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Tour of Arashiyama
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Joined 2014
(Highlights)
Arashiyama in Kyoto is where all the natural and man-made beauties of Japan are concentrated. You can see a 150-meter-long wooden bridge, steep mountains covered with trees of different colors, a clear river, traditional Japanese-style restaurants, paths that allows you to go for a leisurely stroll and pleasure boats floating on the river, and so on. You can spend a happy time all the year round just having a look at the scenery. Another attraction is the bamboo forest which you can reach by walking some 30 minutes from JR Saga-Arashiyama station.
(How to enjoy)
It is the place where people from all over the world meet: you can talk to other sightseers and share the joys of the tour. You can enjoy the ride on the old-fashioned "rickshaw" that can accommodate two persons for a fee if you like. But above all, just stand on the sidewalks of "Togetsukyo" bridge and look around: you will forget everything in the magnificent natural surroundings and really feel happy being there.
(Others)
You can take either a JR train for a fare of 280 yen of a bus for 230 yen to go to Arashiyama from Kyoto. The travel time is 20 minutes and 50 minutes, respectively.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
Togetsukyo bridge
Japanese-style restauranrs
Ending Point
At your hotel
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, hotel pick-up in Kyoto area
transportation fee (you and guide), lunch, dinner, hotel pick-up beyond Kyoto area
Tour Important Information
Important message from the supplier
I would like at least 7 days notice before a booking.
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 2014
About Tour Guide Tatsuhiro N.
It took me some 20 years to be qualified for this job and I feel honored for being able to help tourists from abroad understand our nation and culture. Japan is a beautiful country with a long history, tradition and rich cultural heritages, having various features in each of the four distinct seasons. Although there are now many visitors from abroad, mainly from Asian countries, they are mostly interested in shopping taking advantage of cheaper yen rather than understanding our people and culture. Kyoto and Nara are the two cities best known by foreign tourists, but not all the aspects of Japanese culture are concentrated there. If you visit the countryside other than these two cities, you will never fail to see the beautiful natural surroundings and people who will warmly welcome you. I wish to work as the bridge between Japanese people and tourists from all over the world.
Reviews
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Michael S.
“A mature and thoughtful tour”
We had a wonderful day exploring Osaka and Nara with our guide, Hiro. As an experienced and wise guide, he shared his deep knowledge of the region with us in such an engaging and thoughtful way. Hiro took us through Osaka’s highlights and then to the famous Nara Deer Park and Todai-ji Temple, where his stories and insights gave us a much richer understanding of the area’s history and culture. His genuine nature and warm personality made the experience both enjoyable and memorable. It was clear how much care Hiro put into ensuring we had the best experience, and we truly appreciated his thoughtfulness throughout the day. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to explore Osaka and Nara with a knowledgeable and sincere guide.
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Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Michael-san & loved ones, Thank you so much for your heart-warming comment. I am really inspired and encouraged by it. I am glad you had the opportunity to be in touch with the atmosphere of the ancient capital city. I am glad also that you had a happy time mixing with deer. I wish you all a healthy, happy future and the promising days ahead for your young kids. Regards, Hiro
Jack H.
“Excellent gentlemanly service ”
Hiru showed my family around Kyoto for a day. It was extremely hot and he tried his best to make the visit as easy as possible for us. We learnt several interesting facts on history, Buddhism, Shintoism and Kyoto itself. I would recommend fully this experience, the only thing I would say is that if you suffer from the heat or periods of standing and walking then this tour could be challenging for you to complete.
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Jack-san, Thank you very much for giving me a full mark. I am greatly encouraged by your favorable comment and I will keep your advice in mind in my future job. Best regard, Hiro
Brandon W.
“Premium tour of Kyoto - Wodnerful!”
Tatsuhiro was a wonderful tour guide for our first time in Kyoto. Very accommodating and considerate. Tatsuhiro was very informative on the subjects and historical sites we visited. It was a wonderful experience, definitely recommend!
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Brandon-san, Thank you very much for your favorable comment. Nothing is more encouraging and inspiring than receiving a high mark from my customer for the job I have done. I wish you will have enjoyable days ahead. Above all, a good health. Regards, Hiro
$104/ per group
More tours by Tatsuhiro N.
