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.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
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
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
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
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
Hello. My name is Atsuko.I'm a licensed tour guide in Japan.
I have lived in Osaka since I was born.
I have guided many tourists all over the world as a volunteer for 6 years. I like showing my tourists my favorite places in Japan and talking with them. Osaka, where I was born and raised, is famous for foods, modern and ancient cultures. Nara and Kyoto, which are neighboring places, were ancient capitals in Japan. I'm happy to visit those places with you.
Tessa E.
“An amazing introduction to Osaka”
Subarashii omotenashio Atsuko-san! We had a fabulous time with Atsuko-san, who took us to visit the impressive Osaka Castle, the bustling Dotonbori area, and the memorable gardens and pagoda at Shitennoji Temple. Atsuko-san was so patient and engaging with our energetic boys, and we all had a great time learning about the sites visited and about life in Osaka, past and present. We highly recommend this tour with Atsuko-san, who helped make our first visit to Osaka and Japan so memorable. Arigatō gozaimasu! The Ewens Family
Atsuko T.
Hello Ms. Tessa, Thank you for your kind review and words for me. I also had a fabulous time with you today. I was happy to hear you enjoyed my tour in Osaka. Today was the first day in Japan. It was hot and humid, especially for you from Australia. Please enjoy your tour in Osaka and the rest of your long journey in Japan. Thank you. Best regards, Atsuko
Reed H.
“Osaka Castle, Shitenno-Ji Temple and nearby garden, and Dotonbori ”
Atsuko was great. She met us at our hotel and showed us all the sights we wanted to see. She was very informative, relaxed and was great to talk to about everyday life in Japan. We highly recommend her.
Atsuko T.
Hello Mr. Reed, Thank you for your kind review and words for me. It was fun for me to do this tour with you. I really enjoyed showing my hometown and talking with you. I am happy to show you a real life in Osaka. Osaka was the 1st place on your trip. Please enjoy the long journey in Japan. Please say hello to Risa. Thank you. Best regards, Atsuko
Glenis G.
“Lovely day with Atsuko ”
We had an amazing day with Atsuko . She was so knowledgeable and put as at ease immediately. She kindly adapted the tour as I was poorly and was unable to meet the 1st day so we felt we didn’t miss out on anything. We visited shrines and temples and Atsuko told us the history and culture and made the whole day very interesting and informative. Thank you so much for helping us create lovely memories
Atsuko T.
Hello Ms. Glenis, Thank you for your kind review and words for me. I am happy to hear you had an amazing day in Nara. I also had a wonderful day with you and your son, Tom. Nara is rich in nature. I like visiting Nara. I think you really enjoyed your birthday and Mother's Day in Japan. Today is Mother's Day in Japan. My children also celebrate it for me. Thank you for joining my tour. Please say hello to Tom. Best regards, Atsuko
$278/ per group