• Arashiyama - TOGETSUKYO BRIDGE Arashiyama’s most iconic landmark is the Togetsukyo Bridge, also known as the “Moon Crossing Bridge.” It was last reconstructed in the 1930s, having originally been built during the Heian Period (794–1185). The bridge is particularly beautiful against the backdrop of the forested slope. Nearby, a riverbank park is adorned with numerous cherry trees. BAMBOO GROVES Enjoyable walks and bike rides can be taken along the paths that wind through the bamboo groves. When a gentle breeze sways the tall bamboo stalks, the scenery becomes quite picturesque. Bamboo has been used for centuries in local workshops to craft various items, such as mats, cups, boxes, and baskets. SANSO VILLA OKOCHI This is

• Kinkakuji Temple - The upper two floors of the Zen temple Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), situated in northern Kyoto, are completely covered with gold leaf. Originally named Rokuonji, the temple was Ashikaga Yoshimitsu’s retirement villa. After his passing in 1408, the shogun bequeathed it as a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect. Ashikaga Yoshimasa, Yoshimitsu’s grandson, constructed Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) on the opposite side of the city a few decades later, inspired by Kinkakuji. Kinkakuji is the sole surviving structure from Yoshimitsu’s former retirement complex, an exquisite temple overlooking a large pond. Throughout its history, it has been destroyed by fire several times, including twice during the Onin War, a civil conflict that caused extensive damage.

• Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Fushimi Inari Shrine (Fushimi Inari Taisha) is a prominent Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is renowned for its thousands of red torii gates that form a network of trails behind the main buildings. These paths lead into the wooded area of the sacred Mount Inari, which is part of the shrine grounds and rises to 233 meters. Among the many shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, Fushimi Inari is the most important. Foxes, believed to be Inari’s messengers, are represented by numerous statues scattered throughout the shrine grounds. The history of Fushimi Inari Shrine predates Kyoto’s establishment as the capital in 794. While exploring the mountain trails is the primary attraction for most international visitors to Fushimi Inari Shrine, the

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple - Kiyomizudera, meaning “Pure Water Temple,” is one of Japan’s most famous temples. It derives its name from the pure waters of the Otowa Waterfall, located on the forested hillsides east of Kyoto, where it was founded in 780. Initially associated with the Hosso sect, one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist schools, the temple established the Kita Hosso sect in 1965. In 1994, the temple was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kiyomizudera’s most striking feature is its wooden stage, which extends 13 meters over the hillside from the main hall. From the stage, visitors can enjoy a delightful view of the cherry and maple trees below, which transform into a vibrant sea of color.

• Gion - Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, is located along Shijo Avenue between the Kamo River to the west and Yasaka Shrine to the east. The area is filled with shops, restaurants, and ochaya (teahouses) offering entertainment by geiko (Kyoto’s term for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices). Gion attracts tourists with its significant concentration of traditional wooden machiya merchant houses. These houses were built with narrow facades, only five to six meters wide, but extend up to twenty meters from the street, as property taxes were once based on street frontage. Hanami-koji Street, running from Shijo Avenue to Kenninji Temple, is Gion’s busiest area. The street and its side alleys are lined with charming, elegant, and upscale dining establishments.

• Sanjusangendo Temple - Sanjusangendo, commonly known as Rengeo-in, is a temple in eastern Kyoto celebrated for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The temple was founded in 1164 and rebuilt a century later after the original structure was destroyed by fire. Measuring 120 meters, the temple hall is Japan’s longest wooden structure. The name Sanjusangendo, meaning 33 intervals, refers to the number of intervals between the building’s support columns, a traditional method of measuring a building’s size.
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• Ginkakuji Temple - Ginkakuji, or Silver Pavilion, is a Zen temple in Kyoto’s eastern mountains, Higashiyama. In 1482, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa constructed his retirement villa on the grounds of today’s temple, modeling it after Kinkakuji, his grandfather’s retirement villa at the base of Kyoto’s northern mountains, Kitayama. The villa was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimasa’s death in 1490. As the retirement villa of an art-obsessed shogun, Ginkakuji became a hub of new culture, known as the Higashiyama Culture, contrasting with the Kitayama Culture of his grandfather’s era. Unlike the Kitayama Culture, which remained confined to Kyoto’s aristocratic circles, the Higashiyama Culture had a broad impact across the nation. The arts developed and refined during this period include the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, noh theater, poetry, garden design, and architecture.

• Kyoto Imperial Palace - The Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyōto Gosho) was the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital were relocated from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is situated in the expansive Kyoto Imperial Park (Kyōto Gyoen), a beautiful park in the city’s center that also includes the Sento Imperial Palace and several other attractions. The current Imperial Palace was rebuilt in 1855 after being repeatedly destroyed by fire and relocated over the centuries. The complex is surrounded by long walls and comprises several gates, halls, and gardens. The enthronement ceremonies of Emperors Taisho and Showa were still conducted in the palace’s main hall. Tokyo Imperial Palace is now used for enthronement ceremonies.
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• Nishiki Market Shopping District - Nishiki Market (Nishiki Ichiba) is a narrow, five-block-long shopping street lined with over one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” this vibrant market specializes in all things food-related, such as fresh seafood, produce, knives, and cookware, and is an excellent place to discover seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, including Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood, and sushi. Nishiki Market has a lively yet welcoming atmosphere that invites exploration of the diverse culinary delights for which Kyoto is renowned. The market’s stores range in size from small, narrow stalls to larger, two-story shops. Most specialize in a specific type of food, and nearly everything sold at the market is locally produced and sourced.

• Private transportation with air conditioning
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Complimentary pickup from Kyoto, Osaka, or Nara
• English-speaking driver

• Any Special Ride or Cruise not Included in this Package
• Lunch
• Entry tickets

Discover the sights of Kyoto that interest you the most on this customizable sightseeing tour. Alongside a private driver-guide, make an itinerary of your desired attractions or get recommendations to create your perfect day. Whether you want to focus on temples, culture, shopping, or Japanese history, this tour has everything covered for you. Learn about Kyoto’s history and culture from your guide Get a comprehensive overview of Kyoto in a day In case of traffic, extra time is given free of charge A private tour means a personalized experience

• The total duration includes the transportation from one place to another
• welcome to all

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.