/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12289/174364.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12289/174515.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12289/174514.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12289/174363.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12289/174360.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12289/32b8928e-4a76-4972-b849-69404f4d6f31.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12289/9de430ee-17a0-426b-b296-6baca3658b30.jpg)
Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/46733/f91fb200-8cd3-42eb-ab83-22445375e494.png)
Joined 2023
Arashiyama is the hottest tourist destination. It is incredibly beautiful in spring and fall because of its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
In the fall, the leaves turn brown or red! In the outstanding Tenryuji, you will see a beautiful garden with beautiful mountains in the background. There are many other beautiful places with touching stories in this area. On the way back to downtown, we can visit two world heritage sites, Kinkakuji and Ryoanji. What a wonderful route!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At you hotel lobby
Your hotel or the station
At your Hotel Lobby in Kyoto, etc.
Togetsukyo Bridge
Symbol of the Arashiyama area. The moon crossing bridge.
Tenryuji Temple
You will see the beautiful garden with beautiful Arashiyama and Kameyama in the backdrop.
The Bamboo Grove and the Kameyama Park
A Hot spot among foreign tourists! You must feel it's exotic.
And panoramic views from the Kameyama Park.
Lunch
We can spend time in a small, quiet, home-like restaurant
We will use some gorgeous restaurants when we need to book during the high season.
Jojakkoji Temple/ or other temple
Beautiful temple with stunning autumn foliage.
Ryoanji temple
Zen Buddhist temple, famous for its dry garden, admired by Queen Elizabeth. Please feel the universe of Zen Buddhism.
Kinkakuji Temple
Golden Temple. Top of the must-see list in Japan.
Visit at the best time of the day.
Hotel
Your hotel or the station
Ending Point
At you hotel or train station
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
guide fee, hotel pick-up
transportation fee (you and the guide): taxi(about 4,800 yen) bus or metro( depends)
lunch (you and the guide) of about 3,000 yen /per person, or a more reasonable lunch of about 1,200 yen
admission fees of about 3,000 yen (Tenryuji 500, Jojakkoji 500, Kinkakuji 500 yen）/per person, no guide required
Tour Important Information
If you have any food allergies, please let me know at least 3 days in advance.
This tour is mostly flat or downhill, but there are a few uphills. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
To avoid being in a hurry, let's use taxis. Taxis are not expensive in Japan, and you can easily catch one in Kyoto.
We will visit many must-sees efficiently in limited hours.
I will plan to visit scenic beauties at a good time of the day.
I will take some photos of you, and you will see a lot of photogenic spots.
You will have a happy time in Kyoto.
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 2023
About Tour Guide Shuji O.
Hi, I am Shuji, a licensed tour guide living near Kansai International Airport.
I taught world history in high schools for four decades. So, I can explain Japanese culture or history in an easier way tailored to you who have different cultural and historical backgrounds.
I also practiced Kendo, Japanese fencing, for more than four decades, and now I enjoy growing vegetables and going fishing. Therefore, I can also share some Japanese culture and its nature.
I have traveled to more than 25 countries and all over Japan. I’m also passionate about photography and know many photogenic places in Japan.
If you prefer to go off the beaten track, I can take you to hidden gems, including some cozy restaurants. Of course, I also know how to enjoy the crowded, most popular tourist sites. I am here to make your trip stress-free. See you soon!
Reviews
Andrew I.
“Excellent guide for Kyoto”
Shuji helped us organise a tour for approximately 25 people when our organisation visited Kyoto for a conference. Shuji displayed an excellent knowledge of the sites we visited; not once did we feel like he as lost or didn't know the way. He had a good strategy for keeping track of so many people and ensuring that no one got lost. We appreciated that he helped us navigate the logistics including getting so many people to the different places by subway. I would definitely book a tour with Shuji again if I were in the area.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/46733/f91fb200-8cd3-42eb-ab83-22445375e494.png)
Shuji O.
Hello Andrew, Thank you for the great review. I'm so glad to read this. Yes, we had many things to consider.But you got ready for it really well. You were a great leader, and the other staff members also helped us a lot. Your group was from different countries, but you were very disciplined. You all had a great time. I hope your conference was successful. Yes, I would be always ready to welcome you. Thank you so much!
Wyatt L.
“Private tour of Kyoto”
Shuji hosted me on a spectacular one day custom tour of Kyoto. I only had one day coming in from Tokyo and he built a schedule that maximized my time in a relatively relaxed manner. Shuji proposed a great itinerary and was flexible to make changes that suited me. He was a wealth of knowledge about the temples, the neighborhoods, and the history. Most importantly, he took me for a wonderful lunch where I had the best pork chop I have ever eaten!
Shuji O.
