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Kyoto, Hill & Canal Hike commands Great Views

Fire beds on Mt. Daimonji

Kamogawa delta with stepping stones

Kyoto University

Entrance of Silver Pavilion

Silver Pavilion

White sand beside Pavilion

Kanji DAI on Mt. Daimonji

Uphill mountain path

Uphill mountainpath

Part of Kanji Dai

Philosopher's Path along the Canal

Nanzenji Temple

Upper platforms of MainGate

Aqueduct of canal in Nanzenji Temple grounds

Image of Stand by Me on Inclined Railway

Kyoto, Hill & Canal Hike commands Great Views

Nature & Outdoor

Joined 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English, Japanese (Native)

6 hours

Private tour (only you and Yosshi S.)

Up to 6 people

Kyoto was the capital for 1,000 years, thanks to its geographical advantage: a city surrounded by mountains and flowing with rivers and canals. Emperors, aristocrats, monks, scholars, and citizens cultivated a unique culture and landscape that consists of temples and shrines throughout the seasons. On this tour, we'll climb Mt. Daimonji and walk along the Biwako Canal, reflecting on the achievements of our ancestors and experiencing the scenery from a different perspective.

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 or any convenient place in Kyoto City center.

Kamogawa Delta, Waterside Repose at Students Town

#Kamogawa Delta (Local Name)/Two rivers meet to create a unique landscape with stepping stones across the river and delta-shaped land; many students take a rest on the riverbank.

#Students town/There are secondhand bookstores, cafes, restaurants around Kyoto University, where we can see a clear distant view of Mt. Daimonji.

Silver Pavilion, Moonlight changed Name of Temple

#Jisyoji Temple (2 ha)/Built in the 14th century at the foot of Mt. Daimonji, this wooden building in Zen and Samurai styles is a representative example of Higashiyama culture, which valued the aesthetic of quiet simplicity. It later came to be known as the Silver Pavilion because of the way the moonlight reflected off the white sand mound in the garden, illuminating the building.

Mt. Daimonji, Place of Farewell Bonfires

#Farewell Bonfires/In August, a bonfire in the shape of Kanji “dai” (great) is lit on the mountains to guide the spirits of ancestors back to the other world.

#We hike from the trailhead next to Silver Pavilion to Kanjidai (a bonfire pit at an elevation of 340m), and enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city.

*The round-trip hike takes approximately 100 minutes. Hiking is not permitted on bonfire days (mid-August).

Philosopher's Path that Deepened Zen Teachings

# Lake Biwa Canal/It was constructed at the end of the 19th century for purposes including drinking water, water transportation, and irrigation. Landscape architects introduced the water to create Japanese gardens, and a Kyoto University philosopher regularly walked along the canal while deepening his thoughts from Zen teachings.

# Philosopher’s Path/We walk the 2-kilometer promenade along the canal covered with trees, and stop at the temples along the way.

Brick Aqueduct is Part of the Scenery in Nanzenji Temple.

#Nanzen-ji Temple (15ha)/A prestigious Zen temple founded in the 13th century, has an arched red brick aqueduct (93m long,4m wide,14m high) that flows fresh water.

#Hojo(residence)/the house was relocated from the Palace with outstanding wall paintings and landscape gardens

#San-mon(Main Gate)/The Gate offers a superb view from its upper platforms.

Ending Point

At your hotel or any convenient place 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 (guest and guide/adult)/ some 1500JPY, taxi(undecided)

>Admission fee (guest/per adult)/ Silver Pavilion(1000JPY),Nanzenji Temple(600+500JPY),

Tour Important Information

>The tour uses subway, bus, taxi(for small groups),and walking as needed for easy access. Please wear comfortable walking shoes for transfers and going up mountains.

>Please be aware that during the cherry blossom viewing season, transportation and tourist facilities will be crowded, so some of the facilities on the itinerary may not be accessible.

>The above additional fees are often paid in cash on-site, so please have some Japanese yen(JPY).

>The tour does not include insurance. I hope you purchase your own 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

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Yosshi S.

Thank you for visiting my page.

I will guide you to the 3 ancient capitals of Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto, which housed the Imperial Palace for 1200 years, starting in the 7th century.

I grew up in Osaka, studied urban and transportation planning in Kyoto, and worked for national and local governments as an urban planning expert for 20 years. My goal was to create cities where citizens can live safely and comfortably, and which captivate tourists to stimulate the local economy. I developed urban policies and construction projects. During this time, I visited and researched unique cities in Japan and abroad (90 cities in 30 countries), exchanging ideas with local experts on preserving historic assets.

I use my extensive urban development experience and knowledge of cities in Japan and abroad to uncover the hidden charms of the 3 ancient capitals and share them with international tourists, working as a guide.

In the 3 ancient capitals, the Imperial Palace was relocated 15 times, and each time a new capital was built, with court nobles and monks accompanying His Majesty the Emperor. Knowing the history of these cities' development, we will come to appreciate that the townscape before us is the result of the strong will of many people.

The 3 cities are within an hour's train ride of each other, and the transportation network is well-developed. I will create a Customized Tour that will remain in your photos and memories forever, within the limits of your time and energy. I look forward to hearing from you.

Reviews

James S.

5 / 5

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hill

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 Hill

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

James K.

5 / 5

Oct 21, 2025

Nara, Stroll in Nara Park led by Friendly Deer

Oct 21, 2025

Nara

6 hours

“Nara park and Todai-Temple Tour”

Wonderful tour with Yosshi. Really enjoyed both Nara Park and the Todai-ji Temple. Yosshi customized the tour for our needs, and made the travel to and from Kyoto seamless.

Yosshi S.

Hello James san Thank you for your heartwarming review. I was so happy to see you and your mother enjoying the deer in Nara Park. I was also touched by how much you always cherish your mother, and I learned a lot from you. I'm glad I was able to show you around Nara Park and the Great Buddha Hall. On the train ride there and back, you and your mother told me stories about your town and asked me many questions, which broadened my horizons. I hope you and your mother are in good health. I look forward to seeing you again. Thank you. Yosshi