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North Kyoto, Incomplete Window Hopping at Artist Village

tea house in Josyoji Temple

window of enlightenment and confusion

incomplete round window

main gate of Genkoan Temple

townscape in Takagamine area

entrance of Koetsuji Temple

Yoshino-mon gate

3 peaks of Mt.Takagamine

Koetsu-gaki fence

God of Wind painted by Rinpa

North Kyoto, Incomplete Window Hopping at Artist Village

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English, Japanese (Native)

6 hours

Private tour (only you and Yosshi S.)

Up to 6 people

Trace the source of unique Japanese Painting and Zen Enlightenment amid the three peaks of Mt.Takagamine. A multi-talented artist built an artist village with his clan and artisans 400 years ago. He formed a painting technique with a gold foil and bold composition. The school was named Rinpa later. The tour goes around the former artist’s residence, and neighboring temples with different-shaped windows for becoming enlightenment: perfect round, incomplete round, and square.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

11:30 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel or any convenient place in Kyoto City center.

Takagamine-Koetu Area

>Takagamine Genkoan-mae bus stop

Koetsuji Temple

>Koetsuji Temple/former annex of artist’s residence was converted into the temple and named after the artist's namesake.

#4 tea houses, fence(Koetsu-gaki) made of crisscrossed bamboo, panoramic view overlooking the three peaks

Genkoan Temple & Josyoji Temple

>Genkoan Temple/Zen sect temple with round window (window of enlightenment) and square window (window of confusion) in the main hall

>Josyoji Temple/The temple was in connection with Yoshino Tayu who embraced the founder of the temple

#Yoshino-mon gate donated by Yoshino Tayu, tea house with incomplete round-shaped window

*Yoshino Tayu: high-ranking entertainer with incomparable beauty and intelligence in Shimabara leisure district in the 17th century

Ending Point

At your hotel or any convenient place in Kyoto City center

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

What‘s included

>guide fee, hotel pick up in Kyoto City center

What‘s not included

>transportation fee (you and guide)/bus and/or train (some 2000 JPY/person, undecided), taxi( undecided)

>admission fee (you and guide)/

Koetsuji Temple (400/500 JPY, varies by season),

Genkoan Temple (400/500 JPY, varies by season),

Josyoji Temple (400 JPY)

>short break/lunch /dinner

Tour Important Information

>Please wear comfortable shoes for walking

>The above extra fees are often asked with CASH on the spots, so please bring some JPY

>This tour is not covered by insurance

Important message from the supplier

>If you would like to take a listed or customized tour, please send me a message in advance. I will check the availability of the spots listed on the itinerary (opening days, hours, reservation status, etc.).

>The tour uses trains, subways, trams, buses, walking, and taxis (for small groups) for easy access. Please wear comfortable walking shoes for transfers.

>Please note that we may skip, change, or add spots depending on the availability of public transportation and tourist attractions.

>The tour does not include insurance. I hope you purchase your own travel insurance.

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 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Yosshi S.

Thank you for visiting my page.

I'd love to guide you to three ancient capital cities, each with a 1,000-year history of urban development and a 100-year history of filmmaking. I grew up in OSAKA and earned a Master's Degree in Engineering in KYOTO. I worked for 20 years as an urban planning expert for national and local governments in TOKYO and OSAKA, dedicated to creating cities that were safe and comfortable for residents and attractive for visitors.

Then I became a freelance urban planner with a Nationally Licensed Professional Engineer. I've visited urban development sites and filming locations in 90 cities across 30 countries so far. Then I posted the unique cityscapes of these cities on social media.

OSAKA, KYOTO, and NARA formed a metropolitan area adjacent to the Imperial Palace with political, economic, and cultural hubs from the 7th to 19th centuries. Even today, locals continue to maintain retro-flavored townscapes, preserve historical heritage, and celebrate traditional events. Many travelers visit these three cities to experience them on-site.

The three cities are all within a one-hour ride by intercity train. The cities have extensive subway, tram, and bus networks, allowing you to reach a variety of tourist spots. I am also a Nationally Licensed Guide Interpreter and Certified General Travel Service Manager, and I will create a memorable travel plan comprising places and stories based on your requests. I will also ensure that you get around efficiently using the appropriate means of transportation within the limited time you have. Let's have a stroll around the cities with me.

Reviews

James S.

5 / 5

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hill

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka

7 hours

“Great Guide!”

Yosshi was a great guide. He had vast knowledge of the sights we visited. Very friendly and payed attention to our needs as we explored. I would book with him again. Thank you Yosshi.

Yosshi S.

Dear James San. Thank you for your review. I was happy to share my experience with you as you have an interest in Osaka's history. Hearing about your hometown has added to my bucket list. The day was sunny, the autumn leaves were beautiful, and there weren't many tourists, so I was able to show you ancient, medieval, and early modern sites. We were also able to go up the Osaka Castle Tower and the Tsutenkaku Tower for a bird's-eye view of Osaka's topography. Osaka's long history has been supported by its citizens. Next time, I'd like to guide you to markets and theaters where we can experience the vitality of its citizens. Thank you for yesterday. Yosshi

Drew B.

5 / 5

Nov 9, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hill

Nov 9, 2025

Osaka

6 hours

“Cultural tour of Kawachi/Osaka ”

Yosshi san created a unique tour to introduce us to the history of Kofun burial mounds and Haniwa clay pottery. We had an amazing day despite the weather visiting Shin-ike Haniwa Factory Park and the Imashirozuka Museum. Yosshi san has amazing knowledge & excellent English and was a pleasure to spend the day with. Also Yosshi san is a master of navigating Osaka transport, very impressed!! Thank you again Yosshi san for looking after us so well, Drew & Annie.

Yosshi S.

Dear Drew & Annie san Thank you so much for sending me your generous review. You read the explanations, took photos, and asked questions to the museum guide during the tour. I was impressed by your deep interest and knowledge, and it was a great honor to guide you. However, it's unfortunate that today's tour didn't go as planned due to the heavy rain all day. Here is the only imperial mausoleum in Japan that we can enter, so if we have another opportunity, I'd like to stroll around the 350-meter burial mound on a sunny day and discuss the Kofun age with you. Thank you so much for today. Regard Yosshi

James K.

5 / 5

Oct 21, 2025

Nara, Stroll in Nara Park led by Friendly Deer

Oct 21, 2025

Nara

6 hours

“Nara park and Todai-Temple Tour”

Wonderful tour with Yosshi. Really enjoyed both Nara Park and the Todai-ji Temple. Yosshi customized the tour for our needs, and made the travel to and from Kyoto seamless.

Yosshi S.

Hello James san Thank you for your heartwarming review. I was so happy to see you and your mother enjoying the deer in Nara Park. I was also touched by how much you always cherish your mother, and I learned a lot from you. I'm glad I was able to show you around Nara Park and the Great Buddha Hall. On the train ride there and back, you and your mother told me stories about your town and asked me many questions, which broadened my horizons. I hope you and your mother are in good health. I look forward to seeing you again. Thank you. Yosshi