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South Kyoto, Vibrant Colors of Temples and Shrines

Autumn leaves in Tofukuji

Entrance of Fushimi Inari

Torii gate in Fushimi Inari

Hike route in the Mt. Inari

Small shrine on the route

Hike route map

Tofukuji Temple

Viewpoint of autumn leaves

Big Dipper in Eastern Garden

Checkerboard patterns in Northern Garden

Approach to the Temple buildings

Garden in Komyoji Temple

Garden in Reiun-in

Maple tree and Hike Poem at the neighborhood

South Kyoto, Vibrant Colors of Temples and Shrines

Art, Culture, & Historical

Joined 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Kyoto

English, Japanese (Native)

6 hours

Private tour (only you and Yosshi S.)

Up to 6 people

In Kyoto, the arrival of autumn is felt as the leaves of the trees covering the mountains gradually change color from yellow to orange to red. On this tour, we visit a shrine with a vivid red torii gate at the foot of the mountain, a temple with red autumn leaves covering the valley, and a simple garden of stones and moss that remains unchanged, and enjoy the sight of autumn in Kyoto, where nature, Deities, Buddhas, and worshipers coexist.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

11:30 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel or any convenient place in Kyoto City center.

Mt. Inari and Fushimi Inari (87ha/233 acres)

>Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine/Originally, the deity of bountiful harvests was enshrined on Mt. Inari (233m high) 1300 years ago

#Pilgrimage/hiking route/4km long path around the shrines scattered throughout Mt. Inari, with 10,000 red torii* gates along the way to guide you

*In Shinto, red is a color that wards off evil spirits, but in Fushimi Inari, it represents the power of the Inari deity (meaning rice-bearing) to bring abundant harvests

Autumn leaves and gardens at Tofukuji Temple (24ha/60 acres)

>Tofukuji Temple/a prestigious Zen temple founded in the 13th century, has a river that flows through the vast grounds at the foot of Mt. Tsukinowa, and there are several buildings, including the main hall, the residence, and the training center.

#Autumn leaves in temple grounds/We can view the autumn leaves that fill the river valley in autumn from Tsutenkyo Bridge and Gaunkyo Bridge.

#Hasso Garden (expresson of the 8 aspects of the Buddha's life)/Gardens with different designs on all four sides of the Hojo (the residence), including checkerboard patterns and the Big Dipper by Mirei Shigemori*

* Mirei Shigemori/a seminal 20th-century architect of Japanese gardens, who added modern elements to a traditional dry landscape garden, designed two gardens in sub-temples below

Sub-temples of Tofukuji Temple

>Tofukuji Temple have 25 sub-temples around the main hall in its grounds

#Hashin-tei Garden at Komyo-in Temple/White sand represents the waves in the ocean. It is said that if the viewer casts aside worldly desires, the viewer's Buddha-heart will be reflected in the waves.

#Gaun-no-niwa Garden at Reiun-in Temple/Red color sand represents floating clouds dyed red by the sunset, and white sand represents waterfalls in the valley, leading the viewer to a state of mindlessness

Ending Point

At your hotel or any convenient place in Kyoto City center

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

What‘s included

>guide fee, hotel pick up in Kyoto City center

What‘s not included

>transportation fee (you and guide/per adult)/train (some 1500JPY), taxi(undecided)

>admission fee (you/per adult)/Fushimi Inari Shrine(free), Hojo(garden) in Tofukuji Temple (500JPY), Komyoin Temple(500JPY), Reiun-in Temple(500JPY)

>short break/lunch/dinner

Tour Important Information

>Please wear comfortable shoes

>Please be aware that during the autumn leaves viewing season, transportation and tourist facilities will be crowded, so some of the facilities on the itinerary may not be accessible.

>There are stairs and slopes in the grounds of temples and shrines

>The above extra fees are often asked with CASH on the spot, so please bring some JPY

>This tour is not insured, so I hope you get travel insurance

Important message from the supplier

>If you would like to take a listed or customized tour, please send me a message in advance. I will check the availability of the spots listed on the itinerary (opening days, hours, reservation status, etc.).

>The tour uses trains, subways, trams, buses, walking, and taxis (for small groups) for easy access. Please wear comfortable walking shoes for transfers.

>Please note that we may skip, change, or add spots depending on the availability of public transportation and tourist attractions.

