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Kyoto, Mountain Hike with View of Entire City

tour's goal spot on the Mt.Daimonji

Kamogawa Delta

statue of the SAMURAI star on Delta

handcraft market in Chionji Temple

rotating prayer beads in Chionji Temple

Kyoto University

at the corner of old road

Philosopher's Path

entrance of Jisyoji Temple

hiking trail

turning point on hiking trail

a part of Kanji Character

panoramic view from fire beds

Kyoto, Mountain Hike with View of Entire City

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

Walk from bottom to top and find the townscape from different angles.

Kyoto has been the capital for 1000 years because of geographical advantages from the viewpoint of governance, defense, transport, and citizen’s lives: the center of Japan, 3 large rivers running, and mountains on 3 sides. Many temples and shrines were built on hillsides, creating attractive scenery each season. On this tour, we hike from the riverbank to the hillside while dropping in some historical spots on the road.

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

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

Demachiyanagi Area (Keihan/Eizan Railway,Demachiyanagi Sta.)

>Kamogawa Delta (Local Name)/two rivers meet and form the delta-shaped land, statue of the SAMURAI film star and location sites

Hyakumanben Area (literal meaning is one million times)

>Chionji Temple/the address came from this temple that is familiar to the locals,

#Note/handcraft market and rotating prayer beads are held once a month (on the 15th)

>Student town/Kyoto University, clear distant view of the tour’s goal, Mt.Daimonj.

Philosopher’s path Area

>Philosopher’s path/getting around a 2-km-footpath along the canal while deep in thought

>Jisyoji Temple (Silver Pavilion)/originally a villa that embodied the aesthetic sense of the Ashikaga Shogun, it was not covered with silver foil

Mt.Daimonji Area(literal meaning is big in Kanji Character)

>Mt.Daimonji/hike from the trailhead beside Silver Pavilion to the heart of Kanji Dai (fire beds of the bonfire, 340m high(out of 465m)), panoramic view of the entire city

#Note/go and return travel time is about 100 minutes, hike is not available on a bonfire day (mid-August)

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, taxi/(undecided)

>admission fee (you and guide)/Jisyoji Temple(Silver Pavilion(500JPY/person))

>short break/lunch/dinner

Tour Important Information

>Please note that the Mt. Daimonji hike is canceled on a rainy day and a bonfire day(mid-August), and we go to another spot.　

>Some events in Chionji Temple are held once a month (on the 15th)

>This tour is scheduled to descend the mountain before sunset, so departure time and stopover places may vary depending on the season.

>Please wear comfortable shoes for the unpaved hiking trail

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

>This tour is not covered by 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. During that time, I visited numerous cities in Japan and abroad, conducting field research on the history and current state of urban development. I discovered that while the physical forms of cities may differ, the aspirations of the people who built them often share common themes.

Since the establishment of Naniwa (Osaka), Heijo (Nara), and Heian (Kyoto) Palaces during the 7th to 20th centuries, 3 cities have developed into important centers of politics, commerce, culture, and religion. As an urban planning expert, I worked to preserve historic landscapes and create modern ones—applying urban planning techniques to honor the city's long history of urban development. Later, I obtained the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification and began working as a freelance guide.

When guiding you through the attractions of 3 cities, I explain not only what you see but also the historical background behind their development. 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. 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