Private English Tour in Kyoto
Private English Tour in Kyoto
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To contact us, please search with "Private English Tour in KYOTO", or "Takakazu Machi". Our tours are private tours using a car. Our guide can drive you to each site, go inside sightseeing spots with you, and explain everything about the site, culture, custom in Japan.
Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
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Travelers' Choice
2024
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Private English Tour in Kyoto
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
976 reviews
Excellent
968
Very good
7
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
syddebabinet
Singapore, Singapore2 contributions
Dec 2019
We travelled as a family of 5 in mid Dec 2019. Because of timing and schedule, I decided to do a private tour to maximise the experience for the family. I contacted Taka San who referred me to Nobu san because the latter's vehicle would better accomodate us. The initial communication with Nobu san was pleasant - he was very clear about his charges which made it easy for me to think through what I hoped to achieve within the given time. He was also forthcoming with suggestions, which again helped to concretise my itinerary.
On the day of the tour, Nobu san was very punctual. His car was clean, spacious and comfortable. Nobu san himself was knowledgeable, articulate and funny (he had a really infectious laugh). We managed to cover Fushimi Inari, Nara (Todaiji), Kinkakuji and Gingakuji within 8 hours. We made it to Gingakuji just before it closed (it closed at 4.30pm because of winter) and he presuaded the staff to let us explore the place a bit. He squeezed in lunch for us at Coto Coto, a restaurant in Nara that specialised in using local produce. The food is farm-to-table, all sourced locally, from the organic vegetables to the Yamato beef and pork, local sake and microbrews. They offer a choice of two simple plate lunches, with vegetarian option (which was important because we had a vegetarian in our midst). The restaurant was cosy and quite minimalist, but the food was so so good! We thoroughly enjoyed our meal; we would not have been able to find the place unless we were familiar like Nobu san or were locals. Back in Kyoto, Nobu san also helped us spot a Geisha on her way to work. He got us to Kyoto station in good time for our Shinkansen ride to Tokyo.
My kids, ranging from 12 to 21, found Nobu san's tour to be informative and interesting. While the tour was not cheap (actually I found his prices to be reasonable, having compared several similar sites, especially since he was a licensed guide as well), we agree it was worth every yen we spent. Two thumbs up!
On the day of the tour, Nobu san was very punctual. His car was clean, spacious and comfortable. Nobu san himself was knowledgeable, articulate and funny (he had a really infectious laugh). We managed to cover Fushimi Inari, Nara (Todaiji), Kinkakuji and Gingakuji within 8 hours. We made it to Gingakuji just before it closed (it closed at 4.30pm because of winter) and he presuaded the staff to let us explore the place a bit. He squeezed in lunch for us at Coto Coto, a restaurant in Nara that specialised in using local produce. The food is farm-to-table, all sourced locally, from the organic vegetables to the Yamato beef and pork, local sake and microbrews. They offer a choice of two simple plate lunches, with vegetarian option (which was important because we had a vegetarian in our midst). The restaurant was cosy and quite minimalist, but the food was so so good! We thoroughly enjoyed our meal; we would not have been able to find the place unless we were familiar like Nobu san or were locals. Back in Kyoto, Nobu san also helped us spot a Geisha on her way to work. He got us to Kyoto station in good time for our Shinkansen ride to Tokyo.
My kids, ranging from 12 to 21, found Nobu san's tour to be informative and interesting. While the tour was not cheap (actually I found his prices to be reasonable, having compared several similar sites, especially since he was a licensed guide as well), we agree it was worth every yen we spent. Two thumbs up!
Written January 25, 2020
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.
mike s
Las Vegas, NV62 contributions
Dec 2019
My wife, 2 adult daughters and I took a private tour through Takakazu Machi. Since Takakazu-san was already book over the Christmas holidays, he recommended Kenji-san to be our private tour guide. Kenji-san was so so excellent at recommending a tour path and getting us around the city from the Nishiki market, to excellent ramen, to Arishiyama, several temples and Gion (Geisha area). Kenji was on time for our arrival at the Kyoto train station (as we came in from Osaka), his English was perfect, his van was clean and easily accessible for the four of us, and his knowledge of Kyoto outstanding. He even dropped us at our dinner location at 6pm exactly on time when the tour finished. I would highly recommend Takakazu Machi, Kenji and their team of private tour guides. The only tip I would give is to be prepared as the tours are cash only in Japanese Yen.
