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Whispers of Kyoto
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Joined 2025
I will guide you to a quiet place with a beautiful garden.
In autumn it can be a little crowded, but during other seasons it is relatively peaceful.
For this tour, I would especially like to focus on lunch.
Please let me know your preferences and budget.
If you can make your reservation early, it will be easier to secure a table.
Of course, even with a last-minute booking, I will do my best to find a good restaurant.
Let’s enjoy the quiet atmosphere with both our hearts and bodies!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your hotel or a nearby convenience store
Nanzenji-temple
Nanzen-ji Temple was founded in 1291 by Emperor Kameyama. It is the head temple of Rinzai Zen. The great Sanmon Gate, 22 meters high, is impressive and linked with the legend of Ishikawa Goemon. The red brick aqueduct and Zen gardens show a harmony of history, nature, and quiet beauty.
Lunch
Let’s have lunch. I will take you to a nice place I recommend.
Ginkakuji-temple
Ginkaku-ji Temple was built in 1482 by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. It belongs to the Rinzai Zen sect. The Silver Pavilion and its gardens show the spirit of wabi-sabi — simple, quiet beauty. The white sand garden “Ginshadan” and cone-shaped “Kogetsudai” are unique highlights of Zen culture.
Shimogamo shrine
Shimogamo Shrine (officially called Kamo-mioya Shrine) is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto and is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The deities enshrined here are Kamo Taketsunumi-no-mikoto and Tamayorihime-no-mikoto, who are believed to bring blessings for love, safe childbirth, and protection from misfortune.
You can also experience a unique water fortune-telling here.
Within the grounds lies Tadasu no Mori, a vast primeval forest that preserves the ancient natural landscape.
Now, let me tell you a little about Kyoto’s history here.
Ryuanji-temple
Ryōan-ji Temple was built in 1450 by Hosokawa Katsumoto. It belongs to the Rinzai Zen sect. The rock garden is world-famous: fifteen stones are set in white gravel, but only fourteen can be seen at one time. This design makes visitors think deeply about life and perspective.
Ending Point
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
-Guiding fee
-Restaurant reservation service
-Private car transportation, Nissan Cube (5-seater)
-Fuel, toll
-Parking fees
(Nanzen-ji Temple: 1,000 yen)
(Shimogamo Shrine: 1,000 yen)
(Ginkaku-ji Temple: 1,000 yen)
-Admission / Entrance fees
(Nanzen-ji Temple: Sanmon Gate 600 yen pp)
(Garden 600 yen, Special viewing 600 yen pp)
(Ginkaku-ji Temple: 500 yen pp)
(Ryoan-ji Temple: 600 yen pp)
-Travel insurance
-All meal costs
(Guide’s meal can be excluded. In that case, the guide will make the restaurant reservation and wait outside until you finish.
What matters most is your experience!)
Tour Important Information
*We will climb a small hill, so please wear comfortable walking shoes.
*Please bring some coins for offerings.
*We will take time to enjoy the atmosphere, so there is no need to rush.
*There will be moments of silence to appreciate the space.
*If we prioritize lunch time, we may skip Shimogamo Shrine. Thank you for your understanding.
This place is best visited on a quiet day, so the tour is not available on weekends. If you prefer a Saturday or Sunday, please consult with me.
Important message from the supplier
-Last-minute bookings (1 day before) are sometimes possible — feel free to ask!
-If you want me to make reservations for shops or restaurants, please contact me at least 1 week in advance.
-Please note: I love wine! But if I drink during the tour… I might forget where we’re going. So I’ll stay sober—but if you like, I can show you some great wine spots in Kyoto!
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 2025
About Tour Guide Michiko N.
Hello, and thank you for visiting my page!
I’m Michiko, a local guide born and raised in Kyoto.
I love meeting people from around the world and sharing the spirit of Japanese hospitality.and I love fun things!
I went to the UK to watch musicals, and recently I spent a year living in Thailand — experiences that deepened my love for art, culture, and people.
Besides guiding, I also work in theater and performance art, creating unique shows in shop windows!
Let’s explore Kyoto together and find its heart — the beauty, people, and stories that make it special! with BIGLOVE!
Reviews
Muna S.
“Amazing custom tour of Kyoto”
Couldn’t have asked for a better guide than Michiko. It felt like a friend was showing me around her hometown, which included local restaurants and coffee shop stops/recommendations. She really catered to my interests and took me to the spots she thought I would enjoy the most. She also is extremely knowledgeable on the area and temples, and I really enjoyed getting to see Kyoto through her eyes. Thank you again Michiko-san. Hope to see you on future visits to Japan.
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Michiko N.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I truly enjoyed the tour with you and your partner! It was such a fun and heartwarming day! I’m so glad you enjoyed the local izakaya lunch. I always hope that my tours also bring something positive to the local community, so it makes me very happy to know that you had a good time. Let’s definitely meet again someday! Wishing you both lots of happiness from the bottom of my heart.withBIGLOVE! Michiko
Tetiana B.
“Heartfelt Kyoto Journey”
My tour with Michiko-san was absolutely wonderful! She guided me not only through the beautiful places of Kyoto but also through their deeper spiritual meaning. I felt calm, inspired, and connected to Japanese culture in a very personal way. Michiko-san was incredibly attentive to every detail and perfectly adapted the route to the rainy weather, making the day comfortable and magical at the same time. She also shared fascinating stories about Kyoto’s history that brought the city to life in such a captivating way. The restaurant she chose for lunch was simply amazing - the food was delicious, authentic, and gave me the true taste of Kyoto. Every moment of the tour felt special, and I’m deeply grateful for her guidance, kindness, and warm heart.
Michiko N.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! I’ll never forget the time we spent together. Traveling with someone as friendly and cheerful as you made my heart feel truly happy. We were lucky to see so many beautiful things and enjoy delicious food together. I believe you brought something special and lovely into my life. I hope we can meet again someday.with BIG LOVE! MICHIKO
Alex M.
“Beautiful Kyoto with excellent guide ”
We had an amazing time with our guide, Michiko! So knowledgeable, friendly, and full of energy – truly made our trip unforgettable! Highly recommended!
Michiko N.
Alex-san! Thank you very much for your review! I’m looking forward to the day I can see you both again! Michiko
$329/ per group
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