Full Day Kyoto highlight Tour
Joined 2017
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!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in central kyoto
< West course > Nijo castle - Tenryuji temple - Bamboo groove - Golden Pavilion
Theme: History, Garden, Nature
Please enjoy the history and beautiful garden in Nijo castle, Tenryuji temple, Golden pavilion and please breath the nature in Bamboo groove.
< Central course > Nijo castle - Kyoto Imperial palace - Heian shrine - Gion area
Theme: History, Garden, Tradition
Please enjoy the history and beautiful garden in Nijo castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace and Heian shrine and please feel the Kyoto tradition in Gion area.
< East course > Silver Pavilion - Philosopher's path - Kenninji temple - Gion area
Theme: Zen, Garden, Tradition
Please enjoy the Zen culture and the beautiful gardens at Silver Pavilion, Kenninji temple and please feel the Kyoto tradition in Gion area.
< South course > Fushimi Inari shrine - Sanjusangendo temple - Kenninji temple - Gion area
Theme: Japanese religions and Tradition
Please touch the Japanese Shintoism at Fushimi Inari shrine and Buddhism at Sanjusangendo temple and please feel the Kyoto tradition in Gion area.
Ending Point
At your hotel or anywhere requested
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 in central Kyoto area
transportation fee(apx. 1,500JPY by subway/bus/local train per person or apx.6,000JPY by taxi), entrance fee(apx. 1,000 to 2,300JPY per person), lunch(apx. 1,500 to 2,000JPY per person)
Tour Important Information
The transportation for this course is public transportation as bus, subway, local train. Taxi may be used depending on the situation.
The total walking distance of each course is about 5 to 6Km, so please confirm if you are ready for the walking.
The tour order for visiting each spots might be changed depending the location of your hotel or starting point / time.
West course and central course will not be operated on every Tuesday in January, July, August, December and between Dec.26 to Jan.3 because Ninomaru Palace of Nijo castle will be closed. In central course, Kyoto Imperial palace will be closed every Monday or the next day (when a Monday is holiday) and between Dec.28 and Jan.3. Also it might be closed on some specified days for some events. In this case, Kenninji temple, etc. will be replaced to Kyoto Imperial Palace.
This tour is not available on all days in August.
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
Steven E.
“Great tour”
Very enjoyable tour of Fushimi and Uji with Rick. He was very knowledgeable and it was a pleasure to spend the day with him. Would definitely recommend.
Rick I.
Dear Steven, Thank you very much for the nice review! I'm glad you enjoyed the boat riding, Sake brewery, and Uji area with Byodoin temple in cherry blossoms, and so on. I also enjoyed the nicest season with you and your friendly families. Thank you again. Rick
Steven E.
“Great tour with Rick”
We had a great Kyoto tour with Rick. He was knowledgeable and very personable and it was a great way to see Kyoto. Would highly recommend.
Rick I.
Dear Steven, Thank you very much for the nice review. It was my pleasure touring Kyoto with you and your family. I'm very glad that we saw so beautiful cherry blossoms and I hope Kyoto will be one of your nicest memories in Japan! Rick
Karen B.
“Day out in Kyoto”
What a wonderful host !!! Rick met us off the Shinkansen at the exact point the train stopped!! His communication and planing prior to our trip as excellent. We wanted to do some specific things which he happily accommodated. We had such a busy day but thoroughly enjoyed every moment. We would highly recommend Rick as a guide worth every penny !!
Rick I.
Dear Karen, Thank you very much for the nice review! It was my pleasure to help you enjoy the tour. I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour and l appreciate all of you were very friendly and cooperative. Please enjoy the rest of the tour in Japan! Best regards, Rick
$377/ per group
More tours by Rick I.
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.
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.
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.
In Depth Analysis of Nijo castle plus Kyoto highlights
Nijo castle is not just an old castle but it is a great showcase of Japanese art, history and architecture. I will explain deep inside of this it taking double time including some secret stories, latest academic findings and so on which are not described in any guide book or online information. After that, we will visit Kyoto Imperial Palace where had been emperor's resident for hundreds years. Finally the tour finishes visiting Nishiki food market which has been said as "Kitchen of Kyoto."
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Kyoto
One day tour in Kyoto (Arashiyama area)
Tour will start from the Hotel in Kyoto. Frst visit is Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavillion ),then, to Ryoanji tmple where is famous for rock garden. Tour will stop at Arasiyama area to take lunch and visit Togetsu bridge, Bamboo grove, Tentyuji temple and others. The last visit is NIjyo castle. As these places are normally crowded. using chartered taxi is highly recommended in order to effectively use your valuable time in Kyoto.
Early Bird Tour Western Kyoto including Bamboo Forest and Kinkakuji Kinkakuji
Shall we explore some of the most popular sightseeing destinations in Kyoto while most tourists are preparing for their tour? I would also like to take you some hidden gemes in Kyoto. Beat the crowds!
Kyoto's most popular sightseeing spots tour and enjoy a various kinds of Kyoto's specialities
This tour covers 4 must-see sites and Nishiki Market. You visit the most renowned sites such as the Golden Pavilion, Ryo-an-ji temple where you may find an elegant beauty in its simple rock garden Nijo-castle ,the luxurious palace of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Sanjyu-sangendo temple, where the thousand life-size statues and the Principal statue make you feel like you are in a forest of Buddha! says " It's amazing ! Lastly visit Nishiki Market, where you can enjoy eating Kyoto’s cuisine.
Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.
Arashiyama is the hottest tourist destination. It is incredibly beautiful in spring and fall because of its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. In the fall, the leaves turn brown or red! In the outstanding Tenryuji, you will see a beautiful garden with beautiful mountains in the background. There are many other beautiful places with touching stories in this area. On the way back to downtown, we can visit two world heritage sites, Kinkakuji and Ryoanji. What a wonderful route!
