Kyoto
Japanese (Native), English
8 hours
Private tour (only you and your group)
Up to 15 people

Kyoto Golden Route (Nijo Arashiyama Kinkakuji Fushimi Inari)

Highlights

Kyoto was the ancient capital of Japan from 794 over one thousand years.

I would like to introduce you Nijo Castle, Arashiyama bamboo Forest, Tenryuji Temple, Kinkakuji Temple (Golden pavilion), and Fushimi Inari Taisha.

Fushimi Inari Taisha has 1,000 shrine gates, It had been ranked top among most popular scenic spots in Japan by foreign tourists for 6 years in a row.

Your entrance fee is 2,300 yen /person..

Hideo Y.

4.54 / 5
(156 reviews)

Meeting Point

at your hotel

09:20 AM

Nijo Castle

One of the most important historical events was held in this palace.

11:00 AM

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

We enjoy walking Bamboo Forest.

11:50 AM

Tenryuji Temple

You enjoy seeing beautiful flowers evry season.

02:30 PM

Kinkakuji Temple

The Temple of Golden Pavilion

04:00 PM

Fushimi Inari Shrine

We enjoy walking through 1,000 Torii gates.

Ending Point

at your hotel

What to Expect

Kinkakuji Temple is more familiar to foreign tourists as "The Temple of the Golden Pavillion". It was built during the 14th century on the grounds of a mountain villa belonging to Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Golden Pavilion can be seen both in its natural form and as an upside-down image on the pond.

Nijo castle served as the residence of the Tokugawa family and their retainers when they visited Kyoto. However in 1867 Japanese historical event was held at Nijo Castle. The 15th shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu returned his power to the emperor and next year Japan officially started to become a modern state.

Fushimi Inari Shrine founded in the early 8th century is very popular shrine. On the average, as many as 2.7 million people pay their first visit to this shrine during the first three days of January every year. You can pass through Senbontorii or one thousand shrine gates.

Kiyomizu Temple literally means "Clean Water Temple." It is built over a cliff and is famous for its wide veranda and tall wooden pillars. From the veranda, there is a panoramic view of Kyoto. The Otowa waterfall is at the foot of the cliff. The water is channeled into three streams. Have you ever heard of the meaning of three streams ?

The street from Shijo Ohashi to Yasaka Shrine is lined with traditional souvenir shops, restaurants and coffee shops. Gion corner is close to this street. With luck you might see Geiko and Maiko.

Please join the golden route of Kyoto !!

Thank you.

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Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

guide fee

What‘s not included

transportation fee (you and guide), lunch, entrance fee

Important Information

I guide you Sapporo, Furano, Otaru, Hakodate in Hokkaido / Aomori in Hokuriku / Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Kagoshima in Kyushu / Kochi, Matsuyama in Shikoku / Tottori, Shimane, Kanazawa, Sakaiminato in Japan Sea side. Please get in touch with me!!

Thank you.

If you are a good walker , you can enjoy walking Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka and Kiyomizu slopes lined with souvenir shops and restaurants ion the way to Kiyomizu Temple. Furthermore you can wear rent kimono for about 3,500 yen a day.


You can enjoy walking and shopping on Nishiki Market.


Luckily you might see Geiko and Maiko around Gion area. if you are interested in tradirional Japanese culture, you can visit Gion Corner where you enjoy traditional performances such as Geiko and Maiko Dance, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, court music, and Bunraku (Japanese puppet play) and the like for 2,800yen per person at 6pm and 7pm.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Could you tell us how much transportation fee and entrance fee are ?

We use trains, buses, and a taxi. If we start from Kyoto Station, transportation fee for trains and buses is about 1,000 yen per person.. Entrance fee is 1,700 yen per person.

Reviews

D

Dave W.

5 / 5
Jun 14, 2024

Kyoto Tour

Hideo was a fantastic guide for our recent visit to both Hakone and Kyoto. He was very knowledgeable and flexible as we had to make a lot of last minute modifications to accommodate our travel and dinner plans. It was a wonderful experience and we would highly recommend him to anybody looking for a great guide.

