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 - Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama
Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama
Kyoto Private Tour - Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion)
Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion)
Kyoto Private Tour - Path of Philosophy
Path of Philosophy
Kyoto Private Tour - Shisendo
Shisendo
Kyoto Private Tour - Otagi Nenbutsu Temple
Otagi Nenbutsu Temple
Kyoto Private Tour - Byodo-in
Byodo-in
Kyoto Private Tour - Kenninji Temple
Kenninji Temple
Kyoto Private Tour - Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
Kyoto Private Tour - Fushimi Inari Shrine
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Kyoto Private Tour - Nijyo-jyo Castle
Nijyo-jyo Castle
Kyoto Private Tour - Tofukuji-Temple
Tofukuji-Temple
Kyoto Private Tour - Ryoanji-Temple
Ryoanji-Temple
Kyoto Private Tour - Kimono Forest in Arashiyama
Kimono Forest in Arashiyama
Kyoto Private Tour - Yasui-Konpira-Gu
Yasui-Konpira-Gu
Kyoto Private Tour - Yasaka-Koshin-Do
Yasaka-Koshin-Do
Kyoto Private Tour - Kiyomizudera-Temple
Kiyomizudera-Temple

Very Special 1day Kyoto Tour just for You

Highlights
Kyoto Tour Guide - Tomoe S.

Joined 2018

Tomoe S.
4.93 / 5
(153 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Kyoto
Japanese (Native), English
8 hours
Private tour (only you and Tomoe S.)
Up to 6 people

Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for 1000 years and has many wonderful places to visit. Please choose a few places among the following sightseeing spots, as you like. If you have any other preferable spots, please let me know. I'll guide you as many places as possible. Please note that some places are located in a little far away from the center of the city and it may need some time to go and come back.

Itinerary

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

08:30 AM

Meeting Point

At your hotel (lobby) (in Kyoto)

Nijyojyo Castle

The Ninomaru Palace in this castle has 33 rooms and 800 tatami mats. You can also see wonderful wall paintings, and its garden.

In spring, you can enjoy walking around in the garden with stunning cherry blossoms.

Kinkakuji Temple: famous as 'Golden Pavilion'

You may have seen the picture of this pavilion in the book about Japan or Kyoto before. The real gold leaves are used for this pavilion.

Ryoanji Temple

This temple is so popular for its rock garden. There are 15 rocks in the garden, however, the last 15th rock is said to be seen only when you attain spiritual enlightenment.

Kiyomizudera Temple

This temple is famous for its large veranda built on 13 meter cliff without any nails. You can also enjoy shopping and eating on its approach way. In the precinct, there is Jisyujinjya Shrine which is famous as the love shrine. Also, you can visit waterfall which is famous because the water gives you, 'longevity, love, or study (wisdom)'

Yasaka Koshindo

You will find many colorful hanging monkey effigies. You can write your wish and donate. Many young women and girls like to take pictures in kimono here.

Yasui Konpiragu Shrine

Many people come here to wish for cutting bad relationship and making good one.

However, please be noted that couples are said to be NG to come here.

Sanjyusangendo

In this temple, you can see 1001 statues of Buddha in a hall. It's a 'forest of Buddha'. You will be amazed at the scenery.

Please be noted that you cannot take any pictures in this hall.

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

This place is the No. 1 popular place for the visitors from abroad. Please enjoy walking under the vermillion torii gates tunnel.

It's difficult to take good pictures because there are always so many people visiting here, however, I can take good pictures of you here! Leave it to me!

Tofukuji Temple

This temple is famous for its colored maple leaves in autumn, however, it has some beautiful zen gardens. It may be interesting for you to see the toilet of long time ago.

Arashiyama (Monkey Park, Bamboo Forest, Tenryuji temple, Nonomiya Jinjya Shrine, Kimono Forest, Okochi Sanso, Tegetsukyo Bridge, and so on)

In Arashiyama, there are many places to visit. You can spend a full day only in Arashiyama area, too. You can enjoy shopping and eating in this area.

In autumn, Jyojyakkoji Temple and Nisoninn are so beautiful with their colored maple leaves.

Ginkakuji Temple and Path of Philosophy

Ginkakuji Temple is famous as 'Silver Pavilion' even though no silver is used for this temple. You can enjoy its Zen rock garden.

Path of Philosophy is so popular during the season of cherry blossoms. So many cherry blossom trees are lined along a small river and you can enjoy walking.

Nishiki Market

This market has been the 'kitchen' for the local people, however, now, it's so popular among people from abroad. You can enjoy walking and eating local food.

Gion District

If you walk around in this area in the evening, and you are lucky, you can encounter 'Maiko or Geiko' who go to work.

Kenninji temple

This temple is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto and has the famous painting and beautiful garden.

Byodo-in

You can see this temple on our 10-yen coin. You can also find many shops where you can buy good quality of green tea or maccha around this temple because this area produce green tea. How about trying ice cream of maccha?

Kodaiji Temple and Entokuin

Kodaiji Temple was built about 400 years ago. A famous woman, Nene (wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi) lived here to mourn Hideyoshi's soul. Entokuin is a tacchu, sub temple of Kodaiji Temple. In these temples, you can see beautiful gardens. Kodaiji Temple is especially famous for its big cherry blossom tree in spring and colored maple leaves in autumn.

