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Would you stroll Gion, Kiyamachi, Ponto-cho, Shirakawa,Yasaka Shrine with me, which are Kyoto entertainment areas ?
Old wooden houses and narrow alleys such as old townscape exist as they are.
Some areas are lighted up and many poeples will gather there after 18:00pm
Please feel the night enthusiasm, today.
FROM$134/ per group
The Unique Architecture and Culture in Higashiyama
Higashiyama is located in the east of Kyoto city. Kiyomizu Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hill roads, which were front approaches to the temple, a pagoda in Yasaka, the magnificent view from those hill roads are popular tourist spots in Kyoto. They have flourished as a part of the temple area since ancient times. Lovely monkey balls in the temple, the historical Yasaka Shrine, and Gion area which has unique traditional culture in Japan, enhance the attraction of Higashiyama.
FROM$267/ per group
Kyoto in a Day: Ultimate Sightseeing Adventure
This comprehensive tour takes you to the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the stunning Kinkaku-ji, the majestic Nijo Castle, and the vibrant Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of torii gates. You’ll also experience the serene beauty of Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the historic charm of the Gion District, known for its traditional teahouses and geisha culture. Perfect for visitors looking to immerse themselves in Kyoto's rich history & culture—all in one unforgettable day.
FROM$534/ per group
Fushimi Inari - Secret Hiking Tour (private)
Did you know that the famous Fushimi Inari is not just a shrine? It is build on a holy mountain with thousands of red torii gates spread along the hiking trails!
In this tour I want to show you some secret walks, where you have a view of the many beautiful red shrine gates without the tourist crowds while also enjoying the nature. It is an easy 3-hour-hike!
This is a private tour. Perfect for solo travelers, family or friends!
FROM$167/ per group
Kyoto Day-Tour in Fushimi & Uji
Fushimi & Uji are the south area of Kyoto City.
You can enjoy Fushimi Inari Shrine, where has lots of vermilion shrine gates, Uji-no-Byodoin Temple, which is famous for its beautiful temple building. You can see the building on the back side of ten-yen Japanese
coin.
In addition, you can enjoy Japanese sake tasting in this tour!
FROM$267/ per group
One day photogenic Kyoto Kimono Tour
Why not enjoy Kyoto in kimono?
This tour takes you to the beautiful gardens of Zen temples, the famous World Heritage Site Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Maruyama Park with its beautiful Higashiyama mountains and the Gion Shirakawa River with its Kyoto-style atmosphere, all in a beautiful Japanese kimono.
Of course, guests are welcome to come empty-handed. Kimonos, tabi (socks), underwear, sandals and bags can all be chosen and provided on the day.
FROM$240/ per group
Half day special customized tour in Kyoto
This is a half-day tour for the people who would like to visit Kyoto in a limited time. Please pick one or two sightseeing places from the following list and I will take you there at a reasonable price.
FROM$120/ per group
Summer early bird half day tour of Kyoto
The summer in Kyoto is so hot, especially in the afternoon. This is a 4-hour tour which starts at 7:30 AM (or 8:00) for avoiding the heat in the afternoon. The visiting spots are mainly in forests or indoor. Highly recommended to choose this tour from later July to Middle of September. Upon request, I will take you to a nice local Japanese restaurant for lunch without any extended guiding fee.
FROM$187/ per group
Kyoto Alley Walking Tour (Full Day)
Kyoto served as a capital city where the Emperor resided between 798 and 1868. The ancient capital city has been designated as a UNESCO cultural heritage. This walking tour gives you a fun time to experience wondering in the backstreets where a few tourists visit. You can walk in the famous Geisya quarter including Miyagawacho and Gion, Keninji Zen Temple, Shirakawa riverside and more.You have a fun walking in the alley in Kyoto. You can encounter Geiko (Geisya) or Maiko if you are lucky.
FROM$220/ per group
Exploring Kyoto in Rakunan (South)
Kyoto is known as exotic sightseeing places and numerous historic, quaint old monuments are seen all over the town. This tour covers part of Rakunan (South district). Visiting Byodo-in Temple which was converted into a temple by Fujiwara-no-Yorimichi in 1052. It symbolizes the Buddhist Paradise.Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, central shrine for more than 30,000 Inari shrines, is full of tourists.
