• Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Discover the wonders of Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its iconic vermillion-red torii gates. Beyond the scenic views, this shrine is rich with stories that connect you to Japan’s history and culture. Your guide will delve into the fascinating origins of the shrine, dedicated to the god of grains, Inari. This is why you’ll find fox statues, or ‘Kitsune,’ around the shrine, as they are considered clever servants to Inari, perfect guides for the business world. You might find yourself wanting these cunning foxes on your side after the tour.
• Nijo Castle - Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was constructed in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1867).
• Gion - Navigating the narrow alleyways of Kyoto’s Geisha District, Gion, can be challenging for first-time visitors. A guided tour eliminates the worry of getting lost and helps you discover hidden gems loved by locals. Learn about Geisha culture and rituals while visiting Gion, Pontocho, and Miyagawacho.
• Nishiki Market Shopping District - Nishiki Market (錦市場, Nishiki Ichiba) is a bustling, five-block-long shopping street lined with over a hundred shops and restaurants. Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” this vibrant market specializes in food-related items, including fresh seafood, produce, knives, and cookware. It’s an excellent place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties like Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood, and sushi. The market’s lively atmosphere invites exploration of Kyoto’s culinary delights, with stores ranging from small stalls to larger shops, most specializing in locally produced goods.
• Kiyomizu-dera Temple - Explore one of Kyoto’s most beloved temples, Kiyomizu-dera Temple. A guided tour of the temple grounds offers insights into Japan’s history and culture, with commentary from an English-speaking guide ensuring you don’t miss any significant features.
• Kyoto Imperial Palace - The Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所, Kyōto Gosho) was the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is situated in the expansive Kyoto Imperial Park (京都御苑, Kyōto Gyoen), a beautiful park in the city center that also includes the Sento Imperial Palace and other attractions.
• Pontocho - Pontocho (先斗町, Pontochō) is one of Kyoto’s most atmospheric dining areas, a narrow alley running from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori, one block west of Kamogawa River. The alley is filled with restaurants offering a wide range of dining options, from affordable yakitori to traditional and modern Kyoto cuisine, foreign cuisine, and exclusive establishments. Business hours and closing days vary, but most places are open from around 17:00 to 23:00, with some also open for lunch. Many establishments offer English menus.
• Higashiyama Ward - The Higashiyama District (東山) along the lower slopes of Kyoto’s eastern mountains is one of the city’s best-preserved historic areas. It offers a glimpse into traditional Kyoto, especially between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine, where narrow lanes, wooden buildings, and traditional merchant shops evoke the old capital city. Recent renovations have enhanced the district’s traditional feel.
• Ginkakuji Temple - Ginkakuji (銀閣寺, Silver Pavilion) is a Zen temple in Kyoto’s eastern mountains (Higashiyama). Built in 1482 by shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa as his retirement villa, it was modeled after Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), his grandfather’s villa. After Yoshimasa’s death in 1490, it was converted into a Zen temple. Ginkakuji became a center of contemporary culture, known as the Higashiyama Culture, which had a broad impact on Japan, influencing the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, noh theater, poetry, garden design, and architecture.
• Nanzenji Suirokaku - Nanzenji Temple (南禅寺), located at the base of Kyoto’s forested Higashiyama mountains, is one of Japan’s most important Zen temples. It is the head temple of one of the Rinzai sect’s schools and includes multiple subtemples. Founded in the mid-13th century by Emperor Kameyama, it was converted into a Zen temple and grew steadily, although its buildings were destroyed during the late Muromachi Period (1333-1573) civil wars. The oldest current buildings date from after that period.
• Tofuku-ji Temple - Tofukuji (東福寺, Tōfukuji) is a large Zen temple in southeastern Kyoto, famous for its stunning autumn colors. Founded in 1236 by the powerful Fujiwara clan, its name combines those of two great Nara temples, Todaiji and Kofukuji. Tofukuji has historically been one of Kyoto’s principal Zen temples and is a head temple of one of the Rinzai sect’s schools. The Tsutenkyo Bridge offers spectacular views of the lush maple trees, especially in mid to late November.
• Toji - Toji Temple (東寺, Tōji), meaning “East Temple,” was founded in the late 700s at the start of the Heian Period. It, along with the now-defunct Saiji (“West Temple”), flanked the south entrance to the city and served as guardian temples. Toji is a UNESCO World Heritage site. About thirty years after its establishment, Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon sect, became head priest, making Toji one of the most important Shingon temples.
• Kinkakuji Temple - Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto, with its top two floors covered in gold leaf. Originally the retirement villa of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, it became a Zen temple after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji inspired the similarly named Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), built by Yoshimitsu’s grandson. The temple has burned down several times, most recently in 1950, and was rebuilt in 1955.
• Ninna-ji Temple - Ninnaji (仁和寺) is a World Heritage Site and the head temple of the Omuro School of the Shingon sect. Founded in 888 by the reigning emperor, it was also known as Omuro Imperial Palace. None of the original buildings survive due to wars and fires, but the oldest buildings date back to the early 1600s.
