GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
GoWithGuide
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
Kyoto Private Tour - "Keiga-mon" East Gate.
"Keiga-mon" East Gate.
Kyoto Private Tour - "Kondo" hall, reconstructed in 1603, is a representative work of the Momoyama period (1573 to 1603). There are three Buddha statues and the smaller images of 12 fierce-looking guardians.
"Kondo" hall, reconstructed in 1603, is a representative work of the Momoyama period (1573 to 1603). There are three Buddha statues and the smaller images of 12 fierce-looking guardians.
Kyoto Private Tour - "Taishido" hall ,where the image of the Venerable "Kobo-daishi" is seated.
"Taishido" hall ,where the image of the Venerable "Kobo-daishi" is seated.
Kyoto Private Tour - Board of Buddhist preachings.
Board of Buddhist preachings.
Kyoto Private Tour - Lotus leaves in the moat.
Lotus leaves in the moat.
Kyoto Private Tour - Souvenir stall on the day of "Kobo-sama" on the 21st of each month.
Souvenir stall on the day of "Kobo-sama" on the 21st of each month.
Kyoto Private Tour - Souvenir stall on the day of "Kobo-sama" on the 21st of  each month.
Souvenir stall on the day of "Kobo-sama" on the 21st of each month.
Kyoto Private Tour - Buddha statues inside the "Kodo" hall (copy of a leaflet picture). There are a total of 21 of them.
Buddha statues inside the "Kodo" hall (copy of a leaflet picture). There are a total of 21 of them.
Kyoto Private Tour - Buddha statues inside the "Kondo" hall (copy of a leaflet picture). There are three main Buddha statues and 12 smaller guardian images.
Buddha statues inside the "Kondo" hall (copy of a leaflet picture). There are three main Buddha statues and 12 smaller guardian images.
Kyoto Private Tour - Entrance to "Kodo" hall.
Entrance to "Kodo" hall.
Kyoto Private Tour - "Kodo" hall, reconstructed in 1497, where there are 21 Buddha images, seated or standing.
"Kodo" hall, reconstructed in 1497, where there are 21 Buddha images, seated or standing.
Kyoto Private Tour - "Minami-daimon" Great South Gate.
"Minami-daimon" Great South Gate.
Kyoto Private Tour - "Jikodo" dining hall, where Buddhist monks used to have meals. There are many Buddha statues in there.
"Jikodo" dining hall, where Buddhist monks used to have meals. There are many Buddha statues in there.
Kyoto Private Tour - Entrance to "Jikido" dining hall.
Entrance to "Jikido" dining hall.
Kyoto Private Tour - Largr cherry tree.
Largr cherry tree.
Kyoto Private Tour - Carp in the "Hyotan-ike" pond.
Carp in the "Hyotan-ike" pond.
Kyoto Private Tour - View of the "Hyotan-ike" pond.
View of the "Hyotan-ike" pond.
Kyoto Private Tour - Five-storied pagoda, reconstructed in 1644 and widely known as the symbol of Toji temple, is the tallest among the buildings of this kind in Japan.
Five-storied pagoda, reconstructed in 1644 and widely known as the symbol of Toji temple, is the tallest among the buildings of this kind in Japan.
Kyoto Private Tour - Entrance to the five-storied pagoda.
Entrance to the five-storied pagoda.

Tour of Toji temple in Kyoto

Art, Culture, & Historical
Kyoto Tour Guide - Tatsuhiro N.

Joined 2014

Tatsuhiro N.
4.60 / 5
(73 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Kyoto
Japanese (Native), English
2 hours
Private tour (only you and Tatsuhiro N.)
Up to 15 people

(History of the temple)

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 822. He wished that the peace of the nation will be maintained through the teachings of the Buddhism whose light will reach every corner of the world and that individual thought will coexist without infringing on each other to be finally realized through the cooperation of all the people.

The four main structures of this temple, namely, "Kondo", "Kodo", "Jikido" halls and the 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.

(Highlights)

The four main magnificent buildings really make you sigh in amazement . All of them were built with the sophisticated building technique in the ancient times some 1200 years ago. Inside them are various Buddha statues seated, or standing with a passionless face as if they were preaching us the enlightening yet grave Buddhist doctrines.

(How to enjoy)

Just look at the faces of the Buddha images in the three halls and the five-storied pagoda. You will never end up not feeling the awe emanating from them.

(Unfortunately, however, photo-taking is not allowed inside the buildings). Taking a walk in the temple grounds while looking at the marvelous wooden buildings will surely make you feel at ease. 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 goods and souvenirs. There are more than 200,000 visitors on this day.

(Others)

The entrance fee is usually 500 yen, but it is 800 yen on the 21st of every month. You can walk to the temple from JR Kyoto station in 30 minutes. If you take a bus, the fare will be 460 yen on both ways.


Itinerary

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

01:00 PM

Meeting Point

At your hotel.

Buddha statues inside the buildings.

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

What‘s included

Guide fee, hotel pick-up in Kyoto area

What‘s not included

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
Kyoto Tour Guide - Tatsuhiro N.

Joined 2014

Tatsuhiro N.
4.60 / 5
(73 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

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

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.

Jack H.

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

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!

Brandon W.

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

Want to Personalize?

$69/ per group

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