Written January 5, 2020
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.
Sean L
Calabasas, CA13 contributions
Dec 2019
We visited Kyoto as a family of six. Taka and Masu were recommended by a friend who visited Kyoto a few years ago.
Prior to our visit, Taka and Masu were very helpful in booking the private tour and coordinating our transportation from Kyoto to Mt. Koya. In addition, Taka and Masu were very responsive to my pre-trip e-mails regarding other activities in Kyoto, including recommendations for New Years’ activities and where to eat.
We wanted to book a private tour during our first of three days in Kyoto so we could get a good overview of the city. Masu did an excellent job of accomplishing our goal. When we met Masu in Kyoto, we told him that we would be visiting Arashiyama the following day; so Masu come up with a tour for the day that hit the other key places to visit that fit within our interests. We visited several areas in Kyoto, including the Golden Pavilion and the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Masu provided many insights about the city and the locations that we visited that we would not have known about if we did not have such a knowledgeable guide. Masu was prompt, courteous, and thoughtful.
We highly recommend booking a private tour with Masu and Taka on your trip Kyoto.
Prior to our visit, Taka and Masu were very helpful in booking the private tour and coordinating our transportation from Kyoto to Mt. Koya. In addition, Taka and Masu were very responsive to my pre-trip e-mails regarding other activities in Kyoto, including recommendations for New Years’ activities and where to eat.
We wanted to book a private tour during our first of three days in Kyoto so we could get a good overview of the city. Masu did an excellent job of accomplishing our goal. When we met Masu in Kyoto, we told him that we would be visiting Arashiyama the following day; so Masu come up with a tour for the day that hit the other key places to visit that fit within our interests. We visited several areas in Kyoto, including the Golden Pavilion and the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Masu provided many insights about the city and the locations that we visited that we would not have known about if we did not have such a knowledgeable guide. Masu was prompt, courteous, and thoughtful.
We highly recommend booking a private tour with Masu and Taka on your trip Kyoto.
Written January 12, 2020
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.
jezzanin
1 contribution
Feb 2020
We booked a 6 hours private tour of Kyoto with Takakazu Machi and we absolutely enjoyed ourselves! Taka is fluent in English, professional and attentive (provided hand sanitizer and umbrellas). Besides visiting the attractions that we wanted to see, he also showed us some areas in Kyoto (which were along the way) that we would not normally go to and shared a lot about the Japanese culture. We highly recommend Taka for a private tour!
Written March 30, 2020
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.
DanielAdvisor
Epsom, UK14 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We took a 6 hour tour with Taka to the Fushimi Inari shrine, Arashyama bamboo forest and Golden Pavilion temple with a couple of other places Taka recommended. For lunch, Taka took us to a really nice family run place which served delicious food at a very reasonable price. Taka speaks very good English and gave clear explanations about the history and culture at locations we visited. He is able to answer any questions you may have and is very attentive and eager to provide the best possible experience. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour and would highly recommend Taka if you are looking for a flexible relaxing personal tour.
Written January 9, 2020
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.
Caroline H
Sydney, Australia165 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
The private guide Nobu in Kyoto was an absolute highlight of our time in Japan. A family of 6 adults and first timers to the country meant a full day tour guide was the perfect option. Our driver picked us up on time, had a full agenda planned, made fantastic lunch recommendations and great restaurant suggestions for our time in Kyoto. Brilliant experience and worth every cent . We had a fantastic time and saw so much more than what we would have done on our own .
Written January 14, 2020
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.
Staes_one
San Antonio, TX43 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This private tour of Kyoto was one of the highlights of our honeymoon trip to Asia!! Taka greeted us within a couple minutes of stepping off of the bullet train from Tokyo. Some of the highlights of our visit were the Fushimi Shrine and a hidden bamboo forest, a stop in the Gion District, the Seiryu-den observation point, the Golden Pavilion and shopping in downtown Kyoto. Taka presented information in a professional, engaging, and entertaining manner. He was very attentive and made sure that we saw everything that we were interested in and more during our day tour. Taka was also a great photographer! My wife and I had an outstanding time with him! If you only have time for a short visit or if you have several days in Kyoto, this is the tour that you have to book!! Taka was the most knowledgeable and most fun tour guide we had during our entire trip to Asia!! Don’t miss out!! Thank you, Taka!!
