Spätaufsteher-Rundgang durch Kyoto

We thoroughly enjoyed the Kyoto late bird walking tour , Tomo was an excellent guide ! Thank you again

Touring the various Shinto Temples around Kyoto was so amazing the walking was alot but worth every blister (HAHA) our tour guide explained everything. the dates the histories of each shrine.

Even though I arrived late, my guide, Kaz, waited patiently until I reached the meeting point. We took a few different trains (bring a loaded IC card) to Fushimi Inari, Gion, Yasui Konpira-gu (where he translated a hilarious paper wish), and other sites, and Kaz’s commentary on the history and practices associated with each place was clear and fascinating. I asked a lot of questions and he never drew a blank. His English, by the way, has been honed by 20 years of living in Australia, but he did not pick up the accent, so he’s easy for Americans to understand. He pointed out things along the way that weren’t strictly on the tour (e.g. how some costumed tourists who had tucked up their kimonos were basically exposing their underwear), and his ability to see Japanese culture as both an insider born into it and as an outsider who spent much of his adult life in other countries gives him a very insightful and balanced perspective.

Saori was our guide in Kyoto. She was enthusiastic, excellent English and Japanese, and a good conversationalist. She went to college in the USA, so she was able to relate to our stories, and we really enjoyed our conversations. She has a very nice personality, very friendly, easy going, and always smiling. Saori seems to genuinely enjoy meeting new people and using her English skills. She was happy to discuss any topic or answer any of our questions. We met at Kyoto Train Station. She immediately initiated and helped us activate our JR Pass at the station, expediting our process at the correct counter. From there, we caught a train together and visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine “10 thousand pillar” shrine. We visited during Japan’s busiest New Year season so the shrine was bustling with activity. Saori explained the history and importance of the shine. We enjoyed the holiday food booths and snacks. Saori was very flexible and let us leisurely enjoyed our snacks at various sites, and at the same time moved us along to allow enough time to arrive at Gion, hoping to catch the Geishas in transit to their work. Yes, we were lucky and walked pass by Geishas as well as trainees on the street. We had great fun with Saori and very happy to have met her. Thank you, Saori!

Excellent tour. Key the guide was exceptional. Can't wait to visit Kyoto again to visit additional sites.

Our guide Mitsue was welcoming and provided a relaxed walking tour. After meeting at Kyoto station we proceded to travel by train to a shrine that we would not have otherwise discovered. Mitsue clearly pointed out places of interest before heading to the Gion. Mitsue's comprehensive knowledge of the area gave us piece of mind in knowing we were in good hands and would not get lost. With so many small streets and laneways in the Gion it is easy to lose your way. Being a late tour we were able to enjoy the area at dusk before returning to Kyoto station by bus some four hours later. By the end of the tour we felt that we had made a new friend in Mitsue as she was interested to hear about our travels and also shared some of her life with us. We found Mitsue to be an endearing guide who has excellent English skills and vast knowledge of the local culture and places of interest in and around Kyoto. I recommend this tour for gaining a good over view of the area and using local buses and trains.

Meg is a very Professional guide, with a lot of knowledge on everything you are looking around. She greeted us in the Train station, exactly where she told us. she perfectly on time waiting for us with a big smile. When we arrived, Meg explained us the different routes available to complete the tour in time and focusing in what we were more interested in, and the tour began just like that. Meg has a lot of insight on the area, and has a very clear and synthesized way to explain you the culture and history of Kyoto and Japan, which makes it very easy to travel in time and understand everything you see and talk about during the tour. We visited everything that's described in the Tour description. I fully recommend you take this tour with Meg, she was very professional and really helpful during our visit in Kyoto. definitely this is a 5 star review!