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Premium tour of Kyoto (1) : Arashiyama, Nijo-jo Castle & Kinkakuji temple
Why not enjoy your holidays in Kyoto? You can certainly get in touch with many things Japanese that we are proud of. They are old temples and shrines, cultural assets and the beautiful natural surroundings. You can also enjoy dropping in at souvenir stores and buy exquisitely made products, such as folding fans, porcelain and traditional Japanese cakes. I would like to take you to the following places, which are the three representative tourist destinations in this city: (1) Arashiyama It is the place where all the traditional natural beauties of Japan are combined together. They are Togetsukyo bridge, bamboo grove and the old temples. If you go up to the observation spot, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the gorge below. You can also see rickshaws of the olden times drawn by young people with smiling passengers on board. There are souvenir shops selling variety of goods and products. (2) Nijo-jo Castle (World Cultural Heritage Site) This castle was built in the early 17th century by the Tokugawa Shogunate government for the purpose of protecting the Kyoto Imperial Palace and as the accommodations when Tokugawa Shogun was in Kyoto. It was subsequently enlarged by successive Shogun. It is the castle as well as the palace, where you can see the powerful structures and beautiful gardens. You can learn, in addition, how great the power of Tokugawa Shogun was. (3) Kinkakuji temple (the Golden Pavilion) (World Cultural Heritage Site) The history of this temple began when the third Shogun of the Muromachi period acquired a tract of land in this area from a powerful statesman in 1397 and built a villa of his own to entertain the Emperor and members of the nobility. The upper two levels of the temple are covered with pieces of gold foil and are shining brilliantly against the background of the rich greenery. The pond in the foreground reflects the golden structure. It looks like the materialization of Pure Land of Buddha in this world. In addition, on the top of the golden structure is the shining phoenix.
Premium tour of Kyoto (1) : Arashiyama, Nijo-jo Castle & Kinkakuji temple
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Premium tour of Kyoto (4): Fushimi-Inari-Taisha shrine, Tofukuji temple & Toji temple
Besides the scenic beauty, you can learn the architectural difference between a shrine and a temple in this tour. (1) Fushimi-Inari-Taisha shrine According to the legend, Fushimi-Inari-Taisha shrine was founded when God Inari was enshrined on Mt. Inariyama in February, 711. It celebrated the 1300th anniversary of the God`s enshrinement and all the buildings in the ground were restored and re-painted with the vermilion color in 2011. This shrine is the "So-honzan" head shrine of 30,000 Inari shrines across the country. There are paths called "sen-bon-torii", meaning alleys of tunnels made of 1,000 "torii" gates. Actually, however, it is said there are a total of more than 10, 000 "torii" gates, large and small, in the shrine compound which includes the whole of Mt. Inariyama. You can reach the top of the 233-meter-high mountain, or rather a hill, in about a 1.5-hour walk amid the rich greenery. It is the guardian shrine of merchants and tradesmen, attracting millions of visitors in the New-Year period. Pairs of foxes sitting at the base of "torii" gates are regarded as the messenger of the God. After getting off the train, walk a bit and go through the huge "torii" gate, walk further on the paved main road and you will be met by the huge shrine building. Then, walk along the unpaved narrow paths which are inside the tunnel of "torii" gates according to the instructions of the signboards. There are many vermilion-colored buildings on your way, souvenir shops and small stalls selling charms. You can sit on the sides of the paths and enjoy chatting with your companions or have snacks. There are some places which command a fine view of the city of Kyoto below. (2) Tofukuji temple Established during the Kamakura period (1192 to 1333) of Japan, the name of this Zen Buddhist temple was derived from the two major temples in Nara: Todaiji temple and Kofukuji temple. There are many buildings in the temple precincts, but particularly notable are the three structures. They are: "Hondo" Main Hall, which is open to the public only in the three-day period of March 14, 15 and 16 each year, displaying the left hand of the Great Buddha; Tsutenkyo Bridge, where you can see thick leaves of trees on both sides, leading to Kaisendo Hall, where you can enjoy the atmosphere of the beautiful landscaped garden with a pond and a sand garden; and "Hojo" Hall, which is surrounded by the four representative Zen gardens consisting of rocks and sand. (3) Toji-temple Having the status as the World Cultural Heritage Site, the construction of this temple got started toward the end of the eighth century after the capital of Japan was moved to Kyoto from Nara. After having studied in China for two years, the Venerable "Kobo-Daishi", or "Kukai", was given this temple in 823. He wished that the peace of the nation will be maintained through the teachings of Buddhism whose light reaches every corner of the world and that individual thought will coexist without infringing on each other through the cooperation of all the people. The four main structures of this temple, namely, "Kondo", "Kodo", "Jikido" halls and the 55-meter-high five-storied pagoda were destroyed by typhoons, fires, lightnings and other natural disasters many times since their coming into being in the early 9th century. The reconstruction of these buildings as they stand now were completed in the period between 1492 and 1644. On the 21st of each month, which is called "Kobo-san" and is the monthly return of the date of the demise of the Venerable "Kobo-daishi ", more than 1,000 stalls are installed where you can buy various kinds of antiques and souvenirs. There are more than 200,000 visitors on this day alone. There are 21 Buddhist statues in the" Kodo" Hall, 15 in "Kondo" Hall and many others in the five-storied pagoda, whose door is opened only on that memorable day each month.
