Private Tours in Kyoto
Go off the beaten path, away from the crowds, and explore the hidden beauty of Kyoto.
Private tours for your group of up to 4 guests. Customized itinerary design is also available if you prefer exploring on your own.
I came to Kyoto in 2008, first as a student of tea ceremony and ikebana. Now I am active as an ikebana instructor and caretaker of our Edo-period building. I’m happiest when biking or strolling along the quiet side streets of the city, wandering through hidden temple gardens, and exploring the different tastes of Kyoto’s wonderful restaurant and cafe scene. I can’t wait to show you the city as the locals know it.
Seanacey
“The tour was an incredible experience. We visited a couple of artistic, boutique shops and kimono making centers and it was awe-inspiring to watch the careful embellishments and details added to each piece. We also explored one of the most picturesque temples I’ve ever seen. It gave me insight into the true beauty and tradition of the Japanese culture. My personal favorite was the Bonsai Gardens. It was the epitome of the elegance of the natural world, containing timeless trees up to 800 years old. Seanacey, was interactive, knowledgeable, and made the trip all the more amazing! I would definitely recommend her if you’re looking for the perfect insight into all that Japan has to offer. 5/5 stars!”
“The places we visited on the tour were excellent. It was very much to my tastes. A beautiful and tranquil Buddhist temple, a famous Japanese samurai actor’s villa and gardens, quiet Kyoto streets, the Bamboo groves, the incense shop and the super tasty sushi restaurant. All were superb.
Seanacey is a super nice and easy going person. She was very knowledgeable and is fluent in Japanese. It was really fascinating watching how nicely she interacted with people and the connections and relationships she has with the local establishments in Kyoto.
Overall I’d say it’s a must do experience if you are staying in Kyoto.”
“We had a really special tour with Seanacey, covering some beautiful shrines and interesting local history.
Loved the zen gardens, seeing the dragon murals, and getting to experience sights we wouldn’t have found on our own. A special highlight was a traditional lunch in a hidden treasure of a restaurant. Seanacey was a delight and was really happy to take photos and answer our questions about the sights, the area, and local history.
A colourful and invaluable experience. Highly recommend to anyone who wants a good insight into Kyoto.”
“I had the most incredible morning on this tour and could not recommend it highly enough! We enjoyed tea at an exquisite hidden plum blossom garden in full bloom, followed by another magical temple visit. The tour aligned perfectly to my interests, was totally unique, seamlessly organised and so, so much fun. Thank you so much!”
“Seanacey was an amazing guide. The pacing was perfect, not once did we ever feel rushed. I feel like we got to see so much that we otherwise would not have found on our own. I will definitely recommend her for anyone I know traveling to Kyoto in the future that wants to see a great local’s take on the area.”
“Seanacey was amazing. She was very thoughtful in all of her planning and kept us on track while allowing for flexibility as requested. Her passion for Kyoto was inspirational to us as fellow Americans trying to understand life in Japan. We had some magical experiences off-the-beaten path that my friends who took traditional tours did not. This was one of those experiences that makes one reflect how we live our lives and how we can change it for the better.”
“Seanacey did a great job on personalizing this tour for us given this is not our first trip to Kyoto. We spent time in Arashiyama and visited a few nice quiet temples and shrines off the beaten track. She even tried to find a temple for us to catch some early cherry blossoms. We love the facts, history and stories Seanacey shared, which made our trip special. The sushi lunch she booked for us was lovely and authentic. Thanks for another great trip in Kyoto.”
