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Kyoto, Cool Waterside Stroll around the Kamo River

Ajari Bridge and Great Ajari(image)

Kamo River and Kawayuka Deck

Hanamikoji Footpath

Gion(Kobu) Kaburenjyo(practice hall)

Twin Dragons in Kenninji Temple

Couple on Ajarri Bridge

Shirakawa River with Greenary

Grey Heron in Shirakawa

Tatumi Shrine, Arts Deity for Geiko & Maiko

Ocyaya Teahouse

Promenda in Gion Area

Water Intake in Nijyoen Garden

Old boat Replica on Takase River

Pontocyo Footpath

Pontocyo Kaburenjyo

Nishiki Market

Ajari Mochi(Sweets) and Ajari Image

Kyoto, Cool Waterside Stroll around the Kamo River

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English, Japanese (Native)

4 hrs 30 mins

Private tour (only you and Yosshi S.)

Up to 5 people

Emperor Shirakawa ruled Kyoto with immense power for over 40 years during the Middle Ages. Still, he lamented that three things were beyond his control: the dice, the monks in Mt. Hiei, and the strong current of the Kamo River. Today, the River is narrower, and its flow is gentler, making it a relaxing spot for residents and visitors. We visit the traditional entertainment districts, shopping streets, and waterside footpaths that are typical of Kyoto between the Kamo River and Mt. Hiei.

Itinerary

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

12:30 PM

Meeting Point

At your hotel in Kyoto

- (or any convenient place in Kyoto City center)

Gion (Kobu) and Kenninji Temple District

>Established in the mid-19th century as a teahouse district in front of Yasaka Shrine (Gionsha Temple), many teahouses can be found around the Hanamikoji footpath, which runs north and south. It is the largest of Kyoto's five entertainment districts. Geiko and Maiko are great masters of the performing arts and hospitality.

#Kenninji Temple/Located at the southern end of Hanamikoji, this is Kyoto's oldest Zen temple. Renowned for its Twin Dragons ceiling painting in the Hatto(Auditorium).

Gion (East) and Shirakawa District

>After Emperor Shirakawa abdicated, he became the Emperor Emeritus and established a villa here to continue his rule. An old townscape remains along the Shirakawa River, which flows from Mt. Hiei into the Kamo River.

#Ajari Bridge/This narrow stone bridge (12m long, 0.6m wide) is across the Shirakawa River. A high-ranking monk from Mt. Hiei who has completed 1,000 days of ascetic training crosses the River on the last day of training, and he is called Great Ajari.

#Historic buildings used for Ocyaya Teahouse/ The area is designated as a Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings under the Law.

Takase-River and Pontocho District

>During the 17th century, the wealthy merchant Suminokura Ryoi excavated the Takase River(Canal) west of the Kamo River. By drawing water from the Kamo River, he completed a waterway network connecting central Kyoto to Osaka. He collected tolls and recouped construction funds.

#Takasegawa Nijoen Garden/Suminokura built a villa around the water intake. Renowned landscapers renovated the garden in the 19th centuries, and it is used as a Japanese-style restaurant garden now.

#Pontocho/A 90-meter-wide area sandwiched between the Takase River and Kamo River, this area was used for lodgings serving the Takase River boatmen and passengers. It is now one of Kyoto's five entertainment districts. In the summer, some teahouses serve food and drink on decks built over the Kamo River (500m long,Kawayuka in Japanese).

#Nishiki Market/The market is 400 years old, with a length of 400m long, is known as the kitchen of Kyoto's culinary culture.

Ending Point

At your hotel or any convenient place in Kyoto City center

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 meet up in Kyoto City center

What‘s not included

>public transportation fee (you and guide/per adult)/some 1000JPY(If necessary)

>admission fee (you and guide/per adult)/Kenninji Temple(800JPY),

>short break/lunch/dinner

Tour Important Information

>Please note that we may not be able to visit all spots due to the large number of vehicles or visitors.

>The tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

>The additional fees are often paid in CASH on site, so please bring some Japanese(JPY).

>The tour doesn't include insurance. I hope you purchase your own travel insurance.

Important message from the supplier

>If you would like to take a listed or customized tour, please send me a message in advance. I will check the availability of the spots listed on the itinerary (opening days, hours, reservation status, etc.).

>The tour uses trains, subways, trams, buses, walking, and taxis (for small groups) for easy access. Please wear comfortable walking shoes for transfers.

