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The Unique Architecture and Culture in Higashiyama
Higashiyama is located in the east of Kyoto city. Kiyomizu Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hill roads, which were front approaches to the temple, a pagoda in Yasaka, the magnificent view from those hill roads are popular tourist spots in Kyoto. They have flourished as a part of the temple area since ancient times. Lovely monkey balls in the temple, the historical Yasaka Shrine, and Gion area which has unique traditional culture in Japan, enhance the attraction of Higashiyama.
Meeting Point
Hotel or other places
- Hotel or other places
At your hotel in Kyoto
You can choose any hotel or train station near your accommodation.
If you stay at a hotel in Osaka, we will start the tour earlier.
Kiyomizu Temple
Kiyomizu Temple, which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto, is located in the eastern part of Kyoto city. Kiyomizu literally means clean water and Tera literally means a temple. It is said that the origins of this temple go back to the end of the 8th century.
The temple is located in the middle of Kyoto’s Higashiyama mountains, which is located in the east part of Kyoto city. Mt. Otowa has always been famous for its beautiful scenery and views of the city of Kyoto.
A monk found this area as a place deep in the forest greenery where a mist, like a belt of white clouds, hung over a waterfall at the foot of a mountain.
The Main Hall here is famous for its platform projecting over a cliff. You can enjoy the view of Kyoto city and also see the many pillars which support this platform.
You can also enjoy the three water streams which flow down from the mountain to the temple.
The Hill Roads in Higashiyama
The hill roads, which were front approaches to Kiyomizu Temple, a pagoda in Yasaka, and the magnificent view from those hill roads are popular tourist spots in Kyoto. They have flourished as a part of the temple area since ancient times.
These hill roads were designated as an Important Traditional and Conservation area. They are protected by the Kyoto city government.
On this tour, we will enjoy walking on unique hill roads, visiting lovely mini monkey dolls in a temple, tiny gardens, charming souvenir shops and beautiful mural paintings in another temple
A restaurant
We will visit a restaurant on hill roads. There are many traditional Japanese restaurants.
Yasaka Shrine
Yasaka shrine is located in the east of Kyoto city. The shrine in Kyoto is the head Yasaka shrine nationwide. The shrine itself has a long history. It is famous for a beautiful gate fronting a street. On entering we can see shrine structures in traditional architectural style and a stage with beautiful lanterns.
On this tour, we will stroll around the shrine precinct and the park which was a part of the shrine area and is now rich in nature.
Gion Area
Gion is one of the popular tourist spots in Kyoto because of its own traditional Japanese cultures, restaurants, houses and businesses. Kyoto was an ancient capital of Japan. It has unique and long-term traditions and cultures because of its own 1000-year history.
Gion area is famous for Maiko and Geiko, who are professional entertainers. They are skillful, knowledgeable and beautiful girls.
Kyoto has five districts where Maiko and Geiko work, live and study. Gion is one of them.
We will enjoy walking in the Gion district and learn how they lived before and how they live together now.
NIshiki Market
Nishiki Market has around 400 year old history. This area was rich in high-quality water.
Foods here was served to the Imperial Palace before.
This market has been called ' A kitchen of Kyoto'.
A wide variety of foods are in the market.
We can enjoy eating street foods and seeing the beautiful paintings that a famous artist painted, and colorful archade.
Your hotel
We can finish at your hotel or Nishiki Market.
Ending Point
Hotel or other places
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee, hotel pick-up
transportation fee for you and your guide
admission fee for you and your guide (Guides don't need admission fees for some temples)
Lunch costs for you and your guide
Tour Important Information
On this tour, we will enjoy visiting a temple which has unique architectures and the magnificent view, and walking on the famous hill roads which have lovely souvenir shops, tiny gardens and attractive temples. After going down the hill roads, we will visit a shrine which has a long history, and walk on entertainment districts which have traditional Japanese culture. At the end of the tour, we will visit the market which has a wide variety of Kyoto's foods.
If you want to visit other places, please feel free to let me know. I will arrange the tour according to your request. Also, if you want to change the meeting time and finishing time, please feel free to ask me. We'll be able to finish the tour at shopping district in Kyoto or Osaka if you want.
You will be able to enjoy the local food there.
This tour will show you the following;
・The picturesque scenery
・The unique architecture
・The magnificent view
・The history of Kyoto
・The correlation between Shinto and Buddhism for Japanese people
・The traditional and beautiful garden
・The traditional Japanese culture
・The beautiful murals
・The historic shrine
・The Market in Kyoto
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
Kyoto Tour Reviews
“Great guide ”
We were a family of 4 adults and 1 child. Atsuko was really accommodating and adjusted all the times considering a 4 year old. We saw what we planned and couldn't be happier.
Atsuko T.
(52 reviews)Hello Ms. Elizabeth H, Thank you for your kind review and comment for me. I really enjoyed showing my home town to you. It was fun to talk with you and your family. Dahlia is very cute. I am happy I could join your family trip. Please let me know if you have any chance to visit Osaka again. Thank you for joining my tour. Best regards, Atsuko
“Wonderful Day in Osaka and Nara!”
Thanks to Atsuko we had a perfect day exploring Nara and Osaka with our two kids! She picked a great Sushi Restaurant for lunch and we learned so much about the Japanese history and Culture. 100% recommendations :)
Atsuko T.
(52 reviews)Hello Ms. Anke, Thank you for your kind comment and review for me. It was great that we could visit both Nara and Osaka Castle today. I was worried if we could do this tour or not when I saw the pouring rain this morning. I really enjoyed talking with you and showing my favorite place, Nara. If you have another chance, please visit Nara again. Please say hello to everyone. Enjoy the Universal Studio tomorrow. Thank you. Best regards, Atsuko
“Great introduction to Osaka ”
Atsuko was informative and very friendly. It was a great way to start our Japan journey and experience Osaka. Atsuko was able to accommodate our dietary needs and helped us with little tips for the rest of our stay in Osaka including restaurant recommendations near our hotel (as well as ways to find our way back to the hotel). I would highly recommend booking with Atsuko for enjoyable tour. Arigatou gozaimasu!
Atsuko T.
(52 reviews)Hello Ms. Tamara, Thank you for your kind review and comment for me. I am happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour on the 1st day of the trip in Japan. It was fun for me to talk with both of you and show some attractive places to you. Osaka has many attractive places. It was great you enjoyed your stay in Osaka. Thank you for joining my tour. Please say hello to Ayla. Best regards, Atsuko
