This tour is to enjoy the less busy area near the popular spot. We walk along the beautiful downhill course in Toriimoto, which is listed as a Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings. You will see another bamboo forest. We finish in the busy and popular Arashiyama area.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
At your Kyoto hotel or train station
It's a unique, quiet, lovely, atmospheric place.
The beautiful downhill course in Toriimoto is listed as a Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings.
You will see another bamboo forest, which differs from the famous one. This place was a graveyard long ago.
Downhill course again
It has a large breathtaking garden, which is very beautiful, especially in the fall.
Or you can change it to other places like the Okochi Sanso Villa, Giouji Temple, etc.
Very popular among tourists
A World Heritage site. It has a beautiful garden with beautiful Arashiyama and Kameyama mountains in the backdrop.
We will enter the north gate from the Bamboo Forest.
The central place of this scenic area.
We will walk along a busy street and enjoy some food.
Or, please have lunch after we say goodbye. I will recommend some restaurants to you.
at the train station or at your favorite restaurant
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee
insurances
Transportation fee (you and the guide);
taxis(Approx. 7000 yen per taxi, round trip)
or train(480 yen per person) and taxi(Approx. 1500 yen per taxi)
Lunch
Admission fee: about 2000 yen per person; no guide is required
This ending point is very busy in the cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons.
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!
“Visit Kyoto with Shuji, your very own history profesor ”
What better way to discover amazing Kyoto than with Shuji ? This ex- history professor who speaks very good English, well traveled, and at the same time passionate of working his family-rice field, made us discover both the great history and spiritually of the place and the every day life of the region and Japan at large. The tour was adjusted to our preferences and Shuji's suggestions fitted perfectly who we are, him having immediately understood us. Thank you Shuji for these memorable moments we shared and the diverse and profound discussions we had on the way.
Shuji O.
(18 reviews)Thank you so much for the great review. And thank you for your wonderful and interesting questions. You hit the nail on the head. It means that you have a deep understanding of Japanese history and culture. We had a really lucky day with great weather. We were able to choose places off the beaten track. They were very beautiful. Thank you again for a happy day! Shuji O.
“Osaka 6 hour private tour”
Despite being called last minute to cover for another guide, Shuji was great in reworking our tour based on our interests, on the fact that the day of the tour was a Japanese holiday, and the weather was unseasonably hot and humid. Overall we had a good time with Shuji and learned about Osaka history and culture.
Shuji O.
(18 reviews)Dear Stephen, Thank you very much for the kind words and the lovely photo. Although I was a substitute guide that day, I had a good time with you both despite the sweltering weather. I'm afraid that you got tired because of the heat. I hope your business is perfect today. Thank you again. Shuji O.
Peter B.
Sakai Blades - Visit the factory of Knives and scissors in Sakai
Customized
“Shuji is the best”
Had an absolutely incredibly time with Shuji and wouldn't hesitate to recommend him.
Shuji O.
(18 reviews)Hi Peter! Thank you for this most excellent review! Yes, we really had wonderful experiences in the factories of the Sakai traditional blades. I owe it to your curiosity and love for Japanese culture. Thank you very much. You are a great traveler. See you again sometime!