Eastern Highlights in Kyoto for the first time visitor - Full Day Tour -
Joined 2018
Kyoto is a city full of charm, both ancient and modern such as the stone gardens of Zen temples, orange gates of Shito shrines, traditional cafés, local cuisine loved by Kyoto people, modern art museums and so on. I would like to show you not only major sightseeing spots but also small tips to enjoy the city. Let's explore together and discover the real Kyoto with me!!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel or JR Kyoto Station
- Pick you up at your hotel or meet up at JR Kyoto Station
Fushimi-Inari Shrine
It’s famous for many orange gates called Torii. We walk through Torii Tunnel, so your wishes come true. I will tell you the reason why!
Admission:Free
Sanjusangen-do Temple (We would like to have lunch around here.)
Famous for the traditional Japanese archery contest called Toshiya. I would like to show you the incredible history of it. You may also be mesmerized by numerous Buddhist statuses in the old wooden hall.
Admission:600JPY/P
Kiyomizudera Temple
It's famous for wooden hall and stage, the layout of buildings with its green mountain background, established in the 8th century.
Admission:500JPY/P
Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, historical preserved area
These are stone pavement streets lined with many shops and cafés. You can feel the atmosphere of ancient Kyoto. Even Japanese people also like this nostalgy.
Gion
It's the biggest amusement quarter of female entertainers. You may encounter Geisha.
Nihiki Ichiba Food Market and Depachika food floor of Daimaru Department Store
We walk around Nishiki Ichiba food market and the food corner of a famous department store. You can enjoy various kinds of Japanese food and drink.
Downtown(Shijo Karasuma or Kawaramachi) in Kyoto
See you off in downtown Kyoto or at your hotel
Ending Point
At your hotel or Downtown Kyoto
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
Guiding Services, Hotel pick-up
Personal Expenses, Souvenirs, Public Trasportation Tickets, Food, Drinks, Snacks, and others
Tour Important Information
On this tour, we will use public transportation such as JR train, Subway, Bus or Taxi.
Important message from the supplier
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.
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 2018
About Tour Guide Koichi W.
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.
Reviews
Raisy M.
“fantastic!”
We were a group of 4. We spent 4-half days with Koichi. It was a fabulous time and experience. Koichi is knowledgeable, easy going, flexible and funny. We toured various areas around Kyoto/Osaka. Initially we hired Koichi for 3 days but the experience was so positive that we added in another day and we hiked to a non tourist area with him. I must add in that Koichi captured so many amazing photos of us too. He really is a man of many talents-history buff, foodie, hiker, photographer. We will visit Japan again and meet up with Koichi again!
Koichi W.
Hi! Thank you for giving me such a heartwarming comment and nice rating. I am very happy to have shared a wonderful time with you. Your message motivates me for the next tour. I hope to see you again in the near future. I would also like to visit Osaka's foodie’s town with you. Koichi
Peter F.
“Two days with Koichi”
We spent two very enjoyable days with Koichi: one in Kyoto and one in Nara. He is very knowledgeable and helped us a lot with regard to travelling about in Japan. He speaks and understands the English language very well. He suggested that we swap the itinerary days round to make the best of the weather. We can thoroughly recommend him as a guide and I am sure anyone fortunate enough to have him as their guide will thoroughly enjoy themselves. Peter and Jane
Koichi W.
Hi! Peter san, Jane san. Thank you for your heartwarming review. Your words motivate and encourage me for the next guiding. I am truly honored to have met you two as a wonderful couple. I sincerely hope that you will have the opportunity to visit Japan again. I am so happy to have shared two wonderful days with you. Arigato!! Koichi
Eduardo C.
“Outstanding Guided Tour Experience with Koichi!”
Me and my family had the pleasure of spending a day exploring the beautiful city of Kyoto with Koichi as our guide, and I can confidently say that it was an awesome experience. From the very beginning we were impressed by how friendly and kind Koichi was always with us, not to mention his enormous excitement in explaining Kyoto's historical and tourist attractions, which made the whole experience even richer and more fun! Koichi’s passion for the city was contagious, and his ability to tailor the tour to our interests made the experience feel incredibly personal. Furthermore, Koichi knows all the best photo spots, which are simply sensational! If you are visiting Kyoto or Osaka, and want to fully immerse yourself in its beauty and history, I highly recommend Koichi as your guide. He will definitely make your visit an extraordinary one!
Koichi W.
Hi! Thank you very much for giving me such a nice rating and wonderful comment. I am very happy to have shared a wonderful time with you and your lovely family members. I really hope to see you in the near future. Arigato and Ookini very much!!
$340/ per group
More tours by Koichi W.
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!
Full-Day Nara tour from Kyoto with a private guide
Nara is a very beautiful and interesting city known by the old name of "Yamato". It was established as the first permanent Japan's capital in the year 710. There are a lot of historical monuments in this ancient city, such as Todaiji Great Buddha Hall, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kofukuji Temple and so on. Nara"deer"park is also one of must-see areas. Let's walk around and play with the lovely deer!!
Western Highlights in Kyoto for the first time visitor Full Day Tour
Kyoto is a city full of charm, both ancient and modern such as the stone gardens of Zen temples, orange gates of Shito shrines, traditional cafés, local cuisine loved by Kyoto people, modern art museums and so on. I would like to show you not only major sightseeing spots but also small tips to enjoy the city. Let's explore together and discover the real Kyoto with me!!
Kyoto Hiking tour Fushimi Inari to sanjusangen-do
Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for many torii gates like an orange tunnel. But most tourists just visit only the entrance. I would like to show you the deep inside of Fushimi Inari Shrine through tunnel and take you to the top of mountain. From Inari mountain, we will walk a part of “Higashiyama Trail” hiking course, then we will visit the family temple of imperial house and Sanjusangen-do temple.
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Kyoto
Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest in Eastern Kyoto
Experience the charm of tranquility in a mountain temple. Seikanji is a temple in Mt. Kiyomizu (242m high), which enables us to look down a fan-shaped view of the Kyoto area from the temple grounds covered with green moss. The temple retains such anecdotes as the emperor’s tragic love and the Waka poem composed by the incarnation of Buddha. We hike along a path at the mountain's edge from the less crowded tiny Seikanji temple to the heavily crowded huge Kiyomizu-Dera temple.
Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
There are a lot of Buddhism temples and Shinto Shrines in Kyoto. This tour focuses on three UNESCO World Heritage temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari Shrine which is famous for a lot of red Torii gates and Bamboo Forest in Arashiyma to feel the profundity of Kyoto. If you are interested in the places which are not listed here, like Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Gion, Nishiki Market, Sanjusangen-do, Kiyomizu-dera and others, just let me know, I will customize a tour for you.
Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto
There are so many great places in Kyoto that you probably want to visit but perhaps not enough time. Also, Kyoto is getting very crowded due to a lot of foreigners visiting there. It is best to have a local person guiding you to come up with a plan that suits your preference. I can create a tour with you which includes not only popular places like the Golden Pavilion and Fushimi Inari but small temples with Wabi Sabi such as those in Sagano and the oldest Japanese sweet shop in Murasakino.
Fushimi Inari Shrine, Zen Meditation, Sake brewery visiting and tasting
Fushimi Inari Shrine is a must-see in Kyoto. This tour also includes Zen meditation at a Buddhist temple and a visit to a sake brewery. You'll have an unforgettable experience! ※Please message me before your payment. I need to confirm the availability of the Zen meditation and sake brewery visit in advance.
