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Off the Beaten Track in Kyoto Ohara
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Joined 2023
Kyoto has hidden gems. Let's explore some of Kyoto's lesser-known places if you are not in Kyoto for the first time.
You may find yourself experiencing deep feelings in those places. I will choose such places.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
Take a subway and a bus to Ohara
It's a bit far from the city center. But if you take a bus, you will come to another world.
Hosen-in Temple
You will see a seven-hundred-year-old pine tree with a beautiful shape. The name of the garden, Bankan-en, means "hard to leave."
Sanzen-in Temple
This is the main temple of this area.
You will enjoy the stunning garden sitting in front of it. You can have a tea.
A slight shift in your mindset can open up thousands of possibilities. Sanzen means "three thousand." You will experience such profound emotions here.
lunch
Casual restaurant.
They serve warm traditional dishes that you will feel at home.
Walk in the village to Jakko-in Temple
We walk to Jakkoin Temple in the old village of Ohara.
Please enjoy the views of the idyllic village for a while.
Tea break
There are some lovely cafes here.
Ending Point
Your hotel or where you never get lost
Ending Point
At your hotel
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, hotel pick-up
- transportation fee (you and the guide) for a train (about 400 yen/per person)
- lunch
- admission fees (about 2000 yen/per person, no guide needed)
Tour Important Information
We will walk on the paved road. But we go up and down stairs a little. So, please put on easy walking shoes. Please walk with your speed. There are so many photo spots.
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 2023
About Tour Guide Shuji O.
Hi, I am Shuji, a licensed tour guide living near Kansai International Airport.
I taught world history in high schools for four decades. So, I can explain Japanese culture or history in an easier way tailored to you who have different cultural and historical backgrounds.
I also practiced Kendo, Japanese fencing, for more than four decades, and now I enjoy growing vegetables and going fishing. Therefore, I can also share some Japanese culture and its nature.
I have traveled to more than 25 countries and all over Japan. I’m also passionate about photography and know many photogenic places in Japan.
If you prefer to go off the beaten track, I can take you to hidden gems, including some cozy restaurants. Of course, I also know how to enjoy the crowded, most popular tourist sites. I am here to make your trip stress-free. See you soon!
Reviews
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Blair L.
“Fun, upbeat tour of Osaka”
Shuji led my family on a fun tour seeing the highlights of Osaka. Despite having limited time due to my cruise's port schedule, Shuji was able to guide my family through a number of the city's top highlights. Shuji's easy-going personality made it easy for him to connect with all members of my family group, ranging in age from 12 to 75. Shuji also took photos of our group at many of the top sites; his photos were excellent, and some of my favorites from the trip!
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Shuji O.
Thank you for the kind review. It reminded me of our tour. Yes, it was really fun. We changed the plan from the start. We were a bit lucky to have a nice table for the lunch. I could have spend more time with you all. I hope this tour and photos will be good memories for you all. Thank you very much. Shuji O.
Megan M.
“We had a wonderful day!! Highly recommended! ”
My husband and I highly recommend this tour. We started early - ahead of both the heat and the crowds - and wandered through the most beautiful parts of Eaatern Kyoto. Shujio was an excellent guide - we really enjoyed his company and his deep knowledge of the area. We saw hidden spots, quiet gardens and ate delicious food in local restaurants for breakfast and lunch. We highly recommend this day and enjoyed Sujio’s company immensely.
Shuji O.
Thank you very much for the great review. You got ready really well for this tour. We started very early in the morning so that we could enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Higashiyama district. This area is usually very crowded during the day. But today it was as if we were in a different world. We talked about our jobs and even our grandchildren. Thank you for the happy time.
Jolie K.
“Wakayama Tour - Castle and Meet the Cat Stationmasters”
We had an amazing time on our Wakayama tour with Shuji! We told him what we wanted to see, and our dietary needs, and Shuji came up with the perfect itinerary for our day including a stop for lunch where we enjoyed excellent food suited to our requests. He is very kind and knowledgeable of the places we visited. He went above and beyond to make good use of our time and to make us as comfortable as possible, considering the very hot weather we experienced. What really brought us to Wakayama was to see the cat stationmasters and ride the Tama trains of the Wakayama Electric Railway’s Kishigawa Line. We had a wonderful time visiting, seeing the cats, and riding the different themed trains. Thank you Shuji for an unforgettable experience, and for the great photos we have to remember that very special day!
