(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.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel.
Buddha statues inside the buildings.
Five-storied pagoda.
Ending Point
At your hotel.
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 in Kyoto area
transportation fee (you and guide), lunch, dinner, entrance fee, hotel pick-up in areas beyond Kyoto area.
I would like at least 7 days notice before a booking.
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.
Shirley F.
“Trip to Lake Biwa ”
We had a enjoyable day with Tatsuhiro who took us to Lake Biwako which us the largest lake in Japan. We had an lovely cruise on the Michigan, enjoying a great selection of food for lunch and then entertained by some of the crew with song. We then visited the Arashiyama kimono walk. Thank you Hiro for getting us back to the Kyoto train station to catch the train back to Osaka.
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Shirley-san & John-san, Thank you very much for your favorable comment. There can be no better reward than receiving such a wonderful review. I hope the tour will remain forever in your memory. Besides giving me the ship ride including the delicious lunch, thank you so much again for telling me about your country and the birds and animals that live there. And for the nice souvenir, too. All is well that ends well. However, it made me feel a bit dismayed when we failed to make it to the same train at Arashiyama station. Enjoy life in the beautiful atmosphere in your country. Regards, Hiro
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.
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
$67/ per group