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Discover the peace of Chion-in and Shoren-in Temples • Sound Walk

A guest recording the pond at Shoren-in

The temple peeking through the trees

Chion-in is a very peaceful location.

The gardens of Chion-in are incredibly beautiful.

Discover the peace of Chion-in and Shoren-in Temples • Sound Walk

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2025

Simon F.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English (Native), Japanese

2 hrs 30 mins

Private tour (only you and Simon F.)

Up to 2 people

What is a sound walk? It’s a walking meditation with a technical boost. Using professional microphones and headphones, you’ll hear Kyoto’s hyper-detail: the "Nightingale floor" and monks chanting at Chion-in, or the deep temple bell and still pond 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.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

10:00 AM

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.

10:30 AM

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.

11:30 AM

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

What‘s included

• 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.

What‘s not included

• 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.

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

Simon F.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

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.