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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.
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.
Want to personalize this tour?
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Inclusions & Exclusions
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
Tour Important Information
*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.
Important message from the guide
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 Reviews
David T.
Visiting Nara and Fushimi Inari Shrine from Kyoto
Customized
“Nara with Tomoe”
Having lived in Nara 44 years ago, I was anxious to visit again with my wife and our 4 children along with each of their spouses. 10 people in a group can be a challenge, of course, but not for Tomoe. We took the Express Train from Kyoto to Nara early in the morning and returned late afternoon. In between we got the royal treatment in Nara, including all of the highlights. The udon lunch was amazing. It’s hard to beat a day in Kyoto followed by a day in Nara. Tomoe made us feel like we took a step back in time - many centuries. We added another stop to Fushimi Inari Shrine at the end of the day, exhausted but enlightened in the beauty of this country and its fascinating history. But the real highlight for us is we feel like we made a special new friend in Tomoe.
Tomoe S.
(100 reviews)Dear David and wonderful family, Thank you soooo! much for your warmhearted review again! (This review of yours is my 100th review! Thank you soooo! much!) I really! really! enjoyed Nara with you, too. I'm so happy to get your review, saying that 'the real highlight for us is we feel like we made a special new friend in Tomoe'. Thank you!!! I love all of your family, and will miss you so much. Please come back to my country again and see me as 'friends' next time! Please say to all of your family, '心から どうもありがとう!!!' TOMOE
David T.
Very Special 1 day Kyoto tour just for you (8H)
Customized
“Kyoto with Tomoe”
We arranged our tour well in advance with Tomoe for a tour of Kyoto and the surrounding area. Our schedule was a little bit up in the air since we were arranging to meet friends in the middle of the day. In the days and weeks leading up to our visit, Tomoe was in constant communication, urging us to get our Shinkansen tickets and dinner reservations made in advance since it’s a very busy time in Kyoto. Even with a two-hour lunch break to meet up with our friends, we were able to see the most important sites: Kinkagu-ji, Nijo-jo and Arashiyama. I lived in Kyoto 44 years ago, and visited again 22 years ago, but I was still interested in having the local knowledge of the history of each stop and how best to navigate the routes and times. Tomoe saved us a lot of stress, and that alone is worth the cost. But having a local guide with knowledge of the history of Kyoto was so important to our family. Tomoe won our hearts and minds, and I’m happy to give her my highest recommendation.
Tomoe S.
(100 reviews)Dear David and wonderful family, Thank you soooo! much for such a warmhearted review! What a wonderful time that you let me share! I was really impressed to be with you at your really precious time to see your old friends again after 22 years. We have exchanged more than 60 mails to make your trip in Japan better (wonderful, I hope). So, I'm very glad to hear that you enjoyed Kyoto. (I'm sorry that I sent you mails because I knew it would make big problems to move around in Japan without booking anything during Golden Week Holidays.) Thank you very much for giving me the ultimate praise. TOMOE
“A very delightful and comprehensive Tour of Nara”
We had a fantastic day with Tomoe-san, who is a very knowledgeable and cheerful guide. Planning the day with her beforehand was simple and she responded very fast to any messages. Tomoe-san's explanations were never tedious, she knew the answers to all the questions we asked, kept a comfortable pace and found a nice place for lunch. Despite the many sights we covered, and the many tourists around, we had a relaxed day as she found ways to beat the crowds and took time to relax in beautiful Isuien Garden. It was great meeting you, Tomoe-san and we truly enjoyed chatting with you about many topics! Domo arrigato gosaimashita!
Tomoe S.
(100 reviews)Dear Martin, Thank you very much for such a warmhearted review. I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed a day in Nara. It was a really fun time for me, too, to talk with you, such a nice couple. I was impressed that you and your friends have studied and know a lot about Japanese culture. Thank you very much for giving me such a precious meeting. I would love to see you again. TOMOE
