Fully customizable private half day tour in Kyoto
Joined 2023
There are so many great places in Kyoto that you probably want to visit but perhaps not enough time. Also, Kyoto is getting very crowded due to a lot of foreigners visiting there. 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 the oldest Japanese sweet shop in Murasakino.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel or wherever you choose
Kiyomizu Temple
Will visit Kiyomizu temple which is one of the most well known temples in Japan. Established in the 8th century and the temple has been welcoming people from across Japan and now from all over the world. It is one temple that is better to have someone explaining the meanings of all the areas inside.
Walk on Sannenzaka and traditional narrow paths to Gion
Will stroll on the famous Sannenzaka after seeing Kiyomizu temple and see the well known Yasaka pagoda. We will continue walking towards Gion by going through the old traditional narrow paths.
Gion area
Will go through Gion area where you can see the traditional tea houses that Maiko/Geiko (Geisha) entertain customers. If you are lucky, we might be able to come across the beautiful geisha ladies going out and about.
Nishiki Market
After going through the traditional Gion area, we will walk over to the Kyoto's Kitchen, the Nishiki Market. All kinds of Japanese food especially ones famous in Kyoto such as Kyoto pickles are there to see and possibly try. Kitchen related items such as the famous Aritsugu knives are sold here.
Ending Point
West side exit of the Nishiki Market (Takakura street)
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
- Interpretation/guide fee
- Transportation fee (you and the guide), lunch (you and the guide), entrance fee, experience fee (if included)
Examples of entrance fees: Kiyomizu temple ¥400, The golden Pavilion ¥500, Daitokuji ¥1,550 for three sub temples,
Arashiyama Monkey Park ¥600
- Lunch and transportation costs for the guide also have to be borne by your side.
Tour Important Information
- In order to create a fully customized tour, we need enough time to plan together. Please book well ahead of your time of travel to allow
enough time to communicate by email and come up with the best tour for you.
- This tour involves walking and public transportations.
- This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
- Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
- Need to allocate at least 45 - 60 mins for lunch time.
- The guide will not be liable for any injuries or loss incurred during the tour. It is recommended to have overseas travel insurance.
Also, please remember to carry enough cash in Japanese Yen since some small stores do not accept credit card. Thank you.
Important message from the supplier
For some tours I can not guide everyday due to store closings. Please check my availability on each tour page. Thank you!
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 2023
About Tour Guide Nori I.
I have lived in the US, UK, and India for approximately 20 years, and I’ve also traveled to about 30 countries. Living abroad for such a long time made me realize Japan’s value and sparked my interest in working as a translator/guide for foreigners. I’m truly passionate about introducing people to historical sites, authentic Japanese culture, and stunning natural spots that may not be widely known to people outside of Japan. There are countless places that I believe people would love.
Originally from Nagoya, I cover areas around the city and the Kansai region including Kyoto, Shiga and Mie. I’m here to ensure your trip to Japan becomes an unforgettable memory. Looking forward to meeting you!
Reviews
Kenneth D.
“Wonderful Day with Nori!”
Nori is pleasant, helpful and flexible. We will change paths instantly based on your preferences. He is very knowledgeable about all things Kyoto: history, places to go, must see’s and where to pause for food, drink and rest. The pace of the tour is up to you, and Nori will accommodate all of your needs. We highly recommend Nori for any type of tour that you wish!
Nori I.
Thanks so much for your kind words. I really appreciate it! Some places I thought about were closed but in the end those alternatives were even better. I understand you still have many fun days ahead in Japan. Please enjoy! Take care!
Gerald D.
“Amazing Experience , Outstanding Individual ”
I was so blessed to have Nori as my guide for Four non consecutive days in Kyoto. Visiting this culturally & historically prominent city during peak cherry blossom tourism season can be challenging, particularly for a first time visitor. Nori was outstanding in every way including helping curating the itinerary in a way that was effective, made sense whilst trying to circumvent the crowds. It takes only a genius to curate an same day itinerary where you are ahead of the crowds in Ryoan-ji & Kinkaku-ji respectively & consecutively, whilst still being early enough to see Gingaku-ji, the Philosopher’s path , Nanzen ji with extra time for other activities. An otherwise overwhelming & seemingly impossible task was done. This would not have been the case, otherwise.
Nori I.
Thanks for leaving the kind comments. I appreciate it. We were able to cover quite a lot of places in Kyoto during the four days. I think you saw enough amazing cherry blossoms this time. Hopefully you can come back in the fall to see the beautiful foliage next time!
Christine V.
“Nori will try to understand what you would like to do or see before you meet him.”
If you are looking for a Japanese Guide in Kyoto who understands what you would like to do or see, and who speaks English perfectly, Nori is a person I’d warmly recommend. If the weather forecast doesn’t allow to visit the program you had, he will get in touch with you the day before and make different suggestions. In a nutshell, he is hands-on and is there for you.
Nori I.
Thank you so much for leaving such a kind comment. It was really a pleasure exploring Kyoto with you. Often I take my guests to zen temples and gardens but with you visiting them was a whole new experience each time. Cherishing each moment is something I should do more and including other things I learned so much from you. As you said, maybe you were really in Japan in past life. Hope you can come back to experience foliage as well sometime in near future. Have a safe trip back home and hope to see you again!
$211/ per group
More tours by Nori I.
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. Also, Kyoto is getting very crowded due to a lot of foreigners visiting there. 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 the oldest Japanese sweet shop in Murasakino.
Private Car Tour - Enjoy the authentic castle towns and famous Oumi beef just outside Kyoto
First, while it is early enough, we will drive and hike a little bit on the ancient steps to one of the oldest temples in Kyoto and Shiga called Hyakusaiji. After that, we will explore a castle that has a tower that is one of the five originals remaining in Japan, Hikone Castle. We will enjoy Oumi beef for lunch. Oumi beef is if not better, as good as Kobe beef known as one of the three best beefs in Japan. We will enjoy the scenery in Oumihachiman from the mountain top and the old moat.
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Kyoto
Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest in Eastern Kyoto
Experience the charm of tranquility in a mountain temple. Seikanji is a temple in Mt. Kiyomizu (242m high), which enables us to look down a fan-shaped view of the Kyoto area from the temple grounds covered with green moss. The temple retains such anecdotes as the emperor’s tragic love and the Waka poem composed by the incarnation of Buddha. We hike along a path at the mountain's edge from the less crowded tiny Seikanji temple to the heavily crowded huge Kiyomizu-Dera temple.
Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
There are a lot of Buddhism temples and Shinto Shrines in Kyoto. This tour focuses on three UNESCO World Heritage temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari Shrine which is famous for a lot of red Torii gates and Bamboo Forest in Arashiyma to feel the profundity of Kyoto. If you are interested in the places which are not listed here, like Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Gion, Nishiki Market, Sanjusangen-do, Kiyomizu-dera and others, just let me know, I will customize a tour for you.
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. Also, Kyoto is getting very crowded due to a lot of foreigners visiting there. 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 the oldest Japanese sweet shop in Murasakino.
Fushimi Inari Shrine, Zen Meditation, Sake brewery visiting and tasting, Gion
Fushimi Inari Shrine is a must-see in Kyoto. This tour also includes Zen meditation at a Buddhist temple and a visit to a sake brewery. You'll have an unforgettable experience! ※Please message me before your payment. I need to confirm the availability of the Zen meditation and sake brewery visit in advance.
