Kyoto Express Half Day Tour
Joined 2014
This tour is an express customized half-day tour that will take you to several of the following attractions in Kyoto in a short period of time, tailored to your needs.
Please choose 2 or 3 places of your choice.
I will pick you up from and drop-off at your hotel or location of your choice.
・Fushimi Inari Shrine ・Arashiyama area (Bamboo forests, Monkey park etc.) ・ kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
・Kiyomizu-dera Temple ・Nijyo-jyo Castle ・Nishiki market ・Others
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your hotel or location of your choice
Your hotel lobby or location of your choice
I will meet you at your hotel lobby or location of your choice.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
It is a famous shrine representing Japan that enshrines
the god of fertility.
The characteristic of this shrine is that there are
more than 10,000 torii gates all the way to the summit, and
you can pass through many torii gates along the way.
Here you can learn about Japanese religion, such as
the differences between Shinto and Buddhism, and
how to worship.
（Entrance fee）free
Arashiyama area (Bamboo forests etc.) or Kiyomizu-dera temple
・Arashiyama area (Bamboo forests etc.)
It is a scenic spot where the emperor and aristocrats had
villas for more than 1000 years.
Please stroll through beautiful scenery such as
the bamboo forest and Togetsukyo Bridge.
(Entrance fee)
The bamboo forest and Togetsukyo Bridge : Free
Tenryu-ji Buddhist Temple :
High School Student & Adult : 500 yen
Elementary & Junior High School Student : 300 yen
・Kiyomizu-dera Temple
The view from the terrace, called "Kiyomizu-no-butai"
(stage of Kiyomizu), is spectacular.
The main shrine enshrines one of the Buddhist statues, the
Thousand-Armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.
Other statues of Buddha, such as Niou and Jizo Bosatsu, can also be seen.
Located on a hillside, the temple commands a panoramic view of
the city of Kyoto.
There are many souvenir shops along the approach to the
temple, where you can buy traditional Japanese souvenirs.
Nearby is the five-story pagoda known as Yasaka-no-to (Yasaka Pagoda).
（Entrance fee）
High School Student & Adult : 400 yen
Elementary & Junior High School Student : 200 yen
Kinkaku-ji Temple (The Golden pavilion)
The Golden Pavilion and gardens are especially
breathtaking.
(Entrance fee)
High School Student & Adult : 400 yen
Elementary & Junior High School Student : 300 yen
Other spots (If time permits)
・Nijyo-jyo Castle
Nijo-jyo Castle was built by the Tokugawa shogunate in
the 17th century and has watched over the rise and fall of the shogunate.
In particular, the Ninomaru Palace is designated as a
national treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
(Entrance fee)
Adult : 1300 yen
Junior High School & High School Student : 400 yen
Elementary School Student : 300 yen
・Nishiki ｍarket
It is a traditional market called "Kyoto's kitchen", and the narrow
alleys are lined with fruit and vegetable shops, fish shops, and
other shops. Also, eating while walking is possible.
(Entrance fee) Free
Your hotel or location of your choice
We will say goodbye at your hotel lobby or location of your choice.
Ending Point
Your hotel or location of your choice
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
Licensed Tour Guide, Your hotel or location of your choice pick-up
Transportation fee, Lunch fee, Entrance fee
Tour Important Information
＊You will know following items.
・Japanese garden style and architecture
・Differnce between Shinto (Japanese original religion) and Buddhism
・The meaning of Torii gate etc.
・The type of Buddha statue
・How to pray at Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple
・Japanese history
・Japanese traditional cuisine
・Others
＊I can also guide in following spots if you pay additional fee.
・Nara ・Osaka ・Hiroshima ・Himeji ・Tayama & Shirakawa-go・Hikone Castle in Shiga
Important message from the supplier
Please feel free to contact me!!
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 2014
About Tour Guide Kazuhiko G.
