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Discover the peace of Chion-in and Shoren-in Temples • Sound Walk
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Joined 2025
What is a sound walk? It’s a walking meditation with a technical boost. Using professional mics, you’ll hear Kyoto in detail: the "Nightingale floor" at Chion-in, or the deep temple bell at Shoren-in.
We slow down to experience the city's character rather than just ticking off a checklist. You’ll leave with a high-quality "audio postcard" of these sonic fingerprints to transport you back to Kyoto for years to come.
I have 2 sets of mic/recorders. Groups of more than 2 people will be sharing.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Higashiyama Station
- Let's meet at Exit 2 of Higashiyama Station on the Tozai Line. There we can get to know each other before we embark on our sound walk and we'll have a quick kit intro and a short listening warm‑up. How to hold the mic, record, and move quietly.
Shōrenin Temple
Shōrenin Temple was established in 1150 and has been a National Historic Site since 1942. It's a serene temple with historic shrines & a bamboo grove.
We'll take a slow garden loop for sound textures: gravel underfoot, bamboo rustling, distant birds.
Chion-in Temple
Another beautiful temple just around the corner from Shōrenin. If we’re lucky, we'll hear the monks and temple bells. If not, this temple is still full of interesting sounds to listen for.
After this stop, I’ll point you to nearby cafés, small restaurants, shops and quiet corners to continue exploring. Your edited 'audio postcard' arrives one week after you arrive home.
Ending Point
Higashiyama 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
• A guide to show you around the area. I love Kyoto so I will share more interesting places for you to visit in the area after our sound walk.
• I'll pay the entrance fee to Shōrenin: 600yen
• I'll pay the entrance fee to the two Chion-in Gardens: 500yen
• Use of professional sound recording equipment.
• A completely unique "audio postcard" that I will make using the sounds you record on the day.
• Public transport fee to and from Higashiyama Station where we'll meet: ~500yen round trip depending where you're coming from.
• Any lunch, coffee or snacks we buy on the way.
Tour Important Information
• This is not really a big whistle-stop tour full of information about Kyoto, these are intimate sound walks where we'll focus on the sounds around us rather than me talking on and on.
• Please don't bring large bags or anything heavy with you if possible. You won't want these weighing you down whilst holding the microphones.
• Children are more than welcome to join, but please understand that they may not be able to keep quiet during recording time and that may affect your experience. If we can get them interested in listening for sounds too that would be the best thing!
• If you want to alter the tour in any way please reach out, I'm very flexible and can be very accommodating.
• I have 2 full sets of microphones & recorders. Groups with more than 2 people will be sharing but this isn't an issue and can end up being very collaborative.
Important message from the supplier
These sound walks will be in English only, however, I won't be talking too much because we'll be recording sounds most of the time!
The maximum people per tour is 2 because I currently have 2 full sets of recording equipment, but if you'd like to have more people on the tour please message and I'm sure we can work something out!
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 2025
About Tour Guide Simon F.
Hello! My name is Simon. I’m a composer who recently moved from London to Kyoto. For many years I've been guiding sound walks and recording the unique sounds of places all over the world.
Here in Kyoto, I offer tours where we slow down, walk together, and discover the city through its sounds — from temple bells and riversides to quiet backstreets. In a city where every visitor seeks the perfect photograph, I’m learning that Kyoto is often kindest to those who listen instead.
I look forward to sharing this unique way of exploring the city with you! Message me if you have any questions or would like to book a customised sound walk.
Reviews
Jo R.
“A delightful way to discover quiet in Kyoto”
Our sound walk with Simon was one of the highlights of our entire trip to Japan. We started our time in Kyoto with this gorgeous, peaceful walk around the temples of Chion-in and Shoren-in, which are beautiful and surprisingly quiet. Our multi-age group all enjoyed walking slowly, recording the sounds that we heard, and learning about the temples and city from Simon. We would highly recommend this experience. Simon is a wonderful guide, full of local knowledge and adept at helping you to slow down and notice all the many wonderful details that this area of Kyoto has to offer.
$150/ per person
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Record the Sounds of Shisendō & Enkōji Temples • Sound Walk
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Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto
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