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.
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 central Kyoto
Fushimi classic boat riding
In the past, Fushimi area was a large port town which faced a large lake which does not exist any more. Now you can enjoy riding the classical boat which makes you feel two hundreds years ago through the canal.
Ohkura Sake Brewery museum
You will enjoy visiting classical Sake brewery museum where you might slip back to the good old days when the Sake brewery was in operation. There, you will know the secret how to make nicest Sake.
Lunch
Japanese specialty if you like
Byoudouin temple and Omotesanndo in Uji
Byodouin temple was designated as one of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. In front of Byodoin temple, you enjoy walking the front street, Omotesando, with the aroma of green tea which is the local specialty.
Ujigami shrine and Nakanoshima
Ujigami shrine was designated as one of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. The area was the stage of ancient novel, "Tale of Genji", so you may feel the air of tranquility one thousand years ago.
Ending Point
The last spot or your hotel in central Kyoto
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guide fee, Hotel pick-up in central Kyoto area
Boat riding fee(1,200JPY), Transportation fee (apx. 1,000JPY), Lunch(apx. 1,500JPY), Entrance fee(apx.1,300JPY)
1. This tour is operated from end of Mar. to beginning of Dec. based on boat operation schedule.
2. Mondays from Jun. to Sep. and everyday between Aug.15 and Aug. 31 are off based on boat operation schedule.
3. The tour may not be operated when classical boat is full reserved especially in April. As early reservation as possible is recommend.
Operated from end of Mar. to beginning of Dec.
In case you want to book my tour for two or more consecutive days, please send me a message in advance.
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
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
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
$309/ per group