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Kyoto Alley Walking Tour (Full Day)
Joined 2022
Kyoto served as a capital city where the Emperor resided between 798 and 1868. The ancient capital city has been designated as a UNESCO cultural heritage. This walking tour gives you a fun time to experience wondering in the backstreets where a few tourists visit. You can walk in the famous Geisya quarter including Miyagawacho and Gion, Keninji Zen Temple, Shirakawa riverside and more.You have a fun walking in the alley in Kyoto. You can encounter Geiko (Geisya) or Maiko if you are lucky.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel or JR Kyoto Station
Your Hotel or JR Kyoto Station
Condition: Tour time would be changed, depending on where you stay and what time you want.
Higashi Honganji Temple
Higashi Honganji, or “Eastern Temple of the First Vow” is one of two head temples of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Pure Land Buddhism, the most popular form of Buddhism in Japan.
Geisya quarter and Kenninji Zen Temple
You can encounter Geino and Maiko if you are lucky.
Kenninji Zen temple is famous for the tea culture foundation. The founder priest, Eisai brought back tea philosophy from China. You can see green tea leave hedge in the precinct.
Lunch
A restaurant is supposed to arrange by the tour guide.
Please notice your allergies and prohibited food for your health and /or religious reasons beforehand.
Houkanji Temple/Yasaka Pagoda
It is said that Houkanji Temple was built in 837 before the capital relocation.
The temple is famous for its pagoda called "Yasaka no Tou" by Kyoto local.
Yasaka Shrine
records, its history might stretch back to 656 during the Asuka Era, which was the second year of Emperor Saimei's reign. It's said that Irishi, a visitor from Korea, brought the spirit of Susanoo-no-mikoto to this location.
Apart from this perspective, another account states that in the Jogan Era of 876, a Buddhist monk named Ennyo, hailing from Nara Prefecture, established a temple. Within this temple, he enshrined Susanoo-no-mikoto, the deity of the region.
Gion Geisya Quarter and Tatsumi Shrine
Tatsumi shrine is located south-east direction from the palace.
Zodiac calender shows Tatsu（辰: Dragon）-Mi（巳：snake) as south-east.
Shirakawa River side
You can challenge crossing Gyojyabashi that is a stone-build bridge with 67cm in width and 12m in length. You can enjoy traditional Kyoto sweets at the riverside.
Heianjingu Shrine
Heian Jingu was constructed in 1895 to align with the festivities commemorating the 1,100th year since the establishment of Heiankyo, the imperial capital of Japan during the period spanning from the late eighth to the mid-nineteenth centuries. The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Kanmu (737–806), the inaugural ruler of the Heian era (794–1185), and Emperor Komei (1831–1866), the final monarch to hold sway from Heiankyo.
Kyoto Palace
The Emperor used to reside at the Kyoto palace before the capital relocation. The place is open to the public as a park.
Your hotel or Local dissolution
The tour guide will take you back to your hotel by the public transportation, or arrange a taxi to your hotel.
Ending Point
At your hotel or the tour's 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
Guide Fee, Hotel pick-up
Admission, Transportation Fee, Lunch, Souvenirs, Beverage
Tour Important Information
Please wear sneakers since this tour is walking tour.
A restaurant is to be arranged by the tour guide.
Please tell your prohibited (NG) foods for your health and/or religious reasons beforehand.
Meal fees are excluded from the tour fee.
This walking tour gives you a fun time to experience strolling in the backstreets where few tourists visit. You can walk in the famous Geisya quarter including Miyagawacho and Gion. You can encounter Geiko (Geisya) or Maiko if you are lucky.
You can image a gorgeous Heian era during 794-1185, wondering the alleys by stopping by the temples and shrines.
Important message from the supplier
I can introduce you interesting spots including temples, shrines and yummy places including local foods though it is not fancy. Please note the following conditions;
-Mass transit fares, admission fees and meal fees must be self-pay.
-Please pay the guide its mass transit fares (2000JPY) by cash on the tour day.
-Let me know if you have any food allergies beforehand.
-Let me know if you have any food you cannot eat for your religious and dietary reasons beforehand.
