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Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
Nijyojyo Castle
Nijyojyo Castle
Ryoanji Temple
Ryoanji Temple

A Wonderful Half Day in Kyoto (North-west Kyoto) 4h

TOMOE

Licensed Guide
(43) Reviews
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Kyoto
4 Hours
up to 6 people
Japanese ( Native ), English ( Business )
Private tour (only you and your guide)
Walking / Public Transportation Tour
( Contact guide for other options )

This tour is recommended for the first timers to Kyoto. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for 1000 years and has many old temples and shrines to visit. You can visit three famous and popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto. All of these three places are registered as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites.

Itinerary

Feel free to personalize this offer with TOMOE.

  • Nijyojo Castle

    This castle was built as a residence for shogun where he visited and stayed in Kyoto in the 17th century. You can see the authority of Tokugawa shogunate in this castle. The Ninomaru Palace in this castle has 33 rooms and 800 tatami mats. Mannequins displayed in the largest room (this room was actually used on the last day of Tokugawa shogunate) shows you how they looked like in those days. The corridor of Ninomaru Palace has a special security system called 'Nightingale Corridor' which creaks noises when someone walk on the corridor. You can also see many wonderful wall paintings. Please note that nobody is allowed to take pictures inside of the building.
    In spring, you can enjoy walking around in the garden with stunning cherry blossoms.

  • Kinkakuji Temple(registered as World Heritage site)

    You may have seen the picture of this pavilion in the book about Japan or Kyoto before. This temple is well known as 'Golden Pavilion' covered with pure gold leaves. 200,000 pieces, 20 kilo grams of the gold leaves are used for this 3-storied pavilion! It was first used as the villa of retired shogun in the 14th century. Gorgeous golden pavilion stands in the pond gives you such a stunning world! I will take good pictures of you here!
    This temple is a 'Must see spot in Kyoto.'

  • Ryoanji Temple

    This temple is very famous for its Zen rock garden. There are 15 rocks in the dry landscape garden, however, the last 15th rock is said to be seen only when you attained spiritual enlightenment. In this temple, you can also enjoy walking in its strolling type garden. In spring, you can enjoy many beautiful cherry blossoms in this garden. This temple became famous after Queen Elizabeth visited. This temple will give you the peaceful Zen time. Please enjoy its ultimate Zen spirit.

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Departure & Return

Starting time 09:00 AM ( recommended )   Flexible
Meeting Point At your hotel (lobby)(in Kyoto)
Ending Point This tour ends at Ryoanji Temple, however, I can tell you how to go back to your hotel.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guide fee, hotel pick up in Kyoto area

What‘s not included

Transportation fee (you and your guide)
Entrance fee: Nijyojo Castle, 600 Japanese yen
Kinkakuji Temple, 400 Japanese yen
Ryoanji Temple, 500 Japanese yen

Important

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, Sunday,and Monday are available.

Please note that you cannot see the inside of Ninomaru Palace every Tuesday in December, January, July and August, and between January 1-3, and December 26-28.
Especailly in spring (end of March to middle of April) and in autumn (middle of November to beginning of December), around Kinkakuji and Ryoanji, we have heavy traffic jam and buses are not serviced as scheduled, so, in such cases, you may need extra hours.
Please note that we use public transportation.

Cancellation Policy

  • Free cancellation - 30 days prior to meeting time
  • 50% Refund - 15 to 29 days prior to meeting time
  • No Refund - Within 14 day(s) prior to meeting time

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make changes after I book?

Yes! If you need to make changes such as removing or adding someone to your booking or changing the date or time of your tour, contact us by phone or email

Starting and ending points of the tour.

After you secure your booking, the starting and ending points of your tour can be customized to your convenience (ex.: your hotel, nearby stations, etc.). Don't worry, we will take care of you! Some tours may have an extra fee for this service, make sure to check the tour page.

What happens after I book a tour?

After booking a tour, the guide will accept (or decline) your booking within 24 hours. Then you will be noticed by email from GoWithGuide.

Is the price per person or per group?

The price is charged per group. Which means that you make a one-time payment for your entire group and the price will not change if it is less or more people.

Can I add more people to my booking?

Some guides accept extra people (more than the specified number) for an extra charge. Please check for the extras on the tour or booking page, or contact your guide directly to clarify.

Will there be other tourists in my tour?