Premium tour of Kyoto (4): Fushimi-Inari-Taisha shrine, Tofukuji temple & Toji temple
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Premium tour of Kyoto: (3) Sanjusangendo temple, Kiyomizu-dera temple & Kodaiji temple
(1) Sanjusangen-do temple Officially called "Rengeo-in", meaning "Temple of the Lotus King Kannon-bosatsu", and designated as the National Treasure, it was originally established by the order of the cloistered emperor in 1164. After the original temple building was burnt down in 1249, the building was reconstructed in 1266 and it has remained unchanged to this day for some 700 years with four major renovations in that period. There is a 335-centimeter-high seated statue of Buddhist deity, Senju-Kannon Sahasra-bhuja, the principal image, and 1,000 life-size standing statues of Senju-Kannon in the 118-meter-long main hall of the temple. There are also two powerful and dynamic statues of "Fujin" Wind God and "Raijin" Thunder God at either end of the hall and 28 images of guardian deities protecting the 1,001 "Kannon" deities and pious Buddhists. The statues are made of Japanese cypress using the assembled-wood construction method called "yosegi-zukuri" and coated with gold foil. As there are thirty-three 2.5-meter-long spaces between the columns, the temple came to be called "Sanjusangen-do" (a hall with 33 spaces between columns). They tend to be ignored, but you cannot miss the two structures in the temple precincts: South Gate and roofed earthen fence, both of which are said to be made based on the idea of one time ruler of Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and reflect the aesthetics of the 16th century. (2) Kiyomizu-dera temple According to the Chronicle of Kiyomizu-dera temple, it originated in 778 when the noted monk, Enchin, enshrined an image of "Kannon" Goddess of Mercy on the mountain overlooking the Otowa-no-taki waterfall; later in 798, the distinguished general, Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro, built a Buddha hall there, following which the temple came under the official patronage of Emperor Kammu. Repeatedly destroyed by fire over the centuries, it was rebuilt on each occasion. Today, the principal temple buildings are the "Saimon" West Gate, the three-storied pagoda, the "Kyodo" Sutra Hall, the "Tamurado" Founder`s Hall, the "Todorokimon" Middle Gate, the "Asakurado" Hall, the "Hondo" Main Hall and the "Amidado" Amida Buddha Hall, all aligned on an east-west axis. The "Hondo" Main Hall, built in 1633, is the central building of the temple compound and is an example of "Kake-zukuri", or "overhang" architecture. It is famous for its so-called "Kiyomozu-dera stage", an imposing veranda, supported by a forest of tall wooden columns with wooden braces running through them crosswise and lengthwise. The temple itself is a magnificent building utilizing every sophisticated construction technique available in the olden times of Japan. Not only can you be in the solemn atmosphere accompanied by the delicate aroma of burning incense, but also get the breathtaking view below from the 12-meter-high platform, which is popularly known for the proverb "Jumping off the stage of Kiyomizu-dera temple", meaning making a bold attempt at doing something dangerous or impossible. The Buddhist temple is attractive throughout the year in the beautiful natural surroundings: cherry-blossoms in early April, fresh green leaves in early summer and trees with beautiful red and yellow leaves late in autumn. Meanwhile, you can drink cold, clean water from a waterfall below the platform. You can also find various kinds of souvenir shops on both sides of the approach to the temple and spend a happy time there wondering what to buy. (3) Ryozen-Kannon Goddess & Kodaiji temple This imposing, 24-meter-high "Kannon" statue built in 1955 to wish for the construction of peace-loving Japan and to console the souls of Japanese killed in World War Ⅱ stands with the rich greenery in the background. Her serene, mild, gentle face gives us relief from our daily worries and concerns. Kodaiji temple near the Kannon image was built by the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one-time ruler of Japan, to console his soul in 