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Highlight Tour of Kyoto

Famous huge panoramic veranda of Kiyomizudera Temple.

Many visitors line up to drink sacred pure water for expecting some divine blessing.

Strolling street near Kiyomizudera Temple

Wide variety of souvenir is available at many shops along walking street

Exporing into cozy and traditional alley paved with flagstones.

Very classy teahouse in Gion district.

Lavishly decorated entrance gate of Ninomaru Palace in Nijyo-jo Castle

Mysterious rock garden of Ryoanji Temple

Highlight Tour of Kyoto

Highlights

Joined 2015

Kenji M.

4.75 / 5

(97 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English, Japanese

8 hours

Private tour (only you and Kenji M.)

Up to 10 people

The tour includes five typical tourist destinations in Kyoto city.

We will start with Kiyomizudera of the panoramic view from its huge stage jutting over a cliff.

From Kiyomizudera to Gion Gasha district we stroll through picturesque paths.

In the afternoon we will visit Nijyo Castle, the huge residence of the Tokugawa shoguns in Kyoto.

Next we will visit Kinkakuji, known as Golden Pavilion.

The last visit is Ryoanji very famous for its mysterious rock garden.

Itinerary

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

07:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel

1. Kiyomizu-dera Temple ( with huge panoramic veranda ) entrance fee:500yen

2. Strolling from Kiyomizu to Gion area

3. Nijyo Castle entrance fee:1300yen

Admission fee is 1300yen for Ninomaru Palace and gardens

4. Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) entrance fee:500yen

5. Ryoanji Temple ( with famous rock garden ) entrance fee:500yen

Ending Point

At your hotel or the final destination

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

What‘s not included

Special one day pass costing 1100 yen/person (you & guide) covering all transportation fee of city bus and subway.

Entrance fee for each facility.

Lunch,dinner for you and guide.

Tour Important Information

Important message from the supplier

I can customize any private tour if you give me the information of your request in advance.

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 2015

Kenji M.

4.75 / 5

(97 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Kenji M.

Hi I'm Kenji

I have a government license of tour guide interpreter in English.

I was born and raised in Kyoto, an old capital of Japan over one thousand years

So I'm very familiar with many sightseeing spots and attractions of the city

Kyoto is a fascinating and picturesque city drawing lots of foreign tourists every year

I can show you around not only popular historical sites and relics

but also its various attractions such us Zen silent meditation, traditional sweets cooking,

kimono-clad walking and so on.

I can also provide tailored tours fitting to your liking.

I like a famous Zen phrase "Ichigo Ichie" meaning "Treasure every encounter

for it will never recur"

So I always try to enjoy guiding every tourist with my best hospitality.

Zen concepts have greatly influenced many aspects of Japanese culture

I will explain some of them and allow you to explore Zen world through some of my tours

Please contact me any time.

I'm looking forward to seeing you and spending wonderful time with you.

See you soon !

Reviews

Carla R.

5 / 5

May 25, 2026

Customized 8-hour Kyoto tour on May 24,2026

May 25, 2026

Kyoto

8 hours

Customized

“Kenji-San is the best!”

Kenji-san is an excellent tour guide. I had two full-day excursions with him, all custom and somewhat unique requests and he knocked it out of the park! He is the consummate professional and also personable. Highly recommended.

Kenji M.

Carla-san, What a marvellous tour review you gave me! Based on your request I managed prepare best tickets to enjoy Noh theater to the fullest, including Noh, a highly stylized, classical Japanese musical drama and Kyogen, a traditional comedic performance. It was a great opportunity for me to guide you such a customized tour. Arigatogozaimashita, Kenji

Carla R.

5 / 5

May 16, 2026

Customized 6-hour Kyoto tour on May 15,2026

May 16, 2026

Kyoto

6 hours

Customized

“Kenji-san is an excellent guide!”

I wholeheartedly recommend Kenji-san for your needs for a guide in Kyoto. He is a Kyoto native, speaks excellent English, and is very organized, knowledgeable, and professional.

Kenji M.

Carla-san, Thank you for your great review of my customized tour in Kyoto I appriciate you giving me a chance to guide you to view Aoi Matsuri Festival (one of Kyoto’s three major festivals, featuring a magnificent procession of people dressed in elegant ancient costumes) And we could enjoy viewing spectacular annual dance performance held by the gaisha in the afternoon. I look forward to another fascinating tour with you. Arigatogozaimasu, Kenji

Sabine W.

5 / 5

Apr 23, 2026

A customized 8-hour Kobe private tour on April 11,2026

Apr 23, 2026

Kobe

8 hours

Customized

“a nice and interesting day”

We had a very nice day in Kobe thanks to Kenji, because he tailored the day perfectly to our interests. We were so grateful for his skill in guiding us through the busy public transport, so it was completely stress-free for us. He also ensured a relaxed atmosphere throughout our entire tour.

Kenji M.

Sabine-san, Thank you for your great review of our Kobe tour. I'm very happy to hear that you liked my guiding,preparation and the spots we visited. As Kobe is a fascinating exotic city, I could combine with traditional Japanese culture like Japanese-style tea ceremony and beautiful garden based on yoour request. Blessed with a fine weather, we could also enjoy strolling around a huge herb garden and commanding a panoramic view from its top Arigatogozaimashita, Kenji