Gion & Higashiyama with a private Tour Guide in German or English

Recommended by 100% of travelers

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Kyoto, Japan

3 hours (approx.)
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

With this private tour, enjoy a shortcut to the highlights of Gion and Higashiyama, without doing any research. As you stroll down ancient streets, benefit from having a guide to ensure you don’t miss anything—such as historic temples and teahouses. Places passed on the route include Yasaka Shrine, and Kennin-ji Temple, with fascinating commentary about geisha culture and Japanese traditions.

Save time: Explore Gion and Higashiyama in a day
Discover local secrets that you’d miss on solo explorations
Have your guide’s full attention on a private tour
The guide navigates so you can focus on the sights

What's Included

All Fees and Taxes

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni
Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0076, Japan
We will meet in front of the statue of "Izumo no okuni" where I will stand with an "IKOO Tours"-sign.

End point

Yasaka Shrine
625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073, Japan
We will end the Tour about 7 min walking distance from where we started in front of the main gate (southside) of Yasaka Shrine.

Itinerary

Gion

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Kennin-ji Temple

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Hokan-ji Temple

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Ninenzaka (Pass By)

Maruyama Park

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Yasaka Shrine

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 4 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 25 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Highly recommend!

Samuel_H, Sep 2025

One of the best tours I’ve ever been, Dominic was excellency! Extremely friendly and knowledgeable throughout the entire tour. He made the tour both fun and informative, answering any question and adding great local insights. Highly recommend him if you want a guide who goes above and beyond. Worth every penny.

More than just a city tour – a real Kyoto experience

Christoph_E, Apr 2026

The tour of Gion with Dominic really excited us. He has an incredibly good knowledge of Kyoto and local life and was able to explain everything in an understandable and exciting way. You can tell immediately that he really knows his way around. He also always answered our questions in detail and explained many things that you would never otherwise know. Was definitely a highlight for us in Kyoto – we can only recommend.

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