Experience the BEST of KYOTO!
Joined 2023
For 8 hours, we will explore Kyoto's symbolic places and marvel at its over 1100-year-old history, culture, traditions, and food. This tour is perfect for those who want to experience this wonderful former capital of Japan with only a day or two to spare for traveling in the region.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel/accommodation
Kinkakuji- Temple of the Golden Pavilion
No matter the season, the Golden Pavilion is a symbol of Kyoto. Its breathtaking beauty and wonderful gardens offer visitors the chance to experience and learn about the Kitayama culture of the 14th century.
Nijo Castle - Former Imperial Villa
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a prime example of 17th-century architectural design.
The former government building of the Tokugawa Shogunate stands as an example of Tokugawa Ieyasu's power. We will have the chance to see the private quarters of the shogun, offices, waiting and audience rooms for the feudal lords.
Lunch break at Nishiki Market & Teramachi Street
It is time for some delicious street food and original souvenirs from Nishiki Market and Teramachi Street! I will guide you based on your preferences to the best shops for lunch and a shopping break before continuing the journey.
Higashiyama District
Let's walk in the Historic District of Kyoto. We will stop at Kiyomizudera Temple (The Temple of Pure Water) for beautiful cityscapes and continue exploring the neighborhood on the Sanenzaka & Ninenzaka slopes.
Gion - home of the Geiko (Geisha)
We will take our time to enjoy the Gion area where professional artists and entertainers called geiko (geisha) and the maiko (apprentice geiko) live and work. We will get to know more about this one-of-a-kind profession in the world.
Gion
We will end our tour on the Hanamikoji Street.
Ending Point
In Gion
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
Guide Fee
Hotel Pick-Up
Transportation Fee
Entrance Tickets (Kiyomizudera Temple, Nijo Castle, The Golden Pavilion)
Meals (lunch)
Tour Important Information
The entrance at Nijo Castle - Ninomaru Palace requires taking off our shoes.
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 2023
About Tour Guide Ana I.
Hello everyone!
My name is Ana. I am an experienced tour conductor who guides clients throughout Japan. I am Romanian and have been living in Japan for over 10 years.
I am versed in creating customized on-the-budget one-day and half-day tours for solo travelers, families, or groups.
Please allow me to show you the natural beauty, traditions, history and amazing food of KYOTO and NARA.
Feel free to contact me for a standard package OR a customized trip. I will put my best effort into meeting your needs and creating an amazing journey.
WELCOME TO JAPAN!
Reviews
Steve A.
“Best of Kyoto Tour”
Had a great day trip in Kyoto with Ana. We had to change our date at the last minute due to illness and she was very accommodating to ensure our trip wasn't spoiled. Her english was great, and she was friendly, funny and highly knowledgeable about the various sites we visited (Kinka-kuji Golden Pavillion, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and Fushimi Inari Shrine). We would definitely use Ana again if we manage to get back to Japan and would strongly recommend her to anyone seeking a guide in the Kyoto/Osaka area. Thanks again for making our family trip so enjoyable Ana and we hope you enjoyed the NZ chocolate. Steve, Michele and Liam Armstrong
Ana I.
Dear Steve, Michele and Liam - Thank you for your warmth, kindness and patience on the tour. I had a blast showing you Kyoto and sharing stories with you all. Your gift was delicious and well enjoyed every morning with a nice cup of coffee. I wish you a wonderful end of year and much health to everyone! Thank you for the beautiful review!
Mats W.
“Amazing Tour through Kyoto”
Ana guided us so well through all the interesting and also less crowded places in Kyoto. She planned everything so well, oftentimes we would see masses of people coming to places that we were just about to leave, so just in time. What I found really incredible is that she even go to the vegan place beforehard to try it out, just because she didn't want to go with us anywhere that she didn't know beforehand! Thank you so much for the amazing day Ana!
Ana I.
Dear Mats, Thank you for the beautiful review!! I had lots of fun walking through Kyoto with you and Alexandra. I have learned how to improve my tours, thanks to you! I am very grateful for your questions and opinions. I wish you much health and safe travels!
Daniel S.
“The best of Kyoto”
I want to thank Ana for touring us around this beautiful city. She made us feel like family and is very knowledgeable and really the best tour guide I have ever had. Ana took us all over Kyoto and Nara, we had some amazing food, saw the most incredible temples, even got see few geisha. I can't thank Ana enough for making my trip so great. I would recommend her to anyone coming to Kyoto, she is the best. Thank you.
Ana I.
Dear Daniel, thank you for the kind words. Your passion for Japan and interest in deeply understanding the culture and its society was refreshing. I greatly enjoyed walking in Kyoto and Nara with you both. May your efforts bring you back to Japan with the same energy soon. All the best and thank you!!
$203/ per group
More tours by Ana I.
Kyoto - 5-hour tour of the historic Higashiyama District!
This 5-hour tour is created for those who wish to learn about the historic district of Kyoto but do not have the time to explore in-depth. Everyone is welcome to participate as the tour has a mixture of history, nature, architecture and experiences ( shopping or souvenir browsing, introduction to Japanese sweets and food/drinks, meditative walk).
Rise&Shine, walk in historic Higashiyama District at SUNRISE
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We will explore the East of Kyoto: rich in history, culture, and traditional architecture. This tour will cover some of the most famous sites of the ancient city — symbols of Kyoto that appear in the postcards.
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Kyoto
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Tour will start from the Hotel in Kyoto. Frst visit is Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavillion ),then, to Ryoanji tmple where is famous for rock garden. Tour will stop at Arasiyama area to take lunch and visit Togetsu bridge, Bamboo grove, Tentyuji temple and others. The last visit is NIjyo castle. As these places are normally crowded. using chartered taxi is highly recommended in order to effectively use your valuable time in Kyoto.
Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.
Arashiyama is the hottest tourist destination. It is incredibly beautiful in spring and fall because of its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. In the fall, the leaves turn brown or red! In the outstanding Tenryuji, you will see a beautiful garden with beautiful mountains in the background. There are many other beautiful places with touching stories in this area. On the way back to downtown, we can visit two world heritage sites, Kinkakuji and Ryoanji. What a wonderful route!
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!
Kyoto's most popular sightseeing spots tour and enjoy a various kinds of Kyoto's specialities
This tour covers 4 must-see sites and Nishiki Market. You visit the most renowned sites such as the Golden Pavilion, Ryo-an-ji temple where you may find an elegant beauty in its simple rock garden Nijo-castle ,the luxurious palace of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Sanjyu-sangendo temple, where the thousand life-size statues and the Principal statue make you feel like you are in a forest of Buddha! says " It's amazing ! Lastly visit Nishiki Market, where you can enjoy eating Kyoto’s cuisine.
