We will explore the East of Kyoto: rich in history, culture, and traditional architecture. This tour will cover some of the most famous sites of the ancient city — symbols of Kyoto that appear in the postcards.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Hotel/ Kyoto Station
- We will meet at your accommodation (Kyoto exclusive) If you are staying in Osaka or Nara, we will meet at JR Kyoto Station.
Postcard #1 : Fushimi-Inari Shrine
Fushimi-Inari Taisha is famous for its 1000-torii gate passage on the sacred Mt.Inari. It hosts the God of Harvest Inari which the fox represents. We will discuss Shinto and the significance of the shrine while hiking on Mt. Inari, under vermilion red gates.
Postcard #2: Kiyomizu Temple
Kiyomizu Temple - The Temple of Pure Water - is a stunning architectural example of the 8th century and one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kyoto. Perched on the mt. Otowa, the temple is a place of prayer for those who make wishes to Kannon - Goddess of Mercy. Beautiful cityscapes can be seen from the terraces of Kiyomizudera.
Postcard #3: Historic District
We will walk in the Historic District along the Higashiyama (eastern mountains). Down the Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka slopes and on Nene's Path we will explore preserves streets that remind us of the feudal times. Shops, restaurants, and kyo-machiya (townhouses) offer a unique view into the lives of Kyoto people.
Lunch break
Postcard #4 : Gion
Gion is the Geisha District, preserving 4 of the main streets where geiko (=geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentice) work and live. We will walk in Gion Kobu, Gion Higashi, Miyagawacho, and Pontocho with the chance to meet a maiko on these streets.
End of tour on Shijo Street (Gion-Shijo Station)
We will end the tour on Shijo Street.
Ending Point
Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Line)
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guidance Fee
Transportation during the tour (guide & guests)/ approx. 600 yen per person
Entrance tickets (guide & guests)/ 500 yen per person
Meals
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
*This tour uses public transportation (train, tram, taxi, bus)
Sundays this tour only starts at 08:30AM~09:00AM.
Hello everyone!
My name is Ana. I am an experienced tour conductor who guides clients throughout Japan. I am Romanian and have been living in Japan for over 10 years.
I am versed in creating customized on-the-budget one-day and half-day tours for solo travelers, families, or groups.
Please allow me to show you the natural beauty, traditions, history and amazing food of KYOTO and NARA.
Feel free to contact me for a standard package OR a customized trip. I will put my best effort into meeting your needs and creating an amazing journey.
WELCOME TO JAPAN!
“Best of Kyoto Tour”
Had a great day trip in Kyoto with Ana. We had to change our date at the last minute due to illness and she was very accommodating to ensure our trip wasn't spoiled. Her english was great, and she was friendly, funny and highly knowledgeable about the various sites we visited (Kinka-kuji Golden Pavillion, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and Fushimi Inari Shrine). We would definitely use Ana again if we manage to get back to Japan and would strongly recommend her to anyone seeking a guide in the Kyoto/Osaka area. Thanks again for making our family trip so enjoyable Ana and we hope you enjoyed the NZ chocolate. Steve, Michele and Liam Armstrong
Ana I.
Dear Steve, Michele and Liam - Thank you for your warmth, kindness and patience on the tour. I had a blast showing you Kyoto and sharing stories with you all. Your gift was delicious and well enjoyed every morning with a nice cup of coffee. I wish you a wonderful end of year and much health to everyone! Thank you for the beautiful review!
“Amazing Tour through Kyoto”
Ana guided us so well through all the interesting and also less crowded places in Kyoto. She planned everything so well, oftentimes we would see masses of people coming to places that we were just about to leave, so just in time. What I found really incredible is that she even go to the vegan place beforehard to try it out, just because she didn't want to go with us anywhere that she didn't know beforehand! Thank you so much for the amazing day Ana!
Ana I.
Dear Mats, Thank you for the beautiful review!! I had lots of fun walking through Kyoto with you and Alexandra. I have learned how to improve my tours, thanks to you! I am very grateful for your questions and opinions. I wish you much health and safe travels!
“The best of Kyoto”
I want to thank Ana for touring us around this beautiful city. She made us feel like family and is very knowledgeable and really the best tour guide I have ever had. Ana took us all over Kyoto and Nara, we had some amazing food, saw the most incredible temples, even got see few geisha. I can't thank Ana enough for making my trip so great. I would recommend her to anyone coming to Kyoto, she is the best. Thank you.
Ana I.
Dear Daniel, thank you for the kind words. Your passion for Japan and interest in deeply understanding the culture and its society was refreshing. I greatly enjoyed walking in Kyoto and Nara with you both. May your efforts bring you back to Japan with the same energy soon. All the best and thank you!!
$175/ per group