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
Julie M.
“Wonderful Day on the Golden Route of Kyoto”
We enjoyed a wonderful day with Yoshi on the Golden tour. He is a former teacher and that really shows through in the way he clearly and patiently explains the sights and history associated with them. But more than that, he is kind and has a great sense of humor that leaves you feeling that you have spent the day with a new friend. He was more than willing to adjust the itinerary to our needs, and arranged for a meal at an izakaya for us that was the highlight of the day! If we return to Kyoto we will most certainly be in touch. Highly recommend his tour
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Julie. I appreciate your wonderful comment on my tour, revised My Favorite Golden Route. I also enjoyed myself guiding and talking with you two. I am pleased to learn that you enjoyed the izakaya experience a lot after the tour. I hope our paths will cross someday soon. With the best wishes. Yoshie
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
$253/ per group
More tours by Yoshihisa T.
My Favorite Silver Route: Kyoto One-day Tour
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Other Popular Highlights Tours in Kyoto
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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.
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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.
