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Extra Day in Kyoto: Explore Ancient Capital
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Joined 2017
This tour visits Kyoto Heian Capital museum to see the elaborate display of Heian Capital replica around 8th to 12th century including relics around the museum. You will slip back to ancient Kyoto with a detailed display including virtual 3D. All of them are explained in English by me.
(Option) Visit the relic of wall which was surrounding Kyoto Capital called Odoi. This is another important relic in Kyoto history. Recommended to the history lovers or time travel lovers !
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At the lobby of your hotel in Kyoto city
Kyoto Heian capital museum
1. 5 hour inside tour
Relics around the museum
1 hour outside walking tour around the museum
(Option) The wall Odoi, which was surrounding Kyoto Capital (+2 Hours)
Move to the Odoi by bus and outside walking tour there with totally 2 hours. This option tour brings you to the relic of wall called Odoi in Japanese which was built in 16th century. This wall was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi who was a ruler of Japan. We visit locked relic which will be unlocked especially for this tour to walk through the inside. You might see the scenery of Kyoto in 16th century !
Ending Point
Last visiting spot or your hotel in Kyoto city
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
Guide fee, Hotel pick-up, Entrance fee(Free)
Transportation fee: apx. 500 JPY (1,000 JPY with Option), Lunch
Tour Important Information
The museum is closed on Tuesday (or the next day when Tuesday is holiday), so the tour is basically available except Tuesday.
Also the museum will be closed between end of Dec. and beginning of Jan., so the tour is available except this period.
(Option) The option tour is available except Thursday because the locked area cannot be opened on Thursday.
Important message from the supplier
In case you want to book my tour for two or more consecutive days, please send me a message in advance.
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 Rick I.
My nick name is Rick and Japanese name is Ryoichi. I was born and grew up in Kyoto. Kyoto has so many sightseeing spots based on its 1000 year history. I will propose you the "must see" spots from local eyes not only temples & shrines but also alternative side of Kyoto. As Kyoto certified English guide, I will guide you with high hospitality for your satisfactory stay in Kyoto.
1. For the first visitors
I will prepare the tour with selection out of the spots as Nijo-castle, Imperial Palace, Nishiki-market, Gion amusement quarter, Arashiyama area and some temples and shrines of World Cultural Heritage Sites based on your request and taste.
2. For the visitors who want to see more spots than regular tours
I will prepare some unique tours like visiting Fushimi area for Sake brewery and riding classical boat, visiting some traditional handicrafts ateliers, enjoying traditional performing art, etc.
Please make any inquiry for your preferred type of Kyoto guiding without hesitation. I would be happy to propose you with the type of tour that makes your visit in Kyoto unforgettable one.
Credentials:
National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (EN01767)
Kyoto City Licensed English Guide (EN00004)
2nd Grade of the licensing examination on knowledge of Kyoto history & culture
Reviews
Thomas S.
“good guiding and english skills, a little more histoical info would have been nice”
good guiding and english skills, a little more histoical info would have been nice
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Rick I.
Dear Thomas, Thank you for the nice review. I hope Kyoto will be one of your best memories in Japan. I appreciate your comment that I should have given you a little more historical information and I will improve my tour based on your advice in future. Thank you anyway for the tour with me and all of your members were so nice! Best regards, Rick
Philipp Z.
“Fantastic half day early bird tour in Kyoto ”
We took the four-hour early bird tour with Rick and had a fantastic time. He is a very friendly and knowledgeable guide who explained many fascinating and unusual details to us and brought us closer to the culture and history of his hometown. In Arashiyama, we visited the beautiful bamboo forest, the Nonomiya Shrine, the impressive Tenryuji Temple, and the idyllic Ohi River. Finally, we visited the old part and the garden of Nijo-jo Castle. Rick explained the exciting period of the Tokugawa shogunate in a very interesting and vivid way. His English is excellent. He lived in the USA for an extended period. Thank you very much for the wonderful and very interesting tour of Kyoto! Philipp & Dominik from Munich, Germany
Rick I.