Hideo Y.

Thank you for your excellent review. In Hakone we could enjoy 4 different vehicles such as tozan train, cable car, ropeway, and pirate ship. At Owakudani, we could watch volcanic smoke rising up. In Kyoto we "were blessed with good weather. Your child could easily lift up a magical round stone called Omokaruishi" in Fushimi lnari Taisha. I'm sure his dream will soon come true. I wish you and your family all the best.

K

Kathleen V.

5 / 5
Jun 14, 2024

A catered tour from a passionate, kind tour guide

Hideo was great for our family of six. He listened to our requests and preferences and curated an itinerary for us that gave us the mix of history, education, and cultural experiences that we were looking for. He provided visual maps, took care of all of our ticket purchases, provided additional details that were informative and interesting to each place and in general was warm, kind and funny. He’s a great tour guide!

Hideo Y.

I'm very happy to receive your excellent review. Fortunately we could see the great vermillion torii gate that looks like floating on the sea at high tide. I was amazed that your children were interested in Japanese culture. They played Kurogo who manipulated Bunraku dolls. Bunraku is the traditional Japanese puppet theater. We enjoyed having Okonomiyaki, or a popular local food, for dinner. I wish you and all your family good health, happiness and success in the business.

D

Donna H.

2 / 5
Jun 11, 2024

Poor weather.. poor touring

Unfortunately the day of our scheduled tour was also the worst weather of our entire trip. It rained buckets. We were only able to go to 2 of the scheduled sites. One of which was the Arashiyama Bamboo Forrest which was pretty miserable due to the rain. The second was to Nijo Castle. Nijo castle was interesting and Hideo was quite knowledgeable regarding the castle history. We had inquired on the evening prior if the tour would still be occurring as we had been informed that there was a typhoon that may occur. We did not receive a response so the tour started the following morning as scheduled. There were 11 of us and at the total price we paid, the tour should have been cancelled. Especially since we were only able to visit 2 of the 5 sites originally included with the tour. I do believe if the weather was better the tour would have been interesting and as expected. However, given that this is a walking tour much more consideration should be given to the weather and the ability to at least complete the tour. Understandably, weather is not under anyone’s control but for $216 plus a bunch of train and bus tickets and the 1500yen for Hideos commute was truly not worth it. It should have been cancelled or we should have at least been offered a partial refund. Take your chances if you book this tour….

Hideo Y.

Thank you for your review message. On the tour day, the thphoon was approaching, so I knew the tour condition was not good, but I thought that I felt sorry to cancel the tour contrary to your expectation. I was going to do my best efforts to guide the tour. You mentioned I didn't response to your question, but I sent my reply to pick you up. We visited 3 of the first 5 sites (Bamboo forest, Tenryuji Temple and Nijojo Castle). Totally we visted 4 sites including Nishiki food market. I'd like you not to take bad weather into consideration about my review grade. ** Lastly I would say the following. ・I will check next time with the customer if they are comfortable proceeding in case of any unexpected weather disturbance. ・ I appreciate your feedback and will use it to improve my guiding experience. Thank you.

Gena J.

5 / 5
Jun 11, 2024

Hinshin Tigers Baseball Game

Hideo is very organized and prompt. He got our game tickets ahead of time and I paid him the night of the game. He picked us up at our hotel, got us on the right train and into the stadium perfectly. We sat in the outfield bleachers but really any seat in that stadium is good. During the game he shared some history and facts about the tigers. When the game was over there was a massive crowd headed out and I thought to myself, this will take forever. I was wrong, the Japanese have crowd movement down to a science. Hideo got us back on the right train and we didn't wait that long at all. All in all it was a lot of fun!

Hideo Y.

I'm sure you enjoyed Japanese baseball game. In the bottom of the 7th inning, fans of Hanshin Tigers supported by waving towels, flags and singing the team song. Before the pnademic, fans enegetically flied balloons. When you come back to Japan, undoubtly we'll be able to see balloons flying. I wish you all the best in the future.

$212/ per group

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