GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
GoWithGuide
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
Kyoto Private Tour -
Kyoto Private Tour - Golden Pavilion
Golden Pavilion
Kyoto Private Tour - Lunch at Nishiki Market
Lunch at Nishiki Market
Kyoto Private Tour -
Kyoto Private Tour -
Kyoto Private Tour -
Kyoto Private Tour -
Kyoto Private Tour -
Kyoto Private Tour -
Kyoto Private Tour -
Kyoto Private Tour - Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market
Kyoto Private Tour - Pound with reflection
Pound with reflection
Kyoto Private Tour -

Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion, 2 Zen temples, Nishiki Market & Gion—experience it all in one day!

Art, Culture, & Historical
Kyoto Tour Guide - Akari Y.

Joined 2024

Akari Y.
5.00 / 5
(6 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Kyoto
Chinese (Simplified), English, Japanese (Native)
6 hours
Private tour (only you and Akari Y.)
Up to 8 people

Enjoy a full-day Kyoto tour of its highlights.

Start at Ryoan-ji, walking through the famous Zen rock garden.

Next, visit Kinkaku-ji to see the Golden Pavilion reflected in the pond.

Explore lively Nishiki Market and sample local specialties,

then stroll along Hanamikoji Street in Gion to enjoy the historic streetscape.

Finish at Kennin-ji, relaxing in its serene Zen gardens.

Experience Kyoto’s history, culture, and cuisine—all in one unforgettable day!

Itinerary

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

08:30 AM

Meeting Point

Kyoto station

- Meeting Points at Kyoto Station: 1, Starbucks Coffee, JR Kyoto Station, Shinkansen Central Exit 2, JR Kyoto Station, Central Exit If you would like a hotel pickup instead, please let us know your hotel name.

Ryoan-ji /Zen temple

Ryoan-ji is a Zen temple built in the 15th century, famous for its rock garden. The garden has 15 stones carefully arranged on white gravel, and from any one angle, you can never see all the stones at once. Its peaceful atmosphere makes it one of Kyoto’s most popular and unique attractions.

Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion)

Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, was built in the 14th century by shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Its top floors are covered in gold leaf, shining brilliantly above the pond. With its beautiful seasonal gardens, it is one of Kyoto’s most popular and iconic sights.

Entrance of Nishiki Market

Known as Kyoto's kitchen, this bustling market is a feast for the senses, offering local delicacies, fresh produce, and traditional crafts. It's the perfect place to experience Kyoto's culinary and cultural diversity.

Explore the charming streets of Gion

Gion is one of Kyoto’s most famous historic districts, lined with traditional wooden townhouses and tea houses. Walking along Hanamikoji Street, you can soak in the charming atmosphere and experience the essence of Kyoto’s culture.

Kenjinji is one of the oldest Zen temples in Kyoto.

Kennin-ji, founded in 1202 by the monk Eisai, is one of the oldest Zen temples in Kyoto. Located near Gion, it’s known for the Wind and Thunder Gods screens and the impressive Twin Dragons ceiling painting. The quiet gardens also let you feel the spirit of Zen.

Ending Point

At your request

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 and hospitality

What‘s not included

Public Transportation Expenses: Approximately JPY 1,300 per person


Admission Fees (per person):

Ryoan-ji: JPY 500

Kinkaku-ji: JPY 500

Kennin-ji: JPY 800

Food and Drinks:


Lunch is approximately JPY 2,000 per person (for both you and your guide).


Please note that admission fees, transportation costs, and the guide’s lunch are to be covered by guests. We kindly ask you to have cash ready for payment at each location.

Tour Important Information

* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Important message from the supplier

Transportation fee and lunch fee for yourself ans the guide will be paid by the customer.

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
Kyoto Tour Guide - Akari Y.

Joined 2024

Akari Y.
5.00 / 5
(6 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Akari Y.

I have started guiding in the Kansai area since 2023. I am passionate about introducing the history of Japan.

I am happy to introduce guests from overseas to the Japanese culture established by our predecessors.

I will introduce Japanese culture, food, cuisine, sake, nature, manga, spiritual culture, history, Buddhism, Shinto, Shugendo, pilgrimage paths, and other topics of interest.


Let me introduce myself. I was born in Osaka and grew up in Osaka and Kyoto. I have lived in the U.S., China, and Australia when I was young.

Reviews

A Wonderful Morning in Osaka

My wife and I had the honor of spending our very first day in Japan — our honeymoon — with Akari-San in Osaka. From the very beginning, she made us feel so welcome, sharing her deep knowledge of the city and Japanese history in a way that was engaging, thoughtful, and easy to connect with. She went above and beyond to ensure our day was stress-free and enjoyable, even taking the time to teach us how to use the train system — something that can feel overwhelming at first. Her kindness, patience, and attention to detail made us feel completely at ease, allowing us to focus on simply enjoying the beauty of Osaka. What stood out most was the genuine care she showed, constantly checking in to make sure we were comfortable and happy. It truly felt like spending the day with a dear friend! This was the perfect way to begin our journey, and it will remain one of the most cherished memories of our lives. Thank you, Akari-San, for being part of our adventure in Japan in such a meaningful and unforgettable way.

Mike C.

Akari Y.

Thank you so much for your warm and thoughtful message. I am truly grateful to have had the chance to be part of such a special moment at the very beginning of your new journey together. I sincerely hope that your honeymoon in Japan will become a shining memory for you both. Seeing your closeness reminded me of the time when I first met my husband, and it brought back such fond memories. In a way, I felt as though I was looking at my younger self and my husband through the two of you. Please know that I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and wish you both lasting happiness. Thank you again for allowing me to share in this precious day of your lives. It was such an honor to be with you on one of the most memorable days of your lives. It was a day that reminded me how grateful I am to be a guide, and I truly felt that you shared your happiness with me. Thank you for that gift.

What a wonderful experience!

What a great pleasure it was to meet Akari! I visited Osaka on the last leg of my visit to Japan and didn‘t expect that much after all the wonderful experiences of the last few weeks. How wrong I was! And it wasn’t so much about Osaka and it‘s sights (don‘t get me wrong - they are truly impressive) but rather about Akari and her stories. It was like meeting an old friend and spending a couple of pleasant hours walking through town and enjoying some very good Korean food together. In a country where language is a barrier (unless you speak Japanese of course), Akari gave me some much wanted and appreciated insights into not only the history of Osaka (a city she dearly loves) but also the day to day life here in Japan.

Dana F.

Akari Y.

Thank you so much for your warm and thoughtful message. I truly felt as if I were guiding an old friend, and I had such a wonderful time with you. It was as if we had known each other from long ago—even from a time before this life. I especially enjoyed sharing delicious Korean food with you and walking through Namba, where you listened attentively to the city's stories and joined in the fun with me. I was also very happy that you listened with such interest to the history and features of Osaka Castle. Your curiosity and openness made our time together even more enjoyable. I was deeply impressed by how much you understand and respect Japanese culture—it truly touched my heart. Even after you return home, I hope you can continue to enjoy the comfortable time you had here in Japan. I am sure that whenever you close your eyes, the vivid and happy memories of Japan will come back to you. Meeting someone like you reminds me of why I love being a guide. I am sincerely grateful for our encounter and hope our paths will cross again in the future. Next time we meet, I will welcome you with some Japanese natural wine specially prepared for the occasion!

Want to Personalize?

$263/ per group

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