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.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
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
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
>guide fee, hotel pick up in Kyoto City center
>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)
>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.
>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.
Thank you for visiting my page.
I guide you to the ancient capital cities of 1000 years of urban development and 100 years of filming history.
I grew up in OSAKA, studied in KYOTO, and worked in TOKYO and Osaka for 20 years as an urban planning expert for national and local governments. I surveyed community development sites throughout Japan, welcomed scholars and business managers from inside and outside Japan, and guided them in the cities.
Quitting my career, I became a freelancer as a Professional Engineer (Urban & Regional Planning) who loves movies. I have visited unique cities overseas, inspected urban development sites and filming locations, and posted photos on social media (90 cities in 30 countries). The more I see cities overseas, the more clearly, I understand the characteristics of Japan's ancient capital cities.
The Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara areas were Metropolitan areas centered on the Imperial Palace, and their locations have changed 15 times since the 7th century. The three cities have many historical spots and hidden attractions depending on times and places: temples, shrines, landscape gardens, traditional townhouses, bustling entertainment districts, and the filming locations of period dramas where stories were born (SAMURAI Dramas). In addition, the three cities are all within an hour's train ride, making it easy to travel around.
To convey to as many people as possible the charms of these ancient capital cities that I have discovered through years of practice and theory, I obtained national qualifications as a Guide-Interpreter and General Travel Service Manager. I have begun my guided activities based in the ancient capital cities.
From my extensive list of tourist destinations, I will create a tour to suit your tastes and guide you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Chuck Y.
“A very nice day in Osaka”
Yoshi was knowledgeable and happy to show the city to us at a leisurely pace. A very nice man who did a great job of speaking at a loud enough level so we could all hear him which was appreciated. He was very hospitable and we appreciated that.
Yosshi S.
Dear Chuck Thank you for sending me such a warm review. Osaka is a commercial city, so Osaka citizens are interactive and talkative. We looked at citizens' lives while strolling to the bustling shopping streets and the OKONOMIYAKI place. At the Rose Garden, we could see the harmony with roses, the rivers, and the skyscrapers. Thank you for including me as one of your close friends during the tour and for the topics we shared. I hope Osaka will be one of your friends' fond memories. Regards Yosshi
John M.
“Kyoto visit to Imperial Palace gardens and tour of Palace State Guest House, with a special tour of the guest house. Also, Philosopher’s Walk, national Treasure Silver Palace, and Kyoto Aqueduct. ”
We had a very high quality time with Yosshi S for our visit in Kyoto. He was well prepared from both experience and study, and gave us rich background into each site to result in a strong connection with Kyoto’s history, its rich spiritual traditions and its very special people living and working in Kyoto. We are grateful for this day and would recommend Yosshi S. with our highest regard.
Yosshi S.
Dear John, thank you for your review. We had the experience of seeing how to treat guests at the state guesthouse and having a lunch of Kyoto pickled sushi at a shopping street where ordinary people shop. The Philosopher's Path is a course where I often walked with friends during my student years. Walking with John on the tour, I got back the feeling of being a student. Unfortunately, I could not become a philosopher, but I learned the philosophy of "going my way" and became a guide. Thank you very much. Yosshi
John M.
“Mixed scenery with towns, temples, and National Museum of Nara”
Yosshi S provided us with a joyful life adventure for our day with him in Nara. He was helpful in finding our ways to Nara’s treasures, gardens, temple grounds, and shrines as well as an English audio-guided tour of the National Museum of Nara, containing unique treasures on special exhibition for the period of our visit. We would recommend others for Yosshi’s informative, well-researched, and personalized tours, aimed to give us a full appreciation of a place, its people, and what is special about both.
Yosshi S.
Dear John, Thank you for your valuable review. The day of our planned tour was the opening day of the National Treasures Exhibition at the Nara National Museum, so I decided to take you to the museum and let you fully appreciate the national treasure Buddha statues. The city of Nara has a long history of more than 1,300 years since Heijo-kyo. The citizens of Nara enjoy this long history through the deer relaxing in Nara Park, crawling through the pillar hole of the Great Buddha Hall, and the Karakuri Toy Museum. Those are appealing and attract both domestic and international tourists. I am happy to have conveyed this to you through this tour. Thank you. Yosshi
$263/ per group