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1–2 hours
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WaRaiDo Guide Networks
WaRaiDo Guide Networks
4.5
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Tours and Tickets by WaRaiDo Guide Networks
Historical Tours
2–3 hours
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Historical Tours
6+ hours
Free cancellation
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Recommended by 96% of travelers
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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$162
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Historical Tours
3–4 hours
Free cancellation
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
372 reviews
Excellent
283
Very good
51
Average
20
Poor
6
Terrible
12
Olijo
Menlo Park, CA14 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We had two great days visiting and enjoying Kyoto with our guide Mei. Mei is amazing, she knows so much about the history, the culture, the sites we visited, and makes it very enjoyable. She knows where to go for a coffee break, our a quick lunch in our way, and maneuvers very well through the Kyoto crowds. We really enjoyed our two days of guided tours with Mei.
Written October 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adony G
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam70 contributions
If you’re going to Gion you must do this tour to experience the history. For all those complaining about the size of the group firstly wasn’t an issue at all and secondly you are paying for a group so next time get a private tour. So many little hints from Mia you just wouldn’t get on your own. And the restaurant recommendation was perfect. Thank you Little turtle from your bird friend
Written September 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
131Customer
Tauranga, New Zealand1 contribution
May 2019 • Friends
Can you please provide details of how I can book this tour tomorrow - Friday 17th may?
I’ve tried 2 credit cards but neither seem to work - it defaults to an error pop up
I’ve tried 2 credit cards but neither seem to work - it defaults to an error pop up
Written May 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diwesh S
Mumbai, India2 contributions
Reached 5 minutes early. Waited for the guide till 6:25 pm . No one turned up .. buyer beware .cant believe TripAdvisor sells a fake tour . Moreover no contact number of any guide given to CO ordinate with .
Written March 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
survived321
London, UK116 contributions
Booked and paid for the tour.
We arrived at the stated meeting point about 15 minutes early. The departure time was 6pm. There were a couple of other travellers there also on the tour. We waited till 6.20pm but no guide turned up. Tried to call the tour company but got a voice message advising the office closes at 5pm. Not happy.
Would not recommend this company. Buyer beware.
We arrived at the stated meeting point about 15 minutes early. The departure time was 6pm. There were a couple of other travellers there also on the tour. We waited till 6.20pm but no guide turned up. Tried to call the tour company but got a voice message advising the office closes at 5pm. Not happy.
Would not recommend this company. Buyer beware.
Written January 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler1116111
1 contribution
Apr 2015 • Friends
If spending 2 hours sitting in a community center for a "quick rest" is your idea of a good way to spend your time in Kyoto, you'd enjoy this tour. The tour got off to a nice start, but took a terrible turn when we spent a half hour in a touristy souvineer shop and about an hour and half sitting in the Kyoto Comminuty center. We did not visit any memorable or famous sites. We found the tour inberable and a major waste of time. Avoid this tour and save yourself time and money.
Written April 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It was a shocking news to me as a business owner. It took me a long time to complete the thorough research to clarify how the guide conducted the tour for the day, since her manner which you reviewed here is totally and unthinkably different from our tour manual and educational program. As a conclusion, we have already discharged her, and she is no more a staff member. Let us express our deepest apology for such disappointment. For your future visit, your kind participation for our tour to feel the completely improved one is greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking time to create such a precious feedback for us.
Written October 4, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MarkPP
Pease Pottage260 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
Booked and paid for our private tour of north west Kyoto 4 months in advance which included the main Kyoto castle which we were specifically looking forward to.
We met our guide Yuri at the main Kyoto station as requested to be told that the castle was closed on Tuesdays and instead we would visit the food market (the tour states that you will have the option of either the castle or the market). The castle closure on Tuesdays is known and lasts for a number of months - therefore we can’t understand why we weren't made aware of this at the time of booking as we simply would have chosen another day. We had no desire to visit the food market.
There was zero flexibility to swap with another site we were keen on and no option of any form of partial refund ( we were astonished on the lack of flexibility on the basis it’s a private tour and the itinerary had been changed ) Yuri spoke to her boss Ted for around 20 minutes and he offered no flexibility or compromise - it would have been nice if Ted had spoken to us directly or better still advised on this limitation at the time of booking 4 month previously.
