There are many flea markets held in Kyoto on only one day in every month. In this tour, first, we will visit Ginkakuji Temple, and then, another temple where the famous handmade flea market is held. If you are interested in handmade, you will surely have a lot of fun! Only held on the 15th day of every month.
At your hotel (lobby)(in Kyoto)
This temple is famous for the two storied pavillion and its nickname, 'Silver Pavillion' even though no silver is used.
You can enjoy a beautiful sand garden represents the Zen aestheticisim of Wabi-Sabi.
Every 15th day of each month, they hold the handmade market in the precinct of this temple. You will be amazed at the number of the shops and their quality, if you are interested in handmade. You may have the most enjoyable time and can buy the good souvenirs for your family and friends. The market is held on rainy days, too. (For your reference, I stayed there for two hours on a hot day. My friends who like handmade very much stayed there for four hours even on a hot day in summer!)
There are shops which sell old cloth, such as of kimono, in the downtown. You can buy some for your handmade.
Gion district (near Gion Shijyo Station), however, I will show you how to go back to your hotel.
At Ginkakuji Temple, you can see the two-story pavillion and enjoy a beautiful sand garden represents the Zen aestheticism of Wabi-Sabi.
(It's called 'Ginkakuji Temple' meaning silver temple, however, no silver is used for this temple.)
At Chionji Temple, the handmade flea market has been held since 1987, and now, the number of shops has been getting larger and larger.
You can enjoy seeing and shopping handmade goods.
* The market is held on rainy days, too.
Then, if you want, I will take you to two shops in the downtown which sell Japanese old cloth.(Japanese Indigo blue, old cloth used for kimono, and so on.) If you prefer shopping at the flea market, please tell me.
For your reference, I stayed there for two hours because it was such a hot day, and one of my friends who likes handmade very much, stayed there for four hours even in summer!
Guide fee, hotel pick up in Kyoto area
Transportation fee (you and your guide)
Entrance fee: Ginkakuji Temple, 500 Japanese yen/person
Lunch (you and your guide)
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.
This tour will be available on 15th day of each month. Please refer to the calendar.
* Please note that we will use public transportation.
* I recommend you start this tour at your at 8:30, because we want to visit Ginkakuji Temple before it gets crowded and then move to the flea market earlier.
* If you want to stay at the flea market shorter or longer, on that day, I can arrange the shedule.(flexible)
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