Shuji O.
Thank you so much for your amazing review! I usually like dogs, but I had fun at the cat stationmaster Tama's amazing stations and railways. It was an unforgettable experience for me too. I felt as if I were in a fairy tale. Thank you very much for such a wonderful tour!
$337/ per group
More tours by Shuji O.
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Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.
Arashiyama is the hottest tourist destination. It is incredibly beautiful in spring and fall because of its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. In the fall, the leaves turn brown or red! In the outstanding Tenryuji, you will see a beautiful garden with beautiful mountains in the background. There are many other beautiful places with touching stories in this area. On the way back to downtown, we can visit two world heritage sites, Kinkakuji and Ryoanji. What a wonderful route!
Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.
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Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～
Nara: the must-see place in Japan. Nara was the capital of ancient Japan before Kyoto became the capital. In the Nara era, Buddhism played an important role in stabilizing the country. So you can see many big old temples there. Many of these are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and are concentrated in a small area. So, if you have only one free day to spend in the Kansai area, I highly recommend visiting Nara.
Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～
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Best of Kyoto - enjoyable in any season
Kyoto has been the capital of Japan for more than 1,000 years! There are so many historic sites and beautiful places that you will be at a loss for what to choose. Please tell me about your favorite. Considering the access, the season, and the time, I will make a suitable plan. I recommend some hidden gems if you like going off the beaten track. And also the charming famous popular tourist spots worth visiting when it is so busy. I will tell you stories to help you appreciate the place.
Best of Kyoto - enjoyable in any season
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Walking tour in Eastern Kyoto
Since there are so many beautiful places densely in eastern Kyoto, we can take a walking tour there. Please add or skip some. This is an example of a walking tour in eastern Kyoto, emphasizing history and culture. We will use the train only once or twice.
Walking tour in Eastern Kyoto
Other Popular Off the Beaten Path Tours in Kyoto
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Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour
First and foremost, I do not want to provide a typical tour to the standard fair of tourist attractions. As with the majority of visitors to Kyoto, you do not really need a guide to visit such places. Instead, what makes my tour special is that I can show you the unique places of Kyoto with the addition of a historical and cultural background. Lunch at local restaurants, visit temples of the beaten path, go to local shopping arcades for unique products. Enjoy Kyoto without the crowds.
Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour
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![Ancient Wizard of Kyoto [4 Hours]](https://images.gowithguide.com/filters:format(avif)/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/15709/9e763dd4-f120-4f95-9784-cb9d18b1ca63.jpg)
Ancient Wizard of Kyoto [4 Hours]
A thrilling ancient tale of a formidable Japanese sorcerer, who wielded unimaginable power over a thousand years ago. Join us as we venture to a sacred shrine dedicated to his memory, and explore the eerie abode of his otherworldly assistants. Be amazed as you encounter a collection of mystical religious talismans and amulets, each intricately decorated with symbols that will leave you spellbound. Don't miss out on this extraordinary journey into the realm of magic and mystery!
Ancient Wizard of Kyoto [4 Hours]
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Kyoto, Arashiyama Expedition Walking Tour
The Kyoto, Arashiyama Expedition is a serene journey through Japan's natural beauty, perfect for all ages. Begin in Takao Forest, exploring hidden waterfalls, ancient temples, and secret shrines. Visit the peaceful Otaji Nembutsuji Temple and wander through the stunning bamboo forest. In summer, enjoy a refreshing dip in the Kyotaki River. This off-the-beaten-path tour offers a peaceful escape to Kyoto’s hidden wonders.
Kyoto, Arashiyama Expedition Walking Tour
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![[Ichijou street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto](https://images.gowithguide.com/filters:format(avif)/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/4801/84818.jpg)
[Ichijou street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto
There are many old streets in old capital Kyoto area. I design a walking tour set of 31 streets.You can see the true Kyoto in this tour which is not in tourism like 30 years ago.In some streets, You could see traditional dying shops for Yuzen which is a traditional dyeing Kimono method of Kyoto.You can visit some of the shops and I will interpret between the shop owner and you.
[Ichijou street] Hanging around east-west street in Kyoto
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