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A Kyoto Tour to Discover the Quiet, Serene, and Authentic Side of the City

Daitoku-ji Buddhist Temple

Bamboo forest in Arashiyama

Monkey Park in Arashiyama

A Kyoto Tour to Discover the Quiet, Serene, and Authentic Side of the City

Highlights

Joined 2014

Kazuhiko G.

4.78 / 5

(203 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English

6 hours

Private tour (only you and Kazuhiko G.)

Up to 10 people

This tour is designed to help you discover the true beauty of Kyoto while avoiding the crowds as much as possible.

Of course, I can also take you to popular attractions as an optional tour based on your preferences.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

08:00 AM

Meeting Point

Your Hotel Lobby etc.

- For Airbnb and similar services, please provide your full address.

09:30 AM

Daikaku-ji Buddhist temple in Arashiyama

Daikaku-ji Temple was built in the 8th century as an imperial villa.

Here, you can try your hand at copying sutras.

You can also take a stroll through the beautiful pond and park outside.

11:30 AM

Giou-ji Temple in Arashiyama

Unlike other temples, this is a quaint, old temple. It has the quintessential atmosphere of an Arashiyama. The highlight is its beautiful moss garden.

12:30 PM

Optional Tour and Lunch in Arashiyama

As an optional tour, we will visit the following districts before lunch.

Although it is crowded, the bamboo grove and the gardens at Tenryū-ji are absolutely beautiful. Monkey Park is also popular. Then, we will have lunch.

If not, we will move to Kinkaku-ji Buddhist Temple (It takes about 1 hour from Arashiyama district. Then, we will have lunch.

Ending Point

Kyoto City

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

・Guide fee

What‘s not included

・Public transportation fee (Less than about $10 per person, for

　you and guide)

・Lunch (Less than about $10 per person, for you and guide)

・Entrance fee (Less than about $10 per person, for you)

Tour Important Information

• This tour involves a lot of walking, so please be sure to wear comfortable

shoes.

• Several places we will visit do not accept credit cards, so please bring

cash.

In particular, public transportation only accepts cash or IC cards.

Therefore, I recommend purchasing an IC card (Suica, Pasmo, or Icoca) in

advance.

Important message from the supplier

Please feel free to contact me!!

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time

Joined 2014

Kazuhiko G.

4.78 / 5

(203 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Kazuhiko G.

Hello, I’m Kazuhiko. Please call me “Kazu”. I'm a national-licensed tour guide. I have a wife and 4 children.

I was born in Osaka city near Kyoto, although I have lived in many places across Japan. I used to work for multinational electric company and I traveled to many countries (U.S., Thailand, Hong Kong etc.) on business.

I have enjoyed guiding many foreign tourists in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Mt. Fuji etc. for many years.

During your tour, you can discover a rich Japanese history spanning about 2,000 years, learn about and experience profound Japanese arts (tea ceremony, flower arrangement etc.), feel the spiritual atmosphere of Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines, see a breathtakingly beautiful scenery of Mt. Fuji, bamboo forest, Japanese gardens etc..

Moreover, you can taste Japanese cuisine that each season has to offer (Sushi, Tempura, Soba or ramen noodle etc.).

You can get close to nature and feed wild deer or monkeys or even a build snowman in winter.

I’m sure that I can provide a splendid tour of Japan that will be a lasting memory for you to treasure.

Experience the mysteries of Japan with 5 senses !!

Your memorable tour awaits you.

Please feel free to contact me!!

Reviews

Hannah G.

5 / 5

Aug 24, 2026

Tour on August 10

Aug 24, 2026

Kyoto

5 hours

Customized

“What an adventure!!!”

Wow what a day we spent with Kazu! Nothing was too much for Kazu - even my demanding schedule to take us from one side of Kyoto to another and he excelled and we all had such an amazing time! Kazu led us with ease and made even train hopping look easy. He knew the best pics to take in the areas especially at the beautiful Arashiyama Bamboo groves and do not miss the MUST DO trip to the Monkey park - was fabulous and feeding the monkeys was so much fun! We can't wait to come back in the future - Kazu will give you the adventure of a lifetime and show off his beautiful country!Thank you thank you thank you!!! We will never forget the time we shared in Kyoto with you!

Kazuhiko G.

Hello, Thank you very much for your wonderful review. I was also very happy to serve as your family’s tour guide. It was a very hot day, so I’m sure you were all exhausted. However, I’m very glad you all enjoyed yourselves. I hope this tour will be a memorable experience in Japan for your wonderful family. I would be delighted if you could visit Japan again soon. Thank you!! Kazuhiko Goto

Michelle M.

5 / 5

Jun 13, 2026

Himeji Tour on Jun 13

Jun 13, 2026

Himeji

9 hours

Customized

“Excellent day in Himeji”

We had an excellent tour with Kazu. I highly recommend him. He had great communication to create a custom tour for us. He arrived early at our hotel lobby. He spoke excellent English and was very kind. He was very informative about the many sights we visited and came prepared with printouts and pictures. He took photos of our family. He took us to the castle, garden and museum. He took us to a special request to see a Sake Brewery. He reserved Shinkansen tickets. He helped us with ordering lunch. He was very knowledgeable getting around the trains and buses. It made our day a breeze. We really enjoyed our day and Kazu made it very special. Thank you.

Kazuhiko G.

Hello, Thank you so much for your wonderful review. And, thank you also for the lovely gift. I’m sorry I had everyone walking so much. It was a pleasure to spend such a fun day with all of your families. I hope this tour will be a memorable part of your time in Japan. I hope you continue to enjoy many more wonderful tours in Japan. Thank you, Kazuhiko Goto

Stephen K.

5 / 5

Jan 24, 2026

Tour on Jan.10

Jan 24, 2026

Kyoto

8 hours

Customized

“A great guide and a very nice man”

I have just returned from Japan. I had a great day in Kyoto with Kaz. He was punctual and provided me with a great day of not just sightseeing, but also the historical depth that I had requested. He was so knowledgeable and was able to really explain his knowledge with depth and clarity. To make things even better he was extremely organized and prepared. It was a great day and I feel as if I have made a friend. I plan on returning as soon as I can and would use him in Kyoto without question. Stephen Kahn

Kazuhiko G.

Hello, Thank you for your wonderful review. I also had a great time. I hope this tour becomes a memorable one for you. And I look forward to welcoming you back to Japan again. Thank you!!