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!
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Kyoto city area
- Pick you up at your hotel
Bamboo forest in Arashiyama
We walk around Tenryuji Zen garden, one of the world heritage sites. The moment you get out of the temple, you probably happen to realize that you are in the midst of Arasiyama Bamboo Grove. If you like, the 20 minutes hike takes you to Mt. Iwata Monkey Park where you can meet cute monkeys.
Admission(Tenryuji Temple Garden):500JPY/P
Tenryuji Temple in Arashiyama
Tenryuji is the highest ranked Zen temple amoungthe five Zen temples in Kyoto. The garden of the Tenryuji is designated as an UNESCO world heritage site.
Kinkakuji Golden Temple
The pavilion with its garden is the most beautiful photographed site in Kyoto. You've probably seen pictures of it. You must see it !!
Admission:500JPY/P
Kyoto Imperial Palace (or Nijo-jo Shogun's Palace)
The successive Emperors of Japan lived here, and had ceremonies of enthronement.
Admission:Free
Nishiki Food Market.
You can try viorious kinds of Japanese food. You would be able to find a good restaurant for lunch around the market.
Ending Point
Downown Kyoto near Nishiki food market
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guide fee, Guide's transportation and admission fees
Your transportation and admission fees and other personal expenses
Time for lunch is not included in this tour.
Estimaed local cost would be about 2400 yen to 3400 yen per person
>Admission fee:1000 yen to 2000 yen per person
-Tenryuji Garen : 600 yen per person
-Kinkakuji : 400 yen per person
-Nijo-jo Castle : 1000 yen per person
-Kyoto Imperial Palace : Admission free
>Train fare : about 700 to 900 yen per person
>Bus fare : 460 yen per person
-If you take a taxi , the fare would be around 540 yen to 2000 yen per cab instead of bus fare. *Most cabs can accommodate up to 4 passengers including me.
I usually use public transportation systems such as trains, buses, taxi, and so on.
I like outdoor activities. If you would like to do hiking, cycling etc., please feel free to ask me in advance.
Hi! I'm Koichi. I was born in Osaka, I studied in Kyoto when I was a university student. Now I live in Shiga next to Kyoto. I am a national government licensed tour guide. I have been guiding about 160 groups over the past twelve months.
I usually guide my customers mainly in Kansai region including Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe and Shiga by public transportation systems.
Well, I am curious about Japanese history, especially the history of Japan's ancient times since I was raised next to the world biggest mausoleum of the ancient Emperor called "Nintoku" in Sakai city Osaka which has just become one of the world cultural heritage sites. I dug out some ancient earthen ware vessels around there when I was a primary school student like the adventure archaeologist “Indiana Jones" (It’s our secret!!). That was my hobby. Now, one of my hobbies is outdoor activities such as mountaineering, kayaking, skiing and others. So I would like to take you to some good places where you can enjoy Japanese unique nature.
I love to guide foreign visitors from all over the world. I think it is my calling or heavenly given job. Let's go and enjoy together! I hope to see you soon.
Mark W.
“Kyoto Highlights”
We were very lucky to have Koichi give us a tour of some of the highlights of Kyoto. Koichi is kind, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable about Kyoto, it history, the shrines and the temples. Koichi crafted a perfect itinerary for us and he is an excellent guide. I would highly recommend touring with Koichi if you have the chance. Koichi also shared with us his fondness of sake and we shared a bottle of "natural" sake that he picked out to cap off the day.
Koichi W.
Thank you so much for such a great rating and comment. It was a pleasure to meet Mark-san, and your wonderful family members, and share a wonderful day with you all. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity you have given me. Arigato and Ookini very much!!
Samantha F.
“Koichi is our best and favorite guide!”
Book with Koichi! He is so fun, nice, kind, knowledgeable and so cool! He personalized the trip to our needs. He tried so hard to accommodate us from the food, to helping us get bug bites cream. We had to switch from Osaka trip to Kyoto trip so he changed when we would go to Osaka. He went out of his to make us try some genuine Kyoto desserts!!!!!He gave us a ton of information about history of Kyoto and osaka but it wasnt overwhelming especially with an ADHD kid! He knows his history of Kyoto so well! He helped us get to the station so we knew where to go! Of course we got lost once we got to Tokyo, lol.
Koichi W.
This was the last day of our six days together. Although there were some changes in the itinerary due to bad weather and other reasons, I was able to complete the tour with everyone's cooperation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again. Yesterday, a day has passed since I saw everyone off at Kyoto Station and said goodbye to you all, and now I remember the days of the past week with fondness. I am looking forward to seeing you again in the near future! Koichi
Samantha F.
“Incredible guide, native to Kyoto”
Koichi is the guide to get! He personalized our tour today. We booked several days with him and we needed to go to Osaka today and change our tour tomorrow to Kyoto. He did that for us! He is incredibly kind, full of knowledge, gave us information but did not overwhelm us. Went out of his way to personalized the day in Osaka. We wanted certain food and he helped us to get the best restaurant for us, great meal. I wanted to stop and shop and he made sure we had time. Went out of his way at the end of the day to take us to our booked Geisha (Geiko) show that he helped us book the previous day. He is an incredible guide, very funny, lots of stories and has incredible knowledge
Koichi W.
Thank you for the excellent rating and comments for me. I am glad that you were able to enjoy Osaka's specialty food, okonomiyaki, in Osaka, which is known as a city of foodie delights. I am also glad to see that you enjoyed the squid jerky (called Ika-kun) that goes well with beer. Thanks again for giving me such a wonderful oppotunity today.
$220/ per group