We had a great time on the Gion evening tour with Takakaai. It was so much more than just Geisha chasing , which in itself is a bit like going whale watching, a bit hit and miss. We learnt a lot about Kyoto and Japan and got to see so much in a short space of time. What is really good is his immense well spring of knowledge and the ability the guide has to impart that and also to contextualise and debate as well. Something for everyone and next time we’re in Kyoto hopefully it won’t rain all the time and we can take the bike tour too! Thanks for a great tour.

TK was an amazing tour guide, he was kind, friendly, approachable and knowledgeable. Throughout the entire tour he made sure we were enjoying ourselves and safe. He tailored the tours to our requests and ensured they were all met. TK’s English is outstanding and to top it off his wife’s a kiwi so he knows the ins and outs about New Zealand so that was a big plus from us!

I did a six hour cycling tour throughout Northern Kyoto with Yamatora tours, it was a wonderful experience I could have never created on my own. The day was well planned and included both top attractions and some that were off the beaten path. We also took a lot of side streets that provided a glimpse of Kyoto life sans the mass tourist crowds. I highly recommend hiring Takaaki (owner) for a guided tour, the investment is well worth it!

My husband and I went on the six hour bike tour with Takaaki in November and it was excellent! When we reserved the day long tour, my husband was a little nervous about spending six hours on a bike. However, it turned out to be the perfect combination of riding through the beautiful streets of Kyoto and spending time at some truly spectacular sites. We were interested in visiting one well known site (the Golden Pavilion), so on the way there and back we visited several hidden gems that one might never see on a larger or more commercial tour. Takaaki speaks excellent English and his knowledge about Kyoto history is top notch! We loved learning about Kyoto life from a local and appreciated the customization of a private tour. He was absolutely delightful to spend a day with and a highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants to escape the tourist crowds and see the true beauty of Kyoto!