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Exploring Kyoto—from Osaka Cruise Terminal [8 hours]

River spot in Gion

Gion Streets in the evening

Walking downhill

Secret friends

Hilltop view

If only they could talk

Beauty everywhere

Exploring Kyoto—from Osaka Cruise Terminal [8 hours]

Day Trip

Joined 2024

Jay T.

4.33 / 5

(3 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Osaka

English (Native), Japanese

8 hours

Private tour (only you and Jay T.)

Up to 8 people

We'll go to Kyoto, explore some of the city's finest attractions, and safely return to the ship.

—Breathtaking views from hilltop Kiyomizu Temple

—The enchanting world of Gion's geisha—you may even catch a glimpse of one!

—Fushimi Inari Shrine, where vibrant red gates line the path up the mountain

Group Size: up to 8 people

Transportation: Walking or Train/Bus/Subway (not included)

OPTIONAL to cover in-city transit for each person who needs it: ¥4,000

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

07:30 AM

Meeting Point

Ship, train, or hotel

- I meet you at your (Osaka) cruise ship arrival terminal, an Osaka hotel, or at a convenient station, such as Osaka Station. Then I'll guide you along public train lines to Kyoto Station, where our adventure truly begins.

08:30 AM

Kyoto Station

We will only get a brief glimpse of the ultramodern Kyoto Station as we quickly pass through on our way to our next destination. Perhaps we can explore it more next time!

09:00 AM

Kiyomizu-Dera

Behold the magnificent temple structure perched high atop the mountain, seemingly reaching towards the heavens. However, its relocation from a neighboring valley was not merely for proximity to the gods. Can you unravel the mystery behind this enigmatic decision? While enjoying a magnificent panoramic view of Kyoto City.

10:00 AM

Higashiyama shopping streets

As we descend from the hilltop, we are surrounded by a bustling crowd and an array of charming shops and eateries. Indulge in a delicious traditional snack or browse through the numerous souvenirs available. The choice is yours, and everything is tailored to your pace.

11:30 AM

Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park

Maruyama Park is a breathtaking oasis featuring a large pond, numerous bridges, and a majestic weeping sakura tree guarding the entrance. During springtime, the park bursts into a vibrant display of cherry blossoms. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Japan's ancient past as you explore the park's serene surroundings. We next take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque cherry tree-lined streets leading down from Maruyama Park.

Yasaka Shrine stands as one of the largest and most significant shrines in all of Japan, dedicated to the revered god Susanoo-no-mikoto, brother of the goddess Amaterasu. The shrine's focus embodies beauty but also represents the arts, particularly music and singing. After making our prayers, we'll venture out of the shrine and cross the street to Gion.

12:00 PM

Gion area

We will sneak across a few modern streets, only to find ourselves surrounded by narrow streets lined with charming old Japanese houses, private clubs, and inviting restaurants. Welcome to Gion, the enchanting land of Geisha. Keep your eyes peeled, you never know what surprises await you...

01:00 PM

Old Gion & Pontocho

Explore these hidden gems of Gion, two areas straddling the river mostly undiscovered by the typical tourist crowds. Wander through streets lined with ancient buildings and homes that have stood the test of time, dating back to a time before modern Kyoto was even conceived. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of this area, and get a rare glimpse of what Kyoto would have looked like before the 19th century!

02:30 PM

Kyoto Station

Still excited but satisfied, we eagerly secure our seats on the train as we reembark on our journey back to Osaka.

Ending Point

Back to where we started, or drop-off in Kyoto or Northern Osaka.

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

What‘s included

Private Guide (me!)

Pickup and drop-off on foot

What‘s not included

I suggest a total of about 5000 yen cash per person for incidental expenses. These may include:

Entry to certain shrines, temples, gardens, museums. Such fees are usually small

Public Transportation

Personal expenses. Drinks, Snacks, Meals at your expense. (YOURS, not mine!)

