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- Very Special 1day Kyoto Tour just for You
Very Special 1day Kyoto Tour just for You
Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for 1000 years and has many wonderful places to visit. Please choose a few places among the following sightseeing spots, as you like. If you have any other preferable spots, please let me know. I'll guide you as many places as possible. Please note that some places are located in a little far away from the center of the city and it may need some time to go and come back.
Tomoe S.
Meeting Point
At your hotel (lobby) (in Kyoto)
Nijyojyo Castle
The Ninomaru Palace in this castle has 33 rooms and 800 tatami mats. You can also see wonderful wall paintings, and its garden.
In spring, you can enjoy walking around in the garden with stunning cherry blossoms.
Kinkakuji Temple: famous as 'Golden Pavilion'
You may have seen the picture of this pavilion in the book about Japan or Kyoto before. The real gold leaves are used for this pavilion.
Ryoanji Temple
This temple is so popular for its rock garden. There are 15 rocks in the garden, however, the last 15th rock is said to be seen only when you attain spiritual enlightenment.
Kiyomizudera Temple
This temple is famous for its large veranda built on 13 meter cliff without any nails. You can also enjoy shopping and eating on its approach way. In the precinct, there is Jisyujinjya Shrine which is famous as the love shrine. Also, you can visit waterfall which is famous because the water gives you, 'longevity, love, or study (wisdom)'
Yasaka Koshindo
You will find many colorful hanging monkey effigies. You can write your wish and donate. Many young women and girls like to take pictures in kimono here.
Yasui Konpiragu Shrine
Many people come here to wish for cutting bad relationship and making good one.
However, please be noted that couples are said to be NG to come here.
Sanjyusangendo
In this temple, you can see 1001 statues of Buddha in a hall. It's a 'forest of Buddha'. You will be amazed at the scenery.
Please be noted that you cannot take any pictures in this hall.
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
This place is the No. 1 popular place for the visitors from abroad. Please enjoy walking under the vermillion torii gates tunnel.
It's difficult to take good pictures because there are always so many people visiting here, however, I can take good pictures of you here! Leave it to me!
Tofukuji Temple
This temple is famous for its colored maple leaves in autumn, however, it has some beautiful zen gardens. It may be interesting for you to see the toilet of long time ago.
Arashiyama (Monkey Park, Bamboo Forest, Tenryuji temple, Nonomiya Jinjya Shrine, Kimono Forest, Okochi Sanso, Tegetsukyo Bridge, and so on)
In Arashiyama, there are many places to visit. You can spend a full day only in Arashiyama area, too. You can enjoy shopping and eating in this area.
In autumn, Jyojyakkoji Temple and Nisoninn are so beautiful with their colored maple leaves.
Ginkakuji Temple and Path of Philosophy
Ginkakuji Temple is famous as 'Silver Pavilion' even though no silver is used for this temple. You can enjoy its Zen rock garden.
Path of Philosophy is so popular during the season of cherry blossoms. So many cherry blossom trees are lined along a small river and you can enjoy walking.
Nishiki Market
This market has been the 'kitchen' for the local people, however, now, it's so popular among people from abroad. You can enjoy walking and eating local food.
Gion District
If you walk around in this area in the evening, and you are lucky, you can encounter 'Maiko or Geiko' who go to work.
Kenninji temple
This temple is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto and has the famous painting and beautiful garden.
Byodo-in
You can see this temple on our 10-yen coin. You can also find many shops where you can buy good quality of green tea or maccha around this temple because this area produce green tea. How about trying ice cream of maccha?
Kodaiji Temple and Entokuin
Kodaiji Temple was built about 400 years ago. A famous woman, Nene (wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi) lived here to mourn Hideyoshi's soul. Entokuin is a tacchu, sub temple of Kodaiji Temple. In these temples, you can see beautiful gardens. Kodaiji Temple is especially famous for its big cherry blossom tree in spring and colored maple leaves in autumn.
Ending Point
neat the station of the last destination (I will tell you how to go back to your hotel)
What to Expect
If you want, you can try
Kimono experience(2500~5000 Japanese yen/person depends on kimono you rent)
Tea ceremony experience(about 2000~3000 Japanese yen/person)
visiting Japanese sake breweris in Fushimi District (you can visit a museum and try some Japanese sake)
If you want to have a time with Maiko (make green tea, talk with her, take pictures with her and so on, for an hour), you may be able to join the activity held with Maiko. (activity fee is about 4000 Japanese yen/person)
I will make a one day plan including this activity.
If you are the group of more than 5 people and want to join this activity, please ask me. If your group has less than 5 people and want to join the activity, I will ask and they will tell other available days when the activity will be held. I hope that you can join the day.
Please note that
I'm sorry that I can't promise you that I will be able to get reservation for you all the time because whether the activity will be held or not, depends on the schedule of Maiko.
Want to personalize this tour?
- Our tours can be customized according to your needs and preferences
- Click below to tell us what you are looking for:
Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee, hotel pick up in Kyoto
Transportation fee (you and guide), lunch (you and guide), entrance fee (you and guide)
Important Information
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.
As for Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, I will manage to have the tour if you book me earlier.
Please note that Kyoto is crowded with people all the time, and maybe a few places are available to visit in 8 hours.
We will use public transportation.
You will need at least half an hour or an hour to see around one place, and it takes half an hour or an hour to move from one place to other places, so please choose, at most, five places. Depends on places, you need to walk a lot from the nearest bus stop or the station.
This tour is available only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this year.
As for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, please send me a mail and ask.
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
Reviews
Walter D.
“ Amazing experience! ”
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!
Tomoe S.
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
Lisa O.
“ Kyoto Day Tour with 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!
Tomoe S.
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
Graham H.
“ Amazing tour of Kyoto ”
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.
Tomoe S.
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
Kelly J.
“ Excellent guide with great personality! ”
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!
Tomoe S.
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