A perfect blend of taste and tradition—start with a delicious food tour at Nishiki Market, featuring 7 types of Japanese food (included in the price). Then stroll through the historic Gion district and visit iconic landmarks like the Yasaka Pagoda, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and Kodaiji Temple.
Ideal for first-time visitors who want to experience Kyoto’s culture, scenery, and flavors in one memorable day!
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Apple Kyoto
- Apple Store Kyoto 〒600-8006 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Tachiuri Nakanocho, 83-1 〒600-8006 京都府京都市下京区四条通高倉東入立売中之町83-1
Nishiki Market
Kyoto’s historic food market with over 400 years of history, enjoy souvenir shopping and trying 7 types of local Japanese food.
Kamo Gawa
Kyoto’s most famous river—perfect for relaxing walks, and enjoying the view of nature, with cherry blossoms along the riverside in April.
Shirakawa Canal
One of Kyoto’s most beautiful streets, lined with willow trees and traditional houses.
Hanami Koji
The heart of the Gion geisha district, known for its wooden teahouses and the chance to spot a geisha or maiko.
Yasui Kompiragu Shrine
Famous for its “power stone” that’s said to break bad ties and bring good relationships.
Yasaka Pagoda Tower
A tall five-story pagoda that’s a Kyoto icon.
Kiyomizu Dera Temple
Famous temple with a huge wooden stage and stunning city views.
Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka
Historic shopping streets full of charm, souvenirs, and photo spots.
Kodaiji Temple
Zen temple with pretty gardens, bamboo grove, and peaceful vibes.
Yasaka Shrine
One of Kyoto’s most famous shrines, especially known for the Gion Festival. It’s lively and open day and night.
Pontocho Alley
A narrow alley beside the river, filled with traditional restaurants and bars. A great place for food and a possible geisha sighting.
Ending Point
End in Pontocho Alley
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
• Guide Fee
• Entrance ticket for Kiyomizu-dera temple
• Entrance ticket for Kodaiji Temple
• Nishiki Market Food Tasting with vegetarian option available (wagyu beef gyozas, fluffy Japanese omelette, shrimp tempura, freshly made takoyaki, soy milk donuts, matcha mochi, japanese sake)
• Hotel Pick Up
Tour Duration: 7 hours
• Included Experiences:
• 7 types of Japanese food included in Nishiki Market food tasting
• Stroll through the Gion & Hanami Koji geisha districts
• Visit two iconic temples: Kiyomizu-dera and Kodaiji Temple
Food Info:
• Vegetarian-friendly options available upon request
• Food items can be swapped for allergies or dietary needs – please inform in advance
Geisha Etiquette:
• No direct interaction with geisha or maiko, no guaranteed sighting
• Photos are allowed from a distance only, out of respect for their privacy
Entrance Fees:
• Entrance ticket to Kiyomizu-dera and Kodaiji Temple is included in the tour price
What to Bring:
• Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and a bottle of water
Hi, I’m Jasmine! I am a friendly, multilingual guide based in Kyoto.
My tours are perfect for families with children and easy-paced for elderly guests. I offer warm, personal experiences filled with fun stories, local delights, and hidden gems you won’t find in guidebooks. Let’s explore Kyoto together!
Jessica A.
“Nishiki Market Food Guide + Gion Night Stroll”
Our group of 5 adults & 2 children age 3 & 7 had an incredible tour with Jasmine. We started our private tour walking through Nishiki Market where Jasmine ordered 7 different local tastes for us to try at different stalls along the way. She made it easy by ordering for us, securing a place for us to sit and try each item despite the crowds, and she was knowledgeable about everything we tasted. We loved hearing her explanations about each item. And she even picked up extra treats and candies for the children. Although she had specific places for us to stop, she was also flexible with the interest of everyone in our group as she allowed for us to stop and shop or try other items along the way. She went at our pace while maintaining the structure of the tour. Next she took us to the Gion district and was so informative walking us along the streets past tea houses and giving us a lot of fun and interesting history and facts about Giesha and Meiko. We continued on the visit several local shrines and she made us feel comfortable, walking us through the process of visiting each shrine. My daughter especially loved participating in this as Jasmine guided her through the nuances of each shrine. Jasmine was very kind, patient, fun and informative. We would definitely recommend her to anyone traveling to the Kyoto area.
Cam H.
“Awesome family tour with Jasmine”
Jasmine was such a great guide. She remained flexible to our family of 5 and adapted the program to our wide variety of ages so we could all enjoy the time spent with her visiting the temples and streets of Kyoto. We learned so many things about Japan and Kyoto while having fun.
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Jasmine L.
Thank you for the review, Cam!! I enjoyed giving the Folk family a tour of Kyoto :)
Warren V.
“Simply the Best”
We spent two unforgettable days touring Kyoto with Jasmine, and the experience was nothing short of amazing. From the very start, it was clear she possesses not only a deep knowledge of Kyoto’s history, culture, and hidden gems, but also a rare ability to connect with people in a warm and genuine way. Her English is impeccable, and she communicated every story and cultural insight with clarity, charm, and enthusiasm. Jasmine was always punctual, extremely organized, and effortlessly flexible — adjusting our itinerary as she got to know our interests so that every moment felt personal and thoughtfully planned. She’s also quite a food connoisseur, introducing us to authentic local restaurants and flavors that we would never have discovered on our own. Whether explaining the symbolism behind a temple ritual or guiding us through a tucked-away market, Jasmine’s knowledge, kindness, and passion for Kyoto shone through in everything she did. If you want to truly experience Kyoto — not just visit it — Jasmine is the guide you want by your side. Her professionalism, warmth, and love for her city made our time in Kyoto absolutely unforgettable.
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Jasmine L.
Warren, thank you so much for your incredibly kind words!!! Your message truly means the world to me. Guiding you and Jared through Kyoto was such a joy; both of you were so considerate, patient and kind that it made the experience unforgettable for me too. I’m really touched by how much thought you put into this review and so grateful for the genuine connection we built over those two days. Thank you again for trusting me to show you Kyoto — it was an absolute honor, and I’m already looking forward to the next time our paths cross :)
$440/ per group
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