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My Favorite Golden Route: Kyoto One-day Tour
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Joined 2016
This tour is designed for those who would like to visit major scenic sites in Kyoto and off-the-beaten spots as well in a single day. The route is the one that has been favored and admired by many of my guests for the past few years. The itinerary mainly consists of three areas; Kitayama, Arashiyama and Fushimi areas. You will surely have unforgettable memories through the tour with me.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At Kyoto Station or your hotel in Kyoto area
Kitayama area; Kinkaku-ji ( the Golden Pavilion ), Ryoan-ji Temple famous for the Rock Garden and Ninna-ji Temple.
Kinkaku-ji built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third Shogun of Muromachi Shogunate, in 1397. Ryoan-ji Temple with the Rock Garden said to be the masterpiece of dry landscape gardens. Ninna-ji Temple built by Emperor Uda in 888 with a weeping cherry tree garden.
Arashiyama area; Jojako-ji Temple famous for autumn foliage, Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji Temple with a beautiful garden.
Jojako-ji Temple standing on a moss-covered slope. Bamboo Grove borders on the north exit of Tenryu-ji Temple built by Ashikaga Takauji, the first Shogun of Muromachi Shogunate.
Fushimi area; Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine famous for a thousand vermilion-colored torii gates.
Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine, the headquarters of more than 30,000 Inari sub-shrines across the country, has been selected No 1 tourist attraction in Japan for five consecutive years by Trip Adviser.
Ending Point
At Kyoto Station
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
guide fee
transportation fare ( you and guide ), lunch and entrance fee for four temples ( 2,100 yen )
Tour Important Information
You use mainly trains but partly taxis to save time. During the tour you walk in and around the sites you visit, so wear sneakers or walking shoes, please.
Important message from the supplier
It is desirable to carry overseas travel insurance because the guide is not liable for any damage or loss incurred during the tour. It is also requested to bring enough Japanese yen with you because some restaurants and taxis do not accept credit cards.
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 2016
About Tour Guide Yoshihisa T.
Hi. My name is Yoshihisa. Call me "Yoshie", please. It means good or O.K. in Japanese. I live in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, located just in between Kyoto and Nara. I was born and raised in Iga, Mie Prefecture. Iga is a birthplace of ninja and a renowned haiku poet, Matsuo Basho. I might be a descendant of ninja. I aim at becoming a linguistic ninja, following a part of Basho's lifestyle with the incorporation of seasonal changes into my tours. In addition to visiting famous temples and shrines, I invite you to lesser-known places of historic interest.
Once in a month I go hiking or mountain climbing with some friends mainly in mountains surrounding Kyoto and Nara basins. Recently I have got intrigued by the charms of Buddhist statues, which are manifestations of people's wishes and prayers. I also like izakaya (Japanese-style taverns) hopping, tasting delicious dishes and locally brewed sake at reasonable prices. Especially I like communicating with people from home and abroad, talking face to face. Some of the above-mentioned elements are included in my walking tours. I hope you will discover new aspects of cultural and natural beauty in Kansai area through one of my tours which you could never gain otherwise.
One of my favorite phrases that come from Zen Buddhism is Ichigo Ichie or this meeting-but only once in a lifetime. My interpretation goes this way: This place and this moment never cross again. Each and every good encounter, however, lingers on like the sound of a temple bell. Won't you explore a deeper world of Japanese culture in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka with me?
Reviews
Rose-marie W.
“A wonderful day in Yoshie’s company ”
Yoshie was a lovely guide and took us around Kyoto visiting the key gardens and temples that Kyoto offers on his ‘Golden’ Tour. He has excellent English having been an English teacher and headmaster previously. He is kind, thoughtful and gentle and good company. It was like having a friend alongside you.
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Yoshihisa T.
Hi Rose-marie. Thank you very much for your heartwarming comment on my tour in Kyoto. I am pleased to learn that I was good company to you during the tour. I wish you and your husband the best of luck. Yoshie
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Sandy E.
“A day we will never forget!”
I wish we could give 10 stars to Yoshie! What an incredible day. He was so warm and friendly and so knowledgeable. We learned so much and had such a great time! I cannot recommend Yoshie enough. If you don't see Kyoto with Yoshie then you're not really seeing Kyoto.
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Sandy. What a wonderful comment you gave me!! Thank you so much for your kind review for my tour in Kyoto. I really had a very pleasant time guiding and talking with you two. I hope you will continute a pleasant trip and return home safely. With best wishes. Yoshie
Jeannie K.
