KYOTO - A Tailor-Made experience for you
Joined 2018
Kyoto was the Capital city of Japan. With over 1200 years of history, Kyoto is still renowned and popular today. A little city with more than 1.5million inhabitants, Kyoto is well-known thanks to its 1200 temples and 400 shrines. With so many UNESCO highlights, Kyoto is a must-see during your stay in Japan. Let's explore Kyoto's finest culture and tradition together!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Kyoto station
- If you prefer meeting at your hotel lobby, please let me know.
Fushimi Inari shrine
Kiyomizudera temple area
Ending Point
Wherever you would like to finish
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
- Guide transportation fees (Public transportation)
** I always suggest meeting at Kyoto station to save time for the tour. I will send the picture of the meeting point 2 days before the tour.
- Transportation fee for your group and the guide (public bus and walks: around 1000 yen per person)
- Entrance fee for your group and the guide (around 1000 yen for one-day tour)
- Meals & snacks for you and the guide ( around 2000 yen per person)
Tour Important Information
This plan is subject to adjustment based on weather conditions, time limitations, and seasonal events.
Important message from the supplier
At this moment, I provide 4 hour-tour mainly. (starting at 9:30, and 10:00, 10:30 - finishing at 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, and 15:30)
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 2018
About Tour Guide Mari I.
Hello everyone, welcome to Japan!
I am Mari, a tour guide in KYOTO with over 4 years of experience. I love discovering hidden gems in Japan, teaching foreign visitors calligraphy, and interacting with people from all around the world.
+++As a guide+++ I have conducted many tours to major sightseeing sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage temples and castles. I am also happy to show my favorite places and other locations off the beaten path, like where you can see the local craftsmen.
Thanks to my French husband, who is also a guide, I have learned a great deal about the points foreign tourists could contemplate the marvels of Japanese culture and developed my storytelling skills. I like to show my guests everything, with special focus on small details not written in guidebooks, and like to utilize anecdotes to help others understand Japanese culture.
In addition to my guiding services, I can also provide concierge services such as booking high-quality restaurants, special shows or activities, tea ceremonies, etc.
+++As a calligraphy teacher+++ I consider that calligraphy is not about writing with the complex Japanese "kanji" alphabet. Calligraphy is an art form which enables you to express your thoughts and relax your mood through your brush strokes and writing style. My workshops are a tailor-made experience. I also offer lessons for small children and provide an interactive experience for them. Best of all, workshops can be arranged to fit your schedule!
Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions about my lessons.
I am looking forward to discovering Japanese culture with you. :)
Reviews
Gin D.
“Tour of Kyoto”
We had a lovely tour of Kyoto with Mari! She was so helpful meeting us straight off the bullet train and she made sure we saw so much in the few hours we had in Kyoto. Would definitely get in touch with her again to be our guide.
Mari I.
Wow! Thank you Gin! I am happy to receive your wonderful reviews. It was busy Friday and we had to go through massive tourists. However, you are both patient and I could manage well thanks to your patience (& kindness)! Have a nice weekend and I hope the way back to the hotel in Tokyo is smooth! :)
Lene F.
“Great guide”
We spent 4 hours with Mari, she's a very good guide, interesting and extremely kind. We visited different temples and also learned about Japanese traditions and culture and when we needed a doctor she even helped us with that. I recommend Mari without any hesitation and thank her for a great experience in Kyoto
Mari I.
Lene!! Sorry for writing back late! My busiest season is finally over. :) Thank you again for the last time! I met you both in the middle of the busy season, but I clearly remember the day with you! I am very glad to receive a wonderful review about my favorite doctor too! He was also happy to hear that Christoph's back doesn't hurt anymore!! (Haha, I am very lucky to be connected with a very nice doctor. And I am sure no other guides can find him!! :)) Looking forward to meeting you again in the future!
Lance M.
