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First Kyoto! Visit 3 Must-See Spots and a Traditional Sweets Shop
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Joined 2025
Welcome to my hometown, Kyoto!
In this tour, we will visit three famous spots that you should not miss when you come to Kyoto. We will travel by my small but comfortable private car.
Along the way, we will stop at a traditional Japanese sweets shop, where you can either enjoy sweets on the spot or buy some as souvenirs. Please enjoy your first Kyoto experience with me!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your hotel
- I’ll come pick you up in front of your hotel by car.
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Built in 1397 by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu as his villa.The top two floors are covered with gold leaf, and they shine beautifully in the sunlight.
You can see its reflection on the pond, which makes it look like a dream.
Kinkaku-ji shows the luxury and brightness of the Muromachi culture. And It has a sad but passionate story behind its beauty.
Entrance fee: 500 yen (adult)
Parking: 1,000 yen
Bamboo forest
Let’s walk the same path that noble people from the Heian period once walked.
We will also stop by a small shrine along the way.
Parking: 1,000 yen
Lunch
Let’s enjoy some street food in front of Arashiyama Station,
or stop by a local shop to have udon or a rice bowl.
It’s also possible to eat at a regular restaurant,
but I recommend having a quick and easy meal.
Fushimi Inari shrine
Founded in 711, this shrine is known for its strong spiritual power and good fortune.
It is also famous for its thousands of red torii gates.
Please enjoy the energy and atmosphere of this sacred place.
Parking: 0–1,000 yen
End/ your hotel or your next point
Ending Point
Your hotel or your next point
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
-Tour planning fee
-Guide fee
-Private transportation via Nissan Cube (5-seater)
-Car gasoline /toll cost
-Hotel pick up
-Entrance fees and temple admission fees
(Please note that the guide’s admission fee is also required.)
-Parking fees (in this case, it will probably be within ¥3,000)
-All food and drink expenses
Tour Important Information
-We will walk quite a lot at all three spots, so please wear comfortable sneakers.
-I love wine, but since I will be driving, I won’t be able to drink this time. (But of course, you can enjoy a drink if you like!)
-I’m good at taking photos with a smartphone. After the tour, I will share the photos only with you.
Not available on Sat/Sun
Important message from the supplier
-Last-minute bookings (1 day before) are sometimes possible — feel free to ask!
-If you want me to make reservations for shops or restaurants, please contact me at least 1 week in advance.
-A walking tour is also possible, but to be honest, I wouldn’t recommend it. Kyoto is an extremely popular tourist destination, and buses and public transportation are often very crowded. For the places I would like to show you, I believe traveling by car would be much more comfortable.
-Please note: I love wine! But if I drink during the tour… I might forget where we’re going. So I’ll stay sober—but if you like, I can show you some great wine spots in Kyoto!
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 2025
About Tour Guide Michiko N.
Hello, and thank you for visiting my page!
I’m Michiko, a local guide born and raised in Kyoto.
I love meeting people from around the world and sharing the spirit of Japanese hospitality.and I love fun things!
I went to the UK to watch musicals, and recently I spent a year living in Thailand — experiences that deepened my love for art, culture, and people.
Besides guiding, I also work in theater and performance art, creating unique shows in shop windows!
Let’s explore Kyoto together and find its heart — the beauty, people, and stories that make it special! with BIGLOVE!
Reviews
Jacqueline M.
“Experiencing Kyoto”
Michiko is a wonderful guide to spend the day with. She was so accommodating and gave us a real sense of the culture and ways of Kyoto. We were so comfortable with her, shared lots of stories and laughed so much through the day. She is such a warm hearted person you will have a wonderful day with her, learning about her city and its people. Thank you so much Michiko for wonderful memories- we hope to meet you again some day in Ireland.
Rebeca H.
“Michiko is the best! ”
As I reviewed previously, Michiko is my favorite guide ever. Please don’t hesitate booking a tour with her. She is kind, funny and smart. My husband and I loved our time with her. My only regret is not taking a picture together, but I’m sure I will remember her always and hopefully go back to Kyoto and meet again. We love you Michico!
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Michiko N.
Yes...! I also regret,,we could not have taken a photo together! But somehow I feel that we will meet again someday...! Thank you so much for your kind letter. I will keep the beautiful and warm stories you shared with me in my heart. I truly hope we will meet again someday...! Michiko
Rebeca H.
“My favorite guide EVER”
Michiko is the most empathetic, nice and sweet guide I’ve ever had in my life. I have traveled to many places and always had great experiences with guides, but Michiko has been my favorite. She is kind, funny and very smart. My husband and I are very greatful for our time with Michiko. Having our tour in her cute car, allowed us to see many places and make the best with our time.
Michiko N.
Dear Rebeca-san! Thank you so much for your wonderful review. It felt more like a kind letter, and it made me very happy!!! I also liked you very much! You listened carefully to my words and really tried to understand them. Because of that, I truly enjoyed our conversation. It was a special time for me too. Thank you very much. Michiko
$176/ per group
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