Two days Door to Door tour of Kyoto & Nara from Tokyo
Joined 2014
This tour is for those who want to visit Kyoto and Nara, by staring at your hotel in Tokyo and returning there.
The guiding cost doesn't include the following costs: Transportation 33,000, Admission 4,000, Hotel 15,000, Meal 5,000 JPY per person. (See what's not included).
You can choose your favorite routes in Kyoto and Nara from the followings.
Three routes in Kyoto; {1A. Miyabi/ 1B. Golden/ 1C. History}
Two routes in Nara; {2A. Highlight/ 2B. Heritage}
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 Tokyo
- I will meet you near the reception. I will show your name on my iPad.
<1st Day>
At your hotel
I will pick you up at your hotel near the reception. We will use the bullet train from Tokyo about 9:00AM to Kyoto, which costs about 30,000 JPY per adult (you and the guide) in addition to the guiding fee.
9:00-11:30 From Tokyo to Kyoto station by the bullet train
From Tokyo to Kyoto station by the bullet train; We will take the bullet train from Tokyo about 9:00 AM to Kyoto. I will book our train with the seats on the Mt. Fuji view side so please pay me about 30,000 JPY per adult, including our return trip (you and the guide) in cash. If you want to buy our tickets at the ticket office with your credit card, we won't get good seats together as the bullet trains are busy with business trips in the morning.
At your hotel in Kyoto
At your hotel in Kyoto; You will drop off your luggage at your hotel. I will book our hotel near Kyoto station. (about 10,000 JPY per person for you and the guide)
12:00 - 17:00 In Kyoto, you can choose one of the following three routes (1. Miyabi, 2. Golden, and 3. History).
You can find photos of these places in the following URL.
1A. Miyabi: 12:00-13:00 Fushimi Shrine
Fushimi Shrine; The most popular place in Kyoto according to Trip Adviser. This shrine was established in 8th century by Hata family. It is good for the harvest and business. Many companies made donations and get Torii gates in return. There are more than 10,000 Torii gates now. We will visit its main shrine and walk through the 1000 red Torii Gates area. (Admission free)
1A. Miyabi: 13:00-13:30 Lunch
Lunch; We will have a casual lunch sucha as noodle and tempura near the shrine.
(from 1,000 JPY)
1A. Miyabi: 14:00-14:30 Sanjusangen-Do Temple
Sanjusangen-Do Temple; This temple was established in the 12th century by Kiyomori Taira under the order of Emperor Emeritus Goshirakawa to save people from suffering. There are 1001 statues of golden Buddha in the building. They are Kannon Bosatsu with 11 heads and 40 extra arms.
(Admission: 600/400/300 JPY per adult/student/child)
1A. Miyabi: 15:00-16:00 Kiyomizu-deraTemple
Kiyomizu-dera Temple; This temple was the oldest temple in Kyoto established in 778 and was very influential during the Heian period.
Current building was constructed in 1633 during the Edo period. It is famous for its large balcony to overview Kyoto city. The renovation of the balcony was completed in 2020.
(Admission: 400 JPY per adult)
1A.Miyabi: 16:00-17:00 Nostalgic Kyoto walking
Nostalgic Kyoto walking: We will walk about 5,000 steps down the nostalgic streets of Kyoto from Kiyomizu-dera Temple to Gion via Yasaka Pagoda. There are many souvenir shops and traditional houses along the streets.
1B. Golden: 12:00-13:00 Fushimi Shrine (Same as the Miyabi route)
Fushimi Shrine; The most popular place in Kyoto according to Trip Adviser. This shrine was established in 8th century by Hata family. It is good for the harvest and business. Many companies made donations and get Torii gates in return. There are more than 10,000 Torii gates now. We will visit its main shrine and walk through the 1000 red Torii Gates area. (Admission free)
1B. Golden: 13:00-14:00 Lunch
Lunch; I will take you to my favorite casual restaurant for lunch. (from 1,500 JPY)
1B. Golden: 14:00-14:30 Arashiyam area
Arashiyam area; It is a scenic area with Katsura river and mountains. We will walk the popular traditional Togetsu-Kyo bridge to enjoy the view.
1B. Golden: 14:30-15:00 Tenryu-Ji Temple
Tenryu-Ji Temple; This temple is the World Heritage and has been to be the rank No. 1, Zen temple in Kyoto. It was first established in the 14th century by Takauji Ashikaga who started the Samurai period of Muromachi. We will walk through the temple including the popular Japanese garden Sogenchi. (Admission: 500/300 JPY per adult/student)
1B. Golden: 15:00-15:30 Bamboo forest in Sagano
Bamboo forest in Sagano; We will walk through the trail in the bamboo forest to enjoy its unique view.
