This tour is recommended for the first visitors to Kyoto. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for 1000 years and has many old temples and shrines to visit. In this tour, you can visit two of the most famous and popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto and see the wonderful tradition, especially about Buddhist culture.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel (lobby) (in Kyoto)
Sanjyusangendo Temple
You can see 1001 statues of Buddha in a hall. It's a 'Forest of Buddha'. You will be amazed at the scenery. It is said that you will find the Buddha which resembles you among these statues.
Please be noted that you have to take off your shoes to enter the building.
Please be noted that you cannot take any pictures in this hall. Please imprint the breathtaking view in your memory!
Kiyomizudera Temple
This temple was built on the 13-meter cliff without using any nails in the 8th century. (UNESCO World Cultural Herigate site)
You can enjoy the panoramic view of Kyoto city, shopping and eating on its approach way. (There are many souvenir shops around this temple and you can enjoy shopping. Kiyomizu Pottery is produced in this area and you will find good presents for your family and friends.) How about trying some pieces of 'Yatsuhashi' (specialty sweets of Kyoto area)? You can try some different kinds of 'Yatsuhashi'.
You can also visit waterfall which is famous because the water gives you, 'longevity, love, or study (wisdom)'
This temple is so beautiful with cherry blossoms in spring and colored maple leaves in fall. Please enjoy!!
Jisyu Jinjya Shrine
This shrine is famous as the Shinto shrine for love and many young people like to visit this shrine.
(Jisyu Jinjya Shrine will start its renovation in August 2022 and be closed for public for 3 years.)
Zuigudo
You can hold on to the string of Buddhist rosary beads in the dark hall and feel like to go back to your mother's womb.
(If you don't like, you can omit here.)
Ending Point
Exit of Kiyomizudera Temple (Nio Mon, a Deva gate) , however, I will give you some advice, where to have lunch around the temple, how to go back to your hotel, and so on.
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guide fee, hotel pick up in Kyoto area
Transportation fee (you and your guide)
Entrance fee : Kiyomizudera Temple, 400 Japanese Yen/person
Sanjusangendo Temple, 600 Japanese Yen/person
(Zuigudo, 100 Japanese Yen/person)
Kiyomizudera Temple is now being renovated and the main hall is covered.
In Sanjyusangendo Temple, you cannot take pictures. Also, you have to take off your shoes.
If you book me early, I can exchange mails with you many times to know what you want to do in details, collect information and prepare a lot for your plan. Please don't hesitate to ask me anything in advance.
I can guide you in the morning almost every day.(from 8:30 or 9:00 AM till 13:00 or 13:30PM)
This year, in case of the full day tour, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, are available.
Hello! My name is Tomoe. I'm a national licensed guide interpreter(English). I made my page here, TripleLights in October 2018. Thank you for finding me.
I was born and grew up in Otsu,Shiga, which is the next city of Kyoto.
I graduated from the university in Kyoto and lived there for four years due to my husband's job.
I like history and like to visit temples in Nara.
My hobby is to plan trips and have visited many cities and towns in Japan and abroad. One of my favorite places is the AIRPORT!!
I have enjoyed meeting and guiding people from abroad, to sightseeing spots in my country.
I really want many people from abroad to enjoy visiting many places and have wonderful experiences in my country. I'll be really happy if I can have such experiences with you!!
Please tell and ask me if there are any places which you want to visit and anything which you want to do in my country. I'll plan the trip only for you.
I am cheerful and always positive. I like to talk with people. I would like to talk with many people from many countries. Please tell me about your country, too!!
I'm looking forward to seeing you!!
* If you want, I will take you back to your hotel (within the time or with the extra hourly rate)
Or, I will show you how to go back to your hotel when we finish the tour.
* If you want, I will give you some advice about what to and where to eat your lunch/dinner.
Brigitte S.
“A memorable day in Kyoto!”
If you're looking for a memorable and enriching experience in Kyoto, we highly recommend Tomoe as your guide! From the moment she picked us up at the port where our cruise ship was docked, she made us feel welcome and at ease. Tomoe is warm, fun, and incredibly patient—especially as we paused to take numerous pictures throughout the day. She even took pictures of our group, ensuring we had great memories to look back on. She described the differences between temples and shrines, which deepened our understanding of the culture. She took us to some amazing sights, including the breathtaking Golden Pagoda and the stunning Inari Shrine, where we got to explore the iconic torii gates. One of the highlights of the day was the traditional Japanese restaurant she took us to near the Arashiyama Bamboo Park. We sat on tatami mats and enjoyed delicious, authentic fare—a true cultural experience. Though we only had a day in Kyoto, Tomoe made sure we experienced so much in a relaxed and enjoyable way. At the end of the day, she even escorted us to the right train platform for our next destination, Osaka, ensuring a smooth transition. Tomoe truly went above and beyond to make our visit unforgettable, and we couldn't have asked for a better guide. Thank you, Tomoe!
Tomoe S.
Dear Brigitte, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was a fine day and I had a really good time, talking with such nice people, which started at Kobe Port! Thank you very much for sharing your precious moment when you spend time with your old friends. I hope that I can see you again! TOMOE
Summer S.
“Unforgettable Experience”
Tomoe was incredible. She was punctual, smart, and extremely proficient in English. Most of all, she was a delight to spend the whole day with. She knows so much information about every place we went, including places we passed in transit. I truly had the best time, and would have never have soaked in all of the information she provided reading about it online— it made the experience so much more special and meaningful. She also took us to a great and affordable ramen spot for lunch, calling ahead to make sure there was space for us to sit. I am sad that our paths won’t cross for a bit, but I hope when I return to Kyoto in the future I will get to do another tour with her and bring more friends/family. It made me sad to say bye because we had such a great time together :) Matane!!
Tomoe S.
Dear Summer, Thank you very much for your wonderful review! I'm happy to hear that you liked the day which you spent with me. For me, it was such an amazing day, too (even though it was a really really cold day in February.) Talking with you, such a nice person, was a lot of fun! Yes! I do hope that you will come back to Japan and I can see you again with your family, too. Thank you very much for booking me as your guide in Kyoto. I miss you so much! TOMOE
Sandi M.
“Beautiful time in Kyoto”
Tamoe was a delight! She planned the itinerary perfectly, and knew all the best spots to get unforgettable photos. My husband had a problem with his Suica Card, and she was able to talk to the attendant and resolve the issue. We highly recommend her to anyone looking to explore Japan with a local guide.
Tomoe S.
Dear Sandi, Thank you very much for your warmhearted review. It was a 'really cold' day in Kyoto, however, I had a 'really good' day with a 'really nice' family! I hope that you enjoyed visiting Bamboo Forest, Monkey Park and Nijyojo Castle. Also, I hope that I can see you again! TOMOE
$127/ per group