My Favorite Golden Route: Kyoto One-day Tour
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
“Best Guide for Kyoto”
Yoshi-San was an extremely polite, organized and passionate tour guide. He’s extremely efficient too as he’s able to cover major sites in a timely manner. He’s always helpful even helping us to plan our onward journey to Osaka, which he’s not involved in. Thank you again Yoshi-San
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Sam-San. Thank you very much for your nice review for my tour in Kyoto. I am pleased that you and your family had a pleasant tour with me, viewing some of the late autumn foliage in Ryoan-ji Temple. I hope you had a nice tour in Osaka, too. I wish all of you good health and the best of luck this year. Yoshie
“Wonderful Tour of Kyoto!”
We had a great experience with Yoshie on his Kyoto Golden Route tour! From start to finish, his knowledge, enthusiasm, and friendly personality made the day unforgettable. I only wish we had more time to spend with him—one day wasn’t enough! It was such a pleasure to learn about many of Kyoto’s famous places and he even took photos for us that we’ll enjoy for years to come. He packs in a lot, so be ready for an active day with plenty of walking and public transport. And don’t miss the chance to visit his friend’s izakaya—it’s the perfect way to end the day. We’ve been recommending Yoshie to everyone we know who’s planning a trip to Japan. If you’re visiting Kyoto, don’t miss the chance to explore it with such a knowledgeable and kind guide. He is truly the best!
Yoshihisa T.
Happy New Year, Sean. Thank you so much for your wonderful review for my tour, My Favorite Golden Route. It was a big delight that you were able to view the best autumn foliage on Dec. 2nd thanks to the exceptional summer heat last year. I am also pleased that you enjoyed the tour from the beginning to the end, including the dinner at my favorite izakaya. I hope to see you again at a cherry blossom season, if possible. With best wishes. Yoshie
“Golden Route with Yoshie on Christmas Day!”
Spending time with Yoshie, taking my family and I around the main sites of Kyoto on Christmas Day was a positively memorable one! He was a consummate guide! Without Yoshie, we would not have seen half as much and learn as much as we did! Yoshie knows how to take great pictures of my family and I, as well as the sweet spots for fantastic photos of the sites we visited. He took us to a lovely place for lunch and a great izakaya for dinner! (optional) It was a real pleasure to have been acquainted with Yoshie for the day.
Yoshihisa T.
Hi BB-San. Thank you so much for your excellent review and nice photos. I am delighted to learn that you and your family enjoyed every minute of my tour in Kyoto. It was great to have been able to see some of the beautiful autumn foliage in Ryoan-ji Temple at Christmas time. I hope our paths will cross again someday in the future. Best wishes. Yoshie
$243/ per group
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