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Half day western Kyoto, two bamboo forests
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Joined 2023
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.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your Kyoto hotel Suiran
- At the lobby of the Suiran
Otagi Nenbutsuji
It's a unique, quiet, lovely, atmospheric place.
Toriimoto
The beautiful downhill course in Toriimoto is listed as a Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings.
Adashino Nenbutsuji
You will see another bamboo forest, which differs from the famous one. This place was a graveyard long ago.
Toriimoto
Downhill course again
Jojakkoji Temple
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.
Bamboo Forest
Very popular among tourists
Tenryuji Temple
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.
Togetsukyo Bridge
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.
Ending Point
at the train station or at 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
- 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
Tour Important Information
This ending point is very busy in the cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons.
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
Simon W.
“Fantastic day trip of Kyoto with a true expert”
My family were lucky enough to have Shuji show us around Kyoto on a day trip to all the key sites. Shuji advised us to start early at 7am which was great advice to avoid the crowds and the heat. Shuji has a wealth of knowledge on Japanese history and the key facts at all the spots we stopped. My two daughters in the early 20s and my wife and I found Shuji interesting in a wealth of subjects and we were so happy to spend time with him. If you are looking for a very professional tour guide Shuji has our full recommendation without reservation. Thank you Shuji - it was great having all your help and wisdom - and also your kindness and good humour! Simon
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Shuji O.
Yes, I was also so happy to spend time with you. This is one of my fondest memories! Despite the heat, we enjoyed exploring the Kiyomizu Temple early in the morning. We ended in the Gion district, which interested you all very much. I was so happy to have such great conversations with you. Thank you very much for telling me all about our favorite, Mark Knopfler!
Alberto R.
“Osaka with Shuji”
Shuji is an excellent guide. My only recommendation is that when doing a tour in Osaka, you should understand the city and where you want to go; otherwise, you may end up short after completing the tour. There are too many places to go, and driving from one site to another takes time.
Shuji O.
Thank you very much for your review! We were actually in Kyoto, not Osaka. It was a very hot day. Thank you for being cooperative in such hot weather. I hope you enjoyed Japan a lot.
Peter G.
“Visit to Kyoto September 2025”
I highly recommend Shuji as a guide. He was very well organized with excellent communication in the lead up to our trip. He prepared the perfect itinerary for 4 adults and 2 teenagers across two half days. He was also flexible and we changed our start times (to early morning) to accommodate for the hot weather. Overall a great experience. Thank you Shuji.
Shuji O.
Thank you for the kind words. Even in the terribly hot weather, we could still had fun on our tours. I owe this to your wonderful understandings and supports. Yes, everything, including the breakfast at the cafe, was very nice. I was really happy with you all. Please enjoy Hakone! Thank you very much.
$230/ 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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![[Ichijou street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto](https://images.gowithguide.com/filters:format(avif)/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4801/84818.jpg)
[Ichijou street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto
There are many old streets in old capital Kyoto area. I design a walking tour set of 31 streets.You can see the true Kyoto in this tour which is not in tourism like 30 years ago.In some streets, You could see traditional dying shops for Yuzen which is a traditional dyeing Kimono method of Kyoto.You can visit some of the shops and I will interpret between the shop owner and you.
[Ichijou street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto
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