Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)
Joined 2017
Kyoto is known as exotic sightseeing places and numerous historic, quaint old monuments are seen all over the town. This tour covers part of Rakusai (West district) and Central district. Visiting Rakusai , Tenryu-ji temple represents the Kitayama culture. Nijyo-jo castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace in Rakuchu (Central district) are the cultural center during Heian, Momoyama and Edo periods.
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, Kyoto or Nara)
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 ~ 45 min travel by train to JR Saga Arashiyama Station. 20 min walk from JR Saga Arashiyama Station to Bamboo Grove. Tenryu-ji Temple is located annexed in halfway walking through Bamboo Grove.
Bamboo Grove, Arashiyama and Tenryu-ji Temple
Nijo-jo castle
30 min ride from Arashiyama station, Keifuku line to Nijo-jo-Mae, Kyoto METRO station.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
10 min ride from Nijo-jo-Mae Kyoto METRO station to Maruta-machi Kyoto METRO station.
End of this day tour at your hotel in Osaka. Will arrive at your hotel earlier if you stay in Kyoto or Nara.
Ending Point
At your hotel in Kansai district (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Kyoto or Nara)
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
Included:
*Guide fee, hotel pick-up fee in Kansai district (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Nara and Kyoto)
*Travel expense for the guide as required to travel with customers by means of public transportation such as train, subway, bus.
Travel expenses included herein are limited within Kansai district (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Nara, Kyoto)
*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 as might be required for the guide at private or public entertainment facilities.
Tour Important Information
Arashiyama changes its color from season to season and Sagano is a tranquil spot, beloved by emperors and nobles. Bamboo grove make you feel romantic and become a movie star. A shrine called Nonomiya-shrine built in the midst of grove, may help you find a partner for life soon. Fantastic to walk a beautiful bridge, Togetsu Bridge and listen to the murmuring of the Katsura river. Carefully maintained and preserved Bamboo grove is also a must-see spot. The head temple of the Tenryu-ji branch of the Rinzai Sect of Zen Buddhism has both a botanic garden and a gorge-water garden, borrowed landscape from Mt Arashiyama to part of the garden. Tokugawa shogunate came to an end in this castle, Nijo-jo castle in 1867 with the announcement of hand over the authority back to the Emperor by last Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu. Kyoto Imperial Palace was partly open to public from July 26, 2016 and is held in high regard as a piece of Japan’s cultural heritage. Nijo-jo castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace will tell you long historical tale in Kyoto from 794 to 1867.
- IMPORTANT -
Not suitable for tours with infants, children, wheelchairs and strollers.
Take your shoes off before stepping on designated area (Nijo-jo Castle) and tatami mat.
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 Imperial Palace.
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 2017
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 8,885 guests all over the world across Japan as of Dec 31, 2024 since Feb 2015.
Reviews
Jane W.
“good guide for challenging job”
We asked Masahisa to plan two days in Nara and Kyoto while our cruise ship was in port in Kobe, for a 77 year old grandma (who was mildly mobility impaired) and an energetic 22 year old grandson. He was helpful, well organized, very informative and juggled our disparate needs and interests well. He took us to sites of interest to both of us, was very knowledgeable, answered all our questions, and found nice spots for grandma to sit and people watch or look at a slow pace while he and grandson visited more strenuous sites or saw extra attractions. Our two days were well worth it. Thank you Masahisa for a pleasant informative two days, and for the bonus earthquake demonstration in Nara.
Masahisa M.
Jane I hope you returned home safely. I was concerned that you might not have been able to fully enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto due to the constraints of the cruise ship's departure time. Although I have never visited Albuquerque, I have seen the grand spectacle of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on TV, which is held every October, where hundreds of colorful hot air balloons soar into the sky, attracting tourists from all over the world. Thank again for visiting us all the way. Thanks Masahisa
Sean K.
“Great Tour of Nara from Kyoto!”
We had a wonderful day with Mike on his Exploring Nara tour! He met us bright and early at our hotel and took us straight to Nara, where we learned so much about the area’s history and landmarks. His friendly personality and extensive knowledge made the day really special, and he took a lot of great photos that we’ll enjoy for years to come. He packs in a lot, so be ready for an active day with plenty of walking and public transport. The detailed information he shared before and after the tour was incredibly helpful and will come in handy for our next visit to Japan. Highly recommend Mike if you’re looking for a top-notch guide in the Kyoto area!
Masahisa M.
Sean Thank you very much for coming all the way from active city I loved. How was your trip from Kyoto to Hiroshima ? I am relieved to hear that everyone has returned safely. Wishing you all a wonderful New Year. Thanks Masahisa
Alexander P.
“Great experience in Fushimi area! Really nice view in Tofukuji Temple”
Thank you Masahisa for great tour and review of nice places! Good and accurate tour schedule, helpful guidance and interesting cultural insights. The day was filled with stunning sights. Fushimi Inari Shrine is really popular place with a lot of tourists, but we were able to see nice view, and Masahisa provided interesting facts and history. Sake Brewery was interesting place with tasting experience and a lot of exhibits \ details of brewing process. The Tofukuji Temple surprised me for its beautiful gardens, especially during autumn, we were a bit early to view red maples, but still catched some of them. Also this temple was not so crowded. The serene atmosphere and the views from the temple’s bridges overlooking the gardens were incredibly peaceful. Overall, the tour in Fushimi was amazing, offering a perfect mix of culture, history, and natural beauty.
Masahisa M.
Alexander Hi, thank you once again for traveling such a long way to visit Kyoto and wish you safe return home with beautiful memory. At Tofukuji Temple, perhaps due to recent climate changes, the autumn leaves have been changing color later than usual, and it is regrettable that you were unable to see the deep crimson foliage this time. Please do visit us again. Thanks Masahisa
$271/ per group
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