Exploring Kyoto in Rakunan (South)
Kyoto is known as exotic sightseeing places and numerous historic, quaint old monuments are seen all over the town. This tour covers part of Rakunan (South district). Visiting Byodo-in Temple which was converted into a temple by Fujiwara-no-Yorimichi in 1052. It symbolizes the Buddhist Paradise.Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, central shrine for more than 30,000 Inari shrines, is full of tourists.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Kansai District (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Nara or Kyoto)
To meet you at your hotel lobby, with Gowithguide welcome sign board your name on. Followed after brief tour orientation, we start the tour of the day
We take you to Osaka METRO station or JR, private railway station to lead JR Osaka station whichever closer to your hotel. If you stay in Kyoto or Nara, we can save 30 min travel by train to JR Uji station.
Byodo-in Temple
15 min walk from JR Uji station to Byodo-in Temple.
Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine
We take JR railway from JR Uji station to JR Inari station. (20 min ride) 0 min walk to the first Torii-gate of Fushi-Inari Taisha Shrine.
Tofuku-ji Temple
We take Keihan Electric Railway, 10 min train ride from Keihan "Fushimi Inari Station"
At your hotel in Kansai district
Ending Point
At your hotel in Kansai District (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Nara or Kyoto)
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
Included:
*Guide fee, hotel pick-up fee in Kansai District (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Kyoto or Nara)
*Travel expense as required for the guide to travel with customers by means of public transportation such as train, subway, bus.
Travel expenses for the guide included herein are limited within Kansai district (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Kobe)
*Admission fees, tickets for the guide as might be incurred at temples, shrines or the like.
*Meals , drinks or the like for the guide during the tour
*Any tax or the like as might be incurred by the guide in Japan
*Gratuity
Not included:
*Fees to cruise river or sea or the like for the guide
*Tickets for Universal Studio Japan, museum or the like for the guide as might be required at private or public
entertainment facilities.
Tour Important Information
Uji where Byodo-in Temple was built is a city famous for historic temples and its green tea. A short walk along with Uji river to Kisen-Bashi bridge is so romantic and remind us of The Tale of Genji, a novel written by a noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in Heian period. The cormorant fishing is held in the evening from July 1 to September 30.
Tourists can’t resist tasty foods at street stands which are lined in both side of approach to Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine. It has been a place of wide worship for the guardian god of abundant crops, businesses, prosperity and family safety since Inari Okami (god of harvest) was housed on Mt.Inari in 711. Approximate 10,000 Torii shrine gates stand which have been offered by worshippers nationwide as a testament of their prayers and gratitude.
- IMPORTANT -
Not suitable for tours with infants, children, senior people, wheelchairs and strollers.
Be quiet and respectful in Shrines and Temples
Remove hats and sunglasses in front of main sanctuary in Shrines and Temples
Not to touch old buildings, old remains and objects
Not to take pictures where prohibited in Shrines, Temples, Castles and museum.
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 Masahisa M.
Lived in Chicago (5 years), Toronto (1 year), Singapore (2 years), Indonesia (4 years) and Birmingham, UK (11 years) to construct business platform, now retired after 40
years employment in Japan. Dynamic tour guide who develops many different ways along with rich experience overseas to entertain large or small tour groups. Enjoys the interaction with tour groups, very strong group presentation and communication skills, finds each guest question as an opportunity to learn anything new. Constantly learning information about each tour spot to enhance tours. Guided 9,513 guests all over the world across Japan as of March 31, 2026 since Feb 2015.
Reviews
Aerdevacanta A.
“Amazing trip!”
We also visited Kyoto with Mr. Masahisa and, once again, we were very impressed. Managing a group of 20 people from a cruise ship can be challenging, but he made it look easy. He tailored the itinerary perfectly to our interests and ensured everything ran smoothly. He is very professional and has a great way of explaining the local culture. We highly recommend him if you are planning a trip to Kyoto!
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Masahisa M.
Andra I hope everyone returned home safely. Thank you for traveling all the way to Japan. I truly appreciated your cooperation and smooth coordination throughout the tour. I only wish I could have shown everyone the cherry blossoms in full bloom, but I hope the group still enjoyed their time in Japan. If there is anything I can assist you with in the future, please feel free to let me know. Thanks again for your hard work in taking care of the 20 guests throughout the tour. Thanks Masahisa
Aerdevacanta A.
“Amazing experience in Osaka!”
We had a wonderful day in Osaka! We were a group of 20 people visiting from a cruise ship, and Mr. Masahisa managed everything perfectly. He tailored the itinerary exactly to our needs and made sure everyone was happy and comfortable. He is very knowledgeable and kind. If you're visiting Osaka, Kyoto, or Nara, we highly recommend him. Thank you, Masahisa!
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Masahisa M.
Andra Thank you for all your hard work in coordinating the tour for 20 guests. For the next opportunity, how about adding to your travel lineup some tours to regions that offer a different charm from Kyoto or Osaka — places where the traditional, idyllic / untouched landscapes of Japan still remain, such as Hokkaido, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Kiso–Magome, or Shirakawa-go? I sincerely appreciate your choosing Kyoto and Osaka from among the many tourist destinations around the world for this trip. Thanks Masahisa
Ronna G.
“Wonderful Experience”
My family and I were lucky enough to spend about 3 full days with Masahisa in Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. On the date of our arrival in Kyoto, Masahisa picked us up at Kyoto Station, helped us store our bags in the lockers, and then showed us around Kyoto that afternoon. Afterwards, we collected our bags and headed to Nara. The following days were spent exploring Kyoto and Osaka. Masahisa came prepared - he provided us with our customized itinerary and maps of the areas we were to visit (which we carefully planned weeks and months in advance of our trip) for the few days that we were to be together. It was a pleasure having him explain the various cultural aspects of the locations we visited. He is extremely friendly and great to be around; we immensely enjoyed our time with him. You know our days were great and fulfilling when we were very sad to say goodbye. It's clear that Masahisa takes great pride in providing a wonderful and memorable experience for his guests. We cannot recommend Masahisa enough!
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Masahisa M.
Ronna Thank you for visiting us from afar. I would like to express my sincere gratitude once again. Although the golf season had already passed a little, I hope the gentlemen were still able to enjoy the mountainous golf course located south of Kyoto, with its hills and valleys — quite different from Atlanta or Montreal. Also, thank you very much for the thoughtful gift of golf balls. They happen to be the ones my wife regularly uses, and she was delighted. Japan still has many more places I would love for you to see, such as Sōunkyō in Hokkaido—which has a Yellowstone-like atmosphere despite having no geysers—and the Kurobe Alpine Route, among many others. I truly hope you will visit us again. Thanks Masahisa
$280/ per group
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