Thank you so much for your excellent review! I'm pleased to hear you liked it. Yes, we met on the Shinkansen platform and said goodbye at the Shinkansen station. It was a kind of whirlwind tour, but enjoyable nonetheless. I hope you enjoyed Kyoto, despite having only one free day in Tokyo. I hope you have fond memories of it! Thank you very much again!
Martha N.
“A wonderful day”
shuji was a very knowledgeable and pleasant guide. He gave excellent background and history on all the sites. He took us to the big popular spots and a couple unusual and lovely places. Very clear and good English. We enjoyed our day with him.
Shuji O.
Thank you for the kind words! We had a little rain, but we still enjoyed visiting all the places we went. You both were so smart, and we could appreciate a little of Japan's history, art, and culture. We could have spent more time talking about our travel or dogs. Thanks for the Merlin! Have fun on the tour tomorrow!
$325/ per group
More tours by Shuji O.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/11957/2d5fdd42-fd1a-4f29-a2db-d4009ef32373.jpg)
The best of Kyoto, tailored to your requests.
Kyoto has been the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years! There are so many historic sites and beautiful places that you will be at a loss for what to choose. Please tell me about your favorite. Considering the access, the season, and the time, I will make a suitable plan. I recommend some hidden gems if you like going off the beaten track. And also the charming famous popular tourist spots worth visiting when it is so busy. I will tell you stories to help you appreciate the place.
The best of Kyoto, tailored to your requests.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/12337/181979.jpg)
Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～
Nara: the must-see place in Japan. Nara was the capital of ancient Japan before Kyoto became the capital. In the Nara era, Buddhism played an important role in stabilizing the country. So you can see many big old temples there. Many of these are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and are concentrated in a small area. So, if you have only one free day to spend in the Kansai area, I highly recommend visiting Nara.
Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13001/67e41b2c-77cd-41dd-92db-adbe4e6918dd.jpg)
Walking tour in Eastern Kyoto
Since there are so many beautiful places densely in eastern Kyoto, we can take a walking tour there. Please add or skip some. This is an example of a walking tour in eastern Kyoto, emphasizing history and culture. We will use the train only once or twice.
Walking tour in Eastern Kyoto
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/13015/616e13a0-c618-4120-a208-6fff6bcaa06a.jpg)
Day trip to Himeji Castle from Osaka
Among the many castles in Japan, Himeji Castle is truly special. You will feel happy just to be there when you see its beautiful figure over the surrounding cherry blossom or maple trees. It has a long and touching history. It is definitely a must-see in Japan.
Day trip to Himeji Castle from Osaka
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Kyoto
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/19327/df51ec9d-4cd8-46bc-987b-2b127ab84fea.jpeg)
Discover Kyoto with a Local – Learn Japanese Culture Through Real Stories & Sights
Discover Kyoto’s cultural heart in just one day with a local guide. Visit three iconic spots: the golden beauty of Kinkaku-ji, the stunning hillside temple Kiyomizu-dera, and the peaceful bamboo groves of Arashiyama. Along the way, you’ll learn real stories, traditions, and the deeper meaning behind each place. This tour blends famous sights with local insights, giving you more than just photos — it gives you a true connection to Kyoto.
Discover Kyoto with a Local – Learn Japanese Culture Through Real Stories & Sights
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/74454/a3ab365c-6e5c-4d1d-b92e-83e0bda2a9c6.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/3879/145142.jpeg)
One day tour in Kyoto (Arashiyama area)
Tour will start from the Hotel in Kyoto. Frst visit is Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavillion ),then, to Ryoanji tmple where is famous for rock garden. Tour will stop at Arasiyama area to take lunch and visit Togetsu bridge, Bamboo grove, Tentyuji temple and others. The last visit is NIjyo castle. As these places are normally crowded. using chartered taxi is highly recommended in order to effectively use your valuable time in Kyoto.
One day tour in Kyoto (Arashiyama area)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/16782/67164.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/18391/ed4593f6-89c9-4003-b806-3373a9a7f79d.jpg)
Kyoto's must-see attractions and World Heritage sites in one day.
Perfect for those with limited time, this well-organized tour allows you to experience Kyoto’s most iconic sights efficiently. The itinerary includes the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji, Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge. While these popular spots can be crowded, we utilize taxis to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey through this culturally rich city.
Kyoto's must-see attractions and World Heritage sites in one day.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/70544/88cc0a4f-d90f-48f7-b564-6a62c80d1fcd.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4826/82581.jpg)
Early Bird Tour Western Kyoto including Bamboo Forest and Kinkakuji Kinkakuji
Shall we explore some of the most popular sightseeing destinations in Kyoto while most tourists are preparing for their tour? I would also like to take you some hidden gemes in Kyoto. Beat the crowds!
Early Bird Tour Western Kyoto including Bamboo Forest and Kinkakuji Kinkakuji
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/10288/90682.jpg)