-My tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
and
-My tour schedule will accomodate you to start earlier at 7:30AM for your convenience if you want to avoid crowds.
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 2022
About Tour Guide Kenji O.
I lived in Seattle, WA US for several years to study public policy and urban planning at University of Washington and Washington State Department of Transportation . The US life has awakened me to realize its beauty and value of the Japanese nature and culture. After coming back from US, I have started my professional career of the infrastructure development in both developed and developing countries as a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) expert for more than 20 years. I have provided hospitality and honesty as a Japanese during my professional career.
I can give you not only sightseeing tours but also technical tours with my expertise.
I live in Osaka where an ancient capital city, Kyoto is located within a hour by train. I can show you how Japanese has developed the capital city with urban planning and infrastructure development. I look forward to seeing you here in Japan.
Reviews
Magnus K.
Kyoto Southern region and City Center with KYOTO SAMURAI MUSEUM
Customized
“Unforgettable First Visit to Kyoto with Kenji san as My Guide”
As it was my first time in Kyoto, I decided to hire a guide to make the most of my visit. From the very beginning, Kenji impressed me with his professionalism and attention to detail in planning the tour. He carefully crafted an itinerary that perfectly matched my wishes and requirements for the day. What truly set Kenji apart was his exceptional knowledge and ability to share insights about Kyoto’s history, culture, and hidden gems. Throughout the tour, he explained fascinating details that I would never have discovered on my own. His accommodating and helpful nature made the experience not only informative but also very enjoyable. The day ended with a lunch that was absolutely unforgettable - one of the best culinary experiences I’ve ever had. Kenjis thoughtfulness in organizing every aspect of the tour made this visit to Kyoto an amazing and enriching experience. If you’re considering hiring a guide in Kyoto, I can wholeheartedly recommend Kenji. He will elevate your experience and ensure your time in Kyoto is as special as it can possibly be.
Kenji O.
Magnus san, thank you for the review. I hope you visit Kyoto again and I look forward to guiding you and your wife for other hidden places. Have a safe journey! Kenji
“First Day in Kyoto ”
Kenji was an excellent guide for us as first-time visitors to Kyoto. He designed an interesting itinerary while accommodating the physical limitations of our party. He helped orientate us to the Gion area and we had a chance to enjoy delicious pastries and Matcha tea in between visits to shrines and temples. We really appreciated Kenji's wide range of knowledge, which made for a memorable experience.
Kenji O.
Leslie and Mark, Thank you for having me with you. Please visit Kyoto again. I will definitely take you to other districts in Kyoto. Thanks, Kenji
“Kenji is the best! A wonderful experience in Kyoto. ”
I had a brilliant day in Kyoto with Kenji. His communication prior to the tour was excellent and he came up with the perfect itinerary based on what I’d already seen the previous day. Clearly knows Kyoto as a local and is knowledgeable and passionate about the sights. We visiting many wonderful shrines, temples and gardens and his commentary was perfect - enough information but plenty of quiet ‘zen’ time to take it all in. Kenji was even accommodating in welcoming friend who arrived unexpectedly halfway through the tour. Lunch was AMAZING. A locally run restaurant with the most delicious wagyu beef, all sourced locally. Probably one of the best meals I had in Japan. Kenji is a Kyoto treasure! I’d recommend unreservedly as a private or group guide to both Kyoto and Osaka (where he lives) visitors. Thank you Kenji!!
Kenji O.
Jo san, Thank you for your wonderful message. I look forward to your next visit in Kyoto. I am going to guide you hidden gems of deep Kyoto. See you soon. Kenji
$162/ per group
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Kyoto Alley Walking Tour (Half Day)
Kyoto served as a capital city where the Emperor resided between 798 and 1868. The ancient capital city has been designated as a UNESCO cultural heritage. This walking tour gives you a fun time to experience strolling in the backstreets where few tourists visit. You can walk in the famous Geisya quarter including Miyagawacho and Gion, Keninji Zen Temple and Shirakawa riverside.You have a fun walking in the alley in Kyoto. You can encounter Geiko (Geisya) or Maiko if you are lucky.
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