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.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Kyoto Station or your hotel in Kyoto
Ginkaku-ji Temple ( Silver Pavilion ) and Philosopher's Path
Ginkaku-ji Temple built by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth Shogun of Muromachi Shogunate ( 1336 - 1573 ) and completed in 1490 after his death. Philosopher's Path is a long walk along a stream near Ginkaku-ji, a good place for cherry blossom viewing.
Nanzen-ji Temple or Eikan-do Temple ( autumn foliage season only )
Nanzen-ji Temple, ranked above the Five Zen Buddhist Temples in Kyoto designated by Muromachi Shogunate, with a big sammon gate and a high-rise waterway supported by brick piers.
Murin-an Garden
Murin-an Garden,a beautiful strolling-style landscape garden with a stream and a pond.
Strolling along Gion district.
Kennin-ji Temple
Kennin-ji Temple located near Gion houses Wind God and Thunder God painting on a folding screen, a national treasure, and has small beautiful gardens.
Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka Slopes and Kiyomizu-dera Temple
The busiest sightseeing area in Kyoto. Kiyomizu-dera Temple with a big veranda called a dancing stage of Kiyomizu attracts five or six million tourists annually.
Nishiki Food Market or Sanju-sangen-do Temple
Sanju-sangendo Temple houses a thousand life-size Buddhist statues and many more statues, an astounding view.
Ending Point
JR Kyoto Station or Subway Shijo Station
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee
transportation fee ( you and guide ), lunch and entrance fee for three temples and the garden ( 2,400 yen per person )
You will take trains and partly taxis to save time. You also walk a long distance and wear sneakers or walking shoes, please. In case of rain, a folding umbrella is desirable.
Eikan-do Temple is available in autumn foliage season only.
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.
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?
Rian W.
“An unforgettable day with Joshie – the ideal guide for exploring the city”
We had an unforgettable day exploring Kyoto with our guide, Joshie. His deep knowledge of the country’s culture and history, combined with his background as a teacher, made every moment both engaging and educational. He took the time to explain everything with patience and passion, which really enhanced our experience. The day ended on a high note with a fantastic dinner at a local restaurant, where we got to enjoy great food and conversation together. Joshie is not just a guide — he’s someone who genuinely connects with people. We highly recommend him to anyone looking for a meaningful and memorable tour. Even our children (ages 23, 21, and 17) were thoroughly impressed and became instant fans!
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Rian. I really appreciate your excellent comment on my tour in Kyoto. I am very pleased to learn that you all enjoyed every minute of the day during the tour. I am also glad that you liked the food and the atmosphere of the izakaya for dinner. I hope our paths will cross someday soon during the cherry blossom or autumn foliage season. I wish you the best of luck! Yoshie
Jeff S.
“Couldn’t Imagine Kyoto Without Yoshie ”
Yoshie was the sweetest man, who won our hearts when he gave my daughter origami his wife made for her to start the trip. We saw so much in 1 day, and his “Golden Route” efficiently hit all the stops we wanted. He has great knowledge of Japan’s history and culture, and he knew the best spots to get brilliant photos. He also took us to a superb restaurant for lunch we wouldn’t have found on our own. He had energy in spades and you could tell he loves his tour guide work.
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Jeff. Thank you so much for your excellent review for my tour in Kyoto. I am very pleased to learn that you had a wonderful tour with me in spite of the terrible heat. I hope you will return home with lots of nice memories of Japan. Ichigo Ichie. Yoshie
Dominika V.
“Great tour of Kyoto during the summer heat! ”
Thanks for the great tour Yoshie! Yoshie took our group for the Golden route tour- he was very friendly and accommodating, as well as very knowledgeable of the areas we were touring. Yoshie also helped us to take some photos during the tour and showed us some interesting spots for photos. Yoshie took us to his recommended restaurant for lunch and Izakaya for dinner. Both times the food was delicious. Thank you to his wife for the origami cranes, they were beautifully made! Thank you again Yoshie, all the best for the future!
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Dominika. I appreciate your excellent review for my tour in Kyoto. I also had a very pleasant time guiding and talking with you all. I am glad that you liked the food at the lunch restaurant and the izakaya for dinner. I hope our paths will cross again someday in the near future. With the best wishes. Yoshie
$256/ per group