Dear Philipp, Thank you very much for the nice review! I'm glad you enjoyed the early morning of Kyoto and I'm sure this is the best timing of the day when we can feel this historical city. I hope Kyoto will be one of your best memories in Japan. Best regards, Rick
Laurent H.
“Great one day discovery of Kyoto with Rick”
We just had a wonderful time discovering some of the gems of Kyoto. Rick was a great guide; very flexible with regard to our interests, pleasant, knowledgeable of the sites we visited and skilled at communicating - use of pictures, English was easy to understand.
Rick I.
Dear Laurent, Thank you very much for the nice review! I'm glad that you enjoyed the tour. I also enjoyed the conversation with all the members and everybody was so nice. I hope your memory of Kyoto will be the one of best memories in Japan. Rick
$108/ per group
More tours by Rick I.
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Full Day Kyoto highlight Tour
This course has four choices. Please select one of the four courses shown below. Rick will guide you deep inside the Kyoto history, culture, tradition and nature in each course. Each course can be customized upon your request as far as possible. Every course has spectacular spots which will satisfy you with visiting Kyoto!
Full Day Kyoto highlight Tour
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Half Day Kyoto highlights tour plus optional Maiko dinner
By joining this tour, you can enjoy main 3 sightseeing spots of Kyoto in around 5 hours. After that you have an option to join Maiko dinner which you can enjoy Japanese cuisine and Maiko (apprentice Geisha) traditional performance in around 2 hours. This tour does not include the time for lunch.
Half Day Kyoto highlights tour plus optional Maiko dinner
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Summer early bird half day tour of Kyoto
The summer in Kyoto is so hot, especially in the afternoon. This is a 4-hour tour which starts at 7:30 AM (or 8:00) for avoiding the heat in the afternoon. The visiting spots are mainly in forests or indoor. Highly recommended to choose this tour from later July to Middle of September. Upon request, I will take you to a nice local Japanese restaurant for lunch without any extended guiding fee.
Summer early bird half day tour of Kyoto
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Fushimi & Uji memorable full day tour from central Kyoto
This tour takes you to the two areas, Fushimi and Uji. Both are a little away from central Kyoto and have the specific atmosphere that makes you feel comfortable away from hustle & bustle in central Kyoto.
Fushimi & Uji memorable full day tour from central Kyoto
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Kyoto
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Arashiyama Morning Highlights: Bamboo, Temples & Scenic Views
Step into the beauty of Arashiyama, Kyoto’s scenic district, with this 4-hour walking tour. Starting from Hankyu Arashiyama Station, you’ll visit the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, the historic Tenryū‑ji Temple, the enchanting Sagano Bamboo Grove, and the peaceful Adashino Nenbutsu‑ji Temple. Perfect for travelers seeking a mix of culture, nature, and serene strolls away from the main crowds.
Arashiyama Morning Highlights: Bamboo, Temples & Scenic Views
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Kyoto Heritage Walking Tour
Authentic cultural insights into Kyoto’s geisha world, Shinto & Buddhist traditions Scenic historical streets without rushing Ideal photo opportunities A relaxed, educational walk through Kyoto’s most charming districts
Kyoto Heritage Walking Tour
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Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto
There are so many great places in Kyoto that you probably want to visit but perhaps not enough time. It is best to have a local person guiding you to come up with a plan that suits your preference. I can create a tour with you which includes not only popular places like the Golden Pavilion and Fushimi Inari but small temples with wabi sabi such as those in Sagano and one of the oldest Japanese sweets shops in Murasakino.
Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto
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Eastern Kyoto, Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest
Experience the charm of tranquility in a mountain temple. Take a 3km walk around the foothills of the Higashiyama Mountain Range, visiting shrines and temples along the path. Starting at Seikanji Temple on Mt. Kiyomizu (242m height), follow the Uta-no-Nakayama Road to Kiyomizu-dera. Then, go through Sanneizaka and Nene-no-michi, and reach Maruyama Park and Yasaka Shrine. Along the way, we can feel old stories of tragic love while enjoying panoramic views of the Kyoto cityscape.
Eastern Kyoto, Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest
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