About Yuta — Private Tour Guide in Kyoto & Osaka

I'm Yuta — a private tour guide and photographer based in Kyoto. I guide in German and English, and I've spent the last few years walking Kyoto, Osaka and Nara with families, couples and solo travellers from all over the world.

Tours in German — not just in English

This is the part most travellers are surprised by. Kyoto has plenty of English-speaking guides; guides who can explain a 1,200-year-old temple in German are rare. More than thirty of my guests have written their reviews in German, and it comes up again and again.

Thanks to his excellent German, we could really understand the history of Kyoto and the meaning of the many sights. He explained everything clearly, interestingly and with a lot of background knowledge. Mario R. · more reviews in German

Planned around you, before you arrive

Before the tour I ask what you want to see, how much walking you're up for, what you'd like to eat, and what you absolutely can't miss. Then I build a route that actually fits the day — including the order, so we reach the busiest places before the crowds do.

He took us around to all of the places we wanted to see and made sure our itinerary was realistic and that we saw the busiest place first before the crowds came in. Family of four from Australia

The quiet side of a crowded city

Kyoto can be overwhelming in spring and autumn. A large part of my job is knowing which gate to enter from, which hour to arrive, and which small temple two streets away is empty and just as beautiful. Guests often tell me the quiet places ended up being their favourite part of the day.

I photograph and film your day

I'm a photographer and video creator as well as a guide, so I carry a professional camera and take photos as we go. You get them afterwards — no posing sessions, just your day as it happened.

I was blown away by the video he made of our tour, complete with special effects and everything! Guest from the United States

Travelling with children

Plenty of my tours are with families, including toddlers. The pace follows you, breaks happen whenever you need them, and you don't have to work out an unfamiliar train system with tired children in tow.

Where I guide

Kyoto is home and where I know every corner. I also guide in Osaka and Nara, and I'm happy to travel with you between cities. Beyond the sights, I help with the small practical things too — booking a Shinkansen seat, finding a restaurant that suits your family, working out the local trains.

If any of this sounds like the kind of day you'd want, just send me a message. Tell me your dates and what you're curious about, and I'll come back with a plan.