Written February 21, 2020
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.
MeddyB
2 contributions
Nov 2019
My sister from Sydney, Australia and I from San Francisco, California; visited Kyoto for a day trip. Mr Nobuaki Nagata was our English speaking private tour guide. We were extremely satisfied with his excellent services. He planned our day according to our needs. We were able to visit so many beautiful and popular spots in Kyoto, do a bit of shopping for souvenirs and have a most delightful lunch in a place that he recommended that was just perfect for us. He was not only very knowledgeable about the places we visited, but he also had some tips and advice to give us tourists about how to avoid the crowds, the best places to pose to take pictures (being an excellent photographer, he took our pictures as well), and he had his own very spacious, luxurious and comfortable SUV that he drove us around in so we had no worries about transportation. I highly highly recommend Nobu-san to anyone looking for a fun, informative, relaxing and stress free visit to Kyoto.
Written January 28, 2020
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.
Nathan7264
Malvern, PA7 contributions
Nov 2022
I highly recommend a tour with the “Private English Tour in Kyoto” group, and in particular, Takakazu Machi (Taka) as your guide if you come to Kyoto. I think he typically does groups of 1-4, with private transportation, and has colleagues who can handle larger groups.
He met us at Kyoto station when we arrived and was very easy to find waiting for us with a sign. He first asked if we had any particular interests or sites we wanted to see, and we mentioned some of these. He was able to quickly tailor a plan for the day to include what we would like to see, with other suggestions based on the best timing and locations. We were looking for about six hours of touring, and the plan and timing worked perfectly. The sites we visited included the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama bamboo forest, Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, and Golden Pavilion Temple. He was very knowledgeable as he guided us around, mentioned a lot of interesting history and anecdotes at each place, and was able to answer our questions. He also asked us if we had any preferences for eating lunch, and when we did not have a particular style of food, but were very open and no allergies, he suggested a wonderful neighborhood Soba restaurant which was very delicious, and we would never have been able to find and navigate on our own. I loved all of the sites we visited, and everything was excellent, but one of my favorite parts was driving around in some of the more residential areas between the Bamboo Forest and Otagi Nenbusuji Temple, where he was able to provide some interesting facts about the area, and seeing the houses, gardens, and landscaping was very beautiful.
It was very easy to reach out to the company and coordinate with Taka-san directly to coordinate details and arrange our trip. We felt very fortunate that he was available the Saturday we visited Kyoto. If I have friends going to Kyoto, or I find myself back here, I will definitely recommend this tour group, and in particular Taka-san.
He met us at Kyoto station when we arrived and was very easy to find waiting for us with a sign. He first asked if we had any particular interests or sites we wanted to see, and we mentioned some of these. He was able to quickly tailor a plan for the day to include what we would like to see, with other suggestions based on the best timing and locations. We were looking for about six hours of touring, and the plan and timing worked perfectly. The sites we visited included the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama bamboo forest, Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, and Golden Pavilion Temple. He was very knowledgeable as he guided us around, mentioned a lot of interesting history and anecdotes at each place, and was able to answer our questions. He also asked us if we had any preferences for eating lunch, and when we did not have a particular style of food, but were very open and no allergies, he suggested a wonderful neighborhood Soba restaurant which was very delicious, and we would never have been able to find and navigate on our own. I loved all of the sites we visited, and everything was excellent, but one of my favorite parts was driving around in some of the more residential areas between the Bamboo Forest and Otagi Nenbusuji Temple, where he was able to provide some interesting facts about the area, and seeing the houses, gardens, and landscaping was very beautiful.
It was very easy to reach out to the company and coordinate with Taka-san directly to coordinate details and arrange our trip. We felt very fortunate that he was available the Saturday we visited Kyoto. If I have friends going to Kyoto, or I find myself back here, I will definitely recommend this tour group, and in particular Taka-san.
Written November 8, 2022
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.
Corey D
McLean, VA1 contribution
Jan 2020
The private tour given by Taka was one of the best days we spent visiting Kyoto. Over 8 hours, Taka brought us to tour the Golden Pavillion, Niko Castle, Nishiki Market, and Fushimi Inari Taisha. Along the way during the drive to each destination, Take would stop to point out interesting aspects about Kyoto’s histrory as seen through its architecture and numerous shrines.