“Great Dinner in Kyoto”
Our night in Kyoto was great. Did a little shopping before hand. Walked and saw some interesting streets. Then had a great dinner. Mari is nice to be around and we enjoyed the evening.
Mari I.
Thank you for your feedback, Lance! It was very nice dinner time with you!! I must say, Kyoto is the best place to learn Japanese food culture. I was also happy to show how Japanese people changed in the night after drinking too. :) Thank you so much!
$320/ per group
More tours by Mari I.
KYOTO - Calligraphy Workshop & Half-day Kyoto Tour
This is a introductory calligraphy lesson and 4 hour tour. If you are with small kids, expecting to have a hands-on experience with a local, please feel free to contact me!
KYOTO - A Tailor-Made dining experience for you
Japan has a very unique cooking style and set of table manners. Learn about the food culture and culinary history of Japan and visit local restaurants in Kyoto which offers a rich and diverse culinary tradition.
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Kyoto
Early Bird Tour Western Kyoto including Bamboo Forest and Kinkakuji Kinkakuji
Shall we explore some of the most popular sightseeing destinations in Kyoto while most tourists are preparing for their tour? I would also like to take you some hidden gemes in Kyoto. Beat the crowds!
One day tour in Kyoto (Arashiyama area)
Tour will start from the Hotel in Kyoto. Frst visit is Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavillion ),then, to Ryoanji tmple where is famous for rock garden. Tour will stop at Arasiyama area to take lunch and visit Togetsu bridge, Bamboo grove, Tentyuji temple and others. The last visit is NIjyo castle. As these places are normally crowded. using chartered taxi is highly recommended in order to effectively use your valuable time in Kyoto.
Premium tour of Kyoto (1) : Arashiyama, Nijo-jo Castle & Kinkakuji temple
Why not enjoy your holidays in Kyoto? You can certainly get in touch with many things Japanese that we are proud of. They are old temples and shrines, cultural assets and the beautiful natural surroundings. You can also enjoy dropping in at souvenir stores and buy exquisitely made products, such as folding fans, porcelain and traditional Japanese cakes. I would like to take you to the following places, which are the three representative tourist destinations in this city: (1) Arashiyama It is the place where all the traditional natural beauties of Japan are combined together. They are Togetsukyo bridge, bamboo grove and the old temples. If you go up to the observation spot, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the gorge below. You can also see rickshaws of the olden times drawn by young people with smiling passengers on board. There are souvenir shops selling variety of goods and products. (2) Nijo-jo Castle (World Cultural Heritage Site) This castle was built in the early 17th century by the Tokugawa Shogunate government for the purpose of protecting the Kyoto Imperial Palace and as the accommodations when Tokugawa Shogun was in Kyoto. It was subsequently enlarged by successive Shogun. It is the castle as well as the palace, where you can see the powerful structures and beautiful gardens. You can learn, in addition, how great the power of Tokugawa Shogun was. (3) Kinkakuji temple (the Golden Pavilion) (World Cultural Heritage Site) The history of this temple began when the third Shogun of the Muromachi period acquired a tract of land in this area from a powerful statesman in 1397 and built a villa of his own to entertain the Emperor and members of the nobility. The upper two levels of the temple are covered with pieces of gold foil and are shining brilliantly against the background of the rich greenery. The pond in the foreground reflects the golden structure. It looks like the materialization of Pure Land of Buddha in this world. In addition, on the top of the golden structure is the shining phoenix.
Kyoto's most popular sightseeing spots tour and enjoy a various kinds of Kyoto's specialities
This tour covers 4 must-see sites and Nishiki Market. You visit the most renowned sites such as the Golden Pavilion, Ryo-an-ji temple where you may find an elegant beauty in its simple rock garden Nijo-castle ,the luxurious palace of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Sanjyu-sangendo temple, where the thousand life-size statues and the Principal statue make you feel like you are in a forest of Buddha! says " It's amazing ! Lastly visit Nishiki Market, where you can enjoy eating Kyoto’s cuisine.