Good idea to bring change/small bills to use in vending machines to buy drinks. There will be convenience stores, and may be souvenir shops on the road

Shrines and many small shops still only take Japanese cash

Train/Bus/Subway (not included)

OPTIONAL Fee to cover transit for each person who needs it: ¥4,000

Tour Important Information

Itinerary listed is merely a loose guide! I don't guarantee we'll be able to visit any particular place, although I'll do my best. We will at times need to change the order of events, places we visit, etc. as determined on the day of the tour. Japanese attractions also have a habit of suddenly closing without notice. If this occurs, I'll simply fill in that time with something else I think you'd enjoy.

These are all WALKING tours, and we may cover significant distances (sometimes >10km per four hours) on foot. Please dress appropriately for that, and for the weather. Japan can get quite hot and humid in summer, and it gets chilly in the winter. Sunblock, insect repellent, etc. recommended.

Roadways and walking areas in Japan can be quite rough and uneven. Please watch your step! Injury liability is usually determined by the courts to be the walker's fault for lack of care, not that of anyone else.

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 2024

Jay T.

4.33 / 5

(3 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Jay T.

Welcome to my world of Small-group Private Walking Tours in Kyoto, Kobe, and Osaka, Japan! Each tour is meticulously designed to showcase the local area, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all. Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!

Below are just a few tantalizing samples of tours I have provided. Get ready to explore Japan like never before! Remember, all tours are completely private and can be customized at a moment's notice to suit your group's preferences. If you don't see what you want, please contact me. Let's turn your dream tour into a reality!

Although I'm not superstitious, I have a fascination with monster, ghost, magic, and horror stories. I find the Japanese versions of these tales especially intriguing, as they put their own spin on history and superstition. You can expect to hear some interesting tidbits about these cultural nuances during my tours.

My walking tours are all about providing a personalized and focused experience for my clients. I aim to take you to lesser-known sites, share hidden secrets, introduce you to cultural curiosities, and of course, let you taste some delicious local Japanese foods. I want to show you the most unique features of each area we visit.

While there may be quite a bit of walking involved, don't worry - I'll make sure to adjust the pace and frequency of rests to suit your needs. Everyone has different physical abilities and preferences, and I want to ensure that everyone has a comfortable and enjoyable experience. So lace up your walking shoes and let's explore Japan together!

I'm a professional entertainer and former teacher, so I may add a bit of flair to my tours by sharing some stories about myself and my background. I have taken dozens of cruises, love meeting people from all over the world and am a proud supporter of Ukraine, Israel and Democracy in general. Plus, I'm LGBTQ+ friendly!

Reviews

Ray R.

5 / 5

Nov 9, 2024

Kyoto: Bamboo, Mountains and Markets [8 hours]

Nov 9, 2024

Kyoto

8 hours

“Great time touring Kyoto”

Touring Kyoto with Jay was an absolute blast! He was very knowledgeable and informative in all the places we visited. You cannot go wrong with choosing Jay as your guide. We highly recommend him.

Jay T.

You got some great photos. Glad you had fun!

William P.

3 / 5

Oct 22, 2024

Osaka "Free Itinerary" Tour [6 Hours]

Oct 22, 2024

Osaka

4 hours

“Not Quite the Tour We Hoped For”

While the rain wasn’t an issue for us—after all, we embraced it during several outings—overall, we felt this tour didn’t deliver the value we expected. It was the most expensive tour we booked, yet it was also the shortest, and we didn’t manage to visit all the locations. The guide shared some great stories, but in the end, we just didn’t feel it was worth the price we paid.

Jay T.

Thank you for your honest criticism. I sincerely apologize for not meeting your expectations during the tour. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and I value the time you took to share your opinion. I am dedicated to learning and improving from this experience to enhance future tours. I hope you will give me another opportunity to provide you with a better experience on a future tour.

Nancy M.

5 / 5

Oct 20, 2024

Osaka "Free Itinerary" Tour [6 Hours]

Oct 20, 2024

Osaka

6 hours

“Jay T in Osaka”

Jay was amazing. We went to Osaka Castle, a home market, an entertainment area and we navigated all of this by train/subway. We walked thru food tasting markets and found a restaurant willing to only serve us drinks as we weren’t yet hungry. I would highly recommend him. He knows the city like the back of his hand.

Jay T.

Thanks, Nancy! You guys were amazing, too.