This tour is recommended for the first timers to Kyoto. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for 1000 years and has many old temples and shrines to visit. You can visit three famous and popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto. All of these three places are registered as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites.
At your hotel (lobby)(in Kyoto)
This castle was built as a residence for shogun where he visited and stayed in Kyoto in the 17th century. You can see the authority of Tokugawa shogunate in this castle. The Ninomaru Palace in this castle has 33 rooms and 800 tatami mats. Mannequins displayed in the largest room (this room was actually used on the last day of Tokugawa shogunate) shows you how they looked like in those days. The corridor of Ninomaru Palace has a special security system called 'Nightingale Corridor' which creaks noises when someone walk on the corridor. You can also see many wonderful wall paintings. Please note that nobody is allowed to take pictures inside of the building.
In spring, you can enjoy walking around in the garden with stunning cherry blossoms.
You may have seen the picture of this pavilion in the book about Japan or Kyoto before. This temple is well known as 'Golden Pavilion' covered with pure gold leaves. 200,000 pieces, 20 kilo grams of the gold leaves are used for this 3-storied pavilion! It was first used as the villa of retired shogun in the 14th century. Gorgeous golden pavilion stands in the pond gives you such a stunning world! I will take good pictures of you here!
This temple is a 'Must see spot in Kyoto.'
This temple is very famous for its Zen rock garden. There are 15 rocks in the dry landscape garden, however, the last 15th rock is said to be seen only when you attained spiritual enlightenment. In this temple, you can also enjoy walking in its strolling type garden. In spring, you can enjoy many beautiful cherry blossoms in this garden. This temple became famous after Queen Elizabeth visited. This temple will give you the peaceful Zen time. Please enjoy its ultimate Zen spirit.
This tour ends at Ryoanji Temple, however, I can tell you how to go back to your hotel.
Nijyojo Castle: This castle was built in the 17th century and used as the place where the shogun stayed when he visited Kyoto and to watch the Imperial family who lived in Kyoto in those days. You can see the power of Tokugawa shogunate.
Kinkakuji Temple: This temple was built as the villa for the shogun during the 14th century. (Today's structure was rebuilt.) It became a Zen temple and it's a must-see spot in Kyoto.
Ryoanji Temple: This temple was built in the 15th century. You can see the dry landscape garden which doesn't use any ponds or small rivers. It became famous after Queen Elizabeth visited. Please find its ultimate Zen spirit.
Guide fee, hotel pick up in Kyoto area
Transportation fee (you and your guide)
Entrance fee: Nijyojo Castle, 600 Japanese yen
Kinkakuji Temple, 400 Japanese yen
Ryoanji Temple, 500 Japanese yen
If you book me early, I can exchange mails with you many times to know what you want to do in details, collect information and prepare a lot for your plan. Please don't hesitate to ask me anything in advance.
I can guide you in the morning almost every day.(from 8:30 or 9:00 AM till 13:00 or 13:30PM)
This year, in case of the full day tour, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, are available.
Please note that you cannot see the inside of Ninomaru Palace every Tuesday in December, January, July and August, and between January 1-3, and December 26-28.
Especailly in spring (end of March to middle of April) and in autumn (middle of November to beginning of December), around Kinkakuji and Ryoanji, we have heavy traffic jam and buses are not serviced as scheduled, so, in such cases, you may need extra hours.
Please note that we use public transportation.
We were looking for a guide for our first day in Kyoto and we found Tomoe's tour of the once-a-month hand-made market. We had no idea about the market, and it was a perfect match for us as we love hand-made things, and they make perfect souvenirs. Tomoe did an amazing job showing us around the market and the beautiful Ginkakuji temple. She helped my elderly mother who had mobility issues and was able to help her get a taxi when she needed to head back to the hotel. We would highly recommend her to anyone and if you're in Kyoto on the 15th of a month please have her show you the hand-made lovers market!
Dear Walter and family, Thank you very much for your wonderful review. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the hand-made market. (I was happy to help your mother to choose and buy her favorite things at the market!) Yes, you are lucky to have been in Kyoto on 15th of a month when the hand-made market held. I hope that all of your family made a good memory and brought your favorite things to your home. Thank you very much for booking my tour. TOMOE
We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Tomoe! We couldn't have visited all those places she took us to alone. Our tour included riding on trains, a bus, and a taxi. It was nice to see how locals travel, and a more rewarding experience than getting off and on a tour bus. Tomoe was knowledgeable about all the sites and was easy to talk to. It was like being on a tour with a family member. Tomoe was approachable and genuinely cared about us having a good time. I highly recommend booking a tour with Tomoe! We look forward to seeing her again on our next trip to Japan!
Dear Lisa, Thank you very much for your wonderful review. I'm very glad to hear that you enjoyed visiting places in Kyoto with me, and saying 'It was like being on a tour with a family member.' I had such a wonderful time with you, really nice family. I do hope that I can see you again! Thank you very much for booking me as your guide. TOMOE
We arranged for our tour guide TOMOE before we left the Uk and the communication with TOMOE was excellent in planning what we wished to see. Meeting her was simple and we could not have wished for a more charming and knowledgeable guide. The day was planned to perfection and certainly made our day in Kyoto one of the high lights of our trip to Japan. I would thoroughly recommend TOMOE to anyone wishing for a guide whilst Japan.
Dear Graham, Thank you very much for your warmhearted review! I'm happy that you found me, booked me, and visited Kyoto from Osaka Port. You are such nice people, and I enjoyed talking with you so much. I wish I had more time with you. I hope that I can see you again. Thank you very much for booking me as your guide. TOMOE
I would have like to have Tomoe as our guide for 3 days, but unfortunately she was only available for our first day in Kyoto. We figured out our itinerary based on what I wanted to see in Kyoto, and Tomoe was very flexible in making changes so that I was happy with it. She also gave me a lot of tips about several services available, and places to see without her. Because we had exchanged many messages, I felt that I already knew her, and I really enjoyed her company and her winning personality. Thank you so much, Tomoe, for a great day in Kyoto!
Dear Kelly, Thank you very much for your warmhearted review! I'm very sorry that I was not able to be with you for more 2 days, however, I had such a wonderful day with you, a really nice couple, in Kyoto! I miss you so much! Thank you very much for booking me as your guide. TOMOE