On this tour, you'll experience Kyoto's culture in places where the fusion of the four seasons and Japanese beauty is most profound. You'll see, hear, feel, and taste. We'll explore Gion/Higashiyama area.
The unique feature of this tour is the ability to enjoy sightseeing in a relaxed manner, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. We, the team (tourism experts in our 20s and 30s), promise to deliver a truly unique and special tour experience in Kyoto.
The lobby of your hotel
「知恩院」
"Chion-in Temple: Historic, large Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. Known for its beautiful gardens and grand gate."
Chion-in is a vast temple complex in Kyoto with traditional Japanese architecture. It showcases an impressive Sanmon gate, extensive gardens, and historic buildings. Originally established in 1234, it's significant for Pure Land Buddhism and preserves Japan's cultural heritage.
「青蓮院 門跡」
"Shoren-in Monzeki - A tranquil oasis in Kyoto, renowned for stunning gardens, serene koi ponds, and breathtaking night illuminations."
The Shoren-in Monzeki is a historic Buddhist temple marked by moss gardens and serene ponds. Its tasteful architecture showcases Japanese aesthetics. The structures, including the main hall with sliding doors revealing scenic views, and vast nighttime illuminations significantly contribute to its cultural importance.
「無鄰菴」
"Mirei Shigemori's masterpiece, the 'Garden of Solitary Sitting' is at Murin-an, a serene haven showcasing Japanese landscaping artistry."
You will take "Mocha" in Murin-an.
Mirei Shigemori's Residence, also known as Muryo-an, is a traditional Japanese house with a garden designed by the renowned landscape architect, Mirei Shigemori. It is a rare combination of modern and traditional Japanese design elements, reflecting Shigemori's unique perspective on garden design.
「蹴上インクライン」
"Keage Incline - A historical site with abandoned train tracks, offering picturesque cherry blossom views in spring, evoking a nostalgic atmosphere."
「祇をん う桶や う」
"Unagi - A delectable Japanese delicacy, grilled eel glazed with a sweet-savory sauce, served over rice. A must-try for food lovers."
6,000JPY〜
Prices and genres of restaurants and meals can be adjusted according to the preferences and requests of the customers. Additionally, we are flexible in accommodating specific dietary restrictions or preferences for any reason.
Tour end
Gion Uoke-ya U
Guide fee, Hotel pick up within Kyoto.
Transportation fare,(you and guide), lunch・dinner or dessert (you and guide), entrance fee(you and guide).
We will compose a tour for you.
If you have any concerns or particulars about your trip, please contact us!
At least 3days of notice required before a booking.
The hourly guide fee varies depending on the number of guests:
- One guide can handle up to 7 guests. For every additional 7 guests, an extra guide is added.
(E.g., 9 guests require 2 guides, 15 guests require 3 guides)
- The basic hourly rate per guide is ¥7,000/h.
(E.g., 2 guides would cost ¥14,000/h, and 3 guides would cost ¥21,000/h)
- If one guide handles more than 3 guests, an additional fee of ¥1,500/h per guest will be charged.
(E.g., for 4 guests, the rate is ¥8,500/h, for 7 guests it's ¥13,000/h. For 10 guests (i.e., 2 guides), the calculation is ¥7,000/h x 2 + ¥1,500/h x 4 = ¥20,000.)
- The fees indicated on the tour page are based on the basic hourly rate.
Therefore, if the number of guests is more than 3, the price will be adjusted according to the formula mentioned above.
Thank you for your understanding.
The hourly rate for the guide fee stands at 7,000JPY for a group of 3people.It’s essential to note that this fee solely covers the guide’s services. All other expenses, including meals, transportation, and entrance fees, are not included and will be billed separately.
For groups exceeding four customers, an additional fee will be incurred as the guide needs to attend to a larger number of people. Please be advised.
“Keiko was great”
We asked her for a short tour our first day in Kyoto to get us acquainted with the city, and she really put together a good program with 3 temples, some stores, some street vendors, the old quarter, and a bar by the river. All that in 4 hours! She recommended a restaurant for after the tour, which turned out to be great. Her English is fantastic. Keiko is just a really smart and flexible person who can put together what you are looking for, I'm sure. She is actually from Indonesia but has lived in Japan for several years and is currently a student in Kyoto, so that was an interesting and different perspective we thought. Highly recommended. Kent and Luca
Koin M.
(22 reviews)Dear Kent and Luca, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Keiko. It sounds like she did an excellent job of creating a comprehensive itinerary for your first day in Kyoto, showcasing the city's highlights while also providing insights into its culture and atmosphere. We're delighted that you appreciated Keiko's recommendations and found her to be both smart and flexible in tailoring the tour to your preferences. Her diverse background adds a unique perspective to the experience, and we're glad you found it interesting. We hope to welcome you back on your next visit to Japan, or perhaps your friends and family as they explore this beautiful country! Warm Regards, Koin
“Brilliant, friendly, well planned local”
Our tour was with Chiharu and he was lovely. From the moment he met us at our accommodation he was tremendously friendly and kind. He took us to many of the highlights every tourist should see in Kyoto but also took us to some much less crowded and beautiful places that we had not thought about visiting. He took such good care of us recommending his favorite coffee shop close to where we are staying, making sure we had eaten or were planning to try all the important dishes of Japan and helping us get dinner reservations. He listened to what we enjoyed doing and explained so much about many of the sites we visited. Out of 5 I would give him 10. Booking was also very easy and Koin did a fantastic job communicating with me. If you are looking for a friendly, well educated, easy going local to help you find your way in Kyoto this is the tour for you.
Koin M.
(22 reviews)Dear Caroline, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a brilliant time exploring Kyoto with Chiharu. It warms our hearts to know that he provided such a friendly and personalized experience for you, showcasing both the must-see highlights and hidden gems of Kyoto. We're delighted that Chiharu's recommendations, from coffee shops to local cuisine, added extra enjoyment to your trip. We hope to welcome you back on your next visit to Japan, or perhaps your friends and family as they explore this beautiful country! Warm Regards, Koin
Chip M.
Mystical Mountains: A Tour of Kurama and Kifune Shrines
“Great tour in countryside away from city”
We loved this tour. Chiharu was an excellent guide since he was local and knew the area well. We wanted to fo beyond the city and see the country side, normal life and the mountains. This tour was great for that as the train ran up the mountain through villages and also a magical Japanese Maple Forest. Our guide was patience with us as the hike was fairly steep at times. Food along the river was excellent and a wonderful experience. We were exhausted at the end of the day but totally recommend the company and the tour.
Koin M.
(22 reviews)Dear Chip, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you loved your tour in the countryside. Chiharu is indeed an excellent guide, and we're proud to have him on our team. It's fantastic that you got to experience the beauty of the countryside, the normal life, and the mountains. The train journey through the villages and the Japanese Maple Forest sounds like a magical experience. And it's great to know that you enjoyed the excellent food along the river—it's always a delight to showcase the diverse culinary experiences Japan has to offer. Your recommendation means the world to us, and we truly appreciate your support. If you ever find yourself back in Japan or if any of your friends plan a visit, we'd be honored to host you again! Warm Regards, Koin