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Kyoto Spiritual Tour! – Half Day by Private Car
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Joined 2025
Visit 4 special places in Kyoto and feel the calm, spiritual energy.
Kyoto is hot in summer, but you can relax in a cool and quiet car.
This tour is only on weekdays, so there are fewer people.
It’s good to enjoy Kyoto slowly and peacefully.
Each place has beautiful nature. The air is very clear and fresh.
Your mind can feel calm and clean again.
This is for people who want to take care of work, family, and themselves.
The car can take 3 adults.
If you come with kids, just tell us before!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your hotel
- Pick-up is available from your hotel . Please let me know your exact location or a nearby landmark when you book the tour.
Kinkaku-ji Temple or Kitano Tenmangū Shrine
・Kinkaku-ji Temple
Yes — this is the famous golden temple everyone knows.
But when you’re here, it’s not just for photos.
It’s also a place to feel calm and quiet inside yourself.
・Admission fee: ¥500 for adults / ¥300 for children
・Parking fee ¥400
・Kitano Tenmangū Shrine
This shrine is dedicated to the god of learning, creativity, and talent.
People come here to pray for success in studies, exams, and artistic growth.
There’s also a famous shop nearby that sells delicious grilled mochi (rice cakes) — perfect for a sweet break!
・Parking fee ¥600
Kamigamo-jinja Shrine
One of the oldest shrines in Kyoto.
The god here is said to have power strong enough to split thunder.
People come to pray for protection, victory, and disaster prevention.
You can also try a unique water fortune-telling in the shrine grounds.
・Parking fee: ¥600
Lunch
I’ll also introduce you to some of my favorite local spots.
I especially recommend trying takoyaki, a popular local street food!
・The parking fee is ¥800. (In some cases, free parking is available.)
Shimogamo-jinja Shrine
Shimogamo Shrine ....is known for purification, renewal, and protection.
It’s a perfect place to reset your heart and body.
The air here feels fresh and sacred — especially when you walk through the forest.
The shrine is surrounded by a deep forest called Tadasu no Mori (the Forest of Truth).
This is my top recommended power spot in Kyoto.
Let’s take a slow walk, enjoy the peaceful air,
and maybe stop for shaved ice or rice cakes along the way.
・Parking fee: ¥500
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
The most powerful spot here is the Senbon Torii – the thousands of red gates.Walking through them is said to help you clear your mind and move forward in life.Each gate represents a wish, and as you pass through, you walk closer to your goals.
You can actually eat grilled sparrow here.
Why? Well… I’ll tell you during the tour.
・Parking fee: ¥600
Ending Point
Fushimi Inari Shrine
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
*Private car transportation (air-conditioned, up to 3 guests)
*English/Japanese speaking guide throughout the tour
*Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or nearly Station
*Entrance coordination at shrines and temples
*Transportation via Nissan cube (5-seater)
*Gasoline fee
*Toll fee
*Entrance fees
*Meals and drinks ( Lunch cost: about ¥2,000〜 per person, TAKOYAKI + Drink : about ¥900 per person, Traditional Kyoto sweets Oshiruko (sweet red bean soup) or Kakigōri (shaved ice).¥500 〜 ¥1,300)
*Personal purchases such as souvenirs or omamori (charms)
*Special blessings or goshuin (temple/shrine stamps) – optional
*Parking fees (approx. ¥2,900 total for the full tour)
*Travel insurance – Please arrange your own coverage before the tour.
Tour Important Information
*This tour involves a lot of walking and stairs, so please wear comfortable shoes.
*This tour is not recommended for people with serious back or knee problems.
*This tour is available on weekdays only.
*The car fits up to 3 adults. Please contact me if you are traveling with children.
*Parking fees (total ¥2900〜) and temple admission fees are not included in the tour price.
*Lunch and sweets are not included
*Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
There are many other beautiful spiritual spots in Kyoto.
If you have a place you want to visit, just let us know!
We’ll check if it’s safe and easy to go by car and do our best to include it.
However… there’s just one exception: Yasui Konpira Shrine!
I’m sorry, but I won’t go inside. It’s too powerful for me!
Important message from the supplier
-Last-minute bookings (1 day before) are sometimes possible — feel free to ask!
-If you want me to make reservations for shops or restaurants, please contact me at least 1 week in advance.
-I can help you rent a bicycle.
-Please note: I love wine! But if I drink during the tour… I might forget where we’re going. So I’ll stay sober—but if you like, I can show you some great wine spots in Kyoto!
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 2025
About Tour Guide Michiko N.
Hello, and thank you for visiting my page among so many wonderful guides!
My name is Michiko. I was born and raised in Kyoto, and I still live here.
In my twenties, I lived for a short time in the UK, and recently I spent a year in Thailand.
I love traveling to different countries, and I enjoy talking with people from all over the world.
When we are in a country that is not our own, I believe it is important to show respect.
I always try to respect your culture, and I hope to share the spirit of Japanese hospitality with you too.
Kyoto is a beautiful and special place.
It has a long history, many unique small shops, and charming hidden paths.
In summer, it gets very hot, so I can guide you by car for comfort.
But if you like walking, I’m happy to do that too.
I can also take you to some delicious local food spots!
Besides guiding, I work in the theater and performance art.
I love telling stories and sharing emotions.
I’m looking forward to showing you not only the famous places,
but also the heart of Kyoto—its quiet beauty, kind people, and unforgettable stories.
…Besides guiding, I work in the theater and performance art.
I love telling stories and sharing emotions.
Right now, I’m working on a new artistic project:
I create theater-style performances inside shop windows.
