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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.
-A walking tour is also possible, but to be honest, I wouldn’t recommend it. Kyoto is an extremely popular tourist destination, and buses and public transportation are often very crowded. For the places I would like to show you, I believe traveling by car would be much more comfortable.
-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
Dave T.
“An Unforgettable Kyoto Experience With Michiko — Truly Exceptional”
Michiko more than met the brief we gave her — she absolutely exceeded it. We shared an outline of the kinds of experiences we were into, and she curated the perfect day in Kyoto. What stood out most was how she balanced well-known highlights with hidden gems that most tourists would never find on their own. Even the popular spots felt calm and meaningful because of the way she timed and guided our visit. Beyond her incredible knowledge of Kyoto’s history, culture, and temples, Michiko helped us understand how to move through Japanese society with respect. I had unintentionally offended someone the day before, and her gentle advice made me feel more confident and comfortable for the rest of the trip. That alone was invaluable. She also organised a meal at a wonderfully authentic local restaurant — the kind of place you simply wouldn’t discover without a true insider. It became one of the most memorable dining experiences of our entire holiday, something we’ll never forget and could never replicate on our own. In short: our day with Michiko was pure magic. We learned so much, laughed a lot, and felt deeply connected to Kyoto in a way that wouldn’t have been possible without her. If you’re visiting Kyoto and want a guide who is kind, insightful, organised, and genuinely passionate about sharing her culture, Michiko is the one. We couldn’t recommend her more highly.
Shannon L.
“The BEST Guide! Highly Recommend!”
Michiko was amazing! Very easy to communicate with and she put so a lot of effort in before the tour into make sure all six people had the perfect day. They loved her fun and positive personality and said Kyoto was a highlight because of Michiko. I will be using Michiko again as soon as I can- you can tell she really cares about her guiding and the guest experience.
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Michiko N.
Thank you for trusting me. Because you responded so smoothly, it was really fun to create the tour with you. I’m very happy that our guests enjoyed it.I love traveling, and that is why I love being a guide.When I guide travelers, I feel like I am traveling together with them! Let’s make another tour together someday. And when you come to Kyoto, let’s talk about many things. I will be waiting for you! Michiko
Leigh N.
“Michimo is wonderful!”
We had a wonderful day with Michimo, not only touring the shrines/temples but learning about her family, Japanese culture, Shinto religion, traditions, food, etc. She was patient with our questions and super fun to spend the day with. We would highly recommend her to anyone visiting Kyoto! (She’s also a very safe driver and more fluent in English than most people we encountered during our trip.) Thank you, Michimo!
Michiko N.
Thank you so much for the lovely review! I had a wonderful time traveling with both of you. Because you asked many questions, I was able to share many stories. I will never forget your bright, sparkling eyes. When you come back to Kyoto, I would be very happy to guide you again! Michimo
$321/ per group
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