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Kyoto Historical Tour --- Memory of Emperor & Shogun
Joined 2017
As emperor has stayed at Kyoto for more than one thousand years, there are so many historical places related with emperors in Kyoto.Also at samurai period, Muromati Shogun had stayed at Kyoto, and Tokugawa Shogun built the castle in Kyoto.This tour will visit Nijo-jo castle, Imperial palace, Kinkakuji temple, and Ninnaji temple to learn the history of Kyoto related with emperor and Shogun. Once you visit these historical sites in Kyoto, you will understand the history of Kyoto and Japan.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Kyoto station or the hotel in Kyoto
Nijo-jo castle: This is historical site indicating the begining of Tokugawa Shogun and the end of Shogun.
Kyoto Imperial Palace: This is the palace where emperor had been stayed for one thousand years.
Kinkakuji temple(Golden pavilion): This was the villa of Ashikaga Shogun, Yoshimitsu, and turned to the temple later.
Ninnaji temple: This temple has been used as the villa of retired emperor and many interesting points compared with Imperial Palace.
Ending Point
Kyoto station
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
Guide fee, hotel pick-up in Kyoto
transportation fee (you and guide), We would use Subway/bus one day ticket - 900 yen,
Entrance fee: Nijo-jo castke, Kinkakuji temple, and Ninnaji temple - 1500 yen
Tour Important Information
1. Normally Kyoto Imperial Palace is closed on Monday, so I will check the schedule, and confirm the tour first.
2. Please consider the tour starting time to be at 9AM or after, as I come from the local area of Nara to Kyoto in the morning.
Important message from the supplier
No special conditions
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 2017
About Tour Guide Makoto Y.
Hello, I’m Makoto (Mac) and I'm a national-licensed tour guide.
My previous career as an automotive engineer, gave me the opportunity to learn English and to live in the US, Germany, and England. After I retired, I learned more about the Japanese history especially focusing on Nara and Kyoto to become a historical specialist of the Nara area. I now live in Ikaruga town in Nara prefecture, where the UNESCO World Heritage, Horyuji temple is located. I regularly offer guides on the Fujinoki tumulus, which is located near the Horyuji temple. It contains very interesting Archaeological findings from the end of the Kofun Period.
Recently, there are many foreign tourists who come to Japan, and I hope they enjoy learning about the culture and history of Japan. I would like to help tourists have a broader and deeper understanding of the Japanese culture and that is the reason why I decided to become a tour guide to help and support their experience in Japan.
Nara is the place where Japan started. The capital was located in Asuka, Fujiwara and Nara before it moved to Kyoto. Therefore, there are many places to visit in Nara to trace the original history of Japan, which I have a depth of knowledge.
Let’s explore the roots of Japan together!!
Reviews
“A flexible and considerate guide with a thorough knowledge of Osaka”
We had a great day out in Osaka with Makoto seeing the famous city sights. As we'd been touring Japan for two weeks prior, my feet were extremely tired even at the start (next time I'll plan some recovery days), and Makoto very considerately took this into account throughout the day. Despite my weariness, we saw Osaka Castle, the Museum of Housing and Living, shopping streets, Dotonbori, and other local sights, with Makoto providing information that knit everything together, giving us a great overview of the history of Osaka. It was all fascinating, and I particularly enjoyed the museum sections of Osaka Castle and the Museum of Housing and Living. We also did some shopping, both for fun (souvenirs) and for a soothing spray that helped my feet. It was quite effective at helping me through the remainder of the tour. We had a great day, and I definitely recommend Makoto to anyone visiting Osaka. Thank you, Makoto!
Makoto Y.
(109 reviews)Thanks for your nice review comments. I was so happy to know that the story of Toyotomi Hidetsugi, adopted son of Hideyoshi, was connected with the story of Hideyoshi life, through your visit of Koyasan and Osaka castle. Hidetsugu was forced to suicide by Hideyoshi and ended the life at Koyasan. You are so keen to learn Japanese culture and history, and I enjoyed to share the Japanese history with you throughout this tour. It is good news that your feet is being recovered. I hope that you recover completely and take a nice trip in Japan and nice trip back to Australia. Please come back to Japan someday. I will cover continuous story of Japanese history. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide this time. Makoto
“Secret Osaka: The Seven Hills”
Makoto led us to a different side of Osaka. We took a long walk up and down the seven slopes of Tennoji, where some 200 shrines and temples are located. It was slow, quiet and uncrowded. With Makoto's expert guidance we visited about a dozen of the most famous temples. We had a chance to observe neighborhood life, from painting groups seated on temple steps to a monk blessing a brand new BMW. Makoto was well-organized and provided us with copies of the temple descriptions. We asked many questions and he patiently shared his knowledge of the temples. It was a very warm autumn day and Makoto was sensitive to our needs for rest and shade, and to find cold bottled water from vending machines tucked in passageways. I also wish to acknowledge GoWithGuide for its selection and listing of guides. Makoto was one of three GoWithGuides who showed us around different part of Japan. All of them were excellent.
Makoto Y.
(109 reviews)Dear Elena and Rob, Thanks for your nice review comments. This tour is really different side of Osaka, but this area contains the full of Osaka history. I also enjoyed guiding you as I learned the Osaka history too. I am so happy to know that you have enjoyed the tour. Thanks again for your choosing me of your guide this time. Makoto
“Fantastic overview of Kyoto”
We have used private guides many times, but this was without a doubt the best organized personal tour we have taken by far. Makoto was super organized and knowledgeable. He gave us historical background, orientation to the layout of Kyoto, introduced us to taxi, bus and subway use, taught us a few Japanese terms and even gave us hand fans to use because it was hot on the trains. He helped us plan the remainder of our time in Kyoto as well with tips on where to eat and what to see. He also helped us with a personal problem, one of our group lost their wallet. He took us to a police station to report the loss, notified our hotel, and checked with the taxi company we used. We found the wallet with his help. Being Japan, the wallet contents were untouched when returned. Finally, he gave us a small parting gift of a one of his own watercolor pictures of Japan. It was a great experience and Makoto gave us a great introduction to Japan and its people.
Makoto Y.
(109 reviews)Dear Marjorie, What a nice comment you have gave me. I really appreciate your comment, however, I was so happy to know that you finally found the wallet. Please be advise that the action, I took for the wallet search, can be done by anyone and not special. Your comment encouraged me to be a better guide, and I will keep my efforts. Thanks again for you to choose me of your guide. Makoto
$151/ per group
Reserve