>Please note that we may change or add spots depending on the availability of public transportation and tourist attractions.

>The tour does not include insurance. I hope you purchase your own travel insurance.

>It is possible to pick you up at your hotel (Osaka, Nara, or Kyoto) and take you to the spots in the other city with no additional guide fee.

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 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Yosshi S.

Thank you for visiting my page.

I will guide you to the 3 ancient capitals of Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto, which housed the Imperial Palace for 1200 years, starting in the 7th century.

I grew up in Osaka, studied urban and transportation planning in Kyoto, and worked for national and local governments as an urban planning expert for 20 years. My goal was to create cities where citizens can live safely and comfortably, and which captivate tourists to stimulate the local economy. I developed urban policies and construction projects. During this time, I visited and researched unique cities in Japan and abroad (90 cities in 30 countries), exchanging ideas with local experts on preserving historic assets.

I use my extensive urban development experience and knowledge of cities in Japan and abroad to uncover the hidden charms of the 3 ancient capitals and share them with international tourists, working as a guide.

In the 3 ancient capitals, the Imperial Palace was relocated 15 times, and each time a new capital was built, with court nobles and monks accompanying His Majesty the Emperor. Knowing the history of these cities' development, we will come to appreciate that the townscape before us is the result of the strong will of many people.

The 3 cities are within an hour's train ride of each other, and the transportation network is well-developed. I will create a Customized Tour that will remain in your photos and memories forever, within the limits of your time and energy. I look forward to hearing from you.

Reviews

James S.

5 / 5

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hill

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka

7 hours

“Great Guide!”

Yosshi was a great guide. He had vast knowledge of the sights we visited. Very friendly and payed attention to our needs as we explored. I would book with him again. Thank you Yosshi.

Yosshi S.

Dear James San. Thank you for your review. I was happy to share my experience with you as you have an interest in Osaka's history. Hearing about your hometown has added to my bucket list. The day was sunny, the autumn leaves were beautiful, and there weren't many tourists, so I was able to show you ancient, medieval, and early modern sites. We were also able to go up the Osaka Castle Tower and the Tsutenkaku Tower for a bird's-eye view of Osaka's topography. Osaka's long history has been supported by its citizens. Next time, I'd like to guide you to markets and theaters where we can experience the vitality of its citizens. Thank you for yesterday. Yosshi

Drew B.

5 / 5

Nov 9, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hill

Nov 9, 2025

Osaka

6 hours

“Cultural tour of Kawachi/Osaka ”

Yosshi san created a unique tour to introduce us to the history of Kofun burial mounds and Haniwa clay pottery. We had an amazing day despite the weather visiting Shin-ike Haniwa Factory Park and the Imashirozuka Museum. Yosshi san has amazing knowledge & excellent English and was a pleasure to spend the day with. Also Yosshi san is a master of navigating Osaka transport, very impressed!! Thank you again Yosshi san for looking after us so well, Drew & Annie.

Yosshi S.

Dear Drew & Annie san Thank you so much for sending me your generous review. You read the explanations, took photos, and asked questions to the museum guide during the tour. I was impressed by your deep interest and knowledge, and it was a great honor to guide you. However, it's unfortunate that today's tour didn't go as planned due to the heavy rain all day. Here is the only imperial mausoleum in Japan that we can enter, so if we have another opportunity, I'd like to stroll around the 350-meter burial mound on a sunny day and discuss the Kofun age with you. Thank you so much for today. Regard Yosshi

James K.

5 / 5

Oct 21, 2025

Nara, Stroll in Nara Park led by Friendly Deer

Oct 21, 2025

Nara

6 hours

“Nara park and Todai-Temple Tour”

Wonderful tour with Yosshi. Really enjoyed both Nara Park and the Todai-ji Temple. Yosshi customized the tour for our needs, and made the travel to and from Kyoto seamless.

Yosshi S.

Hello James san Thank you for your heartwarming review. I was so happy to see you and your mother enjoying the deer in Nara Park. I was also touched by how much you always cherish your mother, and I learned a lot from you. I'm glad I was able to show you around Nara Park and the Great Buddha Hall. On the train ride there and back, you and your mother told me stories about your town and asked me many questions, which broadened my horizons. I hope you and your mother are in good health. I look forward to seeing you again. Thank you. Yosshi