“Full and authentic experience from knowledgeable and experienced guide. ”
We had an incredible day exploring Kyoto with Yoshi. As Americans visiting Japan for the first time, we couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Yoshi took us to many of Kyoto’s most important historical sites and shared fascinating insights that made the city’s history come alive. His deep knowledge, thoughtful storytelling, and ability to explain cultural details in an engaging way made every stop meaningful. Yoshi also knew exactly where to go for the best photos and how to navigate through crowds respectfully but efficiently—ensuring we had time and space to appreciate Kyoto’s most stunning spots. His understanding of when to pause, explain, or simply let us take in the moment showed his intuition and experience. What impressed us most was his genuine respect for the shrines and temples we visited. He greeted each with a bow, shared the traditions behind them, and brought a quiet spirituality to the experience that we truly appreciated. We also enjoyed sharing meals with him—a casual local lunch and later dinner at a family-run restaurant where he knew the owners personally. Both were memorable parts of our trip, filled with great food and conversation. Yoshi is knowledgeable, kind, and deeply respectful of his culture and guests. Our day with him was one of the highlights of our entire trip to Japan, and we can’t recommend him highly enough. Thank you Yoshi, for an unforgettable experience!
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Jeannie. I really appreciate your thoughtful and considerate words of thanks. I had a very pleasant time guiding and talking with you three because you were all attentive to my explanation at each site. I am also glad that you liked the food and atmosphere of the two restaurants for lunch and dinner. I sincerely hope that our paths will cross again in the near future. Ichigo Ichie Yoshie
$247/ per group
More tours by Yoshihisa T.
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My Favorite Silver Route: Kyoto One-day Tour
This tour is designed for those who have finished My Favorite Golden Route: Kyoto One-day Tour and would like to make a second-day tour in Kyoto. The tour covers most of the main tourist attractions in the eastern area of Kyoto. It also has a couple of choices according to your needs and wishes. I hope you will have a very pleasant tour with me.
My Favorite Silver Route: Kyoto One-day Tour
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Through this tour you will be intrigued with the charm of Buddhist statuary, which represents people's wishes and prayers. Figures of statues vary according to the development of eras from Asuka period to Muromachi period. At the same time you can visit Nara Park, where you can feed deer. Also you can visit a nice sake tasting place after the tour if you like.
Nara Sightseeing & the World of Buddhist Statuary
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Izakaya Hopping & Sightseeing in Minami Area, Osaka
This tour is meant for those who would like to enjoy sightseeing in Minami ( South ) Area, Osaka and eating and drinking at three izakayas ( Japanese-style taverns ) for relatively reasonable prices in a friendly atmosphere.
Izakaya Hopping & Sightseeing in Minami Area, Osaka
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Kobe Arima Rokko One-day Tour
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Kyoto
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Discover Kyoto with a Local – Learn Japanese Culture Through Real Stories & Sights
Discover Kyoto’s cultural heart in just one day with a local guide. Visit three iconic spots: the golden beauty of Kinkaku-ji, the stunning hillside temple Kiyomizu-dera, and the peaceful bamboo groves of Arashiyama. Along the way, you’ll learn real stories, traditions, and the deeper meaning behind each place. This tour blends famous sights with local insights, giving you more than just photos — it gives you a true connection to Kyoto.
Discover Kyoto with a Local – Learn Japanese Culture Through Real Stories & Sights
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One day tour in Kyoto (Arashiyama area)
Tour will start from the Hotel in Kyoto. Frst visit is Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavillion ),then, to Ryoanji tmple where is famous for rock garden. Tour will stop at Arasiyama area to take lunch and visit Togetsu bridge, Bamboo grove, Tentyuji temple and others. The last visit is NIjyo castle. As these places are normally crowded. using chartered taxi is highly recommended in order to effectively use your valuable time in Kyoto.
One day tour in Kyoto (Arashiyama area)
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Kyoto's must-see attractions and World Heritage sites in one day.
Perfect for those with limited time, this well-organized tour allows you to experience Kyoto’s most iconic sights efficiently. The itinerary includes the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoanji, Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge. While these popular spots can be crowded, we utilize taxis to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey through this culturally rich city.
Kyoto's must-see attractions and World Heritage sites in one day.
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Full-Day Kyoto Private Tour!! World Heritage and Local Secrets, Just for You!
Please feel free to share your interests- places you wish to visit, foods you'd like to try, or how long you'd like to stay at each location. I"ll create a fully customized 8-hour tour just for you, blending famous sights with local hidden gems!
Full-Day Kyoto Private Tour!! World Heritage and Local Secrets, Just for You!
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