Tour of Ninnaji Temple
Joined 2014
(History of the temple)
In the Heian period (794 to 1191), the 58th emperor of Japan, Emperor Koukou, started to build a temple then known as Nishiyama-Goganji. In the year of 888, Emperor Utada, taking over the wishes of his predecessors, completed the construction of the temple, which is now called the Temple of Ninnaji. After he resigned from his position, he became a priest and resided in this temple and underwent training under the doctrine of "Shingon-Mikkyo" esoteric Buddhism. Afterwards, head priests of this temple had been the members of the Imperial Family and it had been popularly called the "Omuro-Gosho" Imperial Palace until the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Designated as the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994, it is the "Sohonzan" head temple of the "Omuro" faction of the "Shingonshu" sect of Buddhism.
(Highlights)
This temple consists of a total of 23 buildings and gardens amid the rich greenery arranged in perfect harmony in the spacious enclosure, with many of them designated as the Important Cultural Asset. There is the magnificent "Nio-mon" gate at the entrance to this temple, a splendid, tall, five-storied pagoda, beautiful landscaped gardens, large tatami-matted rooms with wall paintings, a Buddha image, and so on. All these beautiful structures make us sigh with amazement.
(How to enjoy)
Just walk in the temple precincts following the guidance of the leaflet. You can enjoy seeing the marvelous buildings and beautiful wall paintings inside "Hakushoin" and "Kokushoin" halls. You can relax sitting on the veranda of "Shinden" Great Hall, while looking at the garden consisting of white gravel and a pond. You can really feel the aura of a great temple constructed with the superb ancient technique.
(Others)
The entrance fee is 500 yen and the bus fare is 460 yen on both ways.
"Kannondo" Hall is now undergoing repairs which will take some three years to complete.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel
Five-storied pagoda
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, entrance fee, hotel pick-up in areas 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
Alfonso S.
“Good old man”
A very nice and educated old men not to fluent in English and hard to understand his ocasional explanations at the different sites visited. We had to walk very long distances in the heat to reach public transportation, when we could have save time and sweat by taking a cab. We are sure that probably in Japanese he would have been a better experience. Anyway he was very kind with us.
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Alfonso-san, Thank you very much for your honest and straightforward feedback on the three-day tour. I humbly accept every bit of your opinion and sincerely apologize to you for having you walk a long and arduous distance under the intense heat. In hindsight, I thought we should have taken a taxi to move from one place to another, but I was afraid of the cost it could have entailed. I sincerely take your comment to heart so that I can offer my future customers an even better service than ever before. At the same time, I will polish my listening comprehension with the help of radio English conversation programs more attentively. I will also learn more about the history and the attractions of each of the sights in Kyoto and elsewhere. Finally, I wish you all a greater health and success in your business. And if ever a chance should offer itself, I would look forward to having more customers from your country. Let me add one most important point: Thank you very much for the tip. Enjoy the rest of your stay in our country. Regards, Hiro
Amandeep S.
“Excellent experience with Hiro San”
It was a pleasure to tour the city through Hiro San’s eyes. He was very patient and adjusted the pace of the tour as per us. Quite knowledgeable and jovial Regards Amandeep
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Amandeep-san, Thank you very much for your compliment. I am much encouraged and given an energy to do a better job from tomorrow. Wish your entire family an excellent health. Regards, Hiro
James H.
“Great day with Hiro-San”
Absolutely one if the highlights of our trip to Japan. Our guide Hiro was fantastic. Can’t praise him enough. Hiro was patient and kind with our mixed group of 11. Hiro was so forthcoming with his knowledge. I can not say enough good things about this wonderful man. Jim H
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi James-san, Thank you very much for your favorable comment. I am glad you and your loved ones spent a wonderful day with the tame deer in Nara. That`s the best reward for me. Wish you all a better health and a happier life ahead. Regards, Hiro
$107/ per group
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