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Eastern Kyoto, Hike along the canal that led to modernization

Biwako Canal around Inclined Railway

Image of Stand by Me on Inclined Railway

Inclined Railway

Nanzenji Temple

Canal in Nanzenji Temple grounds

Philosopher's Path along the Canal

Eikando Temple

Entrance of Silver Pavilion

Silver Pavilion

White sand beside Pavilion

Hashimoto Museum

Kamogawa delta with stepping stones

Masugata shopping street

Pickles Nigiri-sushi

Eastern Kyoto, Hike along the canal that led to modernization

Nature & Outdoor

Joined 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English, Japanese (Native)

6 hours

Private tour (only you and Yosshi S.)

Up to 5 people

Kyoto fell into decline after the capital was moved in the mid-19th century. The construction of a canal from Lake Biwa enabled water transportation and electricity generation, and the city was reborn as a modern city. Philosophers strolled along the canal and constructed the ideas of the modern city. This tour hikes the well-known "Philosopher's Path" at the foot of Higashiyama and looks back on the history of the city from ancient times to modern times.

Itinerary

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

12:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel or any convenient place in Kyoto City center.

Nanzenji Temple area

>Inclined Railway/ An inclined railway connects both ends of the Canal, with a height difference of 36m, and boats are placed on carts and transported 600m

>Nanzen-ji Temple (15ha/37 acres)/a prestigious Zen temple founded in the 13th century, has an arched brick aqueduct (93m long,4m wide,14m high) that flows fresh water from the Canal

#Hojo(residence)/the house was relocated from the Palace with outstanding wall paintings and landscape gardens

Hike on Philosopher's Path

>A 2km hike with a stop at some temples and cafes

>Eikando (Zenrinji Temple) & Honenin Temple/ The contrast between the white sand pile (shiny sand for purification) in front of the Chokushimon Gate and the red of the autumn leaves are unique

Ginkakuji Temple area

>Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion,2ha/5 acres)/the symbol of the Higashiyama culture, which valued WABI-SABI, the aesthetic of quiet simplicity and subdued refinement

>Hashimoto Kansetu Garden and Museum (10ha/25 acres)/A Japanese Painter built his residence with a studio, tea house, and a garden in 1916

Demachiyanagi area

>Kamogawa Delta (Local Name)/two rivers meet and make a unique landscape with stepping stones across the river and delta-shaped land

>Demachi Masugata shopping street/38 shops on the road with 164m long, including long-established restaurants, Takoyaki and Yakitori places, and a movie theater

Ending Point

At your hotel or any convenient place in Kyoto City center

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

>guide fee, hotel pick up in Kyoto City center

What‘s not included

>transportation fee (guest and guide/adult)/ subway or train/some 1500JPY

>Admission fee (guest/per adult)/ Nanzenji Temple Garden or Main gate (600JPY), Eikando(Zenrinji Temple/600JPY), Ginkakuji Temple(500JPY), Hashimoto Kansetu Museum(1300JPY)

Tour Important Information

>The tour is a leisurely walk along the Philosopher's Path, so please wear comfortable shoes for the unpaved hiking trail.

>Please be aware that during the autumn leaves viewing season, transportation and tourist facilities will be crowded, so some of the facilities on the itinerary may not be accessible.

>The above extra fees are often asked with CASH on the spot, so please bring some JPY.

>The tour is not insured, so I hope you get travel insurance.

Important message from the supplier

>I mainly work in the daytime (e.g. from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm)

>If you want a listed/customized tour, please message me in advance. I will confirm facility availability in the itinerary dates: opening dates/hours, need a reservation or not.

>Please note that my tours are leisurely, on foot and by public transport.

>My tour schedule may change if transport or tourist spots are crowded.

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 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Yosshi S.

Thank you for visiting my page.

