Serene Temples with enchanting Gardens Tour
Joined 2023
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?
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
Joined 2023
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
“Ohara and Mount Hiei”
A few months ago, I booked Kanae's private car tour which takes visitors to Ohara . We went to three very lovely temples. They included Sanzen In, which has a beautiful moss garden. Kanae also adjusted the itinerary, and we went to Mount Hiei on the same trip. The mountain is magnificent, and the views it offers incredible. The templex complex has played a major role in making the history of Japanese Buddhism. The trip was extremely well-designed. Kanae is creative and well-organized. She has a lot of great ideas about how to enhance visitors' experiences in Japan. In addition, she is observant, knowledgeable, and kind. An amazing tour guide.
Kanae O.
Hung-yok, thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review! It brings me great joy to know that you enjoyed the tour to Ohara and Mount Hiei. Both areas are truly special, and I’m delighted that you found the temples and the moss garden at Sanzen-in so lovely, as well as the incredible views and historical richness of Mount Hiei. I learned a lot from your expertise in Japanese history, and I’m truly grateful to have had you as my guest. Thank you again for your kind words. I hope to have the opportunity to guide you again someday for more adventures in Japan!
“Perfect Afternoon In Ohara & Kibune With The Perfect Guide”
We didn't have any expectations of being able to book a tour with Kanae, given the official tour availability, but we were pleasantly surprised that Kanae was able and willing to accommodate our timing despite her busy schedule. And by the end of the tour, we knew instinctively that we would have missed out on a large part of our experience in Kyoto if we hadn't traveled with Kanae for the afternoon. Kanae has a naturally warm and friendly disposition, which made us feel at ease and comfortable from the get-go. Given the half-day time constraint, Kanae designed a customised tour which showcased to us highlights of key temples situated in Ohara (Renge-ji Temple, Hosen-in Temple, Sanzen-in Temple) as well as Kifune Shrine in Kibune. The itinerary ensured that we were able to experience all the attractions we had wanted to cover as well as certain lesser known hidden gems. Kanae has more than demonstrated herself to be the perfect guide. She was able to share interesting insights and valuable nuggets of information on each place we visited, thereby allowing us to understand and appreciate the essence behind each location without being overwhelmed. And Kanae's fluency in English has also helped us communicate effectively, thereby allowing us to share our viewpoints and ideas over a diverse range of topics, all of these add on to create a perfect afternoon for us. We would wholeheartedly recommend Kanae without any reservations to anyone who is looking to explore Kyoto, and most specifically North Kyoto, where we now believe peace and serenity will always await you.
Kanae O.
Daniel, thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful review! I’m truly honored that you chose to spend your afternoon exploring Kyoto with me and that I could contribute to making your time here memorable. It was a pleasure designing a customized itinerary that suited your preferences, and I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed visiting the temples in Ohara and the serene beauty of Kifune. North Kyoto does indeed hold a special kind of tranquility, and it’s wonderful to know that you were able to experience its peaceful charm. I also really enjoyed your friendly company and appreciated your eagerness to learn about our culture and history, as well as the insights you shared, for which I am truly grateful. Thank you again for your wholehearted recommendation. Your feedback motivates me to continue sharing Kyoto’s treasures with care and passion. I hope to see you again here in Kyoto sometime!
“Visit to Kyoto”
Intersting guide who guided 2 teenagers and 2 young adults in Kyoto. Arigatou gozaimasu
Kanae O.
Thank you so much for your kind review! It was a pleasure guiding your group through Kyoto. I’m so glad I could share the experience with such a wonderful mix of teenagers and young adults. Your curiosity and energy made the day truly enjoyable for me as well.
$198/ per group
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