Kyoto Heritage Walking Tour
Authentic cultural insights into Kyoto’s geisha world, Shinto & Buddhist traditions
Scenic historical streets without rushing
Ideal photo opportunities
A relaxed, educational walk through Kyoto’s most charming districts
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Kyoto station or in front of the Yasaka Shrine
- it’s very easy to get to Kyoto from either Osaka or Nara. You can take the Kintetsu Line or JR Line directly to Kyoto Station.
Rokudo Shrine
A legendary gateway to the “Six Realms of Rebirth.”
Rokudō Chinno-ji, often called Rokudo no Tsuji, is a small yet historically significant temple in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. Known as the place where spirits were believed to pass into the afterlife, it has long been associated with rituals for honoring ancestors and guiding souls.
Visitors come to see its unique atmosphere, traditional wooden halls, and the famous “Bell of the Underworld,” which was used to call back wandering spirits.
Kiyomizu-dera
A UNESCO World Heritage temple famous for its wooden terrace overlooking Kyoto.
Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto’s most iconic temples, known for its massive wooden stage that offers sweeping views of the city. Founded in 778, the temple is dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, and features beautiful pagodas, sacred springs, and scenic walking paths. It’s especially stunning during cherry blossom and autumn seasons.
Lunch Time
Enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine at a historic Kyoto restaurant with over 100 years of history.
Yasaka Shrine
One of Kyoto’s most iconic Shinto shrines, famous for festivals and spiritual traditions.
Yasaka Shrine, located at the entrance of Gion, is known for its bright vermilion gates and its role as the host of the famous Gion Festival. Visitors come to pray for good fortune, enjoy the serene shrine grounds, and experience Kyoto’s living Shinto culture.
Hanamikoji Street Gion
The heart of Kyoto’s historic geisha district, Gion.
Hanamikoji Street is a picturesque street in Gion, lined with traditional wooden machiya houses and teahouses. It’s famous for its elegant atmosphere and the chance to spot geisha or maiko walking to their appointments. A perfect place to experience the charm of old Kyoto.
Ending Point
Gion Shopping street.
Want to personalize this tour?
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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
Entrence tickets
Lunch
personal expense
Tour Important Information
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* This tour is wheelchair accessible.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
Important message from the supplier
I can guide you in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka if you pay my transportation 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
About Tour Guide Akira F.
Hello, my name is Akira , and I am a private guide based in Kyoto. I specialize in creating customized tours that are tailored to your interests and travel style.
Kyoto is a city rich in history, culture, and hidden beauty, and I would love to share its charm with you. Whether you are interested in famous landmarks like Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari, exploring peaceful temples and gardens, or discovering local food and traditions, I will design a unique itinerary just for you.
My goal is to make your time in Kyoto not only enjoyable, but also meaningful and memorable. I look forward to guiding you and helping you experience Kyoto like a local.
Reviews
Jennah M.
“THANK YOU AKIRA!”
Akira took us around Uji, Kyoto and the surrounding areas. He was super accommodating at short notice, and took us to a few places that we really wanted to go that were not the “typical Kyoto spots”. Apart from being extremely knowledgeable (we learned so much, and it made everything feel even more special compared to if we had visited by ourselves), he was an absolutely lovely person and made everything fun. He was funny, kind, and had such positive energy. A really great guide, and if we head back to Kyoto (which we would love to do), we will certainly see him again!
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Akira F.
Thank you very much for your wonderful feedback. I believe that kind words are never too late—whenever I receive them, my heart is filled with gratitude. Your feedback motivates me to keep improving. Most importantly, I feel truly honored that I was able to help you enjoy Japan’s culture and tranquility during your trip, and that we had the chance to talk about many meaningful things. That, to me, is the greatest reward. I sincerely hope to see you again. When you come back to Japan next time, I hope you will contact me so we can meet again. Thank you so much.
Paul Y.
“Akira was Outstanding!”
What makes Akira an outstanding guides are a combination of several things. First, he was spontaneous with a sprinkle of humor - our 8 hour tour went by in a flash. Second, he inquired about what we already know so he can spend his time on things we did not know that he thought would be of interest to us. Third, he not only knew the best photo spots, but provides instructions before taking the photos with your camera. His creative eye captured some of the best vacation photos ever. Last but not least, he shared with us his favorite ramen place - a little hole in the wall that served some of the best ramen in Japan. He graciously joined us for lunch. We highly recommend Akira.
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Akira F.
Thank you for your kind words. It was truly an honor to serve as your guide in Kyoto. We shared many wonderful conversations about the ancient capital—its history, culture, and the beauty it has to offer. I sincerely look forward to the opportunity to meet again in Japan, so we can continue exploring more places and discovering even deeper layers of this remarkable region. Thank you again for your updated photo!
Ryan M.
“Full day Kyoto sight seeing”
Akira F was amazing. I asked him to take my dad on a full day tour of Kyoto and look after his every need including picking him up from our hotel in Osaka and returning him to the hotel in the evening. Akira went above my expectations in showing dad Kyoto while at the same time giving me regular photo updates on their sight seeing adventure. Akira was flexible about the days schedule and understanding of my dad’s needs. I couldn’t recommend him highly enough. Communication was outstanding - quick and regular. Many thanks Akira for showing dad Kyoto!
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Akira F.
I truly enjoyed the time spent with your father. He is very talkative and eager to learn more about Japanese culture and history. His enthusiasm added so much color to our conversations and made our journey through this ancient city even more meaningful. Thank you again for your trust. Please remind him to take good care of his health, and I sincerely hope we will have the chance to meet again in Japan in the future.
$307/ per group
More tours by Akira F.
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Private Kyoto Customizable Day Trip With A Local
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Osaka full day Private Customizable Tour With A Private Car
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Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Kyoto
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Arashiyama Morning Highlights: Bamboo, Temples & Scenic Views
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Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto
There are so many great places in Kyoto that you probably want to visit but perhaps not enough time. It is best to have a local person guiding you to come up with a plan that suits your preference. I can create a tour with you which includes not only popular places like the Golden Pavilion and Fushimi Inari but small temples with wabi sabi such as those in Sagano and one of the oldest Japanese sweets shops in Murasakino.
Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto
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Experience the charm of tranquility in a mountain temple. Take a 3km walk around the foothills of the Higashiyama Mountain Range, visiting shrines and temples along the path. Starting at Seikanji Temple on Mt. Kiyomizu (242m height), follow the Uta-no-Nakayama Road to Kiyomizu-dera. Then, go through Sanneizaka and Nene-no-michi, and reach Maruyama Park and Yasaka Shrine. Along the way, we can feel old stories of tragic love while enjoying panoramic views of the Kyoto cityscape.
Eastern Kyoto, Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest
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半天周游京都宇治地区(平等院凤凰堂、黄檗山万福寺)
从您们的宾馆,坐京阪电车。 1首先访问平等院凤凰堂(在宇治车站下车) 走着斜看宇治川过约7,8分钟,到平等院凤凰堂。(世界文化遗产) 2然后再坐京阪电车到黄檗山万福寺(在黄檗车站下车) 走着去约5分钟到黄檗山万福寺,是日本最早的禅宗寺院(中国由来的 )
半天周游京都宇治地区(平等院凤凰堂、黄檗山万福寺)
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