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
Joe R.
“lovely guide”
enjoyed the guiding, thanks Yoshi
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Joe. Thank you so much for your nice comment on my tour last week. It was nice meeting and talking with you two. I hope you have returned home safely with lots of good memories of Japan. Ichigo-Ichie Yoshie
Mary M.
“A Wonderful Day in Kyoto With Yoshi”
Our day in Kyoto with Yoshi was even better than we hoped it would be! He was so full of knowledge about every place he took us. He explained the background and relevance of every stop and told us about the people created the places or who lived there. He was charming and kind and friendly and a wonderful guide. He taught us so much about Kyoto. He also knew all the best places for great pictures! He even helped us plan what to do and see on our second day without a guide! I would recommend him to anyone who wants a tour guide in Kyoto or the surrounding area! You will be very happy you chose to tour with him!
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Mary. Thank you so much for your wonderful comment on my tour in Kyoto. I am very pleased to learn that you enjoyed every minute of the tour. I hope you will return home safely with lots of good souvenirs and nice memories of Japan. With best wishes. Yoshie
James E.
“Our Day with Yoshie”
Finding a guide without a personal recommendation can be intimidating. How many reviews can one read? On our last day in Kyoto, I had an idea of what I wanted to accomplish, namely the four World Heritage sites in northwest part of the city. Yoshie was perfect for this task. As a former teacher, his command of the material and the ability to impart that knowledge is excellent. He has a gift for providing a narrative that exposes the nuance of Japanese culture to the things right before your eyes that without a guide would be totally missed. He obviously loves what he is doing. And if you can keep up with him on those stairs at Jojakkoji, there's an izakaya that makes a perfect ending to your day with Yoshie.
Yoshihisa T.
Hi James. I really appreciate your excellent comment on my tour in Kyoto. It was a big pleasure to guide and talk with you two. I am very glad that you enjoyed my silly puns and stories related to each site. I hope our paths will cross again someday soon. With best wishes. Yoshie
$254/ per group
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My Favorite Silver Route: Kyoto One-day Tour
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Why not enjoy your holidays in Kyoto? You can certainly get in touch with many things Japanese that we are proud of. They are old temples and shrines, cultural assets and the beautiful natural surroundings. You can also enjoy dropping in at souvenir stores and buy exquisitely made products, such as folding fans, porcelain and traditional Japanese cakes. I would like to take you to the following places, which are the three representative tourist destinations in this city: (1) Arashiyama It is the place where all the traditional natural beauties of Japan are combined together. They are Togetsukyo bridge, bamboo grove and the old temples. If you go up to the observation spot, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the gorge below. You can also see rickshaws of the olden times drawn by young people with smiling passengers on board. There are souvenir shops selling variety of goods and products. (2) Nijo-jo Castle (World Cultural Heritage Site) This castle was built in the early 17th century by the Tokugawa Shogunate government for the purpose of protecting the Kyoto Imperial Palace and as the accommodations when Tokugawa Shogun was in Kyoto. It was subsequently enlarged by successive Shogun. It is the castle as well as the palace, where you can see the powerful structures and beautiful gardens. You can learn, in addition, how great the power of Tokugawa Shogun was. (3) Kinkakuji temple (the Golden Pavilion) (World Cultural Heritage Site) The history of this temple began when the third Shogun of the Muromachi period acquired a tract of land in this area from a powerful statesman in 1397 and built a villa of his own to entertain the Emperor and members of the nobility. The upper two levels of the temple are covered with pieces of gold foil and are shining brilliantly against the background of the rich greenery. The pond in the foreground reflects the golden structure. It looks like the materialization of Pure Land of Buddha in this world. In addition, on the top of the golden structure is the shining phoenix.
Kyoto's most popular sightseeing spots tour and enjoy a various kinds of Kyoto's specialities
This tour covers 4 must-see sites and Nishiki Market. You visit the most renowned sites such as the Golden Pavilion, Ryo-an-ji temple where you may find an elegant beauty in its simple rock garden Nijo-castle ,the luxurious palace of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Sanjyu-sangendo temple, where the thousand life-size statues and the Principal statue make you feel like you are in a forest of Buddha! says " It's amazing ! Lastly visit Nishiki Market, where you can enjoy eating Kyoto’s cuisine.
