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Eastern Kyoto, Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest

key stone and open fan-shaped view

locations of soap opera at temple gate

temple grounds covered with moss

Emperor Takakura's Mausoleum

stone monument at the entrance of Uta-no-Nakayam

foot path leads to Kiyomizu-derain the forest

stone statues of Jizo at the back gate

floating stage in Kiyomizu-Dera

looking up at the stage

temple grounds in cherry blossom season

Kiyomizu-zaka in front of Main Gate of Kiyomizu-de

Sannei-zaka

Nene-no-michi

Kodaiji Temple

overlooking Kyoto City

Japanese garden in Entoku in Temple

West gate of Yasaka Shrine

Beauty water in Yasaka Shrine

Gion Divine Water in Yasaka Shrine

Maruyama Park with Higashiyama Mt.

Eastern Kyoto, Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest

Art, Culture, & Historical

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 6 people

Experience the charm of tranquility in a mountain temple.

Take a 3km walk around the foothills of the Higashiyama Mountain Range, visiting shrines and temples along the path. Starting at Seikanji Temple on Mt. Kiyomizu (242m height), follow the Uta-no-Nakayama Road to Kiyomizu-dera. Then, go through Sanneizaka and Nene-no-michi, and reach Maruyama Park and Yasaka Shrine. Along the way, we can feel old stories of tragic love while enjoying panoramic views of the Kyoto cityscape.

Itinerary

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

11:30 AM

Meeting Point

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

Seikanji Temple

>Seikanji Temple/founded in 802, and Sei-Kan refers to Pure-Tranquility

#a fan-shaped view of the Kyoto area can be seen from Kaname-Ishi (Key Stone) on the grounds, which supposedly grants a heartfelt wish to anyone who asks

#tragic episode between Emperor Takakura and a court lady in the 12th century

#locations of TV soap operas in the 1970s

Uta-no-Nakayama Foot Path

#Uta-no-Nakayama (meaning Mid Mountain of Poetry)/temple legend said that a monk was strolling along the path and called out to a beautiful woman, she replied with a meaningful Waka poem

Kiyomizu-Dera Temple

#built in 778 on the side of Mt. Otowa in 778(rebuilt in 1633 with the broad #Koyasu Pagoda, Otowa Waterfall, Main Hall with floating stage (13m high supported with 139 pillars), overlook the panoramic view from the temple stage

Series of paths connecting the temples and shrines

>Kiyomizu-zaka, Sannei-zaka, and Ninen-zaka/approach to Kiyomizudera Temple with lots of fabulous shops and restaurants on the load

>Hokanji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda) and Yasaka Koshindo Temple on Yasaka-dori

>Nene-no-michi/approach to the Kodaiji Temple and Entokuin Temple

#Nene, an outstanding woman and wife of a feudal load, built Kodaiji Temple to commemorate the soul of a deceased husband, and resided in the nearby Entokuan Temple in the 17th century

Maruyama Park & Yasaka Jinjya Shrine

>Maruyama Park (8.7ha/21 acres)/built in 1886, a landscape garden with Mt. Higashiyama in the background

>Yasaka Jinja Shrine/established in 656, holds the Gion Festival with floats processing every July

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 (you and guide/per adult)/some 2000JPY, taxi(undecided)

>admission fee (you/per adult)/Seikanji Temple (donation), Kiyomizu-Dera Temple(400JPY), Kodaiji Temple(600JPY)

>short break/lunch/dinner

Tour Important Information

>Please note that the itinerary may change if traffic is congested or tourist spots are crowded.

>Please wear comfortable shoes as we will walk up the slopes and stairs at the foot of the mountains.

>Please bring Japanese yen, as the additional fees are often charged in CASH.

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

Important message from the supplier

>If you'd like to take a listed or customized tour, please send me a message in advance. I will check the availability of the facilities listed on my itinerary (opening days/hours, reservation requirements, etc.).

>The tour schedule may change if public transportation or tourist attractions experience high demand.

>To ensure a relaxed and easy-going tour, I combine trains, subways, trams, buses, walking, and taxis (for small groups).

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

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 three ancient capital cities, each with a 1,000-year history of urban development and a 100-year history of filmmaking. I grew up in OSAKA and earned a Master's Degree in Engineering in KYOTO. I worked for 20 years as an urban planning expert for national and local governments in TOKYO and OSAKA, dedicated to creating cities that were safe and comfortable for residents and attractive for visitors.

Then I became a freelance urban planner with a Nationally Licensed Professional Engineer. I've visited urban development sites and filming locations in 90 cities in 30 countries, sharing the unique cityscapes of these cities on social media.

OSAKA, KYOTO, and NARA established a metropolitan area centered around the Imperial Palace with political, economic, and cultural hubs from the 7th to 19th centuries. Even today, locals continue to maintain beautiful cityscapes, preserve historical heritage, and celebrate traditional events. Many travelers visit these three cities to experience them in person.

The three cities are all within a one-hour ride by intercity train. The cities have an extensive subway, tram, and bus network, allowing you to access many tourist spots in a short amount of time. I am also a Nationally Licensed Guide Interpreter and Certified General Travel Service Manager, and I will create a memorable travel plan comprising places and stories based on your requests. I will also ensure that you get around efficiently using the appropriate means of transportation within the limited time you have. Please feel free to contact me.

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