I’d love to guide you to an ancient capital city with over 1,000 years of urban development history and a 100-year film history. I grew up in OSAKA and studied in KYOTO. Then, I worked in TOKYO and Osaka as an urban planning expert for national and local governments for 20 years. I have been striving to create cities where residents can live safely and comfortably and where visitors are attracted by their charms.

Quitting my career, I became a freelancer and a National Licensed Consulting Engineer (Urban and Regional Planning). I inspect urban development sites and film locations at home and abroad, and post about the charm of these picturesque towns on social media (90 cities in 30 countries up to now).

Present-day Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara formed a metropolitan area centered on the Imperial Palace from the 7th to the 19th centuries, serving as the political, economic, and cultural center. Residents still cherish their connections with local temples and shrines, continue to host local events, maintain traditional lifestyles, and protect their cultural heritage.

These three cities offer a unique landscape each season: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, autumn foliage, and snowy scenery in winter. They are also easily accessible within a 1-hour train ride, with an international airport (KANSAI) and seaports (OSAKA, KOBE).

I am not only a National Licensed Guide Interpreter but also a General Travel Service Manager. I create an ideal customized tour for you, combining your preferences with my knowledge of transportation options and sightseeing spots.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Reviews

James S.

5 / 5

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in the Temple Town

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka

7 hours

“Great Guide!”

Yosshi was a great guide. He had vast knowledge of the sights we visited. Very friendly and payed attention to our needs as we explored. I would book with him again. Thank you Yosshi.

Yosshi S.

Dear James San. Thank you for your review. I was happy to share my experience with you as you have an interest in Osaka's history. Hearing about your hometown has added to my bucket list. The day was sunny, the autumn leaves were beautiful, and there weren't many tourists, so I was able to show you ancient, medieval, and early modern sites. We were also able to go up the Osaka Castle Tower and the Tsutenkaku Tower for a bird's-eye view of Osaka's topography. Osaka's long history has been supported by its citizens. Next time, I'd like to guide you to markets and theaters where we can experience the vitality of its citizens. Thank you for yesterday. Yosshi

Drew B.

5 / 5

Nov 9, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in the Temple Town

Nov 9, 2025

Osaka

6 hours

“Cultural tour of Kawachi/Osaka ”

Yosshi san created a unique tour to introduce us to the history of Kofun burial mounds and Haniwa clay pottery. We had an amazing day despite the weather visiting Shin-ike Haniwa Factory Park and the Imashirozuka Museum. Yosshi san has amazing knowledge & excellent English and was a pleasure to spend the day with. Also Yosshi san is a master of navigating Osaka transport, very impressed!! Thank you again Yosshi san for looking after us so well, Drew & Annie.

Yosshi S.

Dear Drew & Annie san Thank you so much for sending me your generous review. You read the explanations, took photos, and asked questions to the museum guide during the tour. I was impressed by your deep interest and knowledge, and it was a great honor to guide you. However, it's unfortunate that today's tour didn't go as planned due to the heavy rain all day. Here is the only imperial mausoleum in Japan that we can enter, so if we have another opportunity, I'd like to stroll around the 350-meter burial mound on a sunny day and discuss the Kofun age with you. Thank you so much for today. Regard Yosshi

James K.

5 / 5

Oct 21, 2025

Nara, Stroll through Nara Park led by the Deer

Oct 21, 2025

Nara

6 hours

“Nara park and Todai-Temple Tour”

Wonderful tour with Yosshi. Really enjoyed both Nara Park and the Todai-ji Temple. Yosshi customized the tour for our needs, and made the travel to and from Kyoto seamless.

Yosshi S.

Hello James san Thank you for your heartwarming review. I was so happy to see you and your mother enjoying the deer in Nara Park. I was also touched by how much you always cherish your mother, and I learned a lot from you. I'm glad I was able to show you around Nara Park and the Great Buddha Hall. On the train ride there and back, you and your mother told me stories about your town and asked me many questions, which broadened my horizons. I hope you and your mother are in good health. I look forward to seeing you again. Thank you. Yosshi