So we paid approx £300 for a private tour, a highlight of which had been removed and our options were to walk away (and try and discuss a refund with Ted later - something which we were not confident of getting) or accept the tour as is! We had a number of private tours in Japan and none of the others lacked this simple flexibility and customer service - this shows a lack of professionalism and honour both of which we would expect in Japan. Would suggest you consider carefully before booking and note other concerning TA reviews on group numbers etc
All the above being said we went along with the tour, Yuri was amazing and we had an enjoyable day. We visited the castle the following day and paid the £12 entrance fee ourselves (this was indeed a highlight of Kyoto).
We met our guide Yuri at the main Kyoto station as requested to be told that the castle was closed on Tuesdays and instead we would visit the food market (the tour states that you will have the option of either the castle or the market). The castle closure on Tuesdays is known and lasts for a number of months - therefore we can’t understand why we weren't made aware of this at the time of booking as we simply would have chosen another day. We had no desire to visit the food market.
There was zero flexibility to swap with another site we were keen on and no option of any form of partial refund ( we were astonished on the lack of flexibility on the basis it’s a private tour and the itinerary had been changed ) Yuri spoke to her boss Ted for around 20 minutes and he offered no flexibility or compromise - it would have been nice if Ted had spoken to us directly or better still advised on this limitation at the time of booking 4 month previously.
So we paid approx £300 for a private tour, a highlight of which had been removed and our options were to walk away (and try and discuss a refund with Ted later - something which we were not confident of getting) or accept the tour as is! We had a number of private tours in Japan and none of the others lacked this simple flexibility and customer service - this shows a lack of professionalism and honour both of which we would expect in Japan. Would suggest you consider carefully before booking and note other concerning TA reviews on group numbers etc
All the above being said we went along with the tour, Yuri was amazing and we had an enjoyable day. We visited the castle the following day and paid the £12 entrance fee ourselves (this was indeed a highlight of Kyoto).
Written December 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tedueno
Thank you for your review. However, our product page clearly says that one of the destinations will be “Nijo Castle or the Nishiki food market.” Therefore, when one of those two alternatives is closed, the other spot will be visited. Although excuse us for any inconvenience, however, we have no reason to refund when we have completely covering all the spots as clearly shown in the itinerary. Also, the booked tour is a package program with fixed itinerary for reasonable pricing. So, if you request us to flexibly arrange the itinerary, such flexible planning option is available for additional cost reflected. As for availability of two alternative spots, Nishiki Food Market or Nijo Castle, we would like to inform our future customers as part of our further improvement.
Written January 14, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
loveexploring123
Toronto, Canada274 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
We were most disappointed! The tour leader stopped about 6 places in all. She showed us pictures that you couldn't see in the dark, flashlight didn't even show the pictures AND most people couldn't see...leader did not show everyone properly. Also, when she stopped, she began speaking softly without everyone there...so if you were about 10th person or later out of 25....you didn't hear a thing. At the end, she asked if anyone had questions about restaurants etc. I asked her for a recommendation for the typical dumplings...she just said a name of a restaurant and didn't say where, I asked her where it was and she just went on to someone else. Not professionally run in any way. Better to just YouTube than join this tour for 1000¥.
Written October 17, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your precious feed back and we would like to show our express our apology for such disappointment. Responding to your feedback, we made a thorough research, and discharged the guide doing unsatisfactory tour. So, we have no more such the guide, and we would like to continuously improve our service. Thank you for taking time to let us know your precious comment.
Written October 3, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sasha C
Seddon, Australia177 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
I have never walked away from a tour group before, but 45 minutes into the tour we decided it was so boring we didn't want to stay. We were not the only ones, other guests had left before us. The tour guide goes on and on about the movie Memoirs of a Geisha 90% of which was not filmed in Kyoto. The group was over large with 40 odd people in our group, and other people turned up at 6 pm and were allowed to join. The tour leader was dry and not engaging. Would not recommend.
Written May 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AinsLou
Melbourne, Australia24 contributions
Dec 2012 • Friends
If they measured value per knowledge this tour would be off the scale. ¥1000 each for 1.5 hours.
Our guide, Emi, spoke very good English and taught us everything you would ever want to know about Geiko and Maiko, showed us their houses, tea houses and boarding schools in the amazing and historical Gion area, providing us an extremely interesting cultural lesson. You would easily pay significantly more for this. In fact, our dinner that night was x 10 times this amount and was no where near as good. We'd spent sometime the previous day in Gion and had not come across the areas of the tour ourselves.