• Shugakuin Imperial Villa - Shugakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮, Shugakuin Rikyū) was built in the 17th century by Emperor Gomizuno and is managed by the Imperial Household Agency. It consists of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Villa areas, each featuring traditional imperial gardens and buildings. The villa’s name comes from a former temple on the site, and the surrounding farmlands are leased to local farmers.
• Kibune River - Kibune (貴船) is a small town in a forested valley in Kyoto’s northern mountains, developed around Kifune Shrine. According to legend, a goddess traveled by boat from Osaka to the mountains, and Kifune Shrine was built where her journey ended. The shrine is dedicated to the god of water and rain, protector of those at sea. Unique fortunes written on paper slips reveal their messages when dipped in water. The inner sanctum, Okunomiya, lies further up the valley and features the boat stone, where the goddess’ boat is said to be buried.
• Ryoanji Temple - Ryoanji Temple (龍安寺, Ryōanji) is home to Japan’s most famous rock garden, attracting many visitors daily. Originally an aristocrat’s villa, it was converted into a Zen temple in 1450. The garden’s construction date and designer are unknown, but it features a rectangular plot of pebbles with 15 rocks laid out in small groups on moss patches. From any vantage point, at least one rock is always hidden from view.
• Arashiyama - Arashiyama (嵐山) is a scenic district in Kyoto’s western outskirts, popular since the Heian Period. It is especially favored during cherry blossom and fall color seasons. The Togetsukyo Bridge is a central landmark, with nearby attractions including Tenryuji Temple, bamboo groves, and pleasure boats for rent on the river.
• Katsura Imperial Villa - Katsura Imperial Villa (桂離宮, Katsura Rikyū) is a prime example of Japanese architecture and garden design. Completed in 1645 as the residence for the Katsura Family, it requires joining a tour to visit. The tour follows a circular walking trail around the central pond, with palace buildings viewed only from the outside. English tours are available.
• Daikaku-ji Temple - Daikakuji (大覚寺) is a large temple in northern Kyoto’s Sagano district. Originally built as Emperor Saga’s detached palace in the early 800s, it was converted into a temple after his death. Daikakuji has played a role in significant historical events and is featured in the Tale of Genji. It is often used for filming historical dramas.
• Tenryuji Temple - Tenryuji (天龍寺, Tenryūji) is the most important temple in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district and a world heritage site. Built in 1339 by shogun Ashikaga Takauji to honor Emperor Go-Daigo, it is the head temple of its own school within the Rinzai Zen sect.
• Yoshimine-dera - Yoshiminedera (吉峰寺) is a Tendai sect temple in Kyoto’s western mountains, offering views over the city. Founded in 1029 by a priest from Enryakuji, it was destroyed in the Onin War and rebuilt in 1621. The temple’s main objects of worship are Kannon statues.
• Togetsukyo Bridge - The Togetsukyo Bridge, meaning “Moon Crossing Bridge,” is Arashiyama’s iconic landmark. Originally built during the Heian Period and reconstructed in the 1930s, it looks particularly attractive with the forested mountainside in the background. A riverside park with cherry trees is located nearby.
• Bamboo Forest Street - The walking paths through the bamboo groves offer a pleasant walk or bicycle ride. The groves are especially attractive when a light wind causes the tall bamboo stalks to sway. Bamboo has been used for centuries to make various products at local workshops.
• Okochi Sanso Garden - This former villa of actor Okochi Denjiro (1896-1962) is located in Arashiyama’s bamboo groves. Okochi Sanso features several gardens and buildings, including living quarters and tea houses. Admission includes matcha green tea with a snack.
• Jojakkoji Temple - Founded in 1596, this mountainside temple has small, attractive buildings and gates, creating a quiet atmosphere. Maple trees and moss line the paths and stairs, offering views over Kyoto from several spots.
• Nisonin - Nisonin Temple, a hillside temple with larger buildings, has an understated atmosphere due to overhanging trees. Founded in the mid-9th century, it is a Tendai sect temple with views over the city from the upper grounds.
• Gioji Temple - Gioji is nestled in the forest and known for its moss garden with tall maple trees. The temple’s entrance gate and main hall have thatched roofs, with an attractive round window looking into the gardens.
• Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple - Located at the end of the Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street, this temple was founded in the early 9th century by monk Kobo Daishi. The grounds are covered with stone statues for the souls of the dead, with a bamboo forest path in the back.
• Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple - A ten-minute walk north of Adashino Nenbutsuji, this temple is famous for its 1200 stone statues of rakan, each with a unique expression. Created in the 1980s and 1990s, the statues cover the temple grounds on a forested mountain slope.
• Kyoto - Ramen Factory

Ramen Factory is the only restaurant in the world where you can make your own original ramen by hand and enjoy its deliciousness. Linked with “Menbaka,” a Fire Ramen Restaurant with over 30 years of history, Ramen Factory offers a unique experience of making noodles, meat, and soup yourself to create your favorite flavor.

• Customizable Tour 2-3 sights
• 90 minutes Ramen making experience
• Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Kyoto City
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide

• Private Vehicle
• Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
• Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses