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Kyoto, Hike in Peaceful Forest & Temple

key stone and open fan-shaped view

locations of soap opera at temple gate

temple grounds covered with moss

Emperor Takakura's Mausoleum

stone monument at the entrance of Uta-no-Nakayam

foot path leads to Kiyomizu-derain the forest

stone statues of Jizo at the back gate

floating stage in Kiyomizu-Dera

looking up at the stage

temple grounds in cherry blossom season

Kiyomizu-zaka in front of Main Gate of Kiyomizu-de

Sannei-zaka

Nene-no-michi

Kodaiji Temple

overlooking Kyoto City

Japanese garden in Entoku in Temple

West gate of Yasaka Shrine

Beauty water in Yasaka Shrine

Gion Divine Water in Yasaka Shrine

Maruyama Park with Higashiyama Mt.

Kyoto, Hike in Peaceful Forest & Temple

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(12 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English, Japanese (Native)

6 hours

Private tour (only you and Yosshi S.)

Up to 6 people

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.

Itinerary

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

11:00 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel in Kyoto City center.

Seikanji Temple

#Seikanji Temple was founded in the 9th century, and had a tragic episode between Emperor Takakura and a court lady in the 12th century

#A fan-shaped view of the Kyoto area can be seen from Kaname-Ishi (Key Stone) on the grounds, which supposedly grants a heartfelt wish to anyone who asks.

Uta-no-Nakayama Foot Path

#Uta-no-Nakayama (meaning Mid Mountain of Poetry)/Temple legend has it said that a monk was strolling along the path and called out to a beautiful woman, she replied with a meaningful Waka poem.

Kiyomizu-Dera Temple

#Origin was built in the 8th century on the side of Mt. Otowa, and rebuilt in the 17th century with the broad verandah overlooking the panoramic view (13m high, supported with 139 pillars without nails).

#The temple consists of Koyasu Pagoda, Otowa Waterfall, Main Hall, etc.

Series of paths connecting the temples and shrines

#Kiyomizu-zaka, Sannei-zaka, and Ninen-zaka/An approach to Kiyomizudera Temple with lots of fabulous shops and restaurants on the load.

#Hokanji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda) and Yasaka Koshindo Temple on Yasaka-dori.

#Nene-no-michi/Ab approach to the Kodaiji Temple and Entokuin Temple

*Nene, an outstanding woman and wife of a feudal load, built Kodaiji Temple to commemorate the soul of a deceased husband, and resided in the nearby Entokuan Temple in the 17th century

Maruyama Park & Yasaka Jinjya Shrine

#Maruyama Park (8.7ha/21 acres)/built in the 19th century, a landscape garden with Mt. Higashiyama in the background

#Yasaka Jinja Shrine/Established in the 17th century with the official of Gionsya Temple. The shrine holds the Gion Festival with floats processing every July.

Ending Point

At your hotel 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 pick up in Kyoto City center

What‘s not included

>transportation fee (you and guide/per adult)/some 2000JPY, taxi(undecided)

>admission fee (you/per adult)/Seikanji Temple (donation), Kiyomizu-Dera Temple(400JPY), Kodaiji Temple(600JPY)

>short break/lunch/dinner

Tour Important Information

>Please note that the itinerary may change if traffic is congested or tourist spots are crowded.

>Please wear comfortable shoes as we will walk up the slopes and stairs at the foot of the mountains.

>Please bring Japanese yen, as the additional fees are often charged in CASH.

>The tour is not insured, so I hope you get 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

(12 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Yosshi S.

Thank you for visiting my page. I am passionate about guiding international travelers through Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto—cities that served as Japan’s capitals in succession from the 7th to the 20th centuries.

I grew up in Osaka and studied urban and transportation planning in Kyoto. After obtaining a Master of Engineering degree, I worked as a government official for 20 years, striving to balance urban development with the preservation of historical assets under the City Planning Act.

Since the 7th century, powerful local clans established a national framework by building new capitals—first in Naniwa (Osaka), followed by Heijo (Nara) and Heian (Kyoto)—and implementing legal codes and administrative systems led by the emperor. These capitals housed the Imperial Palace and government districts. Court nobles built their residences and clans’ temples or shrines adjacent to the imperial palace.

After the emperor and court nobles relocated from Kyoto to Tokyo about 150 years ago, the Buddhist monks, Shinto priests, and residents of these three cities have continued to work together to maintain historic structures and preserve the traditional religious rituals associated with them.

After retiring from public service, I began working as a freelance guide, sharing these historical assets with travelers from abroad.

Since these three cities are all within about one hour of each other by train, I can propose tours customized to your schedule and physical stamina. I look forward to hearing from you.

Reviews

Rose L.

5 / 5

Oct 24, 2026

Millennial City Kyoto, Power & Charm Transition

Oct 24, 2026

Kyoto

7 hours

“Great experience ”

Totally different experience - we weren’t picked up by car - instead Yosshi met us and we took local transportation, taxis and lots of walking! Got to experience the local side of touring and he made sure to tell us as much as possible of the areas around us!

Yosshi S.

Dear Rose san Thank you for leaving a review. I was relieved to read your kind words, especially given all the walking we did while using local transportation, which must have been physically demanding. It would bring me great joy to know that you enjoyed interacting with fellow passengers and taking in the scenery from the windows while traveling by train and tram. I was also very pleased to explain how Kyoto’s cultural heritage and traditional events are sustained through the long-standing efforts of the local community in Gion Kagai. ”Buen viaje”, and I hope to see you again. Warm regards. Yosshi

Michelle M.

5 / 5

Jun 14, 2026

Millennial City Kyoto, Power & Charm Transition

Jun 14, 2026

Kyoto

5 hours 30 mins

“Great Highlights of Central Kyoto”

We had an excellent tour with Yosshi. I recommend him. He had great communication to create a custom tour for us. He emailed about and researched our sights ahead of time. He arrived early at our hotel lobby. He spoke good English and was very kind. He was very informative about the many sights we visited and came prepared with printouts. He took photos of our family. He took us to the Nijo castle, Imperial Palace and Manga museum. He helped us with ordering lunch. He was very knowledgeable getting around the metro. It made our day a breeze. We really enjoyed our day and Yosshi made it very special. Thank you.

Yosshi S.

Dear Michelle-san Thank you for taking the time to send me such a heartwarming review. The Kemari Garden at the Imperial Palace is a game where players pass a ball to their opponent in an easy-to-kick manner. Today, we visited a place of great importance in Japanese history, set on a vast site full of early-summer greenery. The spirit of Kemari (a football game) lives on at this turning point as well. As a guide, I tried my best to provide clear explanations. The day I spent with you has become a memorable tour for me. OH-KI-NI! (Kyoto dialect for thank you). Yosshi

James S.

5 / 5

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hilltop

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