Less visited temples with beautiful gardens and more in Kyoto-feel Wabi and Sabi
If you have visited the most visited temples and shrine in Kyoto and wants to visit quieter and less visited ones, consider this tour as an option. Choose an area or two that interest you and let me know.
I will customize a tour for you. Please be noted that we will not have enough time to visit all of the temples listed here in a day.
Hiroyuki T.
Meeting Point
TBD (at your hotel)
Ichijo-ji Area
Ichijo-ji is a calm area at the foot of a mountain where war lords and aristocrats set up villas after the 16th century, and it is a place where you can spend a quiet time away from the hustle and bustle. Recently, it is also famous for ramen as well.
＠Shisen-do
This is a Zen temple built in the 17th century by a high-ranking samurai. This temple is very well known for its white sand garden with a stream and flowers of the season. JPY700
＠Enko-ji
This temple was build by the 1st Tokugawa Shogun as a Zen school.
This temple is very well known for its dry landscape garden and moss garden. JPY500
＠Manshu-in
This MONZEKI temple dates back to the 8th century. MONZEKI is prestigious temple where the Imperial family member served as a head priest. JPY600
Higashiyama Area
＠Konchi-in
This Zen temple was established in the 11th century and had been supported by Tokugawa shoguns after the 17th century. JPY500
＠Tenju-an
This temple is famous for its dry landscape garden with diamond-shaped stones bordered by moss across a white sand garden. JPY500
＠The Nanzen-ji Garden
This is Japan’s first Zen temple established by the Imperial order and was considered to be a temple “on top of the five Zen temples in Kyoto. JPY600
Daitoku-ji Area
Daitoku-ji is a Zen temple located in northern part of Kyoto city. It was established in 1325 and its Gotama Buddha is its main buddha. Stand on the premise are the temple complex centered by the Buddha’s Hall and twenty sub- temples. It is deeply connected to the tea ceremony and had a great influence on Japanese culture. As this temple is not open for public, we will visit four of the sub-temples which are open for public.
＠Daisen-ji
This Zen temple established in 1509 and is the head of the sub-temples of Daitoku-ji. The main hall is the oldest Hojo building in Japan and is designated as a national treasure. The dry landscape garden here is designated as a special place of scenic beauty . JPY500
＠Ryugen-in
This temple was established by war lords in 1502. Main gates are original from its foundation and are the oldest buildings in Daitokuji.
This temple is also very well-known for its stone garden. JPY350
＠Zuihou-in
This Zen temple was established by a Christian war lord in 1535. This temple has a garden that resembles a cross made of seven stones. JPY400
Myoshin-ji Area
Myoshin-ji which was built by an emperor in 1340 is the biggest Zen temple in Japan. This is the head temple of the 3,350 Myoshi-ji Zen temples throughout of Japan. Many Buddhism building like the gate, the hall and the pagoda are lined up in the large temple complex.
＠Taizo-in
This Zen temple established in 1404 is very well-known for its gardens. In the dry landscape garden, big rocks are boldly assembled to express waterfalls, Buddhism sacred mountains and islands, and a bridge. JPY600
@Daishin-in
This 1479 built Zen temple is famous for its "Aun Garden". It is a relaxing garden with white sand, moss, and rocks centered on the rocks which represent the Three Buddhas. JPY300
@Keishun-in
This temple has four Zen gardens which were built in the 17th century and each garden has different meaning. JPY400
Ending Point
TBD
What to Expect
In this tour, we will visit some of the World Heritage sites and other cultural properties in Kyoto.
I will meet you at your hotel in Osaka before taking a train to Kyoto.
I will reserve train seats for you for round trip (optional and subjects to availability).
You may follow the model itinerary, or you may choose places you want to visit. I will customize a tour for you.
If you want to customize a tour, please let me know TWO DAYS PRIOR to the tour date.
I used to work for a prefectural government for a World Heritage project as a manager. I have a lot of knowledge on the World Heritage sites. I will be able to give a very intellectual guidance to you.
OPTIONS
1 Kiyomizu Temple
Kiyomizu Temple is one of the oldest temples in Kyoto, and its wooden stage is very well known along with its sacred pure water. Kiyomizu Temple and surrounding Ninen-zaka slope and Sannen-zaka slope make cultural landscapes which represent Japan.