>The tour does not include insurance. I hope you purchase your own travel insurance.

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 2024

Yosshi S.

5.00 / 5

(10 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Yosshi S.

Thank you for visiting my page.

I'd love to guide you to three ancient capital cities, each with a 1,000-year history of urban development and a 100-year history of filmmaking. I grew up in OSAKA and earned a Master's Degree in Engineering in KYOTO. I worked for 20 years as an urban planning expert for national and local governments in TOKYO and OSAKA, dedicated to creating cities that were safe and comfortable for residents and attractive for visitors.

Then I became a freelance urban planner with a Nationally Licensed Professional Engineer. I've visited urban development sites and filming locations in 90 cities across 30 countries so far. Then I posted the unique cityscapes of these cities on social media.

OSAKA, KYOTO, and NARA formed a metropolitan area adjacent to the Imperial Palace with political, economic, and cultural hubs from the 7th to 19th centuries. Even today, locals continue to maintain retro-flavored townscapes, preserve historical heritage, and celebrate traditional events. Many travelers visit these three cities to experience them on-site.

The three cities are all within a one-hour ride by intercity train. The cities have extensive subway, tram, and bus networks, allowing you to reach a variety of tourist spots. I am also a Nationally Licensed Guide Interpreter and Certified General Travel Service Manager, and I will create a memorable travel plan comprising places and stories based on your requests. I will also ensure that you get around efficiently using the appropriate means of transportation within the limited time you have. Let's have a stroll around the cities with me.

Reviews

James S.

5 / 5

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hill

Dec 2, 2025

Osaka

7 hours

“Great Guide!”

Yosshi was a great guide. He had vast knowledge of the sights we visited. Very friendly and payed attention to our needs as we explored. I would book with him again. Thank you Yosshi.

Yosshi S.

Dear James San. Thank you for your review. I was happy to share my experience with you as you have an interest in Osaka's history. Hearing about your hometown has added to my bucket list. The day was sunny, the autumn leaves were beautiful, and there weren't many tourists, so I was able to show you ancient, medieval, and early modern sites. We were also able to go up the Osaka Castle Tower and the Tsutenkaku Tower for a bird's-eye view of Osaka's topography. Osaka's long history has been supported by its citizens. Next time, I'd like to guide you to markets and theaters where we can experience the vitality of its citizens. Thank you for yesterday. Yosshi

Drew B.

5 / 5

Nov 9, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in Temple Town on Hill

Nov 9, 2025

Osaka

6 hours

“Cultural tour of Kawachi/Osaka ”

Yosshi san created a unique tour to introduce us to the history of Kofun burial mounds and Haniwa clay pottery. We had an amazing day despite the weather visiting Shin-ike Haniwa Factory Park and the Imashirozuka Museum. Yosshi san has amazing knowledge & excellent English and was a pleasure to spend the day with. Also Yosshi san is a master of navigating Osaka transport, very impressed!! Thank you again Yosshi san for looking after us so well, Drew & Annie.

Yosshi S.

Dear Drew & Annie san Thank you so much for sending me your generous review. You read the explanations, took photos, and asked questions to the museum guide during the tour. I was impressed by your deep interest and knowledge, and it was a great honor to guide you. However, it's unfortunate that today's tour didn't go as planned due to the heavy rain all day. Here is the only imperial mausoleum in Japan that we can enter, so if we have another opportunity, I'd like to stroll around the 350-meter burial mound on a sunny day and discuss the Kofun age with you. Thank you so much for today. Regard Yosshi

James K.

5 / 5

Oct 21, 2025

Nara, Stroll in Nara Park led by Friendly Deer

Oct 21, 2025

Nara

6 hours

“Nara park and Todai-Temple Tour”

Wonderful tour with Yosshi. Really enjoyed both Nara Park and the Todai-ji Temple. Yosshi customized the tour for our needs, and made the travel to and from Kyoto seamless.

Yosshi S.

Hello James san Thank you for your heartwarming review. I was so happy to see you and your mother enjoying the deer in Nara Park. I was also touched by how much you always cherish your mother, and I learned a lot from you. I'm glad I was able to show you around Nara Park and the Great Buddha Hall. On the train ride there and back, you and your mother told me stories about your town and asked me many questions, which broadened my horizons. I hope you and your mother are in good health. I look forward to seeing you again. Thank you. Yosshi