1B. Golden:15:30-16:00 Transportation
Transportation: We will take a taxi to Kinkaku-ji Temple.
1B. Golden: 16:00-17:00 Kinkaku-Ji Temple
Kinkaku-Ji Temple; The World Heritage, first built in the 14th century by Yoshimitsu Ashikaga who was the leader of the Samurai who governed Japan. It is popular for its golden house and Japanese garden. (Admission: 400/300 JPY per adult/student)
1C. History: 12:00-13:00 To-Ji Temple
To-Ji Temple; This temple is the World Heritage which was established about 1,200 years ago. This temple practices the esoteric Buddhism (Shingon sect), which was brought by monk Kukai (Kobodaishi) from China. We will see the 3 D Mandara, which shows the organization chart of Buddhism with numerous statues of Buddha. (Admission: 500/400/300 JPY per adult/junior high/elementary)
1C. History: 13:00-14:00 Lunch
Lunch; We will have a casual lunch at Kyoto station. (from 1,500 JPY per person)
1C. History:14:30-15:30 Sanjusangen-Do Temple
Sanjusangen-Do Temple; ThisThis temple was established in the 12th century by Kiyomori Taira under the order of Emperor Emeritus Goshirakawa to save people from suffering. There are 1001 statues of golden Buddha in the building. They are Kannon Bosatsu with 11 heads and 40 extra arms.
(Admission: 600/400/300 JPY per adult/student/child)
1C. History: 16:00-17:00 Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle; This castle is the World Heritage which consists of traditional buildings with many Japanese Paintings as well as beautiful Japanese gardens. (Admission: 1030/350 JPY per adult/student)
17:30-20:30 Gion (Shopping, Entertainment, and Dinner)
Gion (Shopping, Entertainment, and Dinner); Traditional Kyoto street, good for shopping. If you want, I will take you to the show of Japanese traditional performing art, including Maiko dance. (about 5,500 JPY per person) Then,I will take you the popular gourmet street Ponto-Cho to enjoy Kyoto dinner. ( from 5,000 JPY per person)
At your hotel in Kyoto
I will take you to your hotel in Kyoto.
<2nd Day>
At your hotel in Kyoto
I will pick you up at your hotel in Kyoto.
9:00 - 10:30 Transportation from Kyoto to Nara
Transportation from Kyoto to Nara; We will use the express train from Kyoto at 9:00AM to Kintetsu Nara station.
10:30-18:00 Please choose one route for the 2nd Day from {2A. Highlight/ 2B. Heritage}
You can find photos of these places in the following URL.
2A. Highlight: 2nd day 10:30-11:00 Nara Park
Nara Park; Deer are protected in Nara as they carried the divine of this area from Kashima; eastern Japan. So many deer welcome you for food. (Admission free, Deer food 200 JPY)
2A. Highlight: 2nd day 11:00-11:30 Nara Todai-Ji Temple
Nara Todai-Ji Temple ; Todai-Ji temple was first built in 752 as the main temple of Buddhism in Japan. The Great Buddha is Rushana which is 15 m tall with about 500 tons of bronze. (Admission 600/300 JPY per adult/under 12)
2A. Highlight: 2nd day 12:00-13:00 Nara National Museum
Nara National Museum; Nara museum was opened in 1895. There are more than 1,000 statues of Buddha. Educational and must see those who are interested in the statues of Buddha. (Admission: 520/260 JPY per adult/student)
2A. Highlight: 2nd day 13:00-14:00 Lunch
Lunch; I will take you to my favorite restaurant of Japanese lunch. (from 1,000 JPY)
2A. Highlight: 2nd day 14:00-15:00 Nara Kofuku-Ji Temple
Nara Kofuku-Ji Temple; Kofuku-Ji temple was first established in 710 as the main temple of the Fujiwara family who controlled the Emperors during Heian period. It has a great collection of old statues of Buddha and warriors. (Admission: 1,400/1,000/450 JPY per adult/under 18/12)
2B. Heritage: 2nd day 10:30-11:00 Nara Park
Nara Park; Deer are protected in Nara as they carried the divine of this area from Kashima; eastern Japan. So many deer welcome you for food. (Admission free, Deer food 200 JPY)
2B. Heritage: 2nd day 11:00-11:30 Nara Todai-Ji Temple
Nara Todai-Ji Temple; Todai-Ji temple was first built in 752 as the main temple of Buddhism in Japan. The Great Buddha is Rushana which is 15 m tall with about 500 tons of bronze. (Admission 600/300 JPY per adult/under 12)
2B. Heritage: 2nd day 12:00-13:00 Lunch
Lunch;I will take you to my favorite restaurant of Japanese lunch. (from 1,000 JPY)
2B. Heritage: 2nd day 14:00-15:00 Nara Horyu-Ji Temple
Nara Horyu-Ji Temple ; The most famous temple built 1,300 years ago by Prince Shotoku, who established Japan as a nation. This temple was first registered as the world heritage in Japan, which has the oldest wooden buildings in the world. (Admission: 2,000/1,000 JPY per adult/under 15)
15:00 - 18:30 Transportation from Nara to Tokyo
Transportation from Nara to Tokyo; We will take an express train from Nara to Kyoto. Then take the Shinkansen to Tokyo.
