THE TEAM
Who we are
A small agency rooted in Kyoto. Private tours, on foot and by bike, guided by residents who chose Japan as home.
The story behind the name
The Birth of Kimasu
In Japanese, 'Kimasu' means 'to come' - the verb of movement, meeting, and invitation. Our original slogan plays on this: 'Kimasu, dekimasu kara' - come, because it's possible / come, we'll handle everything. Our promise for every exploration: travel at your own pace.
Kimasu grew from a simple desire: to offer intimate, human-scale guiding focused exclusively on private groups - allowing for genuine personalisation and real space for exchange. The typical Kyoto day-tour was either a five-hour rush through three temples, or an opaque package designed for selling, not for travelling. Our format is the opposite.
Who guides you
Kimasu is run by professional guides settled in Kyoto, with over 10 years of life and deep roots in Japan. Fully bilingual in French and English, our international background (France, Canada, South America) gives travellers an understanding of Japanese culture through cultural references that are easy to relate to.
Our approach
Time, not a checklist
We don't claim to know every corner of Kyoto - nobody can. But after ten years here, we know where to slow down, when to come back, and what's worth the detour depending on the season. We love this work for the conversations it sparks: helping you understand what you see, sharing the codes that matter, and slipping in a few tips for the rest of your trip. A good day with us means going home with memories - and a few keys to reading Japan a little better.
Our promise
Four things we never compromise on
Attention
A 100% private tour, built entirely around you. We listen, answer your questions, and move exclusively at your own pace. The itinerary shapes itself to your profile, never the other way around.
The Keys
Japan is a highly codified society where every gesture and place has its own logic. We give you the essential cultural keys to truly understand what you see for the rest of your journey.
The Field
Ten years in Japan changes everything. We know the right addresses, the best timing, and the spots truly worth the detour. You discover the real Japan, far beyond standard tourist guidebooks.
Excellence
Certified professional guides dedicated exclusively to their craft, ensuring rigorous local expertise. We prioritize human quality over volume, and that is what makes all the difference on the ground.
PARTNERSHIPS
Building Long-Term Connections with the Right Partners
We aren't looking to collect contacts. We want to collaborate with professionals who share our high standards and our ground-level vision.
Travel Professionals
Agencies, tour operators, and travel designers: provide your clients with exceptional private tours in Kyoto and the Kansai region. Benefit from seamless logistics, clear net rates, and total responsiveness.
Work with usFor Guides
Are you an established professional guide based in the Kansai area who resonates with our raw, human approach? We are looking for trusted partners to collaborate with over the long term.
Join the teamCreators & Artisans
Local artisans, content creators, service providers, or local businesses: if you offer an authentic experience or unique expertise off the beaten path, let's connect.
Get in touchCustomer reviews
What our travellers say
« Nicolas was an outstanding guide on our bike tour. His knowledge of traditions and history of Kyoto were detailed but very engaging and more like a conversation with friends. The bikes we used were very maneuverable e-bikes which would be suitable for riders of almost all skill levels. Highly recommend. Our trip was in English but they also provide French and Spanish guides. They specialize in small groups and we were a party of two. »
« We had a guided tour in Osaka with Terry in the late afternoon and then the next day we went to Nara with Nico. They tailored the time to suit us but we saw so much and learnt so much about the temples and the history. Would highly recommend them to anyone who wants a private guided tour. »
« We spent the day exploring Kyoto with Terry and it was very fun and informative of the history of Kyoto and the local shrines and temples. He is passionate about the area and the day flew by as we walked, explored, and talked about all things. We started by the bamboo forest and Teneyu-ji and ended near our hotel which was like a magic trick. I highly recommend booking with Terry and his crew, felt like an old friend I haven't seen a while from the start. »
« Un immense merci à Nicolas pour cette superbe journée ! 🇯🇵 Un guide passionné, sympathique et vraiment agréable, avec qui nous n’avons pas vu le temps passer. La visite de Nara était passionnante, pleine d’anecdotes, de découvertes et de bonne humeur. Nous avons beaucoup apprécié sa gentillesse, sa disponibilité et la qualité de ses explications. Une très belle rencontre qui restera parmi les excellents souvenirs de notre voyage au Japon. Nous le recommandons chaleureusement ! 😊 (Translated by Google) A huge thank you to Nicolas for this wonderful day! 🇯🇵 A passionate, friendly, and truly delightful guide, with whom the time flew by. The Nara tour was fascinating, full of anecdotes, discoveries, and good humor. We greatly appreciated his kindness, availability, and the quality of his explanations. A truly wonderful encounter that will remain one of the best memories of our trip to Japan. We highly recommend him! 😊 »
« Nous avons passé grâce à nicolas une expérience formidable en déambulant en vélo à kyoto en avril 2026 Nicolas est un guide extraordinaire qui parvient à vous faire découvrir cette ville millénaire mêlant la grande et la petite histoire Une immersion incroyable et une parfaite découverte de la ville loin des sentiers battus (Translated by Google) Thanks to Nicolas, we had a fantastic experience cycling around Kyoto in April 2026. Nicolas is an extraordinary guide who manages to help you discover this ancient city, blending its grand and everyday history. An incredible immersion and a perfect way to explore the city far from the beaten path. »
« Une visite de Kyoto vraiment incroyable, à pieds, à vélos , de jour comme en soirée. Grand merci à Nicolas pour ces informations sur l’histoire de ce beau pays et de cette incroyable ville. On a passé un super moment 👍👍👍 (Translated by Google) A truly incredible visit to Kyoto, on foot, by bike, day and night. A huge thank you to Nicolas for the information about the history of this beautiful country and this amazing city. We had a fantastic time! 👍👍👍 »
« J’ai trouvé ce tour incroyable. Nico et Terry sont tellement adorables. Ils nous ont guidé à travers Kyoto et Osaka, Nous avons découvert des spots ultra traditionnels, très local. Le voyage a pris une autre dimension grâce à eux. Je les recommande à 100 %. (Translated by Google) I found this tour incredible. Nico and Terry are so lovely. They guided us through Kyoto and Osaka, and we discovered incredibly traditional, very local spots. The trip took on a whole new dimension thanks to them. I recommend them 100%. »
« Nous avons adoré découvrir Kyoto à vélo en famille (avec enfants de 10 et 13 ans) avec Nicolas. Le tour était très chouette et ses explications intéressantes, juste ce qu’il faut d’histoire, pas trop 😉 Et nous avons eu des recommandations utiles pour la suite: marché aux puces où nous avons trouvé de super souvenirs, restos, itinéraires et tips pour rester au frais pour une autre journée à vélo sous la canicule 😁 À recommander 👍 (Translated by Google) We loved discovering Kyoto by bike as a family (with children aged 10 and 13) with Nicolas. The tour was fantastic, and his explanations were interesting—just the right amount of history, not too much 😉 We also received helpful recommendations for our next day: a flea market where we found great souvenirs, restaurants, routes, and tips for staying cool for another day of cycling in the heatwave 😁 Highly recommended 👍 »
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