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Kyoto, History of Film-making in Cine City

Tram in front of Koryuji Temple

Film tour led by the local NPO

Movie booklet of Chiritsubaki

Railway station nearby movie studio

Ninjya on the wall of Kyoto Studio Park

Still photos at the sta.

Light poles on the shopping street

Statue of Daimajin wearing mask during the pandemi

Monument of the Grand Prix

Entrance leading to the Villa

Garden in the Villa

Matcha and dried sweets

Togetukyo Bridge from nearby a cafe

Omuro station

Illumination at Arashiyama sta.

Kyoto, History of Film-making in Cine City

Highlights

Joined 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English, Japanese (Native)

5 hours

Private tour (only you and Yosshi S.)

Up to 6 people

Aesthetic Sense and Matcha at a garden villa designed by a SAMURAI star.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Uzumasa/Arashiyama area had about 10 film studios (2 and a theme park still alive), and outdoor filming took place on temple grounds and riverbanks. A star (Ohkouchi Denjirou) built a garden villa to represent the aesthetic sense that he had.

This tour takes you on the tram that runs through the center of the area, tracing the history of film production in the glory days.

Itinerary

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

11:30 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel or any convenient place in Kyoto City center.

- Somewhere sta. of the Arashiyama Line of Keifuku Electric Railroad (Randen for short) is convenient. It has a Y-shaped network with 22 sta. on the 11km long.

Taisyogun Area (Kitano-Hakubaicyo starting sta.)

>Jizoin Temple/ “Samurai’ s Soul” (premiered in 2018) was inspired by a rare type of camellia in this temple (at its best in Spring).

Uzumasa Area (Katabirano-tsuji sta.)

>Community development that people live with films/streetlamps designed with cameras, the monument to the Grand Prix at the 12th Venice International Film Festival ("Rashomon" premiered in 1950).

Arashiyama Area (Arashiyama terminal sta)

#Arashiyama Park:/A viewpoint for the scenery created by the Katsuragawa River and Togetsukyo Bridge (155m long) with Mt. Ogura (296m height) and Mt. Arashiyama (382m height) in the background. A famous spot for cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves.

#Ohkouchi Garden Villa/At the west end of the bamboo grove, D.Ohkouchi, a SAMURAI film actor in the 1900s, built his villa over 30 years on the slope of Mt.Ogura where we can overlook the entire Kyoto city area.

#Arashiyama sta./ illumination at dusk with 600 poles decorated with Kyoto Yuzen-dyed fabric.

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 (you and guide)/Randen (1-day ticket:700JPY(adult)), taxi(undecided)

>Admission fee (you and guide)/Ohkouchi Garden Villa (1000JPY including Matcha(adult))

>short break/lunch/dinner

Tour Important Information

>Please wear comfortable shoes on foot and by tram.

>Please be aware that during the cherry blossom viewing season, transportation and tourist facilities will be crowded, which may take longer than expected, and some of the facilities on the itinerary may not be accessible

>This tour is not covered by insurance.

>The above extra fees are often asked with CASH on the spots, so please bring some JPY.

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