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Zen and Wabi & Sabi -temples with gardens in Kyoto
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Joined 2019
This tour focuses on the Zen temples with Wabi-Sabi gardens in Higashiyama such as Tenju-an, Nanzen-ji and Ginkaku-ji the Silver Pavilion.
We will walk on Higashiyama where we can sense the Higashiyama Culture which is a fusion of the samurai, imperial court and Zen.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Kyoto or JR Kyoto station
Nanzen-ji Tenju-an
This is a temple built by order of an emperor in the first half of the 14th century and is a subsidiary temple of Nanzen-ji. This temple has two gardens, a dry landscape garden made of moss and cobblestones and a pure land garden with a pond (ticket JPY500).
Nanzen-ji Hojo and its Hojo Garden
This temple was originally an emperor's palace and converted to a Zen temple at the end of the 13th century. It is positioned as the highest rank of Zen temples in Japan and has a strong influence of samurai culture in its simplicity. A dry landscape garden in this temple is has very strong influence from Zen. This temple also has a subsidiary temple Nanzen-in with a beautiful pond strolling garden and Water Bridge that bring water to Kyoto from Lake Biwa. (ticket JPY600)
Eikando (Zenrin-ji)
In Buddhism it is taught that our souls will be guided to the Pure Land after death by Amida Buddha. The garden of this temple was built to image the Pure Land where this Buddha lives. (ticket JPY600)
Philosopher’s Walk
This is a beautiful path leading from Nanzen-ji to Ginkaku-ji, so named because a famous philosopher took a walk on this path every day. (free)
Ginkaku-ji
This Zen temple was established by the 8th Shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate in 1490.
It is so called Silver Pavilion in contrast to the Golden Pavilion Kinkaku-ji Temple.
Two storied Ginkaku-ji is a simple, modest but beautiful building, and it is said that is the embodiment of a sense Wabi-Sabi, which sees beauty in simple and modest things. (ticket JPY500)
Lunch
Kennin-ji in Gion
This temple was built in 1202 by the priest who brought Zen to Japan and has been the center of Zen in Japan.
Macha was also brought to Japan by the same priest who built this temple. That is why there are many tea trees here.
Furthermore, this temple is also known for its Zen gardens and Dragon paintings.
Ending Point
TBD (at Gion) Gion is in city center
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
Insurance
Transportation fee
Entrance fee
Lunch for guests and guide
Tour Important Information
As we will walk a lot, comfortable shoes are recommended.
Tours are NOT covered by insurance. Make sure to be covered by your own insurance.
Transportation fare, entrance fees and lunch are NOT included in the guide fee.
Direct payment for tickets , lunch and others will be occurred in CASH on the spot on the day of the tour.
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 2019
About Tour Guide Hiroyuki T.
Hi!
I had been working for Wakayama Prefectural Government for 38 years, mainly in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations. I am a national certificated English guide and I have a lot of knowledge and experience in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations.
I am very good at cultural heritages.
And Koyasan and Kumano in Wakayama Prefecture are inscribed in the World Heritage List as parts of “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". I was a project manager of "the Koyasan and Kumano World Heritage Inscription Project” at Wakayama Prefectural Government. I know inside and out of Koyasan, Kumano, Wakayama and other places in the Kansai area.
I have a lot of experience of guiding as I was also in charge of international relations for a long time at the government.
I will be able to provide interpretive guiding service for you around Koyasan, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka and other places as I was a cultural heritage management and international relations professional.
I am sure you will be able to get deeper understandings on Japanese culture and that your trip with me will be memorable one.
If you need a good guide in the Tokyo area, I have a friend on GoWithGuide I can recommend you!
Reviews
Kerri N.
“Experience in Mt. Koya was beyond expectations. ”
We have been to Koyasan before and loved it so much we wanted to return. Hiroyuki was the perfect guide to provide history and information to make the day one we will always remember. Among other things, we enjoyed learning about the women’s pilgrimage trails and even spending time on one trail while in Koyasan. Maybe we will come back to tackle the entire trail! Thanks to Hiroyuki, we now understand so much more about a place we already had reverence for and loved. Bonus: Hiroyuki knows all of the best places to stop for lunch!
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Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for your kind message. It is good to know that you liked your second visit to Koyasan and the Shojin vegetable food there. I love Koyasan, it is sacred and quiet, it is special. I will have to stay fit so that I will the able to walk the entire Women’s Pilgrimage Route with you (haha). Thank you very much again for everything.
Kerri N.
“Kumano Kodo tour hit the mark”
We wanted to spend time on the Kumano Kodo trail while in Wakayama. Hiroyuki not only led us on a great hike, he also served as a photographer so we finally have pictures of the two of us together on this Japan journey. Plus, his knowledge of the area made every stop interesting and fun!
