Besides the scenic beauty, you can learn the architectural difference between a shrine and a temple in this tour.
(1) Fushimi-Inari-Taisha shrine
According to the legend, Fushimi-Inari-Taisha shrine was founded when God Inari was enshrined on Mt. Inariyama in February, 711. It celebrated the 1300th anniversary of the God`s enshrinement and all the buildings in the ground were restored and re-painted with the vermilion color in 2011.
This shrine is the "So-honzan" head shrine of 30,000 Inari shrines across the country. There are paths called "sen-bon-torii", meaning alleys of tunnels made of 1,000 "torii" gates. Actually, however, it is said there are a total of more than 10, 000 "torii" gates, large and small, in the shrine compound which includes the whole of Mt. Inariyama. You can reach the top of the 233-meter-high mountain, or rather a hill, in about a 1.5-hour walk amid the rich greenery. It is the guardian shrine of merchants and tradesmen, attracting millions of visitors in the New-Year period. Pairs of foxes sitting at the base of "torii" gates are regarded as the messenger of the God.
After getting off the train, walk a bit and go through the huge "torii" gate, walk further on the paved main road and you will be met by the huge shrine building. Then, walk along the unpaved narrow paths which are inside the tunnel of "torii" gates according to the instructions of the signboards. There are many vermilion-colored buildings on your way, souvenir shops and small stalls selling charms. You can sit on the sides of the paths and enjoy chatting with your companions or have snacks. There are some places which command a fine view of the city of Kyoto below.
(2) Tofukuji temple
Established during the Kamakura period (1192 to 1333) of Japan, the name of this Zen Buddhist temple was derived from the two major temples in Nara: Todaiji temple and Kofukuji temple. There are many buildings in the temple precincts, but particularly notable are the three structures. They are: "Hondo" Main Hall, which is open to the public only in the three-day period of March 14, 15 and 16 each year, displaying the left hand of the Great Buddha; Tsutenkyo Bridge, where you can see thick leaves of trees on both sides, leading to Kaisendo Hall, where you can enjoy the atmosphere of the beautiful landscaped garden with a pond and a sand garden; and "Hojo" Hall, which is surrounded by the four representative Zen gardens consisting of rocks and sand.
(3) Toji-temple
Having the status as the World Cultural Heritage Site, the construction of this temple got started toward the end of the eighth century after the capital of Japan was moved to Kyoto from Nara. After having studied in China for two years, the Venerable "Kobo-Daishi", or "Kukai", was given this temple in 823. He wished that the peace of the nation will be maintained through the teachings of Buddhism whose light reaches every corner of the world and that individual thought will coexist without infringing on each other through the cooperation of all the people.
The four main structures of this temple, namely, "Kondo", "Kodo", "Jikido" halls and the 55-meter-high five-storied pagoda were destroyed by typhoons, fires, lightnings and other natural disasters many times since their coming into being in the early 9th century. The reconstruction of these buildings as they stand now were completed in the period between 1492 and 1644. On the 21st of each month, which is called "Kobo-san" and is the monthly return of the date of the demise of the Venerable "Kobo-daishi ", more than 1,000 stalls are installed where you can buy various kinds of antiques and souvenirs. There are more than 200,000 visitors on this day alone. There are 21 Buddhist statues in the" Kodo" Hall, 15 in "Kondo" Hall and many others in the five-storied pagoda, whose door is opened only on that memorable day each month.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
Five-storied pagoda at Toji temple.
Zen gardens of Tofukuji temple.
Ending Point
At your hotel
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 the Kyoto area
transportation fee (you and guide), lunch, dinner, entrance fee, hotel pick-up in areas beyond the Kyoto area
I would like at least 7 days notice before a booking.
It took me some 20 years to be qualified for this job and I feel honored for being able to help tourists from abroad understand our nation and culture. Japan is a beautiful country with a long history, tradition and rich cultural heritages, having various features in each of the four distinct seasons. Although there are now many visitors from abroad, mainly from Asian countries, they are mostly interested in shopping taking advantage of cheaper yen rather than understanding our people and culture. Kyoto and Nara are the two cities best known by foreign tourists, but not all the aspects of Japanese culture are concentrated there. If you visit the countryside other than these two cities, you will never fail to see the beautiful natural surroundings and people who will warmly welcome you. I wish to work as the bridge between Japanese people and tourists from all over the world.
Alfonso S.
“Good old man”
A very nice and educated old men not to fluent in English and hard to understand his ocasional explanations at the different sites visited. We had to walk very long distances in the heat to reach public transportation, when we could have save time and sweat by taking a cab. We are sure that probably in Japanese he would have been a better experience. Anyway he was very kind with us.
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Alfonso-san, Thank you very much for your honest and straightforward feedback on the three-day tour. I humbly accept every bit of your opinion and sincerely apologize to you for having you walk a long and arduous distance under the intense heat. In hindsight, I thought we should have taken a taxi to move from one place to another, but I was afraid of the cost it could have entailed. I sincerely take your comment to heart so that I can offer my future customers an even better service than ever before. At the same time, I will polish my listening comprehension with the help of radio English conversation programs more attentively. I will also learn more about the history and the attractions of each of the sights in Kyoto and elsewhere. Finally, I wish you all a greater health and success in your business. And if ever a chance should offer itself, I would look forward to having more customers from your country. Let me add one most important point: Thank you very much for the tip. Enjoy the rest of your stay in our country. Regards, Hiro
Amandeep S.
“Excellent experience with Hiro San”
It was a pleasure to tour the city through Hiro San’s eyes. He was very patient and adjusted the pace of the tour as per us. Quite knowledgeable and jovial Regards Amandeep
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Amandeep-san, Thank you very much for your compliment. I am much encouraged and given an energy to do a better job from tomorrow. Wish your entire family an excellent health. Regards, Hiro
James H.
“Great day with Hiro-San”
Absolutely one if the highlights of our trip to Japan. Our guide Hiro was fantastic. Can’t praise him enough. Hiro was patient and kind with our mixed group of 11. Hiro was so forthcoming with his knowledge. I can not say enough good things about this wonderful man. Jim H
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi James-san, Thank you very much for your favorable comment. I am glad you and your loved ones spent a wonderful day with the tame deer in Nara. That`s the best reward for me. Wish you all a better health and a happier life ahead. Regards, Hiro
$205/ per group