Discover Kyoto's most popular & memorable sites! This is a semi-tailored tour so you can choose a few spots from my recommendations in addition to two must-see sites. You'll also learn how to use public transportation system in Kyoto and tips for other points of interest that you're looking at for the rest of your days in Japan. This tour is good for first timers in Kyoto on the first day!
At JR Kyoto Station or at your hotel in Kyoto
TBD
Let's discover Kyoto's most popular & memorable sites with a local guide! In addition to 2 must-see sites, you can choose a few sports from my recommendations depending on your interest. You'll also learn how to use public transportation system in Kyoto and tips for other points of interest that you're looking at for the rest of your days in Japan.
If you'd like to experience a local dinner/drinking at a local bar together, you can extend the tour with a minimum fee and enjoy the night like a local!
This tour is good for first timers in Kyoto on the first day.
Guide fee, hotel meet-up in Kyoto and Osaka
Transportation fee (for you and guide, about 1,000-1,500 yen/person), lunch/dinner(for you and guide), entrance fee (licensed guide gets free admission at most temples & tourist spots)
Please note below before booking and contact me first for availability:
1. My schedule on GoWithGuide site is open for the next 3-month only.
2. All my listed tours include hotel pick-up fee and guide fee. Please ask for quote for custom tours.
3. For tours in the peak season, I am currently prioritizing mult-day tour requests (at least two "full-day" tours per group) and accept one-day request between the booked tours etc.
***Excursions ***
I can guide you in Okayama (including Naoshima and Kurashiki), Hiroshima (Onomichi, Shimanami islands cycling, Miyajima, etc.) and Shikoku (Iya valley etc.) if you pay for my transportation.
The above areas can be visited from Osaka/Kyoto in one or two days.
1. You will be walking a lot during the tour(ave. 15,000-20,000 steps). Please wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes and bring an umbrella or poncho in case of rain.
2. Transportation fee for the day will be 1,000-1,500 yen per person depending on your itinerary and hotel location. Lunch/dinner for you and guide is not included in the guiding fee. Credit cards cannot be used at ticket machines and many small restaurants, so please bring enough cash for the day.
3. Any other sites not mentioned in the list cannot be added to the tour. Please book a customized tour with me if you'd like to visit anywhere not listed.
4. Please let me know in advance if you'd like to extend the tour for a local dinner. I will take you to a local diner or izakaya unless you have a special request. Please also choose 9:30 or 10:00 for the start time and add "dinner extension".
5. When booking, please choose one spot from A and B. If not specified, I will choose based on your group's attribute and/or seasonality.
A: Kinkakuji (Golden Temple @500 yen), Kitano Tenmangu Shirine & Kamishichiken (Geisha district), or Nijo Castle (Ninomaru Palace and garden @1,300yen)
B: Nishiki Market (food and souvenir street) or Gion (Geisha district & Kenninji temple)
We had the pleasure of having Seiko as our tour guide for 2 full-day tours in Japan. Seiko was very patient and helpful in creating a customized tour that included all of the places we were interested in visiting in Kyoto and Osaka. We exchanged several messages in in order to create our itinerary and her recommendations were spot on. Seiko was very flexible and patient with our questions while finalizing our agenda and in the end, it was perfect for us! She even sent us some restaurant recommendations so we could make reservations in advance. We learned a lot about the history and culture of the places we went to. We had an extremely pleasurable experience and would highly recommend Seiko to anyone looking for an English-speaking guide!
Thanks for your review, Rick. Through the communications we had before the tour, I already felt that I finally met my friend from US when we met at the station. Your efforts and preperation must be the biggest contribution to your family having good time in Kyoto/Osaka. I especially enjoyed the day in Fushimi and Osaka with you all, thanks to your trust in my recommendations. Glad to be able to show you how and what the locals eat and drink, and enjoy their life in different ways. I appreciate this "Ichigo-Ichie" - once-in-a-lifetime chance of having you and your family for 2 days! Thanks again! Seiko
We had a pretty packed agenda for our day in Osaka and Seiko made it possible for us to enjoy the day without being rushed. She spoke good English, was knowledgeable and friendly, communicated well with our 19-yo children, and was generally fun to be around with. We got a good sense for the historical backdrop as well as a taste of modern life. Great guide - strongly recommended.
Thank you Ivan for your review. Lucky me to be a guide for your family for 2 days! Your children are very friendly, smart and always tried to learn about our everyday life, culture and history with many good questions, which made our tour more fun and meaningful. It was such a great day with wonderful family. Thank you! Seiko
We had an amazing time with Seiko San on the evening tour. I would have never visited all the places if it was not for her. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. A fun person with a lot of knowledge.
Thank you Abraham! I especially loved talking to your daughters and appreciate you all showed me interests in different places and foods and gave me many questions! Wish I had more time with you guys! Seiko
A very enthusiastic person with a lot of knowledge. Fun to talk to and able to explain a lot of details.
Thank you Abraham! I had a great time with your family, too. Everything went smoothly and lots of fun thanks to all of you! Seiko