A one-hour bus ride from Kyoto Station will take you to the foot of 3 mountain ridges. This area, known as "SANBI" (Three Ridges), has three temples with a 1000-year history, situated along a clear stream. Climb a steep slope, cross a red bridge, and run up a long stone staircase to visit the temples in order. The scenery changes with cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, and autumn leaves. Take a break at a teahouse and breath of fresh air.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel or any convenient place in Kyoto City center.
Kosanji Temple at TOGANOO
> Founded by order of the emperor in the 8th century, this temple is the birthplace of satirical cartoons and tea cultivation.
Saimyoji Temple at MAKINOO
> Built by a high priest in the 9th century, the autumn leaves and the vermilion bridge competes for the vividness of the red.
Jingoji Temple at TAKAO
>Founded by an influential aristocrat in the 9th century, the vast grounds at the end of the long stone steps are covered in autumn leaves
#Suzuriishitei Teahouse/Located on the approach to the temple, it is famous for its bite-sized MOMIJI mochi. (rice cakes with red bean paste)
Ending Point
At your hotel or any convenient place in Kyoto City center
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
>guide fee, hotel pick up in Kyoto City center
>transportation fee (you and guide/per adult)/train (some 1500JPY)
>admission fee (you/per adult)/Kosanji Temple (1000+500(in autumn) JPY), Saimyoji Temple(700JPY), Jingoji Temple(1000JPY)
>short break/lunch/dinner
>Wear comfortable shoes as we will walk about 2km (1.3 miles) up the slopes and stairs at the foot of the mountain.
>The above extra fees are often asked with CASH on the spot, so please bring some JPY.
>This tour is not insured, so I hope you get travel insurance.
>I mainly work in the daytime (e.g. from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm)
>If you want a listed/customized tour, please message me in advance. I will confirm facility availability in the itinerary dates: opening dates/hours, need a reservation or not.
>Please note that my tours are leisurely, on foot and by public transport.
>My tour schedule may change if transport or tourist spots are crowded.
Thank you for visiting my page. I guide you to an ancient capital city with 1,000 years of urban development and 100 years of movie history.
I grew up in OSAKA and studied in KYOTO. Then I worked in TOKYO and Osaka for 20 years as an urban planning expert for national and local governments. I researched community development sites throughout Japan, guided scholars and business leaders from inside and outside Japan to the cities.
Quitting my career, I became a freelancer as a National Licensed Consulting Engineer (Urban & Regional Planning) who loves movies. I inspected urban development sites and movie locations overseas. I compared the cities featured in movies with the actual ones and posted their photos on social media (90 cities in 30 countries). Having visited many cities overseas, I have come to think about the uniqueness of Japan's ancient capital city, where classical wooden buildings blend in harmony with their surroundings.
Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara formed a metropolitan area centered on the Imperial Palace from the 7th century to the 19th century. Even as political power shifted to other cities with the rise of the SAMURAI power, three cities remained economic and cultural centers. Three cities have accumulated a variety of historical and cultural sites over time and places, including temples and shrines, landscaped gardens, bustling entertainment districts, and the birthplace of the film industry. Even today, the residents maintain connections with nearby temples and shrines, continue to hold local events, and enjoy traditional lifestyles with minor modifications.
I have national licenses as a Guide Interpreter and General Travel Service Manager. Three cities are all within an hour train ride, making travel from one to another easy. Add your insight to my information, and I will make a customized tour and guide you to discover new charms.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Chuck Y.
“A very nice day in Osaka”
Yoshi was knowledgeable and happy to show the city to us at a leisurely pace. A very nice man who did a great job of speaking at a loud enough level so we could all hear him which was appreciated. He was very hospitable and we appreciated that.
Yosshi S.
Dear Chuck Thank you for sending me such a warm review. Osaka is a commercial city, so Osaka citizens are interactive and talkative. We looked at citizens' lives while strolling to the bustling shopping streets and the OKONOMIYAKI place. At the Rose Garden, we could see the harmony with roses, the rivers, and the skyscrapers. Thank you for including me as one of your close friends during the tour and for the topics we shared. I hope Osaka will be one of your friends' fond memories. Regards Yosshi
John M.
“Kyoto visit to Imperial Palace gardens and tour of Palace State Guest House, with a special tour of the guest house. Also, Philosopher’s Walk, national Treasure Silver Palace, and Kyoto Aqueduct. ”
We had a very high quality time with Yosshi S for our visit in Kyoto. He was well prepared from both experience and study, and gave us rich background into each site to result in a strong connection with Kyoto’s history, its rich spiritual traditions and its very special people living and working in Kyoto. We are grateful for this day and would recommend Yosshi S. with our highest regard.
Yosshi S.
Dear John, thank you for your review. We had the experience of seeing how to treat guests at the state guesthouse and having a lunch of Kyoto pickled sushi at a shopping street where ordinary people shop. The Philosopher's Path is a course where I often walked with friends during my student years. Walking with John on the tour, I got back the feeling of being a student. Unfortunately, I could not become a philosopher, but I learned the philosophy of "going my way" and became a guide. Thank you very much. Yosshi
John M.
“Mixed scenery with towns, temples, and National Museum of Nara”
Yosshi S provided us with a joyful life adventure for our day with him in Nara. He was helpful in finding our ways to Nara’s treasures, gardens, temple grounds, and shrines as well as an English audio-guided tour of the National Museum of Nara, containing unique treasures on special exhibition for the period of our visit. We would recommend others for Yosshi’s informative, well-researched, and personalized tours, aimed to give us a full appreciation of a place, its people, and what is special about both.
Yosshi S.
Dear John, Thank you for your valuable review. The day of our planned tour was the opening day of the National Treasures Exhibition at the Nara National Museum, so I decided to take you to the museum and let you fully appreciate the national treasure Buddha statues. The city of Nara has a long history of more than 1,300 years since Heijo-kyo. The citizens of Nara enjoy this long history through the deer relaxing in Nara Park, crawling through the pillar hole of the Great Buddha Hall, and the Karakuri Toy Museum. Those are appealing and attract both domestic and international tourists. I am happy to have conveyed this to you through this tour. Thank you. Yosshi
$258/ per group