The tour starts at JR Kyoto Station at 9 AM. You will go to Demachi Yanagi Station by JR Nara Line and Keihan Line. From there you will begin walking. The main tourist attractions of this tour are Ginkaku-ji Temple ( the Silver Pavilion ), the Philosopher's Path, Nanzen-ji Temple, Heian Jingu Shrine Garden and Maruyama Park. The tour ends at Gion Shijo Station of Keihan Line.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Kyoto Station
Ginkaku-ji Temple and the Philosopher's Path
Nanzen-ji Temple and Heian Jingu Shrine Garden
Maruyama Park, the Kamo River and the Gion area
Ending Point
Gion Shijo Station of Keihan Line
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee
transportation fee : ¥410 per person ( you and guide ),
entrance fee for Ginkaku-ji and Heian Shrine Garden : ¥1,100 per person
and lunch.
This is a limited-time tour from March 24th till April 4th in 2025.
The cherry blossom season varies from year to year and the day of your tour may be too early or too late for cherry blossoms.
At this time of the year it is occasionally still cold, so wear warm clothes, please.
Sneakers or walking shoes and portable umbrellas are desirable.
This is a limited-time tour from March 24 to April 4 in 2025 except on Saturdays and Sundays.
It is desirable to carry overseas travel insurance because the guide is not liable for any damage or loss incurred during the tour. It is also requested to bring enough Japanese yen with you because some restaurants and taxis do not accept credit cards.
Hi. My name is Yoshihisa. Call me "Yoshie", please. It means good or O.K. in Japanese. I live in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, located just in between Kyoto and Nara. I was born and raised in Iga, Mie Prefecture. Iga is a birthplace of ninja and a renowned haiku poet, Matsuo Basho. I might be a descendant of ninja. I aim at becoming a linguistic ninja, following a part of Basho's lifestyle with the incorporation of seasonal changes into my tours. In addition to visiting famous temples and shrines, I invite you to lesser-known places of historic interest.
Once in a month I go hiking or mountain climbing with some friends mainly in mountains surrounding Kyoto and Nara basins. Recently I have got intrigued by the charms of Buddhist statues, which are manifestations of people's wishes and prayers. I also like izakaya (Japanese-style taverns) hopping, tasting delicious dishes and locally brewed sake at reasonable prices. Especially I like communicating with people from home and abroad, talking face to face. Some of the above-mentioned elements are included in my walking tours. I hope you will discover new aspects of cultural and natural beauty in Kansai area through one of my tours which you could never gain otherwise.
One of my favorite phrases that come from Zen Buddhism is Ichigo Ichie or this meeting-but only once in a lifetime. My interpretation goes this way: This place and this moment never cross again. Each and every good encounter, however, lingers on like the sound of a temple bell. Won't you explore a deeper world of Japanese culture in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka with me?
Ewa G.
“A truly unforgettable day in Kyoto!”
We had the pleasure of spending a day in Kyoto Yoshie, an exceptional guide who made our experience truly unforgettable. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the city's rich history and its many beautiful temples, sharing fascinating insights at every stop. His deep respect for the culture and his polite, thoughtful manner made us feel very welcome and cared for throughout the day. What made the experience even more special was the personal touch—his wife had crafted beautiful origami pieces, which he gifted to us as a lovely surprise. It was such a heartfelt gesture that added warmth and charm to the day. We ended our tour at his favorite Izakaya, where we shared a delicious meal together. The food was amazing, and it felt like we were enjoying dinner with a friend rather than just a guide. I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone visiting Kyoto. His passion, kindness, and attention to detail made our day truly magical!
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Ewa. Thank you so much for your heartwarming comment on my tour yesterday. I also had a great time guiding and talking with you three. I am very pleased to learn that you liked the origami my wife made and the food at the izakaya. I hope you will continue a pleasant trip in Osaka, Nara and Fukuoka and return home safely. With the best wishes. Yoshie
Rian W.
“An unforgettable day with Joshie – the ideal guide for exploring the city”
We had an unforgettable day exploring Kyoto with our guide, Joshie. His deep knowledge of the country’s culture and history, combined with his background as a teacher, made every moment both engaging and educational. He took the time to explain everything with patience and passion, which really enhanced our experience. The day ended on a high note with a fantastic dinner at a local restaurant, where we got to enjoy great food and conversation together. Joshie is not just a guide — he’s someone who genuinely connects with people. We highly recommend him to anyone looking for a meaningful and memorable tour. Even our children (ages 23, 21, and 17) were thoroughly impressed and became instant fans!
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Rian. I really appreciate your excellent comment on my tour in Kyoto. I am very pleased to learn that you all enjoyed every minute of the day during the tour. I am also glad that you liked the food and the atmosphere of the izakaya for dinner. I hope our paths will cross someday soon during the cherry blossom or autumn foliage season. I wish you the best of luck! Yoshie
Jeff S.
“Couldn’t Imagine Kyoto Without Yoshie ”
Yoshie was the sweetest man, who won our hearts when he gave my daughter origami his wife made for her to start the trip. We saw so much in 1 day, and his “Golden Route” efficiently hit all the stops we wanted. He has great knowledge of Japan’s history and culture, and he knew the best spots to get brilliant photos. He also took us to a superb restaurant for lunch we wouldn’t have found on our own. He had energy in spades and you could tell he loves his tour guide work.
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Jeff. Thank you so much for your excellent review for my tour in Kyoto. I am very pleased to learn that you had a wonderful tour with me in spite of the terrible heat. I hope you will return home with lots of nice memories of Japan. Ichigo Ichie. Yoshie
$223/ per group