Taka spoke perfect english and was able to answer all questions we had and could to easily explain complex topics such as buddhist and shintoist religious practices and the history of the locations we visited.
If anyone is on the fence about a tour guide in Kyoto, we highly recommend this company. Very little signage at these locations is in english and having a local tour guide helps makes these location come to life.
Taka spoke perfect english and was able to answer all questions we had and could to easily explain complex topics such as buddhist and shintoist religious practices and the history of the locations we visited.
If anyone is on the fence about a tour guide in Kyoto, we highly recommend this company. Very little signage at these locations is in english and having a local tour guide helps makes these location come to life.
Written January 14, 2020
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.
How do we book with Mr. Taka Machi and how much does it cost?
Written November 12, 2019
Please look at our official website. If you can't find a link from TA, please try to search with "Takakazu Machi" Our e-mail address is t a k a @ p r i v a t e t o u r - k y o t o . c o m
Written November 12, 2019
Do you have a vehicle that would fit 8 people? If so, what is the rate for a full day?
Written October 30, 2019
I am sorry, the capacity of our biggest car is for 6 guests. We specialize tours for small groups and cannot guide your party.
We don't do tours using 2 or more cars.
Thank you for your kind understanding,
Takakazu Machi
Written November 1, 2019
Hello! Does your vehicle accommodate a 5 year old child in a car seat?
Written September 2, 2019
Since our cars are designated as taxi cabs, we are exempted from the duty of having seats for children. You do not have to have a car seat for your child.
FYI, even if you would like to have it, we cannot prepare car seats for children.
Written September 4, 2019
We use hourly rate, not per day.
Basic rate for a sedan is 6100 JPY per hour, and basic rate for a mini-van is 6600 JPY per hour, if the tour is only inside Kyoto city. This price is for one group. These prices include transportation and guiding fees. Entrance and parking fees are not included. Please hire us at least 4 hours a day. If you hire a sedan for 6 hours, it will be 36600 JPY, and 39600 JPY for a mini-van.
Please visit our official website, too.
Written August 20, 2019
Do you book by emailing the tour company? We are coming to Kyoto from Tokyo on bullet train for one day tour and want to be picked up from train station.
Can this happen?
Written August 1, 2019
Thank you for your inquiry.
We can pick you up at the train station. We will send you an instruction and a map to come to the meeting place after your tour has confirmed.
Written August 4, 2019
HI, GrandTour15241012993,
Thank you for your question.
We can meet you anywhere you like in Kyoto. We usually pick up our guests at their hotel or train station.
Written July 21, 2019
I know tipping is not the norm in Japan but it seems very odd to not tip our guide. Did people offer tips? Is it considered offensive to tip?
Written July 13, 2019
Dear DbBil,
Thank you for your question.
For our service, you don't have to tip. It's not expeced. However, if you tip, it is apprecitatively accepted. Tipping is not offensive.
Written July 13, 2019
Do you feel you needed a car(with guide) to tour Kyoto or is a tour guide sans car sufficient?
Written July 3, 2019
I agree with the all the other responses. I took a tour with Taka and LOVED it just last month (June). Being hot and humid, having a car was a great relief between places. Also, your itinerary can change depending on the weather and time of day so to be able to squeeze in another site or change to another and still have time to see it was helpful. You can eat up a lot of time trying to figure out where to go in an unfamiliar place.
Written July 8, 2019
Hey there
We would like to book 1 day tour for 4 people on 6 August.
We will be arriving by bullet train to Kyoto about 11am.
Do we have about 6 hours in Kyoto.
Can we book taka or Hiroshi as our drivers.
Do you have air conditioning car?
How much will it cost?
Thank you very much.
Pip from New Zealand
Written May 4, 2019
Thank you for your inquiry. There are lots of limitations here.
For example, can't write our e-mail or website addresses.
Please look at our official website and e-mail to me. You can find those information on TripAdvisor.
If you can't, please search with "Takakazu Machi".
Thank you,
Takka
Written May 5, 2019
I would like to book, but no one is picking up the phone, please respond to my email.
Written April 19, 2019
Since we have tours in the daytime, we cannot answer the phone. I found your e-mail this evening, and already replied.
Thank you,
Takakazu Machi
Written April 19, 2019
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