Japan
›
Kyoto
›
Tours
›
Unique Experience
›
Hear the Hidden Sounds of Kyoto

Hear the Hidden Sounds of Kyoto

Unique Experience

Joined 2025

Simon F.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English (Native), Japanese

2 hrs 30 mins

Private tour (only you and Simon F.)

Up to 2 people

Join me on a unique walking tour to hear Kyoto, not just see it. With microphones—that I'll provide—we will explore temples, riversides, and small local streets while paying attention to and recording the soundscape of the city. From the ringing of bells to the chatter of markets, Kyoto comes alive when you listen closely.

Itinerary

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

10:00 AM

Meeting Point

Demachiyanagi Station

- Let's meet at Demachiyanagi Station (Exit 5) There we can get to know each other before we embark on our sound walk and I'll introduce you to the equipment we'll be using for the day.

10:30 AM

Demachiyanagi Shopping Street

This shōtengai, or covered shopping street, has been around for decades and is a hub of local business. It's a great place to capture some interesting sound. We'll hear loads of snippets of conversation, businesses operating, and we can even pop into a few of the interesting shops along this street.

11:30 AM

Tadasu no Mori

Next we'll walk through the beautiful Tadasu no Mori which is a forest on the way to Shimogamo Shrine. The name translates to Forest of Purification and you'll definitely feel purified after you walk through this beautiful and sacred place capturing the sounds of the insects, birds and nature all around us.

12:00 PM

Shimogamo Shrine

Next we'll enter the grounds of Shimogamo Shrine, a holy shinto shrine where we can hear the crunch of the stones under our feet, the river gently bubbling past, and the bells and claps of the people in prayer at the shrine. If we're lucky we might even catch a wedding procession.

Ending Point

Demachiyanagi Station

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

-Use of professional sound recording equipment.

-A completely unique "audio postcard" that I will make using the sounds you record on the day.

What‘s not included

-Public transport fee to and from the station where we'll meet.

-Any lunch, coffee or snacks we buy on the way.

Tour Important Information

* This is not a big whistle-stop tour full of information about Kyoto and Japan, these are intimate sound walks where we'll listen to the sounds around us rather than me talking on and on.

* Please don't bring large bags or anything heavy with you if possible. You won't want these weighing you down whilst holding the microphones.

* Children are of course more than welcome to join but please understand that they may not be able to keep quiet during recording time and that may affect your experience. If we can get them interested in listening for sounds too that would be the best thing!

* If you want to alter the tour in any way please reach out, I'm very flexible and can be very accommodating.

Important message from the supplier

These sound walks will be in English only, however, I won't be talking too much because we'll be recording sounds most of the time!

The maximum people per tour is 2 because I currently have 2 full sets of recording equipment, but if you'd like to have more people on the tour please message and I'm sure we can work something out!

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 2025

Simon F.

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Simon F.

Hello! My name is Simon. I’m a sound artist who recently moved from London to Kyoto. For many years I have been guiding sound walks and recording the unique sounds of places all over the world. Here in Kyoto, I offer tours where we slow down, walk together, and discover the city through its sounds — from temple bells and riversides to quiet backstreets. It’s a different way to experience Kyoto, not only by seeing but also by listening. I look forward to sharing this special way of exploring the city with you.