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Exploring Kyoto in Rakutou (East) and Rakuchu (Central)

Daikaku-ji Temple, Kyoto

Kyoto Private Tour - Otowa-no-taki Fall, which has three kinds of flows and each flow of waterfall gives divine favor to study, long life and love, in the precinct of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto

Otowa-no-taki Fall, which has three kinds of flows and each flow of waterfall gives divine favor to study, long life and love, in the precinct of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto

Hokan-ji Temple, Higashiyama, Kyoto

Nene's Path, Higashi-yama, Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto

Kyoto style Japabese cuisine, Tea House, Gion

Miyako-Odori, Gion, Kyoto

Gion Shirakawa, Gion, Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto

Gion, Kyoto

Ninen-saka, Higashiyama, Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto

Oof, muscle force training kit for a trainee monk on display at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto

San-nen Saka slope, Higashiyama, Kyoto

Nishijin-Ori (Nishijin Brocade - Silk Fabrics) Kaikan, Kyoto

Gion, Kyoto

Hokanji-Temple, Yasaka Pagoda, Higashiyama, Kyoto

Nijojo-Castle, Kyoto

Gion, Kyoto

Sanju-sangendo, Kyoto

Nishiki Market, Kyoto

Sanju-sangendo, Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto

Nijo Castle, Kyoto

Flatbottom Boat Takase-bune, Kyoto

Kodaiji-Temple, Kyoto

Daitoku-ji Temple, Kyoto

Exploring Kyoto in Rakutou (East) and Rakuchu (Central)

Name: Kyoto Guided Tours
Brand: GoWithGuide
Price: 277 USD
Rating: 5.0 (76 reviews)

Highlights

Joined 2017

Masahisa M.

5.00 / 5

(76 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English

9 hours

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 Rakutou (East district) and Central district. Visiting Rakutou, Gion, Yasaka-jinja shrine, Kodai-ji temple, Kiyomizu-dera temple are the most famous sightseeing spots in Kyoto. Particularly well known for the deity of love and marriage in Rakutou area.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

08:30 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 Keihan Yodoyabashi station whichever closer to your hotel. If you stay in Kyoto or Nara, we can save 30 min travel by train to Keihan Shijo station. 50 min train ride from Keihan Yodoyabashi station to Keihan Gion Shijo station. 20 min walk to Yasaka-jinja Shrine from Keihan Gion Shijo station.

10:30 AM

Yasaka-jinja Shrine

20 min walk from Yasaka-jinja Shrine to Kodai-ji Temple, through beautiful Ishibe-Koji Alley (Stone wall alley) , authentic chic side path in Kyoto in absolute tranquility

11:30 AM

Kodai-ji Temple

01:30 PM

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

03:30 PM

Nishiki Market

06:00 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, Kyoto)

*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)

*Admission fees, tickets as might be incurred for the guide 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 at private or public entertainment facilities for

the guide

Tour Important Information

Busy and full of crowds all year round in Nishiki market where you can find various kinds of fresh and traditional Japanese dishes for every day meals. In Gion, the center of Geisha community, you may or may not catch sight of Maiko (junior) or Geiko (Senior) hurrying to teahouses. Yasaka-jinja shrine hosts one of the three most important festivals of the year in Kyoto, Gion Festival in July. Ishibe-Koji alley (Stone wall alley) leads you to Kodai-ji temple from Yasaka-jinja shrine and next stone steps prolonged to Kiyomizu-dera temple through exotic and stunning beautiful Sannei-zaka slope.

- IMPORTANT -

Not suitable for tours with infants, children, senior people, wheelchairs and strollers.

Be quiet and respectful in Temple and Shrine complex

Remove hats and sunglasses in front of main sanctuary in Temples, Shrines

Not to touch old buildings, old remains and objects

Not to take pictures where prohibited in Temple and Shrine complex

Take your shoes off before stepping on tatami

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

(76 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 9,581 guests all over the world across Japan as of June 30, 2026 since Feb 2015.

Reviews

Federico F.

5 / 5

Jun 26, 2026

Exploring Kyoto in Rakutou (East) and Rakuchu (Central)

Jun 26, 2026

Kyoto

9 hours

“Wonderful and packed with experiences.”

Masahisa was an extremely professional guide who provided us with all the information we needed about the various places we visited. We had a great time, and even though the itinerary was quite full, the day passed pleasantly, including for our two teenagers, aged 14 and 16. Masahisa was also very friendly and personable, which made the tour even more enjoyable. In addition, he provided us with plenty of useful information and suggestions in advance, which helped us organize the rest of our trip more effectively. Highly recommended!

Masahisa M.

Federico It was a great pleasure guiding your family in Kyoto, and I am truly grateful that you chose to visit our ancient capital during your journey from Rome. I hope the time we spent together offered even a small glimpse into the court culture that once flourished in Kyoto. I also enjoyed meeting your wonderful children. Please give them my warm regards. One day, I hope to visit Sicily—the only region of Italy I missed to visit by this time. Wishing you and your family all the best. Warm regards Masahisa

Ena S.

5 / 5

Jun 19, 2026

Exploring Nara, Nara Pref

Jun 19, 2026

Nara

8 hours

“Wonderful!!”

From the very beginning of the process Masahisa was very generous with his time, providing plethora of practical information & advise ( not only for our tour with him, but for our overall stay in Japan). His organizational skills, punctuality & professionalism made our tour very efficient. His sense of humor, in depth knowledge of history & tons of interesting & unusual facts made a big difference in how we spent the day. Small gestures of generosity (one of them, getting deer treats in advance) were very touching. Thank you very much & hope to use your services again!!

Masahisa M.

Ena I hope the long walk through Nara Park was not too tiring for you. It was wonderful to welcome you back to Nara after 11 years. I would be delighted to hear how the city felt on your second visit. I sincerely hope that the rest of your trip in Japan will be memorable and that you both return home safely. Thank you again for visiting us from afar all the way. Thanks Masahisa

Nino T.

5 / 5

May 29, 2026

Exploring Osaka

May 29, 2026

Osaka

9 hours

“Exploring Osaka”

We booked Mike for Osaka tour after we had an amazing tour a few days earlier in Kyoto. Once again very thoughtful itinerary was planned for us to take into the the Museum, Tenjin Shopping Street, Kiromon Market Dotonbori street for lunch. A highlight was Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine and a delightful tram ride. Another memorable day with Mike exploring Osaka.

Masahisa M.

Nino Thank you so much for traveling such a long way to visit Japan. I feel honored to have guided you in Kyoto and Osaka, and I’m very happy to know the tours added something meaningful to your trip. Please take home many wonderful memories, and I hope our paths cross again someday. Thanks Masahisa