Serene Temples with enchanting Gardens Tour
Are you tired of the crowds at all the popular tourist sites in Kyoto? Join me on an excursion to my favorite region, Ohara, located in the northeastern part of the city, where you can experience the tranquil countryside ambiance. In Ohara, I will introduce you to three of the most charming temples, each offering a serene atmosphere and enchanting gardens in every season. Upon request, I can also take you to a local restaurant where you can savor traditional cuisine.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
- I will pick you up at your hotel if it is located in Kyoto city. Otherwise, please meet me in front of JR Yamashina station, the next station east of JR Kyoto station.
Rengeji Temple
Renge-ji Temple is a Tendai sect temple located at the foot of Mt. Seimyoji in Kamitakano, Sakyo Ward. The exact date of its founding is unclear, but it was originally a Ji sect temple in the central part of Kyoto. After being left in ruins following the Onin and Bunmei Wars (1467-1477), it was rebuilt at its current location by Imaeda Chikayoshi, a retainer of the Kaga Domain, to honor the memory of his grandfather, Shigenaga. He spent his remaining years as a cultured man of leisure who enjoyed the tea ceremony.
The temple was reconstructed at its current location in 1662. In 1666, a stone monument commemorating Imaeda Shigenaga's achievements was erected on the temple grounds, and records indicate that by 1681, this monument had been placed in the garden's pond. Therefore, it is believed that the garden was created around the same time as the temple's reconstruction.
Sanzen-In Temple
Sanzen-in Temple traces its origins back to the Enryaku period (782-806), when the Great Teacher Dengyo Daishi Saicho established a small temple under a large yew tree in the Minamidani area of the East Pagoda on Mount Hiei-in in Ohara, Kyoto. It is known as a ”monzeki“ temple where imperial princes and royalty have served as head priests for generations. You can experience the richness of the four seasons in the Shuhekien and Yuseien gardens, appreciate the high prestige of the Shinden and Kyakuden halls, and enjoy the beauty unique to Kyoto in the Ojo Gokuraku-in Hall, which houses a national treasure and other important cultural properties.
Housen-in Temple
Originally built between 1235 and 1238, it is considered the birthplace of 'Shomyo,' the origin of Japanese music. The garden features a five-needle pine over 500 years old, shaped like Mount Fuji, and recognized as a natural monument. The garden includes the Crane and Turtle Garden, with a pond shaped like a crane, a hill representing a turtle, and ancient sasanqua trees symbolizing Mount Horai. Additionally, the Pangyuan framed garden, where the pillars and spaces between the pillars of the guest hall are used to frame the garden's view, surrounds the study.
Ending Point
At your hotel or a place of your preference
Want to personalize this tour?
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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, Transportation (Car service by Honda Vezel 4 seaters), Parking, Gas.
Meals (breakfast and lunch), admission fees for temples, insurance
*If you would like to have lunch there, please let me know in advance so that I can make a reservation. The price varies depending on the restaurant you choose, ranging from around 1500 yen (approximately 10 USD) to 5000 yen (approximately 35 USD).
Tour Important Information
* If you wish to have a party of more than four, please message me before booking the tour.
* If your hotel has insufficient parking space, I may ask you to wait in front of your hotel for pick-up.
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
About Tour Guide Kanae O.
Hello! I am Kanae, a nationally licensed guide. While working full-time as a lecturer at a local university in Kyoto, I have also been guiding for two years.
Born and raised in Kyoto, I am excited to share the beauty and culture of my hometown with my customers. Kyoto is an enchanting city, and even as a local, I am continually fascinated by its many charming spots. Whether it's the serene temples, vibrant markets, or hidden gems, there is always something new to explore and appreciate in this wonderful city.
Also, since my home is close to Shiga Prefecture, I am very familiar with the area. While Shiga may not be as popular as Kyoto, it offers a wealth of attractions for tourists. From historical sites such as temples and shrines to the stunning natural beauty of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, there is much to see and do. I am passionate about promoting Shiga and sharing its unique charm with visitors.
Reviews
Edyta R.
“Wonderful!”
I am a woman in my 50's and this was my first time travelling to Japan. Normally, this private tour is booked for a group of people who know each other, but since I was a solo traveller and it was not possible for me to join a group, therefore I booked this tour solely for myself. This was a very unique experience for me and it felt truly special. I booked this private tour with my Japanese guide Kanae. She is a wonderful guide and a very kind person, who also communicates very well in English. She is intelligent, knowledgeable, polite, caring and resourceful. It was so great and very convenient to travel from site to site to site with Kanae in her car. She is also an excellent driver and her car is very spacious, clean and comfortable. Touring this way, allowed me to save a lot of time and energy. During this tour, Kanae showed me many amazing places in Kyoto with beautiful architecture and stunning nature. She explained to me the significance of each place and she answered all my questions very well. I had so much fun and I truly enjoyed this private tour with her. Thank you Kanae for making this tour accessible, educational, easy and fun. I will treasure these moments forever. It was perfect for me, especially since I've developed problems with my feet while in Japan and I could not walk as far and for as long as I normally could in the past. I enjoyed having this private tour of Kyoto with Kanae and I highly recommend it. Thank you Kanae!!! Edyta (Canada)
Peter A.
“Wonderful Day”
We had a great day with Kanae. The best description is that it was like being shown around by a family member or old friend we had known for years. She was very organised, making contact in advance to clarify pick up arrangements and ask whether we had questions or requests. She was on time on the day, lovely to talk to, and very knowledgable on the sites visited, with best ways to access, parts to see, and how to avoid crowds (as much as possible).We are pretty quick walkers so finished at all the sites with lots of time to spare so Kanae took us to her favourite local Ramen shop for lunch. Great food and a place we would never have found ourselves - a highlight in its own right. Would definitely recommend and would certainly book with her again if in Kyoto.
Kathleen F.
“Lovely morning tour”
Kanae O. was a lovely guide. My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed our time with her. She was very responsive to pivoting the original tour to areas we had not seen yet. Her flexibility and pleasant demenour made our time with her wonderful. We saw some big highlights but also some smaller sites that we wouldn't have found without her. We would recommend her as a tour guide. Kathleen
$208/ per group
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