FROM$300/ per group
Toriimoto walking tour & secret waterfall ( hidden course of Kyoto north of Arashiyama )
We will take a walking tour of northern part of Arashiyama district called Toriimoto which has a historical landscape. This tour involves a small hiking to visit a sacred training ground of Buddhism where monks practice Takigyo which is a practice of meditation to stand under a waterfall. We'll also make a stop at a real hidden spot even many locals do not know of.
FROM$367/ per group
Postcards of Kyoto (East Version)
We will explore the East of Kyoto: rich in history, culture, and traditional architecture. This tour will cover some of the most famous sites of the ancient city — symbols of Kyoto that appear in the postcards.
FROM$100/ per person
Let's enjoy your One-day Nara Tour!
One-day Nara Tour would be personalized according to your interests and preferences. If you don't like the busy sightseeing spots, I'm happy to suggest the suitable itinerary for you on your requests. Let's enjoy your own tour to experience a wider variety of cultures in Nara!
The meeting time would be flexible based on your schedule, for example, 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM would be available.
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I would appreciate it if you could visit my page on Facebook by my name "Tohru Shimagaki".
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FROM$280/ per group
Japanese Home Cooking experience with Keiko
Keiko, a cooking instructor can provide Japanese home cooking lesson at Keiko's real Japanese home kitchen or a rental kitchen.I offer various menu from which you can please choose. Those ranges from Kawaii (cute)Bento Box , Sushi-making, to seasonal cooking, which are listed in the Itiniary process.
FROM$107/ per person
Discover Eastern Kyoto Full Day Private Tour
This is a full day private tour of eastern Kyoto.
We will visit must-see places in eastern Kyoto with over 1,200 years of history, such as Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka alleys, Kiyomizudera Temple, Sanjusangendo Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Gion area.
FROM$374/ per group
Half-Day Gion District Tour in Kyoto
Exploring Kyoto's cultural gems starting at Kiyomizudera, an iconic temple offering breathtaking views and architecture. From there, we stroll through the picturesque Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka streets, leading to the striking Yasaka Pagoda. We continue to Kenninji, Kyoto's oldest Zen temple. Finally, we venture into the Gion district, famous for its well-preserved geisha culture and old-world atmosphere.
FROM$207/ per group
Half-Day Cultural Kyoto Tour (4 Hours)
Explore Kyoto’s highlights in just 4 hours! Start at Fushimi Inari Taisha, famous for its torii gates, then visit Nijo Castle to learn about samurai history. Next, enjoy stunning views from Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and finish in Gion, Kyoto’s historic geisha district.
I’ll share insights on history, culture, and Japan’s unique traditions throughout the tour!
[Note] On Sundays this tour only starts from between 9:00 or 9:30.
FROM$167/ per group
Kyoto Hiking tour Fushimi Inari to sanjusangen-do
Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for many torii gates like an orange tunnel. But most tourists just visit only the entrance. I would like to show you the deep inside of Fushimi Inari Shrine through tunnel and take you to the top of mountain. From Inari mountain, we will walk a part of “Higashiyama Trail” hiking course, then we will visit the family temple of imperial house and Sanjusangen-do temple.
FROM$234/ per group
Wabi & Sabi -temples with gardens in Kyoto Higashiyama and more
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.
FROM$300/ per group

Premium tour of Kyoto (2):Nishi-Honganji temple, Higashi-Honganji temple & Shoseien garden
I will take you to the tour of two well-known temples and a quiet garden in Kyoto, all of which located within the radius of one kilometer from JR Kyoto station and provided with the city bus services.
(1) Nishi-Honganji temple
Designated as the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994, Nishi-Honganji Temple is the mother temple and headquarters of the Honganji faction of Jodo (Pure Land) Shinshu sect of Buddhism. The Jodo-Shinshu teaching was established by the Venerable "Shinran-shonin" (1173-1263) in the Kamakura period (1185 to 1333). He underwent austere training and hardships in various parts of the country before returning to Kyoto to complete his work, "Kyogyoshinsho", or The True teaching, Practice and Realization of the Pure Land Way on Buddhism. After his demise, his daughter erected a mausoleum at Higashiyama, Kyoto, which became the foundation of Nishi-Honganji Temple today. In the 16th century, it was moved to and re-established at the present location.