Hello, I’m Kazuhiko. Please call me “Kazu”. I'm a national-licensed tour guide. I have a wife and 4 children.
I was born in Osaka city near Kyoto, although I have lived in many places across Japan. I used to work for multinational electric company and I traveled to many countries (U.S., Thailand, Hong Kong etc.) on business.
I have enjoyed guiding many foreign tourists in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Mt. Fuji etc. for many years.
During your tour, you can discover a rich Japanese history spanning about 2,000 years, learn about and experience profound Japanese arts (tea ceremony, flower arrangement etc.), feel the spiritual atmosphere of Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines, see a breathtakingly beautiful scenery of Mt. Fuji, bamboo forest, Japanese gardens etc..
Moreover, you can taste Japanese cuisine that each season has to offer (Sushi, Tempura, Soba or ramen noodle etc.).
You can get close to nature and feed wild deer or monkeys or even a build snowman in winter.
I’m sure that I can provide a splendid tour of Japan that will be a lasting memory for you to treasure.
Experience the mysteries of Japan with 5 senses !!
Your memorable tour awaits you.
Please feel free to contact me!!
Reviews
Bernard B.
“Valuable Guide in Kyoto”
Kazuhiko is a very kind man who was a valuable guide in Kyoto. Since we arrived via cruise ship, we were relieved that he could meet us at the Osaka cruise port, and then brought us to Kyoto by train. He had a lot of printed material at the sites explaining what we were seeing. His English comprehension and written English were very, very good. And although he speaks with a Japanese accent, we were able to understand him. Communication was excellent before our tour, with quick responses to our questions and requests, and he tried his best to accommodate them all in the tour. Alas, we were a bit too ambitious in our goals, and Kyoto was insanely crowded, which made it too difficult. Not to mention the many steps at the shrines and temples, which a few in our party had a problem with after a while. The only problem we encountered is that we were a party of four, which made 5 with Kazuhiko-san. To make the most of our time, we agreed to take taxis from one stop to the other. Almost all taxis could only take 4 passengers, so it meant either waiting a long time for an Uber Taxi that could handle 5 passengers, or having to take 2 taxis. So we had to either sacrifice money or time. In our time in Japan, Kyoto was definitely the most expensive place (by far) in terms of taxis, drinks, food, etc. But it was still a great day immersing ourselves in the culture of the city.
Kazuhiko G.
Thank you for the great review. I apologize for making you walk so much; I imagine the slope were quite challenging. I'm also sorry for not providing enough time for lunch. Regarding the taxi situation, it took longer to arrange a large taxi due to the student school trip season. I had a wonderful time, and I hope this tour becomes a cherished memory of your time in Japan. Thank you!!
Agus J.
“Very prepared and well organized ”
There are 8 of us for an 8 hour tour of Nara and Osaka. Kazuhiko met us at the Tempozan Osaka cruise terminal and we all enjoyed our guided tour with Kazuhiko. He was very well informed and knew his way thru the tricky railway and bus systems. Nara was beautiful, Toudaiji temple was breathtaking and Kasuga shrine was magical and of course Osaka Dotombori district was a nice way to end the day. A definite 5 out of 5 and we will definitely calm upon Kazuhiko on our next trip to Osaka again.
Kazuhiko G.
Hello, Thank you for the nice review. I apologize for making you walk so much. Did you get over the fatigue? I went to Nara today again on another tour and it reminded me of my tour with your group. I also enjoyed the tour with your group. I hope your tour will be a memorable one. And, I hope you will come back to Japan again soon. Thank you !!
Don M.
“Fantastic Day in Nara”
Kazu was a great guide. He took his time and showed us some really hidden sites in Nara. Of course we hit the main attractions, but he also took us to this small serene garden that was just so peaceful. I would highly recommend him for any tour.
Kazuhiko G.
Thank you for your wonderful review. I also had a great time. I'm sorry I made you walk so much. I hope this tour will be a memorable one for you. Thank you!!
$194/ per group
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