At your hotel
End of the tour
Ending Point
at your hotel in Tokyo
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
guide fee, hotel pick-up (no charge)
Transportation cost of you and the guide (about 33,000 JPY per adult, including that of the Shinkansen)
Lunch (from 700 JPY per person for you and guide)
Dinner (from 3,000 JPY per person for you and guide)
Lodging cost (from 10,000 JPY per person per person for you and guide)
Entrance fee of you (about 4,000 JPY per adult in total)
-Kinkaku-Ji Temple: adult 400, child 300
-Sanjusangen-Do Temple: adult 600, child 400
-Tenryu-Ji Temple: adult 500, child 300
-Ryoan-Ji Temple: adult 500, child 300
-Nijojo Caste: adult 1030, junior high 350, elementary 200
-To-Ji Temple: adult 500, junior high 400, elementary 300
-Todai-Ji Temple: adult 600
-Nara National Museum: adult 520 student 260
-Kofuku-Ji Temple: adult 900
-Nara Horyu-Ji Temple: adult 2,000 under 15 1,000
Tour Important Information
This tour uses public transportation and we have to depend on trains and buses in Kyoto and Nara.
This tour is for those who stay in Tokyo area.
I will book your seats of the train if you agree to pay me in cash about 33,000 JPY per adult for you and the guide at our tour.
Please book your hotel within walking distance from Kyoto station.
I will stay an inexpensive hotel (from 15,000 JPY) near the station, I can book your rooms if you want.
You can't use the JR Pass for this tour.
Important message from the supplier
There is little restriction due to COVID 19 in Japan since 2023. I was vaccinated six times with the Pfizer one.
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 2014
About Tour Guide Yuki K.
I was born and grew up in Yokohama. I used to work in Tokyo for more than 20 years. I became the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English in 2013. At first, I had attended a volunteer group which provided a tour of the Imperial Palace East Gardens until 2015. I guided more than fifty times in the garden as a volunteer and studied about Japanese history and culture. Based on this experience, I became a tour guide of this online site in 2015.
Since then, I have guided more than 500 tours in Tokyo as well as Yokohama, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Nikko, etc., while improving my tours. My tours are very flexible and I always do my best to customize them according to the interests of my guests. I studied about the places and will provide you knowledge to appreciate them more deeply than just visiting there by yourself or a member of group tours. I like foods and I know many restaurants which provide typical Japanese lunch with reasonable price without waiting too long. Therefore, I am sure that I can provide you the best tours customized to your interests. It will be my great pleasure to help you to enjoy your stay in Japan. So please be my guest!!
Reviews
“Hakone trip”
Mr. Yuki was an incredible guide. He was precise with his time allowing us to see alot of sites within a short time. Amazing!
Yuki K.
Thanks for the review during our tour Yuki
“Well spent time”
The guide provides clear, detailed itineraries that cater to a wide range of interests—from art lovers and history buffs to foodies and beach enthusiasts.
Yuki K.
Dear Alex Thank you for your review of my Tokyo tour. We visited Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace. I hope you enjoyed Nihonbashi after my tour. Best regards Yuki
“Great trip”
The guide provides clear, detailed itineraries that cater to a wide range of interests—from history lovers and history buffs to foodies.
Yuki K.
Dear Alex Thank you for your review. We visited the great Buddha, Hase-dera Temple, and Hachiman-gu Shrine in Kamakura. I'm very glad you enjoyed my tour. Please give my best regards to your wife. Yuki
$382/ per group
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