Zen and Wabi & Sabi -temples with gardens in Kyoto
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?
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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
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
Luke M.
“Miro Muro Heritage Tour”
When my wife and I planned our trip to Japan one thing we knew we wanted to do was to learn more about where my family roots are in Wakayama. In particular, the oceanside village of Mio Mura. We are so incredibly grateful for Hiroyuki. From the start, he went above and beyond for us. I shared my family's story with him and even before we met him in Japan he was already proactive into researching any family connections that were still in Mio Mura. He even reached out to people in the village that may still be connected to my family. He was patient with us when we missed our train to Gobo station and was super resourceful in helping us navigate Wakayama. Without him we wouldn't have learned so much about my family's village and history. He was very knowledgable and translated for us while visiting the Japanese Canadian Museum and other sites. We were even able to locate my great great grandparents burial site because of him. It's an experience that I will never forgot and was something my family will cherish for a very long time! If you are looking to trace your family roots in Mio Mura, Hiroyuki is the best guide there is! Even if you're touring Wakayama, Osaka, or Kyoto, pick Hiroyuki!!
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Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for your kind words. It was really nice meeting you in Wakayama the other day. When I was at Wakayama prefectural government, I visited Canada and USA often times. I met a lot of people who are rooted in Mio. I know that Mio is very special for these people. Fortunately, one of my friends is from Mio and she is a Nikkei 4 sei her self. She helped me to find your far relatives' residence. Thank you very much again for everything. It is very good to hear that you will never forget Mio. Hiro
Dave S.
“Not Just a Tour….but a history lesson too!”
Hiro was truly amazing. He tailored the tour to the things I had the most interest in and took me on a few off the beaten path sights as well. As we went along he gave me fantastic written notes so I could recap in my own travel journal but also share the history with my family. We had a great lunch together and loved learning/sharing his passion for baseball. He was also very understanding about a sore back I suffered the day prior. I can’t wait to come back and do another tour with Hiro! Thanks Hiro for everything!
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Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for your kind words. It was really nice meeting you in Osaka. How is your back ache now? I hope that you have recovered from it. There are many more places to visit in this area like Mt. Koya, Himeji Castle and other historical sites. I will be looking forward to seeing you again in the future. Hiro
Jan-paul B.
“A long walk around Osaka ”
Hiro was very informative, he showed us the major sites and cultural spots around Osaka over a 7 hour walk.
$284/ per group
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