Experience the BEST of KYOTO!
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.
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.
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
We will end our tour on the Hanamikoji Street.
Ending Point
In Gion
Want to personalize this tour?
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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.
Important message from the supplier
On the tour day, if there is a delay of over 40 minutes (no notice from the client; the guide can’t reach the client), the tour will be automatically cancelled. Please check the GoWithGuide cancellation policies when booking a tour.
Thank you 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
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
Grace S.
“Efficient, Friendly and Flexible”
Ana gave us the impression that she is well-prepared for her tour with us, the moment we met. She gave us information regarding Okayama and especially the castle, without being robotic. Just the right information, nothing more, nothing less. Many tour guides simply gave us too much information, to the point where we do not retain much of it, at the end of the day. Matsuyama was a delight under her guidance. She was wonderfully flexible and her attitude made us feel comfortable and welcomed. I shall certainly ask for her guidance again.
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Ana I.
Dear Grace, thank you very much for trusting me to guide and assist you on this occasion. I had a wonderful time as you shared invaluable experiences and very interesting stories. I will cherish your generosity shown on our tour for a very long time. I look forward to meeting you again soon. Have a wonderful rest of the trip, filled with health and hot springs!
Linna W.
“Nara day tour”
Ana was an excellent guide, and our guest really appreciated her support throughout the tour. She handled the changes smoothly and accommodated everything with a positive attitude. Thank you again for your flexibility. We look forward to working with you in the future.
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Ana I.
Thank you very much, Linna, for trusting me with guiding your guest in Nara. I had a great time together and enjoyed the small changes and the relaxed pace of the tour. The client's generosity and flexibility made my job so easy and enjoyable. All the best! Until next time.
Dorothy M.
“Kyoto Tour”
We had an amazing experience on our half-day Kyoto tour with Ana as our guide. She took us through some of Kyoto’s most iconic temples and the famous Geisha district while sharing the rich history and significance behind everything we visited. Ana was extremely knowledgeable and made the entire tour engaging, interesting, and enjoyable from start to finish. Even in such a short amount of time, I felt like we learned so much about Kyoto and its culture. She was also incredibly attentive, patient, and flexible with our group, especially since we loved stopping to take pictures along the way. Ana was very easy to engage with and had such a warm and wonderful personality that made the experience even better. I would definitely recommend Ana to anyone visiting Kyoto for the first time, she truly made the experience memorable and will not disappoint!
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Ana I.
Dear Dorothy, thank you very much for the beautiful review. I had a great half-day with you and your group! I learnt so many things about New York and life in the USA. Thank you all for the great advice and the insightful comments during our tour. I wish you all much health and a beautiful summer.
$156/ per group
More tours by Ana I.
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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).
Kyoto - 5-hour tour of the historic Higashiyama District!
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Postcards of Kyoto (East Version)
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.
Postcards of Kyoto (East Version)
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Rise&Shine, walk in historic Higashiyama District at SUNRISE
As a unique experience, let me guide you through Kyoto's protected Higashiyama District at sunrise. Away from the crowds of tourists, this short trip offers the chance for those interested in Japanese culture and history to experience the area at a peaceful and meditative pace.
Rise&Shine, walk in historic Higashiyama District at SUNRISE
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NARA - Journey into Shinto and Buddhism
The ancient city of Nara hosts 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites with breathtaking architectural examples of the 8th century. This tour covers the historical sites in the journey of better understanding Buddhism and Shinto, interacting with some of the hundreds of deer in Nara Park, and enjoying walks in old forests.
NARA - Journey into Shinto and Buddhism
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Kyoto
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Let's go Arashiyama!
We will travel from your hotel to Arashiyama by public transportation. Once we arrive, we will walk around the area and visit some unique temples. We will move at a slow and comfortable pace. We will also take plenty of breaks, so please relax and enjoy the tour!
Let's go Arashiyama!
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Kyoto's must-see attractions and World Heritage sites in one day.
Perfect for those with limited time, this well-organized tour allows you to experience Kyoto’s most iconic sights efficiently. The itinerary includes the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji, Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge. While these popular spots can be crowded, we utilize taxis to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey through this culturally rich city.
Kyoto's must-see attractions and World Heritage sites in one day.
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Explore Kyoto with a Local ! A Tailor-Made Day
A certified local guide from Kyoto will design a private tour just for you! Every itinerary is fully customizedーfrom destinations to timingーto suit your group's interests and pace. From Kyoto's iconic landmarks such as Kiyomizu Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, or Nijo Castle to hidden gems. Tell me what you'd love to see or experience in Kyoto, and I'll create a personalized plan with my local recommendations. No idea yet? No problemーI'm happy to craft a special itinerary for you from scratch.
Explore Kyoto with a Local ! A Tailor-Made Day
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Kyoto Golden Route : Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama area
This tour covers the most popular spots in Kyoto. We will visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, Arashiyama area, Kinkakuji, Nijo Castle. I will pick you up at your hotel. You can visit almost all the popular tourist sites in Kyoto, incliding Kinkakuji, Arashiyama ( Bamboo forest, Togatsu bridge, and Tenryuji temple), Nijo castle and Fushimi Inari shrine. The itinerary can be customized according to your request.
Kyoto Golden Route : Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama area
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