Followers of this sect, according to its doctrine, will be reborn in the Pure Land and attain Enlightenment. They will be able to live lives to the fullest, become aware of both potentials and limitations in this world, overcome difficulties and realize happiness within their lifetime.
There are many structures in the precincts, many of which have the status of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties of Japan. They are: " Amidado" (Hall of "Amida" Buddha, built in 1760), "Goeido" (Founder`s Hall, completed in 1636), "Karamon" Gate, Shoin Hall, "Hiunkaku" House (believed to be part of Jurakudai Palace built by a ruler of Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi) and others. There is also a 400-year-old huge ginkgo tree called the "upside-down ginkgo tree", because it looks as if its roots were spread into the sky.
(2) Higashi-Honganji temple
Originally built in 1604 but most recently rebuilt in 1895, this temple is officially called "Shinshu-Honbyo", or The Principal Mausoleum of the True Pure Land Teaching, consisting of the two gigantic halls of "Goeido", or the Founder`s Hall and "Amidado", or Amida Buddha Hall. This temple belongs to the same faction as its counterpart, Nishi-Honganji temple, so the doctrine is basically the same. However, what makes this temple distinguishable are the historical relics preserved there: "kezuna" hair rope consisting of women`s hair and hemp tissues, a sample of a sledge used to transport huge pieces of timber and the diorama reproducing the scene of the avalanche. There are a total of 156 huge pillars whose diameter is some 60 centimeters made of zelkova tree in the two halls. Important Buddhist ceremonies are occasionally held here, attracting a large number of followers.
(3) Shoseien Garden
Located some 500 meters east of and belonging to Higashi-Honganji temple, Shoseien Garden has been the place for the retired head priests of the temple to spend their latter days since the middle of the 17th century. There are many gardens, tea houses, along with the two ponds, but the present buildings were rebuilt after the civil war of 1864. After the Meiji Restoration of Japan took place in 1868, many dignitaries, including the consuls of Qing dynasty, Italy and Russia, as well as
the Japanese nobles visited there. Even Japanese Emperor Meiji and Russian Crown Prince Nicholas Ⅱ spent some time there.
You can enjoy strolling along the paths in the perfectly landscaped garden while watching the trees and hearing birds sing. You can immerse yourself in the quiet and serene atmosphere somewhat different from that of temples.
FROM$200/ per group
This tour covers 3 must-see scenic spots in Kyoto. Fushimi Inari-Shrine,Nanzenji-temple and Eikando-
Fushimi-Inari shrine , where there are more than 10,000 Torii-gates or Shinto holy gates on the hillside of Mt,Fushimi.
If you walk through the tunnel of the Trii-gate, you must be really mesmerized !
Nanzenji-temple , a complex of Zen temples and subtemples is the ideal structure of Zen buddhist temple. Eikando-temple is famous of its Mikaeri-Amida Statue and the garden. Eikando-garden is well known for its Autumnal leaves colored with red and yellow.
FROM$147/ per group
Half-day eastern Kyoto must-sees and a hidden gem
There are so many beautiful places for visitors in Kyoto. If you don't have enough time or don't want to be bothered with a lot of research, I will show you how to travel more comfortably by taking the non-standard route. This is an example of a half-day trip to Kyoto in the fall. You can easily visit hidden gems and must-see places when you book my tour.
FROM$267/ per group
Window Hopping at Old Artist Village in Kyoto
Trace the source of unique Japanese Painting and Zen Enlightenment amid the three peaks of Mt.Takagamine. A multi-talented artist built an artist village with his clan and artisans 400 years ago. He formed a painting technique with a gold foil and bold composition. The school was named Rinpa later. The tour goes around the former artist’s residence, and neighboring temples with different-shaped windows for becoming enlightenment: perfect round, incomplete round, and square.
FROM$207/ per group
The Fascination of Uji & Fushimi
This tour is designed for Kyoto repeaters who would like to explore southern areas of Kyoto rich in historic and scenic sites. Uji is famous for the production of high-quality tea and Byodo-in Temple, a World Heritage site. Fushimi well-known for the production of Japanese sake was a battle ground before the Meiji Restoration ( 1868 ) between pro and anti Tokugawa Shogunate troops.
FROM$254/ per group
More Private Tours in Kyoto