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.
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)
Sanjyusangendo Temple
In this temple, you can see 1001 Buddhist statues in a hall. You will be amazed at the scenery, 'Forest of Buddha'.
It is said that you can find the Buddhist statue which resembles you among these statues.
Please be noted that you cannot take any pictures in this hall. Please imprint the breathtaking view in your memory!
Kiyomizudera Temple
This temple was built on the 13-meter cliff without any nails in the 8th century. (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site)
You can enjoy the panoramic view of Kyoto city, shopping and eating on its approach way. You can find shops where you can buy Kiyomizu pottery which is produced in this area. I hope you will enjoy trying some different kinds of Yatsuhashi (specialty sweets of Kyoto area).
Kiyomizudera temple is so beautiful with cherry blossoms in spring and colored maple leaves in fall.
Kenninji Temple
This temple is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto built in the 13th century and holds the replica of one of the most famous paintings, 'FUJIN RAIJIN' (Wind God and Thunder God Screens)
It's located in the area of 'Gion', however, not so many people visit this temple and you can enjoy the quiet rock gardens. This temple is also famous for the huge picture of dragons which is drawn on the ceiling of a temple.
Japanese tea ceremoy experience (about 45 minutes)
Please enjoy Japanese culture, tea ceremony experience.
Ending Point
This tour ends at the place near Shijyo, however, I will show you how to go back to 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)
Entrance fee: Sanjyusangendo Temple, 600 Japanese yen/person (you and guide)
Kiyomizudera Temple,400 Japanese yen/person
(Zuigudo, 100 Japanese yen/person)
Kenninji Temple, 500 Japanese yen/person
Lunch (you and guide)
Tea ceremony experience
*Inside of Sanjyusangendo Temple, you cannot take any pictures.
*Please book tea ceremony by yourself at 15:00 or 15:30.
*We will use public transportation.
This tour is available only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this year.
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.
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.
Cheryl F.
“Wonderful day with Tomoe”
Our group of six people booked the Nara & Kyoto 8 hour tour with Tomoe in May 2025. We met Tomoe at Kyoto Station and she was prompt, friendly, inquisitive, and knowledgeable. Even before the tour started, she was available for questions by chat. We took the Limited Express train to Nara where we fed and petted the deer and toured Todaiji Temple and Isuein Park (highly recommend). We had ramen for lunch then returned to Kyoto to see the Inari Gates. Tomoe shared lots of history about the sites we visited, even about the deer. Tomoe took lots of pictures of us and sent them to us which really helped enhance our trip. I highly recommend Tomoe! Tip: Be sure to bring cash. We paid for the train tickets to Nara by card (about 1500¥ each way per person) but the temple (500¥/pp) and garden (1200¥/pp) as well as our lunch (2000¥/pp) was cash only. Also be prepared for lots of walking. We racked up over 20,000 steps!
Tomoe S.
Dear Cheryl, Thank you very much for your wonderful review! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the day with me in Nara and Kyoto. It was the great day for me, too. Thank you very much for coming to Kyoto Station earlier, and so, we were able to buy 7! tickets for Nara on the train which was almost full. (Visiting Nara has been very popular among people, especially from abroad, and booking the seats of the train for Nara has been getting hard these days.) There are many other nice places to visit in Kyoto. I hope that you will come to Kyoto and I can see you, such a nice family again! Thank you very much for booking my tour. どうもありがとう!おおきに!TOMOE
Daniel G.
“Kyoto Tour”
Our tour with Tomoe was great! She was very knowledgeable and friendly and gave us a great overview of the city.
Tomoe S.
Dear Daniel, Thank you very much for your warmhearted review. I had a super wonderful time with you, such a nice couple! There are many other nice places to visit in Kyoto. I hope that you will come to Kyoto and I can see you again! Thank you very much for booking me as your guide. TOMOE
Thomas F.
“special privat tour kyoto :-)”
thanks a lot Tomoe! it was a pleasure to meet you. it was really a interessting day for us around kyoto with you. take care hope to see you again tom tom & friends
Tomoe S.
Dear Thomas, Thank you very much for your warmhearted review. It was really a wonderful day for me around Kyoto with you, too! All of you were very kind, had much interest in Japanese culture, and inspired me a lot. Yes! I hope that I can see you again. Japan is not a large country, however, there are many places to visit. Please enjoy your trip in Japan! Thank you very much for booking me as your guide. TOMOE
$214/ per group