A Tour to Experience the Quiet, Peaceful and Authentic Side of Japan and Kyoto
This tour is designed to help you discover the true beauty of Kyoto and Japan 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!
Meeting Point
Your Hotel Lobby etc.
- For Airbnb and similar services, please provide your full address.
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.
Giou-ji Temple
Unlike other temples, this is a quaint, old temple. It has the quintessential atmosphere of an Arashiyama. The highlight is its beautiful moss garden.
Optional Tour and Lunch
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. 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.
Daitoku-ji Buddhist Temple
This temple is also a Zen temple.
It is a quiet, secluded place with a beautiful rock garden.
Here, you can take your time and enjoy the atmosphere of the ancient capital of Kyoto.
Ending Point
Kyoto City
Want to personalize this tour?
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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.
Inclusions & Exclusions
・Guide fee
・Transportation fee
・Entrance fee
・Lunch fee
Tour Important Information
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
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
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Michelle M.
“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.
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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.
“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
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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!!
Yehuda M.
“Great tour”
Kazuhiko (Kazu) was very kind with us, considerate with our walking issues, and had a lot of patience towards our needs.
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Kazuhiko G.
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. I apologize for making you walk so much. I imagine it was a tiring journey. I hope this tour becomes a memorable tour in Japan. Thank you!!
$142/ per group
More tours by Kazuhiko G.
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Your most memorable tour in Kyoto
Kyoto is an ancient capital that has existed for over 1000 years. There are many shrines and temples, and you can also see traditional Japanese culture such as tea ceremony and flower arrangement. You can also see the beautiful scenery that will take your breath away. Please feel Kyoto, which can be said to be the origin of Japan, with all five senses.
Your most memorable tour in Kyoto
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Your most memorable tour in Osaka
The city of Osaka flourished around the eponymous Osaka Castle during the Edo era, and is now the third largest city in Japan. It is said to be the center of commerce and is a vibrant city with an atmosphere distinct from that of Tokyo or Kyoto. Please visit Osaka and get to know a different side of the country.
Your most memorable tour in Osaka
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Your most memorable tour to Nara (Kyoto or Osaka departure)
In Nara deer Park, you can feed many cute wild deers. After playing with deers, you will go to Toudaiji Temple. You can see huge buddaha statue. Next, you will go to kasuga shrine After lunch, you will viist Koufukuji Temple and you can see a five-storied pagoda. Morover, based on your request, I will take you to other spots.
Your most memorable tour to Nara (Kyoto or Osaka departure)
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Kyoto Express Half Day Tour
This tour is an express customized half-day tour that will take you to several of the following attractions in Kyoto in a short period of time, tailored to your needs. Please choose 2 places of your choice. I will pick you up from and drop-off at your hotel or location of your choice. ・Fushimi Inari Shrine ・Arashiyama area (Bamboo forests, Monkey park etc.) ・ kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion) ・Kiyomizu-dera Temple ・Nijyo-jyo Castle ・Nishiki market ・Others
Kyoto Express Half Day Tour
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Kyoto
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Kyoto Heritage Walking Tour
Authentic cultural insights into Kyoto’s geisha world, Shinto & Buddhist traditions Scenic historical streets without rushing Ideal photo opportunities A relaxed, educational walk through Kyoto’s most charming districts
Kyoto Heritage Walking Tour
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Kyoto Highlights: Bamboo Grove & Ancient Temples (4-Hour Private Tour)
Short on time? Experience the best of Arashiyama in just 4 hours! We follow a smart, one-way route from a peaceful hidden gem through the magical Bamboo Forest down to the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge. By entering Tenryu-ji Temple from the north gate, we avoid crowds and backtracking Saving your precious time and energy. Enjoy a seamless morning with a local professional guide!
Kyoto Highlights: Bamboo Grove & Ancient Temples (4-Hour Private Tour)
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Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
There are a lot of Buddhism temples and Shinto Shrines in Kyoto. This tour focuses on three UNESCO World Heritage temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari Shrine which is famous for a lot of red Torii gates and Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama to feel the profundity of Kyoto. If you are interested in the places which are not listed here, like Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Gion, Nishiki Market, Sanjusangen-do, Kiyomizu-dera and others, just let me know, I will customize a tour for you.
Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
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Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto
There are so many great places in Kyoto that you probably want to visit but perhaps not enough time. It is best to have a local person guiding you to come up with a plan that suits your preference. I can create a tour with you which includes not only popular places like the Golden Pavilion and Fushimi Inari but small temples with wabi sabi such as those in Sagano and one of the oldest Japanese sweets shops in Murasakino.
Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto
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