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Kyoto, Hill & Canal Hike commands Great Views

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

Fire beds on Mt. Daimonji

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

(11 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 human dramas performed by 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!

10:30 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel 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.

#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.

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).

*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. Landscape architects introduced the water to create vivid 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.

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.

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

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 (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

(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