Hiroyuki T.
I was a long day but I am glad that you liked the rocks, fishing villages, tuna lunch, the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route, Shrines and the Waterfall. I was very surprised to see that your husband is fit enough to walk through all the uphill and the downhill. He is 7 years older than me, but he is fitter than me. Tell him to stay fit so that he will be able to come back to Wakayama to stay at Marriott.
Kerri N.
“Finding Japanese relatives and putting together missing pieces of the family puzzle”
Hiroyuki was patient and wonderful for months leading up to our trip and then on the day of our tour. He was able to locate family members, find our family burial site, and translate koseki papers for us. He was also a patient translator helping to bridge the language divide as we learned more about each other. We truly enjoyed seeing a 300 year old family home where relatives who immigrated once lived. The day was special and memorable.
Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for your kind message. It was very nice to be with you at such an important moment for your family. It was amazing that the family members came back to the roots after 125 years to meet their relatives and to give a prayer to their ancestors. As I explained, there is an ancestor worship in Japan. May your ancestors protect your family in the USA. Hiro
$287/ per group
More tours by Hiroyuki T.
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Osaka Highlights, Best for the first timer
There are a lot of places to visit, a lot of things to do in Osaka. From historical sites to food venders hopping. CHOOSE 3-4 places you want to visit from the list below and let me know. I will customize a tour for you.
Osaka Highlights, Best for the first timer
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Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
There are a lot of Buddhism temples and Shinto Shrines in Kyoto. This tour focuses on three UNESCO World Heritage temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari Shrine which is famous for a lot of red Torii gates and Bamboo Forest in Arashiyma to feel the profundity of Kyoto. If you are interested in the places which are not listed here, like Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Gion, Nishiki Market, Sanjusangen-do, Kiyomizu-dera and others, just let me know, I will customize a tour for you.
Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
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Historic Monuments of Ancient Capital of Nara - from Osaka
In Nara, eight Buddhism temples and Shintoism Shrines are included in the World Heritage as “Historic Monuments in Ancient Capital of Nara” as those represent close cultural exchanges between Japan and China, and even Hellenism culture in the 8th century. On this tour we will visit three of them in a day from Osaka.
Historic Monuments of Ancient Capital of Nara - from Osaka
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One day tour to Mt. Koya from Osaka. Be enchanted.
Mt. Koya is a very important part of the World Heritage site “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountains”. Mt. Koya is in Wakayama Prefecture and I used to work for Wakayama Prefectural Government as a general manager of Cultural Heritage Division and I was also in charge of the World Heritage Project. I know this sacred mountain very well.
One day tour to Mt. Koya from Osaka. Be enchanted.
Other Popular Art, Culture, & Historical Tours in Kyoto
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Kyoto Heritage Walking Tour
Authentic cultural insights into Kyoto’s geisha world, Shinto & Buddhist traditions Scenic historical streets without rushing Ideal photo opportunities A relaxed, educational walk through Kyoto’s most charming districts
Kyoto Heritage Walking Tour
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Arashiyama Morning Highlights: Bamboo, Temples & Scenic Views
Step into the beauty of Arashiyama, Kyoto’s scenic district, with this 4-hour walking tour. Starting from Hankyu Arashiyama Station, you’ll visit the iconic Togetsukyo Bridge, the historic Tenryū‑ji Temple, the enchanting Sagano Bamboo Grove, and the peaceful Adashino Nenbutsu‑ji Temple. Perfect for travelers seeking a mix of culture, nature, and serene strolls away from the main crowds.
Arashiyama Morning Highlights: Bamboo, Temples & Scenic Views
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Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto
There are so many great places in Kyoto that you probably want to visit but perhaps not enough time. It is best to have a local person guiding you to come up with a plan that suits your preference. I can create a tour with you which includes not only popular places like the Golden Pavilion and Fushimi Inari but small temples with wabi sabi such as those in Sagano and one of the oldest Japanese sweets shops in Murasakino.
Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto
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Eastern Kyoto, Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest
Experience the charm of tranquility in a mountain temple. Take a 3km walk around the foothills of the Higashiyama Mountain Range, visiting shrines and temples along the path. Starting at Seikanji Temple on Mt. Kiyomizu (242m height), follow the Uta-no-Nakayama Road to Kiyomizu-dera. Then, go through Sanneizaka and Nene-no-michi, and reach Maruyama Park and Yasaka Shrine. Along the way, we can feel old stories of tragic love while enjoying panoramic views of the Kyoto cityscape.
Eastern Kyoto, Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest
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