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Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)

Bamboo grove, Saga, Kyoto

Ryoanji-Temple, Kyoto

Golden Pavillion, Kyoto

Nijo-jo castle, Kyoto

Golden Pavillion, Kyoto

Arashiyama, Saga, Kyoto

Adashino, Saga, Kyoto

Katsura Imperial Villa, Kyoto

Tenryu-ji Temple, Saga, Kyoto

Otagi-Nenbutsuji, Saga, Kyoto

Adashino, Saga, Kyoto

2 hours Hozugawakudari River Boat Ride, Kyoto

Arashiyama-Station, Saga, Arashiyama

Finally I found it, at souvenir shop, Arashisyama, Saga, Kyoto

Katsura Imperial Villa, Kyoto

Togetsukyo-Bridge, Arashiyama, Kyoto

Oasis of the moment, Arashisyama, Saga, Kyoto

Tenryu-Ji Temple, Saga, Kyoto

Kyoto Private Tour - At Trolley Train Station, Kameoka, a trolly runs Saga-No along with Hozugawa-river, where thrilling river cruise is viewed, Saga-no,

At Trolley Train Station, Kameoka, a trolly runs Saga-No along with Hozugawa-river, where thrilling river cruise is viewed, Saga-no,

Togetsu-Bridge, Arashiyama, Kyoto

Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)

Name: Kyoto Guided Tours
Brand: GoWithGuide
Price: 283 USD
Rating: 5.0 (67 reviews)

Highlights

Joined 2017

Masahisa M.

5.00 / 5

(67 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English

8 hrs 30 mins

Private tour (only you and Masahisa M.)

Up to 15 people

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!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel in Kansai district (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Kyoto or Nara)

09:00 AM

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.

10:30 AM

Bamboo Grove, Arashiyama and Tenryu-ji Temple

01:30 PM

Nijo-jo castle

30 min ride from Arashiyama station, Keifuku line to Nijo-jo-Mae, Kyoto METRO station.

03:00 PM

Kyoto Imperial Palace

10 min ride from Nijo-jo-Mae Kyoto METRO station to Maruta-machi Kyoto METRO station.

05:30 PM

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

What‘s included

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

What‘s not included

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, senior people, 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

Masahisa M.

5.00 / 5

(67 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

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

Sam F.

5 / 5

Apr 4, 2026

Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)

Apr 4, 2026

Kyoto

8 hours 30 mins

“Wonderful day in Kyoto with Masahita”

Masahita knows the history and cultural significance of the shrines, temples, and important sites in Kyoto. We enjoyed spending the day with him. Masahita is a true Japanese gentleman who looks out for his guests and goes the extra mile to take care of their needs. He walks at a brisk pace and keeps his group on task so that you can cover a lot of ground in a single day. He explained so much about the Japanese religious customs. He also prepared a dossier for us with very helpful recommendations for our free day in Kyoto. I highly recommend Masahita.

Masahisa M.

Sam Thank you for traveling such a long distance with your wife and sons to visit us on your family trip. Kyoto, the ancient capital, now has only a few places left where one can still sense the serene and austerely elegant atmosphere of the old court culture. I would be delighted if you were able to feel even a small part of Kyoto’s timeless charm. I understand that you will continue your journey with your wife to various regions of Japan on and on. I sincerely hope your travels will be filled with wonderful memories, and I pray for your safe return home. Thanks Masahisa

Aerdevacanta A.

5 / 5

Mar 30, 2026

Evening Tour in Kyoto’s Rakutō （East）　District

Mar 30, 2026

Kyoto

6 hours 30 mins

Customized

“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!

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.

5 / 5

Mar 30, 2026

Exploring Osaka

Mar 30, 2026

Osaka

7 hours

Customized

“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!

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