This tour covers the most popular spots in Kyoto with scenic beauty.The spots are selected from Fushimi area, Arashiyama area, and Kitayama area of Kyoto.From the point of scenic beauty, you will see Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine, Arashiyama Bamboo grove, and Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, whereyou can take memorable pictures. You will visit the major scenic sites in one day effectively. These three areas are apart from each other, but can be travelled by JR-train and bus in relatively short time.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Kyoto station or hotel
Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine: Famous for a thousand torie gates. No.1 popular spots of Japan according to Trip Advisor
Arashiyama Area----Bamboo grove, Tenryuji temple with beautiful garden, and Togetsu-kyo Bridge(Moon-crossing Bridge)
Kinkakuji temple(Golden Pavilion)
Ending Point
Kyoto station
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guide fee, Hotel pick-up in Kyoto area
The entrance fee is about 1000 yen for Kinkakuji temple, and Tenryuji temple.
Transportation fee(you and guide), lunch,
-If you have JR rail pass, it can be used and you will save the travel cost.
-We will walk through shrine, temple, and garden, which is quite distance, and walking shoes is recommended.
-Please consider the starting time to be 9AM or after as I come from the local area of Nara to Kyoto in the morning.
No special conditions
Hello, I’m Makoto (Mac) and I'm a national-licensed tour guide.
My previous career as an automotive engineer, gave me the opportunity to learn English and to live in the US, Germany, and England. After I retired, I learned more about the Japanese history especially focusing on Nara and Kyoto to become a historical specialist of the Nara area. I now live in Ikaruga town in Nara prefecture, where the UNESCO World Heritage, Horyuji temple is located. I regularly offer guides on the Fujinoki tumulus, which is located near the Horyuji temple. It contains very interesting Archaeological findings from the end of the Kofun Period.
Recently, there are many foreign tourists who come to Japan, and I hope they enjoy learning about the culture and history of Japan. I would like to help tourists have a broader and deeper understanding of the Japanese culture and that is the reason why I decided to become a tour guide to help and support their experience in Japan.
Nara is the place where Japan started. The capital was located in Asuka, Fujiwara and Nara before it moved to Kyoto. Therefore, there are many places to visit in Nara to trace the original history of Japan, which I have a depth of knowledge.
Let’s explore the roots of Japan together!!
Nick R.
“Kyoto and Nara”
Had a great time traveling around Kyoto and Nara and learning about the history of Japan. Very informative and interesting tours.
Makoto Y.
Dear Nick. Thanks for your prompt review comments. I had wonderful time spent with you as you had good knowledge about history of Japan. We have good time of cherry blossoming, autumn leaves etc. Please come to Japan again. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide this time. Makoto
Steve L.
“Makoto is marvelous!”
We arrived at Kyoto around noon and met Makoto, aka Mac. We visited several shrines/temples: 1) Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine (it’s famous for its thousand torie gates); it’s the most popular spot In Japan according to Trip Advisor; 2)Arashiyama Area----Bamboo grove, Tenryuji temple with beautiful garden; and, 3) Togetsu-kyo Bridge(Moon-crossing Bridge). Everything was great!!! MAC is marvelous!!!
Makoto Y.
Dear Steve, Thank you very much for your nice review comments. It was so fun for me to guide you as you and your wife have nice sense of humor, and I really enjoyed the conversation. I hope you come back again sometime, to see the cherry blossoming, autumn leaves, etc. Thanks again for you to choose me of your guide. Mac
Rowena S.
“One Day Nara tour with Makoto”
Thank you Makoto-san for taking care of my clients and providing them with a nice tour in Nara!
Makoto Y.
Dear Rowana, Thanks for your message. I have also enjoyed guiding them, as they are animal lovers and enjoyed feeding to deers. I believe that they enjoyed visiting Yakushiji temple. It would be good idea to visit yakushiji temple in future Nara tour schedule. Thanks again for your choosing me as Nara tour guide. Makoto
$154/ per group