Very Special 1day Kyoto Tour just for You
Joined 2018
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!
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
guide fee, hotel pick up in Kyoto
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
Joined 2018
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
Brigitte S.
“A memorable day in Kyoto!”
If you're looking for a memorable and enriching experience in Kyoto, we highly recommend Tomoe as your guide! From the moment she picked us up at the port where our cruise ship was docked, she made us feel welcome and at ease. Tomoe is warm, fun, and incredibly patient—especially as we paused to take numerous pictures throughout the day. She even took pictures of our group, ensuring we had great memories to look back on. She described the differences between temples and shrines, which deepened our understanding of the culture. She took us to some amazing sights, including the breathtaking Golden Pagoda and the stunning Inari Shrine, where we got to explore the iconic torii gates. One of the highlights of the day was the traditional Japanese restaurant she took us to near the Arashiyama Bamboo Park. We sat on tatami mats and enjoyed delicious, authentic fare—a true cultural experience. Though we only had a day in Kyoto, Tomoe made sure we experienced so much in a relaxed and enjoyable way. At the end of the day, she even escorted us to the right train platform for our next destination, Osaka, ensuring a smooth transition. Tomoe truly went above and beyond to make our visit unforgettable, and we couldn't have asked for a better guide. Thank you, Tomoe!
Tomoe S.
Dear Brigitte, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was a fine day and I had a really good time, talking with such nice people, which started at Kobe Port! Thank you very much for sharing your precious moment when you spend time with your old friends. I hope that I can see you again! TOMOE
Summer S.
“Unforgettable Experience”
Tomoe was incredible. She was punctual, smart, and extremely proficient in English. Most of all, she was a delight to spend the whole day with. She knows so much information about every place we went, including places we passed in transit. I truly had the best time, and would have never have soaked in all of the information she provided reading about it online— it made the experience so much more special and meaningful. She also took us to a great and affordable ramen spot for lunch, calling ahead to make sure there was space for us to sit. I am sad that our paths won’t cross for a bit, but I hope when I return to Kyoto in the future I will get to do another tour with her and bring more friends/family. It made me sad to say bye because we had such a great time together :) Matane!!
Tomoe S.
Dear Summer, Thank you very much for your wonderful review! I'm happy to hear that you liked the day which you spent with me. For me, it was such an amazing day, too (even though it was a really really cold day in February.) Talking with you, such a nice person, was a lot of fun! Yes! I do hope that you will come back to Japan and I can see you again with your family, too. Thank you very much for booking me as your guide in Kyoto. I miss you so much! TOMOE
Sandi M.
“Beautiful time in Kyoto”
Tamoe was a delight! She planned the itinerary perfectly, and knew all the best spots to get unforgettable photos. My husband had a problem with his Suica Card, and she was able to talk to the attendant and resolve the issue. We highly recommend her to anyone looking to explore Japan with a local guide.
Tomoe S.
Dear Sandi, Thank you very much for your warmhearted review. It was a 'really cold' day in Kyoto, however, I had a 'really good' day with a 'really nice' family! I hope that you enjoyed visiting Bamboo Forest, Monkey Park and Nijyojo Castle. Also, I hope that I can see you again! TOMOE
$220/ per group
More tours by Tomoe S.
Must see spots in Kyoto and Nara in a day (8 hours)
It's a little bit difficult, for the first comers to Japan, to visit popular sightseeing spots in both of Kyoto and Nara. In this tour, you can visit Nara Park, Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, three most popular sightseeing spots in Nara and Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Kyoto, the most popular sightseeing spot for visitors from abroad, in Kyoto. Deer will wait for you in Nara Park!
A Wonderful Half Day in Kyoto (East Kyoto) 4h
This tour is recommended for the first visitors to Kyoto. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for 1000 years and has many old temples and shrines to visit. In this tour, you can visit two of the most famous and popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto and see the wonderful tradition, especially about Buddhist culture.
A Wonderful Half Day in Kyoto (North-west Kyoto) 4h
This tour is recommended for the first timers to Kyoto. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for 1000 years and has many old temples and shrines to visit. You can visit three famous and popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto. All of these three places are registered as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites.
Visiting temples and tea ceremony experience in East Kyoto
This tour is based on 'A Wonderful Half Day in Kyoto (East Kyoto). You can visit Kiyomizudera Temple, Sanjyusangendo Temple, Kenninji Temple. You can also enjoy tea ceremony experience.
Other Popular Highlights Tours in Kyoto
One day tour in Kyoto (Arashiyama area)
Tour will start from the Hotel in Kyoto. Frst visit is Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavillion ),then, to Ryoanji tmple where is famous for rock garden. Tour will stop at Arasiyama area to take lunch and visit Togetsu bridge, Bamboo grove, Tentyuji temple and others. The last visit is NIjyo castle. As these places are normally crowded. using chartered taxi is highly recommended in order to effectively use your valuable time in Kyoto.
Early Bird Tour Western Kyoto including Bamboo Forest and Kinkakuji Kinkakuji
Shall we explore some of the most popular sightseeing destinations in Kyoto while most tourists are preparing for their tour? I would also like to take you some hidden gemes in Kyoto. Beat the crowds!
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.
Kyoto's most popular sightseeing spots tour and enjoy a various kinds of Kyoto's specialities
This tour covers 4 must-see sites and Nishiki Market. You visit the most renowned sites such as the Golden Pavilion, Ryo-an-ji temple where you may find an elegant beauty in its simple rock garden Nijo-castle ,the luxurious palace of the Tokugawa Shoguns. Sanjyu-sangendo temple, where the thousand life-size statues and the Principal statue make you feel like you are in a forest of Buddha! says " It's amazing ! Lastly visit Nishiki Market, where you can enjoy eating Kyoto’s cuisine.
