly convenient during peak season (March/April and Oct/Nov) and for those on a tighter schedule or with mobility issues.
As our tours are primarily done on foot, a sturdy set of shoes is recommended. For our Kibune and Mt Hiei walks, good hiking boots will make the forest treks a lot more enjoyable. As Kyoto has a continental climate, please dress warmly for the winter months which can see snow and keep everything light for the humid summer months.
Yes – we can also arrange tours and guided walks in Uji and Nara to the south of Kyoto plus Ohara and Takao in Kyoto’s rural north.
Yes – we also offer the option of exploring Kyoto by bicycle as well as photography tours. Please e mail us directly for more information.
Yes we do. If you are already in Kyoto or Japan and would like a last minute private tour, we advise guests to call us. This is particularly recommended over the cherry blossom and autumn leaves seasons.
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.
Booking & Cancellation Policy
Once the tour is confirmed, we will send you an invoice with an attached payment link. We accept all major credit cards as well as direct bank transfer and ask that you please pay within 14 days of arrival unless it’s a last minute booking.
Depending on the time of year, we are able to accept last minute bookings within 24 – 48 hours. Please e mail us directly at info@kyotoguidedwalks.com, marking it URGENT BOOKING REQUEST
- If you cancel up to 7 days before the tour starts – 100% refund
- Between 7 days and 48 hours – 50% refund
- Within 48 hours of tour or no show – NIL refund
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.