My Favorite Golden Route: Kyoto One-day Tour

Highlights
Kyoto
Japanese (Native), English
8 hours
Private tour (only you and your group)
Up to 5 people

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.

Yoshihisa T.
4.97 / 5
(146 reviews)

Meeting Point

At Kyoto Station or your hotel in Kyoto area

10:00 AM

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.

01:30 PM

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.

04:00 PM

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

What to Expect

You can visit almost all the popular tourist attractions in Kyoto except for Higashiyama area ( the eastern part of Kyoto ). In addition, you will visit off-beaten sites, such as Ninna-ji Temple, a Wrold Heritage site with a long history, and Jojako-ji Temple standing on a moss-covered slope of Mt Ogura, Arashiyama. You will have lunch at a restaurant near Ninna-ji Temple which offers you Japanese style dishes such as Kyoto-style ramen noodles, curry and rice, a bowl of rice with soy-saurce flavored beef on top. and so forth. If you like, you can visit a long-standing and popular izakaya restaurant ( Japanese-style tavern ) near Fushimi Inari Shrine after the tour.

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Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

guide fee

What‘s not included

transportation fare ( you and guide ), lunch and entrance fee for four temples ( 2,100 yen )

Important Information

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.


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.

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

Reviews

P

Pappné csonka J.

5 / 5
Sep 21, 2023

Nara Sightseeing & the World of Buddhist Statuary

It was a very good idea not to spend our little time wandering around, but with a professional guide. We saw and heard much, much more than we had planned. Thank you for the lovely day!

Yoshihisa T.

Hi Judit. Thank you so much for your kind review for my tour in Nara. I enjoyed myself, guiding and talking with you, too. I hope you have returned home with lots of nice souvenirs and good memories of Japan. With best wishes. Yoshie

E

Ed L.

5 / 5
Sep 12, 2023

Great a day Kyoto tour

The trip was a well plan, informative and very detail oriented by Yoshihisa-San . Also show me the amazing structure of Kyoto Station in detail from bottom to top. Worth every single minute of your time. Also kindly to share with his umbrella with me in unexpected heavy rain during the trip.

Yoshihisa T.

Hi Ed-San. I really appreciate your nice comment on my tour in Kyoto. I am very pleased that you enjoyed viewing all the three gardens we visited today. I also had a wonderful time guiding and talking with you. Thank you so much for your kind consideration. Please get in touch when you have another chance of visiting Kyoto again. Best wishes. Yoshie

I

Ioana L.

5 / 5
Aug 28, 2023

Golden Route Kyoto

Yoshi is a wonderful guide and created amazing experiences including highlights of the Japanese culture accompanied by great food. We had a great time together and good laughs. Thank you for all the great sharing and also the extra miles that you went for us. Hope our paths will cross again

Yoshihisa T.

Hi Ioana. Thanks a lot for an excellent review for my tour in Kyoto. I am glad to learn that you enjoyed the tour and the food for lunch and dinner. I had a very pleasant time guiding and talking with you all, too. Be sure to get in touch if you have another chance of visiting Kansai area. Best wishes. Yoshie

T

Tim P.

5 / 5
Aug 11, 2023

A day full of beauty, wisdom, and laughter

We spent the day with Mr Yoshie visiting his "Golden Route" of world heritage sites in Kyoto. His experience, knowledge and professionalism helped us make the most of our one day in Kyoto. Not only did he help us get from place to place quickly and efficiently, he really brought each site to life by explaining the history and significance. He is especially good at explaining the meanings of places names and helping us understand the subtle double meanings of Japanese terms. He also was able to describe the names of plants and trees and explain why each plant was chosen for each space. Finally, he is a kind and funny many who shared many Japanese jokes with me and my Shogun. (Go on the tour and you will understand). Thank you again Yoshie!

Yoshihisa T.

Hi Tim. Thank you very much for your review, explaining my tour in detail. I am very pleased to learn that Mari and you enjoyed my poor guiding and silly jokes. I hope you will have a comfortable flight back to Puerto Rico. If you have another chance of visiting Kyoto, be sure to get in touch. Thank you again. Yoshie

$221/ per group

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