No. Your tour is private, only for you and your family or friends, there will be no other group of tourists together in your tour.

Can the guide pickup me at the airport?

Yes, but there will be additional charge for that and it is not by car. The guide will go pick you up using public transportations. For further details, please contact your guide directly.

I'm travelling alone. Can I book this tour?

Yes, you can and you may be able to get a discount if you are traveling alone. Price depends on which guide you choose.

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Reviews ( 43 )
4.9 (43) Reviews
Excellent
 
93%
Very Good
 
5%
Good
 
2%
Poor
 
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Sunn Sunn Australia ( Family )
Excellent
11 months ago

“ A wonderful day with a wonderful guide!! ”

Tomoe has been super patient with our accidental change of plans for the day (and there were 14 of us so you can well imagine!) and managed to save our day with helping translate a few things with our driver. She took us around for more than we bargained for (since the accident had almost brought our plans to a halt!) and introduced us to the places we visited very clearly. Meals were well planned for and the ambience was fantastic. I highly recommend her to tourists of Japan who require a caring and good guide who speaks good English. We will definitely ask her to guide us around again when we return to Japan. Sunn and 13 others in the family

TOMOE:

Dear Sunn, Thank you very much for your warmhearted review. I was moved that you always think of your family and do a lot for your family. Because of the accident, we lost 3 hours, however, I'm glad that you were able to enjpy lunch and visit places in Kyoto. I had a really good time with you, such a big and nice family. Please come back to Kyoto again! TOMOE

angelica Angelica United States ( Family with kids )
Excellent
1 year ago

“ Enjoyable company ”

My daughter and I spent 2 lovely days with Tomoe. She is thoughtful, detail oriented and very sweet. We can’t asked for a better tour guide. Thank you so much Tomoe-San Hope to see you very soon ?

TOMOE:

Dear Angelica, Thank you very much for your warmhearted review! I'm very happy to start 2020 with such nice people like you. (As I wrote you, and told you, the first three days of the New Year's Holiday are the very special days for Japanese people, and I'm very glad that I was able to spend such wonderful time with you on those days.) You are so nice and inspired me a lot as a woman, as a wife and as a mother! Please come to Kyoto again! I miss you a lot. Thank you very much for booking me as your guide! TOMOE

Ronald Ronald United States ( Family )
Excellent
1 year ago

“ Excellent tour ”

Tomoe did an excellent job. Not only got us to the planned sightseeing locations and provided insightful information but also took the time and effort to help with some train arrangements. She is a very personable person and enjoyed visiting with her as much as seeing the sights. She only left us when we were securely on the train back to our hotel. As an aside, Nara is a great city to visit.

TOMOE:

Dear Ron, Thank you very much for your warmhearted review. I'm glad that you enjoyed Nara on such a nice day in winter. I enjoyed talking with you and your sons, too. Thank you so much for finding me and giving me such a wonderful encounter! There are more nice places to visit in Kyoto. I hope that you will come to Kyoto again. TOMOE

Zainol Zainol Singapore ( Couple )
Very Good
1 year ago

“ Osaka Kuromon Market ”

We enjoyed our tour. Tomoe is a fanstastic guide! Friendly, patient and will go out of her way to make the tour enjoyable and fun. She knows our dietary restriction and that she helps with the food selection. We would certainly like to have more tours with Tomoe in the future should we be in Kansai again. To Tomoe - A very big thank you and our best wishes for you and your family for 2020!

TOMOE:

Dear Zainol, Thank you very much for your warmhearted review. I had a very good time with you and your wife in Osaka. I was impressed because you have studied a lot and know a lot about Japan which is a foreign country for you. I hope that I can share time with you and your wife again. TOMOE

Catherine Catherine United Kingdom ( Family )
Excellent
1 year ago

“ Excellent tour with Tomoe ! ”

Tomoe is a great tour guide. Very knowledgeable and kind, she took us to all the sites we wanted to visit and gave us many insights. I would recommend her services 100%.

TOMOE:

Dear Catherine, Thank you very much for your warmhearted review! I'm glad that you and your family enjoyed Kyoto in spite of your injury. I love your family so much because you are such nice people. I really want to see you again. I do hope that you will come to Kyoto and let me see you and your nice family again. Thank you so much for finding me and booking me as your guide. I miss all of you! TOMOE

See all reviews ( 43 )

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