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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 (70 reviews)

Highlights

Joined 2017

Masahisa M.

5.00 / 5

(70 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

(70 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

Vladislav S.

5 / 5

Apr 15, 2026

Exploring Osaka

Apr 15, 2026

Osaka

9 hours

“A great way to visit Osaka highlights ”

We spent the whole day with Mike walking around Osaka. He met us in our hotel lobby and took us to Umeda Sky, Osaka Castle, Dotonbori and the Kuromon market, Shinsekai, as well as many other places. Everything, from the communications, to facts sharing, and attention to our requests was top notch. My wife mentioned that we are planning a trip to Hokkaido and Mike have us an itinerary with lots of good advice. I consider ourselves lucky to meet Mike and be able to spend a day with him. Mike, thank you so much for showing us around Osaka, all the information and knowledge you shared, as well as all the amazing pictures you took!

Masahisa M.

Vladislav Thank you very much for coming all the way from beautiful, nature rich Kiwiland again this year. It was truly a pleasure to guide such a lovely young couple, and I was able to enjoy a wonderful day myself. If you have any questions as you plan your future trip to Japan, please feel free to ask me anytime. Thanks Masahisa

Katie D.

5 / 5

Apr 14, 2026

Exploring Nara, Nara Pref

Apr 14, 2026

Nara

8 hours

“Fantastic historical tour”

Masahisa-san was an incredible guide, navigating the side-streets with ease and allowing us to see even more of Nara and Osaka than we had hoped! He has a wealth of life experiences to share and is a very calming presence throughout the day. He is committed to making sure you get the best photographs and has a great eye for what will make a good picture. I would highly recommend touring with him and look forward to hopefully doing so again in the future!

Masahisa M.

Katie Thank you so much for traveling all the way from afar to visit us. I’m relieved to hear that you might have returned home safely. Hearing the recent news about NYK and the new young mayor made me feel as if I were chatting with both of you at Madison Square Garden. If you have the chance, please do come visit us again. Thanks Masahisa

Jake and diana R.

5 / 5

Apr 12, 2026

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

Apr 12, 2026

Kyoto

9 hours

“A Must-Do While In Kyoto”

We had such a special with Masahisa! He was the perfect tour guide, taking us to 10 different locations throughout East Kyoto each of which he was extremely knowledgeable about. He knew where to take us at what times in order to avoid crowds and brought us to quiet, beautiful locations that we wouldn’t have found otherwise. This was one of our favorite activities of our entire Japan trip and we could not recommend Masahisa more! He also took so many photos for us without us even asking, a true professional in every manner. :)

Masahisa M.

Jake and Diana Thank you for coming all the way from the “Windy City,” where I spent my working years and made countless cherished memories. It is my only regret that I was unable to show you the few remaining places in Kyoto where the quiet elegance of the ancient court culture still lingers. Still, spending the day with beautiful couple brought me great joy, and I truly had a wonderful time. Once again, I sincerely appreciate your long journey to visit, and I would be delighted if, in some small way, I was able to contribute to creating memorable moments from your trip. Thanks Masahisa