1606. Later, with the huge financial assistance made by Tokugawa Ieyasu, his successor, the temple enjoyed prosperity. After 1789, however, it lost many of its buildings due to repeated fires except the main hall, the mausoleum of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his wife Nene called "Mitamaya", where the statues of the couple is seated, the two tea houses and a few other structures. There is a small museum in the temple precincts called Kodaiji Sho (palm-of-the-hand) Museum, where many pieces of "makie" lacquerware and other artifacts are on display. The lacquerware was made by sprinkling gold powder on the lacquered products such as spice containers, pitchers and chests of drawers. They are associated with the life of the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Premium tour of Kyoto: (3) Sanjusangendo temple, Kiyomizu-dera temple & Kodaiji temple
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Tour of Osaka-jo Castle
(Highlights) The present castle building looks beautiful, powerful and in perfect harmony with the surrounding environment. However, it was the venue of hegemony, bloody conflicts and natural disasters for many centuries. Once you visit the castle, you will be amazed at the magnificent structures, huge moats and the beautiful natural environment. The view from the top of the eight-storied donjon is splendid. You can reach there either by going up the steep stairways or taking an elevator ride. The castle is in the heart and the landmark of Osaka city, where many modern buildings stand. (How to enjoy) You can enjoy a leisurely walk along the one-kilometer road leading to the castle after you get off the train and, once inside the precincts, you cannot spare even a moment without marveling at the sight of an ancient technology and human wisdom, as well as the huge rocks building up the protection walls. Not only seeing the buildings, you can also sit on the grass and enjoy having lunch with your family members or friends. (Others) The entrance fee is 600 yen per person and the JR Osaka Loop Line train fare is 300 yen for the ride from Osaka to Osaka-jo-koen station. The fare for the ride between Kyoto and Osaka, meanwhile, is 510 yen.
Tour of Osaka-jo Castle
Other Popular Day Trip Tours in Kyoto
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Charming must -see in north west area of Kyoto city
This tour covers 4 must-see sightseeing spot . Firstly, we visit the golden pavilion. We go to Arashiyama. We walk through Tenryuji garden and bamboo forest. In the afternoon, we'll visit Nijo castle. (We enjoy watching a live demonstration of Japanese sweet making with green tea(Mattcha).Finally you can learn about Kyoto’s traditional and wonderful kimono
Charming must -see in north west area of Kyoto city
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Your most memorable tour in Kyoto
Kyoto is an ancient capital that has existed for over 1000 years. There are many shrines and temples, and you can also see traditional Japanese culture such as tea ceremony and flower arrangement. You can also see the beautiful scenery that will take your breath away. Please feel Kyoto, which can be said to be the origin of Japan, with all five senses.
Your most memorable tour in Kyoto
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Customized Private Tour in Kyoto
This is customized private tour in Kyoto which guests can create easily by selecting any spots from a list of popular tourist destinations. The list consists of 16 tourist destinations (S01-16) that are very popular especially among foreign tourists. After the guest's selection the guide will arrange best itinerary with tour cost and feedback proper offer to the guest for formal booking.
Customized Private Tour in Kyoto
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Western Kyoto Tour
We can go to Arashiyama to visit bamboo forests and explore some temples with Japanese gardens. The golden pagoda, Kinkakuji,you'll appreciate the most shiniest pagoda in Kyoto. Kitano Tenmangu shrine to pray for academic luck for your studies. Nijyo castle, the old history and story of the castle in Kyoto.
Western Kyoto Tour
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