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Half-day eastern Kyoto off the beaten track
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Joined 2023
There are a lot of wonderful places in Kyoto, especially in the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons.
But, because of that, such places are so busy.
So I escort you to not busy, but still beautiful places.
Sometimes I wonder why tourists don't visit those places. This tour is to visit such places and I don't walk on a busy road.
In the end, I'd like to recommend a restaurant, considering your allergy or preference.
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 the station
- At the lobby of your hotel or the train station
Shinnyodo Temple
Although this is an old historical rather large temple, not so busy because of the access.
You can enjoy the quiet atmosphere sitting in front of beautiful gardens, the Higashiyama on the backdrop with beautiful fall foliage.
Philosophers Path
A beautiful path along a canal with many cherry trees and fall foliage
Eikando
You can enjoy the interesting structures of the building. This is truly a mecca for fall foliage less busy.
Ending point in some your favorite restaurant
Where you are never at a loss to go back to your hotel
Ending Point
At your hotel or some your favorite restaurant
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
transportation fee (you and the guide) for a train (about 500 yen/per person) or a taxi (about 3,500 yen),
lunch (you and the guide)
admission fees (about 3,000 yen/per person, no guide needed)
Tour Important Information
We will walk on the paved road. But we go up and down stairs. So, please put on easy walking shoes. Please take water with you. Please walk with your speed. There are so many photo spots. We can be flexible.
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 Shuji O.
Hi, I am Shuji, a licensed tour guide living near Kansai International Airport.
I taught world history in high schools for four decades. So, I can explain Japanese culture or history in an easier way tailored to you who have different cultural and historical backgrounds.
I also practiced Kendo, Japanese fencing, for more than four decades, and now I enjoy growing vegetables and going fishing. Therefore, I can also share some Japanese culture and its nature.
I have traveled to more than 25 countries and all over Japan. I’m also passionate about photography and know many photogenic places in Japan.
If you prefer to go off the beaten track, I can take you to hidden gems, including some cozy restaurants. Of course, I also know how to enjoy the crowded, most popular tourist sites. I am here to make your trip stress-free. See you soon!
Reviews
Tamara O.
“One day in Kyoto”
Shuji-san was the perfect guide for me and my father. We had just one full day in Kyoto, and managed to see and experience so much without feeling rushed. Shuji-san is calm, flexible, warm and knowledgeable. He reads the room well in terms of pace and giving you space to soak it all in. Highly recommend!
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Shuji O.
Thank you for the wonderful review! It was easy to plan your tour because you suggested a wonderful place. Yes, our tour was very comfortable. You weren't greedy and appreciated the beauty of nature and culture. You are excellent travelers! I was very happy to travel with you. Thank you so much!
Andrew I.
“Excellent guide for Kyoto”
Shuji helped us organise a tour for approximately 25 people when our organisation visited Kyoto for a conference. Shuji displayed an excellent knowledge of the sites we visited; not once did we feel like he as lost or didn't know the way. He had a good strategy for keeping track of so many people and ensuring that no one got lost. We appreciated that he helped us navigate the logistics including getting so many people to the different places by subway. I would definitely book a tour with Shuji again if I were in the area.
Shuji O.
Hello Andrew, Thank you for the great review. I'm so glad to read this. Yes, we had many things to consider.But you got ready for it really well. You were a great leader, and the other staff members also helped us a lot. Your group was from different countries, but you were very disciplined. You all had a great time. I hope your conference was successful. Yes, I would be always ready to welcome you. Thank you so much!
Wyatt L.
“Private tour of Kyoto”
Shuji hosted me on a spectacular one day custom tour of Kyoto. I only had one day coming in from Tokyo and he built a schedule that maximized my time in a relatively relaxed manner. Shuji proposed a great itinerary and was flexible to make changes that suited me. He was a wealth of knowledge about the temples, the neighborhoods, and the history. Most importantly, he took me for a wonderful lunch where I had the best pork chop I have ever eaten!
Shuji O.
Thank you so much for your excellent review! I'm pleased to hear you liked it. Yes, we met on the Shinkansen platform and said goodbye at the Shinkansen station. It was a kind of whirlwind tour, but enjoyable nonetheless. I hope you enjoyed Kyoto, despite having only one free day in Tokyo. I hope you have fond memories of it! Thank you very much again!
$227/ per group
More tours by Shuji O.
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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!
Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.
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The best of Kyoto, tailored to your requests.
Kyoto has been the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years! There are so many historic sites and beautiful places that you will be at a loss for what to choose. Please tell me about your favorite. Considering the access, the season, and the time, I will make a suitable plan. I recommend some hidden gems if you like going off the beaten track. And also the charming famous popular tourist spots worth visiting when it is so busy. I will tell you stories to help you appreciate the place.
The best of Kyoto, tailored to your requests.
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Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～
Nara: the must-see place in Japan. Nara was the capital of ancient Japan before Kyoto became the capital. In the Nara era, Buddhism played an important role in stabilizing the country. So you can see many big old temples there. Many of these are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and are concentrated in a small area. So, if you have only one free day to spend in the Kansai area, I highly recommend visiting Nara.
Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～
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Walking tour in Eastern Kyoto
Since there are so many beautiful places densely in eastern Kyoto, we can take a walking tour there. Please add or skip some. This is an example of a walking tour in eastern Kyoto, emphasizing history and culture. We will use the train only once or twice.
Walking tour in Eastern Kyoto
Other Popular Off the Beaten Path Tours in Kyoto
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Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour
First and foremost, I do not want to provide a typical tour to the standard fair of tourist attractions. As with the majority of visitors to Kyoto, you do not really need a guide to visit such places. Instead, what makes my tour special is that I can show you the unique places of Kyoto with the addition of a historical and cultural background. Lunch at local restaurants, visit temples of the beaten path, go to local shopping arcades for unique products. Enjoy Kyoto without the crowds.
Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour
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Record the Sounds of Shisendō & Enkōji Temples • Sound Walk
Kyoto rewards those who listen. We wander slowly with professional microphones, recording the tranquil peace of gardens, birds, bamboo and Enkōji’s distinctive water feature. I’ll guide you through easy recording techniques, then edit your takes into a polished 'audio postcard' to keep and share. Curious about pace, group size or timing? Message me and we’ll shape it together.
Record the Sounds of Shisendō & Enkōji Temples • Sound Walk
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One day tour of "off the beaten track" in Kyoto
On this tour, you can enjoy the autumn foliage depending on the season. Kyoto is very popular with tourists, so most tourist attractions are usually crowded with people. While that can be lively and fun, some people might occasionally want to visit a less crowded place. This tour is perfect for those people. On this tour, you will spend a full day walking through Sagano, visiting Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple, Gio-ji Temple, Jojakko-in Temple, and Seiryo-ji Temple.
One day tour of "off the beaten track" in Kyoto
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Kyoto, Arashiyama Expedition Walking Tour
The Kyoto, Arashiyama Expedition is a serene journey through Japan's natural beauty, perfect for all ages. Begin in Takao Forest, exploring hidden waterfalls, ancient temples, and secret shrines. Visit the peaceful Otaji Nembutsuji Temple and wander through the stunning bamboo forest. In summer, enjoy a refreshing dip in the Kyotaki River. This off-the-beaten-path tour offers a peaceful escape to Kyoto’s hidden wonders.
Kyoto, Arashiyama Expedition Walking Tour
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