This tour must not be missed.
Absolute highlight of our time in Kyoto!
Our guide, Emi, spoke very good English and taught us everything you would ever want to know about Geiko and Maiko, showed us their houses, tea houses and boarding schools in the amazing and historical Gion area, providing us an extremely interesting cultural lesson. You would easily pay significantly more for this. In fact, our dinner that night was x 10 times this amount and was no where near as good. We'd spent sometime the previous day in Gion and had not come across the areas of the tour ourselves.
This tour must not be missed.
Absolute highlight of our time in Kyoto!
Written December 28, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Muskaan C
Singapore River, Singapore11 contributions
Hi,
I’m interested in a tour of Gion but not at night. Do you’ll have any tours in the day?
We are coming in the first week of April.
Thanks.
Burners02
Worcester, MA23 contributions
Good Day. We hope to take an afternoon tour of the Nijo Castle and Imperial Palace. I do not see any language in the tour itinerary. I just want to make sure it is available in English. Thanks
tedueno
Kyoto, Japan
Thank you for your kind inquiry and excuse us for such inconvenience. Nijo Castle and Imperial Palace tour is privately conducted with a live guide in English. Looking forward to your booking request.
sinisabel
Singapore, Singapore3 contributions
Hi! I understand that the tour is only conducted in English, but will there be mandarin audio guides available? I'm bring my mum and she cannot understand English much. Thanks!
tedueno
Kyoto, Japan
Thank you for your kind inquiry. However, audio guides is NOT available and only live guide in English is available. Please excuse us for such inconvenience.
glicopocky
singapore52 contributions
Hi, we are a group of 3 adults and would like to join your 5 hour day time walking tour on 25 Oct (Wednesday). However, we are not able to make reservations on your website. Is there a confirmed group on that day? May we turn up and pay on 25 Oct? Is there someone I can contact via WhatsApp or Line in case we get lost looking for the meeting point?
margarita m
2 contributions
Dear waraido guide team,
Can we please participation on your gion walking tour by night this evening?
We cannot book anymore via TripAdvisor,but maybe we can still join it and give you the money cash at meeting point?
We would really like to join, because we are two girls, made the whole way from Germany and are only staying in Kyoto until tomorrow.
Looking forward to your reply.
Do not hesitate to contact me via whatsapp if you like. 004915784683289.
Kind regards,
Margarita & Elena
tedueno
Kyoto, Japan
Excuse us for our delay and inconvenience. We later noticed your kind inquiry. As you say, payment in cash without reservation is possible. We wish that you have successfully taken part in the tour. Thank you.
Yuliast77
Rishon Lezion, Israel1 contribution
Hello, I would like to make a reservation for Night-time Exploration in the Geisha district however I can't find the booking option in TripAdvisor after I clicked the logo. Please advise.
Hi is it still possible to join the night walking tour today?
tedueno
Kyoto, Japan
Excuse us for our delayed reply. We wish you have successfully joined and enjoyed the tour. Thank you for your kind inquiry. Have a nice trip!
ymw2017
London, UK1 contribution
Hi,
I believe there is a a 5 hour guided walk tomorrow at 10am Monday 8th May. Can I turn up,and pay on the day and where is the meeting point?
Thanks
tedueno
Kyoto, Japan
As kindly answered, payment on the spot is acceptable. Meeting point is in front of Kyoto Station (the Kyoto Tower side, you can check on the company website). Thank you and looking forward to your participation.
nette1008
Sydney, Australia28 contributions
Can I book the daytime tour ahead of time? Or do we just show up on the day?
Thanks
Jeannette Walsh
tedueno
Kyoto, Japan
Yes, you can book our various tours from our TripAdvisor page. You will find the booking button to spread into choices of tours. Thank you for your inquiry!
janine d
Newport Beach, CA2 contributions
Hi,
Is it too late to book the walking tour tonight? Is the meeting place near Sanjo Station? We are staying at ANA Crown Plaza. Thank you.
tedueno
Kyoto, Japan
Hello,
For our regular walking tours, Night-walk in Gion, booking is NOT required for participation. Just come to the meeting point near Gion Shijo Station. Thank you for your inquiry.
WaRaiDo Guide Networks - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
WaRaiDo Guide Networks Information
Excellent Reviews | 95 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 19 |
WaRaiDo Guide Networks Photos | 21 |