There is a road named "Kinugake" road along the foot of mountain in northern Kyoto.
This tour is along the road and extended parts of the road to west and east.
The name "Kinugake" means covering with silk. When the Emperor Uta said he wanted to see snow in the summer, he was comforted by covering the Kinugasa mountain with silk. This road named after this story.
This tour starts from Tenryu-ji and ends at Daitoku-ji visiting Ryouan-ji and Golden Pavilion. We will visit these good Zen gardens.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
In the lobby of your hotel in Kyoto
Tenryu-ji and Bamboo trail
Tenryu-ji was renovated in 1343 by Muromachi-Shogun Takauji Ashikaga to mourn passed Emperor Godaigo who used to be an opponent of the shogun. The garden, Sogenike garden is a early time Zen garden.
Lunch around Ryoan-ji
Ryoan-ji
Ryouan-ji was built by Hosogawa clan which was chief of government in 1450, Muromati period. But no one knows about the foundation of the stone garden. One of the theory of when the stone garden was built is around 1800. The garden became famous after Queen Elizabeth visit the garden in 1975.
Golden Pavilion
In 1397 Ashikaga-Shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga bought a temple from the aristocract, Kintune Saionji and started to built his private office to govern the regime. After he died, the office changed to Zen temple. However, this garden is not Zen garden but strolling pond garden.
Daitoku-ji (Daisen-in)
In 1325 retired Emperor Hanazono ordered to build this temple. The Emperors had been taking care of the temple, but Ashikaga-Shogun didn't. In spite of it the temple was popular among aristocrats, local lords, merchants and intellectuals and expanded. There are 24 sub-temples and Daisenin is one of major sub-temple built in 1513. The garden is a typical dry garden in Muromachi period.
Ending Point
Your hotel in Kyoto
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
-Transportation fee between guide house and your hotel in Kyoto
-Hotel pick-up fee in Kyoto
-Guide fee
-Public transportation fee during this tour
-Admission fee
Tenryuu-ji temple 500yen
Golden Pavilion 500yen
Ryouan-ji temple 600yen
Daitoku-ji Daisenin 500yen
-Lunch.
-Public transportation fee to Kyoto from outside of Kyoto and pick up fee (If your hotel is out of Kyoto city). Please ask the fee.
If your hotel is out of Kyoto city, please ask the fee.
I can guide you from Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, and Nara if you pay the pick up fee.
Please ask the fee.
Hi! I'm Yoshiharu. Please call me Yoshi. Yoshi means "good" in Japanese! I'm a good man (^^);;;.
I was born in Kyoto but I lived there 3 months. Then my family moved to Osaka and I grew up in Osaka.
So I am almost Osakan.
When I was young, my hobby was traveling by bicycle. I went cycling around most part of Japan except Shikoku.
In my family rule, Shikoku is in bad direction because my grand father died just after his Shikoku pilgrimage.
So I want to have a cycling tour not only in Kyoto (coming soon!) but also all part of Japan someday.
I am interested in Japanese history.
I am a National Certificated Guide. And I have "Kyoto Tourism Culture Certification 3rd grade", "Osaka Expert Certification 3rd grade", "Nara Concierge 2nd grade" and "Karuizawa Web test 3rd grade".
So I have expert knowledge about Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Karuizawa and common knowledge about Kobe.
Besides I like gadgets, so I can guide you DenDen town in Osaka.
When you have a chance to visit Kyoto or Osaka or other city in this area,
please contact me anytime and join my tour!
I'll be looking forward to seeing you, spending wonderful time with you.
Gian paolo S.
“bravo e disponibile ”
Grazie a Yoshi abbiamo passato una giornata spensierata in città. 5 stelle non bastano!
Yoshiharu K.
Dear Gian Thank you for your evaluation. I am very happy to hear you were relaxed during the tour. I always want customers to feel like they are traveling in their country without anxious. I hope you will have enjoyable trip to Nara and Tokyo! Yours sincerely, Yoshi
Thomas F.
“Highlights of Kyoto”
Our Kyoto tour guide Yoshi was fantastic! Despite the rainy weather, he made the day memorable and enjoyable. He showed us all the key highlights of the city and even took us to a traditional Japanese pancake spot that was absolutely delicious. His knowledge and enthusiasm really brought the history and culture of Kyoto to life. Highly recommend! Thank you, Yoshi
Yoshiharu K.
Dear Thomas Thank you for your evaluation. We were lucky we could enter the pancake restaurant by waiting for only 10 minutes(Usually 1 hour!). There are many places to visit in Kyoto. But we did not have enough time to see them. Please come to Kyoto and stay in Kyoto. Yours sincerely, Yoshi
Leanne S.
“Great tour and Yoshi went above and beyond!”
Yoshi gave our family of 4 a wonderful tour of the Kyoto sites in addition to the history of the area. He met us at our hotel, clearly went over the itinerary and took us to all the sites we wanted to see. For lunch, he recommended a nice restaurant that we would not have gone to if on our own along with a local coffee shop that we really enjoyed. In addition, during the tour, I misplaced my purse while we were in transit. Yoshi went above and beyond by speaking to the workers at the last site we went to, stopping at the police box and calling the bus company. During our lunch, the bus company called Yoshi and told him it was on their bus. I am certain my belongings would have been lost if it were not for Yoshi. If we travel to the area again, we will be sure to schedule another tour with Yoshi. He is very knowledgeable about the area, is passionate and such a nice person. Thank you Yoshi and hope to see you again!!
Yoshiharu K.
Dear Leanne Thank you for your evaluation. Lost things of customer during the tour was the first time for me. I was desperate! But your daughter said you could drop the purse in the bus. So I called to the bus company. I also enjoyed the tour but we could not visit Gion. Next time, please come to Kyoto and visit Gion when the museum opens. Yours sincerely, Yoshi
$259/ per group