2 Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine
Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine is a protective shrine of rice cultivation. Foxes are considered to be sacred as messengers from the deity in this shrine. Let’s make a pilgrimage together walking under its famous One Thousand Torii Gates.
3 Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion
Kinkaku was originally the residence of an Ashikaga Shogun, later became a Zen temple. The three-layer Shari-den, which was built in 1397, is called Kinkaku, the Golden Pavilion because of the gold leaf being stamped inside and outside of the building. The gardens and architecture centered on the Kinkaku represent the Pure Land (Heaven) of this world.
4 Arashiyama
The Arashiyama Course will visit popular tourist destinations such as Togetsu Bridge, World Heritage Tenryu-ji Temple, Bamboo Forest, Nomiya Shrine, Jojakko-ji Temple, and Seiryo-ji Temple in half a day. It is about 4.2km and 1 hour and 24 minutes’ walk.
5 Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle was built in 1603 by the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate to protect the Kyoto Imperial Palace. It is a valuable historical heritage that has seen the rise and fall of the Tokugawa shogunate.
6 Sanjusangen-do Temple
Sanjusangen-do Temple enshrines Kannon Buddha (Buddha of Mercy). There are 1001 Statues of Kannon enshrined in this hall. Kannon Buddha transforms its appearance into 33 shapes to save people. Here, 1001 Kannon Buddhas transform into 33033 shapes to save people. And people can always find an image of Buddha which looks like the person they want to meet.
7 Byodoin Temple
This hall is called Phoenix Hall as it looks like a phoenix spreads its wings. Picture of the Pure Land (Heaven) where Buddhas lives in is drawn on the walls behind the image of Amida Buddha. People those days considered this place to be the Pure Land on Earth.
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
Insurance
Transportation fare, entrance fees and lunch (you and guide),,
Ask for details
Important Information
As this is aTRAIN and WALKING tour, comfortable shoes are recommended.
Tours are NOT covered by insurance.
Transportation fare, entrance fees and lunch for guests and guide are NOT included. Ask for details.
Direct payment will be occurred in CASH on the spot on the day of the tour.
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
Melaunie L.
“ Great Time ”
Kiroyuki was so knowledgeable about the area and gave us historical background on everything. He listened to what we were wanting to experience and made sure he provided it for us. He was very patient and considerate with my health conditions as well. He went above and beyond by helping us navigate the trains and cab. He helped us purchase train cards and download the best app to get cabs. He spoke really good English and was familiar with American customs. We had an amazing time thanks to him.
Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for your kind message. It was a very hot mid-summer day. We had a record-breaking hot summer this year in Japan. It is raining today, and the weather forecast says that today in the last summer day here. Please take care of yourself and come back to Japan in spring or fall next time. Many thanks to you. Best wishes, Hiro
George S.
“ Kyoto Japan ”
Hiro was fantastic. I felt like I was in my own college class. He made history come to life. If you are looking for the best guide he is your man. Thanks Hiro for two adventure full days. Best. George.
Hiroyuki T.
George san, Thank you very much for everything. I had wonderful two days with you in Kyoto. By the way, Osaka is a place to enjoy its culture. And Nara, Mt. Koya and Himeji Castle are easy to access from Osaka. You can make a one day trip to Hiroshima as well. I hope you will have a wonderful time in Osaka as well. And enjoy the SHOW!
Oliviero R.
“ Perfect first day in Nara with Hiroyuki ”
We spent our first day in Nara with Hiroyuki, who gave us an exceptional tour of Nara Park and its breathtaking shrines and temples. Hiro is incredibly knowledgeable, answering all our questions with fascinating details, and his decades of experience as a tour guide truly shine through. He is also very accommodating, patient, and speaks good English. We couldn't have asked for a better guide to introduce us to Nara's rich history and culture. Thank you Hiro O.
Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for your kind words. It was really nice meeting such a nice couple like you. Yes, you asked me a lot of questions and liked your questions. I hope you liked my answers as well. Take good care of yourself and enjoy rest of your days in Japan.
Karen M.
“ Highlights of Osaka with Hiro ”
Hiro was a fantastic tour guide, showing us all the sites of Osaka. He was incredibly knowledgeable and patient with all of our questions. We cannot say enough good things about our experience with him. Thank you!
Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for your kind words. I hope you had a good time in Osaka yesterday. By the way, how is your knee? Are you okay? Have you heard that JR had made a cancellation announcement? I hope that everything will go well with you.