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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

(11 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English, Japanese (Native)

6 hrs 30 mins

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

(11 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Yosshi S.

Thank you for visiting my page.

I love to guide you through the 3 ancient capitals—Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto—which served as the seat of the Imperial Palace for 1,300 years. I grew up in Osaka, studied urban and transportation planning in Kyoto, and worked for 20 years as an urban planning expert for national and local governments. My career also focused on "city promotion"—attracting businesses and talent by highlighting the appeal and convenience of Japanese cities to international corporate leaders and the media. Later, I obtained the national qualification as a Licensed Guide-Interpreter and have been guiding international tourists on the urban landscapes and history of 3 cities.

Since the 7th century, the place of the Imperial Palace has shifted among 3 cities more than a dozen times. With each move, emperors, court nobles, samurai, and commoners alike built new palaces, temples, shrines, and residential districts, while carrying on traditional customs.

As 3 cities are all within a one-hour train ride of one another, I can propose a Customized Tour tailored to your schedule and energy levels. By exploring this area with me, you will easily grasp the origins and charm of the townscapes unfolding before you, gaining a deeper, more personal connection to the region. I look forward to hearing from you.

Reviews

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

Drew B.

5 / 5

Nov 9, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hilltop

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