Ending Point

neat the station of the last destination (I will tell you how to go back to 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

What‘s not included

Transportation fee (you and guide), lunch (you and guide), entrance fee (you and guide)

Tour Important Information

Please note that Kyoto is crowded with people all the time, and maybe a few places are available to visit in 8 hours.

We will use public transportation.

You will need at least half an hour or an hour to see around one place, and it takes half an hour or an hour to move from one place to other places, so please choose, at most, five places. Depends on places, you need to walk a lot from the nearest bus stop or the station.

This tour is available only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this year.

As for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, please send me a mail and ask.

As for Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, I will manage to have the tour if you book me earlier.

Important message from the supplier

If you book me early, I can exchange mails with you many times to know what you want to do in details, collect information and prepare a lot for your plan. Please don't hesitate to ask me anything in advance.

I can guide you in the morning almost every day.(from 8:30 or 9:00 AM till 13:00 or 13:30PM)

This year, in case of the full day tour, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, are available.


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 - Tomoe S.

Joined 2018

Tomoe S.
4.93 / 5
(153 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Tomoe S.

Hello! My name is Tomoe. I'm a national licensed guide interpreter(English). I made my page here, TripleLights in October 2018. Thank you for finding me.

I was born and grew up in Otsu,Shiga, which is the next city of Kyoto.

I graduated from the university in Kyoto and lived there for four years due to my husband's job.

I like history and like to visit temples in Nara.

My hobby is to plan trips and have visited many cities and towns in Japan and abroad. One of my favorite places is the AIRPORT!!

I have enjoyed meeting and guiding people from abroad, to sightseeing spots in my country.

I really want many people from abroad to enjoy visiting many places and have wonderful experiences in my country. I'll be really happy if I can have such experiences with you!!

Please tell and ask me if there are any places which you want to visit and anything which you want to do in my country. I'll plan the trip only for you.

I am cheerful and always positive. I like to talk with people. I would like to talk with many people from many countries. Please tell me about your country, too!!

I'm looking forward to seeing you!!

* If you want, I will take you back to your hotel (within the time or with the extra hourly rate)

Or, I will show you how to go back to your hotel when we finish the tour.

* If you want, I will give you some advice about what to and where to eat your lunch/dinner.

Reviews

A Perfect Day in Kyoto with the Wonderful Tomoe

We had the absolute pleasure of having Tomoe as our tour guide during our visit to Kyoto, and she was truly exceptional! From the very beginning, Tomoe was warm, friendly, and incredibly personable, making us feel welcome and comfortable right away. Her knowledge of Kyoto’s history, culture, and hidden gems was outstanding — she shared fascinating stories and insights that brought every site to life. What really stood out, though, was how thoughtful and considerate she was with our children. She went out of her way to make sure they were engaged, entertained, and included throughout the day, which made the experience even more enjoyable for our whole family. Thanks to Tomoe, we didn’t just see Kyoto — we truly experienced it. We can’t recommend her highly enough and would absolutely book another tour with her in a heartbeat.

Rohan P.

Tomoe S.

Dear Rohan and my favorite family! Thank you sooo much for such a wonderful review! I'm really glad to hear that you liked my tour. I enjoyed my Kyoto with you, too!!! I was happy when your adorable daughter held my hand. Sharing lunch time with your lovely son gave me another wonderful time. Talking with your wife while walking was a lot of fun. Yes! I hope that I can see you, such a wonderful family again! Thank you very much for booking me as your guide. TOMOE

This was a SUPER Kyoto tour!!

We could not have wished for a better tour of Kyoto. Tomoe S. was such an excellent guide! She has fantastic knowledge of the wonderful sites, their history, and how best to get there efficiently all of which made this tour so special. Tomoe S. listened carefully to what most interested us and ensured that we got the very best out of our day. Additionally she provided us with excellent travel information for our onward travels around Japan which was invaluable to us. Thank you so much for a wonderful day Tomoe S. And we are happy to give you the highest possible recommendation.

Mairead S.

Tomoe S.

Dear Mairead, Thank you very much for such a wonderful review! It was lucky for you to be able to go to the hand-made lovers' market, held on only 1 day every month, right? Also, I was happy to see you enjoying 'really popular', however, 'really crowded' places in Kyoto. I wish I could have spent more time with you! A message which you sent me gave me such a wonderful encounter. Thank you very much for booking me as your guide. I do hope that I can see you again! TOMOE

Action-packed day

Tomoe organized a fun and action-packed tour, covering Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Nijo Castle in one day without feeling rushed. She picked good times to visit each place and gave helpful and often humorous context along the way. One note: we visited Kyoto in October when it was quite hot (over 80 degrees): covering all of these places was very doable, but we were glad to have budgeted some rest / cool-off time during lunch.

Meena M.

Tomoe S.

Dear Meena, Thank you very much for taking a time to post your warmhearted review. I was glad and impressed to know that your sons have much interest in my country and know a lot! Yes! There are so many places to visit in Kyoto. I hope you will come back to Kyoto and I can see such a great mother again. Please say 'Hi' and 'Thank you' to your sons. TOMOE

Want to Personalize?

$224/ per group

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