My dream is to show my work outside Japan someday.
I’m still learning and growing as an artist,
so if you’re interested, I’d love to talk with you about Japanese performing arts, like Kabuki!
I really look forward to the day I can guide you around Kyoto.
Let’s discover beautiful moments together!
with BIG LOVE!
Reviews
Christin M.
“Unbelievable day touring Kyoto by Private Car ! ”
Outstanding day seeing temples and getting to learn so much about tradition, culture and religion here in Japan. Michiko took us to multiple temples and had so much extra information for us along the way. 10/10 - can’t recommend this tour enough.
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Michiko N.
Thank you so much for letting me join your day in Kyoto！ I remember well the things you talked about on the way. I hope we can meet again someday. I wish you both many happy days！！！！ Michiko
Lea B.
“A lovely day in Kyoto with Michiko”
We made the booking very last minute, and yet, Michiko was a star in preparing a programme. She was extremely attentive to our requests and she arranged a very nice tour for us. She knows well the art scene, theatre and can arrange very interesting visits. Michiko is very open to discussion, she likes her city and is genuinely happy to show it to tourists like us. She explained many things to us about the places we visited and about the daily life in Japan. She even helped us in visiting a supermarket and bring back some actual food souvenirs … She drove us through the city and is a very prudent driver. We recommand visiting Kyoto with her
Michiko N.
Thank you so much for choosing me this time. Kyoto’s summer is very hard,,, I really appreciate that you tried to discover Kyoto even in this heat. As someone who lives here, it makes me very happy. I hope I was able to meet your wishes. More than anything, I am grateful for all the stories you and your family shared with me. You even kindly supported me when I was not perfect. It was truly an honor to spend this time together with you. Thank you very much, and I really hope we can meet again someday!
Ayli G.
“Exciting and educational”
Thank you, Michiko-san, for this tour! We truly made the best out of our time by visiting so many places, thanks to you, and it was both exciting and educational. In one day, we were able to visit: - Yasaka Shrine - Shimogamo Shrine - The Golden Temple - Tenryu-ji Temple (and bamboo forest) We also really appreciated how you adapted the tour so that we could learn not only about Kyoto’s history, but also how to pray at both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. I especially enjoyed talking with you in the car; I could see how much you wanted us to discover Kyoto. Thank you as well for making us discover such savoury food in a local restaurant, a true secret gem, and bringing us to buy some yukatas (summer kimonos). It was a wonderful experience and we had a lot of fun!
Michiko N.
Thank you so much, Ayli-san. I was really healed by the warm energy of your family. I was especially happy to introduce you to the soy sauce company (haha). And thank you for enjoying the yukatas! The patterns recommended by the shop are based on old Japanese ideas, so please wear them many times. I was also surprised by your great talent for drawing! Japan is such a fun place, and I believe your life will shine even brighter here. Because your family knows how to enjoy life so well, I’m sure you will have wonderful days ahead! with BIG LOVE! MICHIKO
$177/ per group
More tours by Michiko N.
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KYOTO A Sunday Breakfast Tour in Kyoto's Countryside at Ohara
Join us for a simple and peaceful morning in the countryside of Kyoto. We will leave early by car and visit Ohara Morning Market, a local farmers’ market held only on Sundays. This is not a busy sightseeing tour. It’s a small trip to feel local life, fresh air, and the slow morning of Kyoto.
KYOTO A Sunday Breakfast Tour in Kyoto's Countryside at Ohara
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Whispers of Kyoto
I will guide you to a quiet place with a beautiful garden. In autumn it can be a little crowded, but during other seasons it is relatively peaceful. For this tour, I would especially like to focus on lunch. Please let me know your preferences and budget. If you can make your reservation early, it will be easier to secure a table. Of course, even with a last-minute booking, I will do my best to find a good restaurant. Let’s enjoy the quiet atmosphere with both our hearts and bodies!
Whispers of Kyoto
Other Popular Car Tour (driving guide) Tours in Kyoto
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Kyoto Early Bird Highlights with Car Service
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Kyoto Early Bird Highlights with Car Service
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Comfortable Kyoto Van Tour (4–7 Guests): See All the Must-Sees, Hassle-Free
Kyoto is beautiful, but walking long distances and moving between sights can be tiring. This tour makes it easy. Ride in a van taxi. While crowds can’t always be avoided, you’ll save time and energy between stops. Visit famous spots like Fushimi Inari, Golden Temple, and Bamboo Forests with your guide who is a Instagram influencer can also take amazing photos of your trip.
Comfortable Kyoto Van Tour (4–7 Guests): See All the Must-Sees, Hassle-Free
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A trip to Kyoto and Osaka in one day
If you want to visit as many cities as possible during your limited stay in Japan. In such cases, private car tours are recommended. Avoid crowded buses, tedious train transfers, and expensive taxies. I will cover all major sightseeing spots in Kyoto and Osaka in one day in comfort!
A trip to Kyoto and Osaka in one day
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"Discover Kyoto's Hidden Treasures Ⅰ: Let’s explore the traditional culture untouched by tourism"
In this tour, I'll take you on a journey to experience the ancient culture deeply rooted in Kyoto, which only locals can truly appreciate, in my car. Kyoto is a basin surrounded by mountains over 900 meters high in three directions. For most of its 1200-year history, it has thrived on this flat basin. However, once you step into the mountains surrounding the area, you'll discover a world that can only be experienced with my tour.
"Discover Kyoto's Hidden Treasures Ⅰ: Let’s explore the traditional culture untouched by tourism"
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