• Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Experience a unique glimpse into Japan’s hidden heritage, typically inaccessible to regular tourists, with this brief yet enriching tour of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine. This tour offers an exceptional and affordable way to explore the shrine!

We aim to help you uncover new experiences. The Fushimi Inari Shrine is renowned for its iconic vermillion-red torii gate tunnels, but there’s much more to discover. While many visitors are content with the scenic views, the shrine holds numerous stories that connect deeply with Japan’s history and culture, which your guide will reveal. Learn about the shrine’s origins, dedicated to the god of grains, Inari, and understand the significance of the fox statues, known as ‘Kitsune,’ which serve as Inari’s messengers. These clever and cunning creatures are considered ideal guides in the challenging business world, and you might find yourself wanting their favor by the end of 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 overwhelming for first-time visitors. A guided tour eliminates the stress of getting lost and helps you discover hidden gems cherished by locals while learning about Kyoto’s rich history. Highlights include insights into Geisha culture and rituals, and visits to Gion, Pontocho, and Miyagawacho.
• Nishiki Market Shopping District - Nishiki Market (錦市場, Nishiki Ichiba) is a bustling, five-block-long shopping street filled 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.

Nishiki Market offers a lively yet welcoming atmosphere, perfect for exploring Kyoto’s culinary delights. The market features a mix of small stalls and larger shops, most of which focus on specific types of food, with nearly all products being locally sourced.

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple - Explore one of Kyoto’s most beloved temples, Kiyomizu-dera, with a comprehensive 1-hour guided tour. A guide will enhance your visit by sharing insights into Japan’s history and culture as you tour the magnificent temple grounds. Enjoy detailed commentary from your 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 charming dining areas. This narrow alley, running from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori, one block west of the Kamogawa River, is lined with restaurants offering a variety of dining options, from affordable yakitori to traditional and modern Kyoto cuisine, international dishes, and exclusive establishments requiring connections and a generous budget.

The business hours and closing days of Pontocho’s restaurants, bars, and shops vary, but most are open from around 17:00 to 23:00, with some also serving lunch. An increasing number of places offer English menus.

• Higashiyama Ward - The Higashiyama District (東山), located along the lower slopes of Kyoto’s eastern mountains, is one of the city’s best-preserved historic areas. It’s an excellent place to experience traditional Kyoto, especially between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine, where narrow lanes, wooden buildings, and traditional merchant shops evoke the old capital’s atmosphere. Recent renovations, including the removal of telephone poles and repaving of streets, have further enhanced the district’s traditional charm.
• Ginkakuji Temple - Ginkakuji (銀閣寺, Silver Pavilion) is a Zen temple nestled in Kyoto’s eastern mountains (Higashiyama). In 1482, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa built his retirement villa on the site of today’s temple, inspired by his grandfather’s Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) in northern Kyoto. After Yoshimasa’s death in 1490, the villa was converted into a Zen temple.

Ginkakuji became a cultural hub during Yoshimasa’s time, known as the Higashiyama Culture, which contrasted with his grandfather’s Kitayama Culture. Unlike the aristocratic Kitayama Culture, Higashiyama Culture had a widespread influence across Japan, shaping arts such as 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 significant Zen temples. It serves as the head temple of one of the Rinzai sect’s schools of Japanese Zen Buddhism and includes several subtemples, making the already large complex even more extensive.

Nanzenji’s history dates back to the mid-13th century when Emperor Kameyama built his retirement villa on the current temple site, later converting it into a Zen temple. Although the temple grew steadily, all its buildings were destroyed during the late Muromachi Period’s civil wars (1333-1573). The oldest existing buildings were constructed after this period.

• Tofuku-ji Temple - Tofukuji (東福寺, Tōfukuji) is a prominent Zen temple in southeastern Kyoto, renowned for its stunning autumn colors. Founded in 1236 by the influential Fujiwara clan, its name combines those of two great Nara temples, Todaiji and Kofukuji, also associated with the Fujiwara. Historically, Tofukuji has been one of Kyoto’s principal Zen temples and serves as the head temple of one of the Rinzai sect’s schools.

During autumn, visitors from across Japan flock to Tofukuji to admire the vibrant foliage. The Tsutenkyo Bridge, spanning a valley of lush maple trees, offers the most popular view. The bridge itself provides an equally spectacular perspective, and the 100-meter-long covered walkway becomes extremely crowded when the colors peak, typically in mid to late November.

• Toji - Toji Temple (東寺, Tōji), meaning “East Temple,” was established at the start of the Heian Period, shortly after Kyoto became the capital in the late 700s. Along with its now-defunct sister temple Saiji (“West Temple”), Toji flanked the city’s south entrance, serving as guardian temples. Toji Temple is one of Kyoto’s many UNESCO World Heritage sites.

About thirty years after its founding, Kobo Daishi, the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism’s founder, became Toji’s head priest, elevating the temple’s significance. Kobo Daishi also added many of the large wooden buildings that still stand today.

• Kinkakuji Temple - Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto, with its top two floors entirely covered in gold leaf. Originally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Following his death in 1408, it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect, as per his will. Kinkakuji inspired the similarly named Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), built by Yoshimitsu’s grandson, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, on the city’s opposite side a few decades later.

Kinkakuji is an impressive structure overlooking a large pond and is the only remaining building of Yoshimitsu’s former retirement complex. It has been rebuilt several times due to fires, including twice during the Onin War and once in 1950 when a fanatic monk set it ablaze. The current structure was rebuilt in 1955.

• Ninna-ji Temple - Ninnaji (仁和寺) is one of Kyoto’s many World Heritage Sites. It is the head temple of the Omuro School of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, founded in 888 by the reigning emperor. Historically, a member of the Imperial Family often served as Ninnaji’s head priest, earning it the nickname Omuro Imperial Palace.

Due to numerous wars and fires throughout Kyoto’s history, none of Ninnaji’s original buildings survive. The oldest structures date back to the early Edo Period in the 1600s, including the main hall (Kondo), Kannon Hall, Niomon front gate, Chumon inner gate, and the five-storied pagoda.

• Shugakuin Imperial Villa - Shugakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮, Shugakuin Rikyū) was constructed in the 17th century by Emperor Gomizuno and is now managed by the Imperial Household Agency. It comprises the Upper, Middle, and Lower Villa areas, each featuring traditional imperial-style gardens and buildings.

The villa’s name originates from a former temple on the same site in the tenth century. Built between 1655 and 1659, the villa included a palace for Gomizuno’s daughter added ten years later. In 1964, the surrounding farmlands were acquired by the Imperial Household Agency and are now leased to local farmers who continue to cultivate the land.

• Kibune River - Kibune (貴船) is a quaint town nestled in a forested valley in Kyoto City’s northern mountains, developed around Kifune Shrine. According to legend, a goddess traveled by boat from Osaka up the river into the northern Kyoto mountains, where Kifune Shrine now stands at the end of her journey.

Kifune Shrine is dedicated to the god of water and rain, believed to protect those at sea. Here, you can obtain unique fortunes written on paper slips (omikuji) that reveal their messages when dipped in water. The inner sanctum, Okunomiya, lies about a kilometer further up the valley and features a large rock, known as the boat stone, where the goddess’ yellow boat is said to be buried.

• Kurama-dera - Kurama (鞍馬) is a rural town in Kyoto City’s northern mountains, less than an hour from the city center. Kurama is famous for its temple, Kurama-dera, and its hot spring, one of the most accessible from Kyoto.

Kurama Onsen, a ryokan at the town’s upper end, offers both outdoor and indoor baths. It is a 10-minute walk from the train station along the town’s only road or a nature trail following the river. Guests staying at the ryokan can use the baths for free, while day visitors pay 2500 yen for all baths or 1000 yen for just the outdoor bath (rotemburo).

• Ryoanji Temple - Ryoanji Temple (龍安寺, Ryōanji) is home to Japan’s most famous rock garden, attracting hundreds of visitors daily. Originally an aristocrat’s villa during the Heian Period, it was converted into a Zen temple in 1450 and belongs to the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, whose head temple is nearby.

The history of Ryoanji’s rock garden is somewhat mysterious, with its construction date and designer unknown. The garden features a rectangular plot of pebbles surrounded by low earthen walls, with 15 rocks arranged in small groups on moss patches. An intriguing aspect of the garden’s design is that from any vantage point, at least one rock is always hidden from view.

• Arashiyama - Arashiyama (嵐山) is a charming, tourist-friendly district on Kyoto’s western outskirts. It has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles enjoyed its natural beauty. Arashiyama is especially popular during the cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons.

The Togetsukyo Bridge is Arashiyama’s central landmark. Nearby, you’ll find numerous small shops, restaurants, and attractions, including Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama’s famous bamboo groves, and rental pleasure boats 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, members of Japan’s Imperial Family, the villa and garden are renowned for their beauty.

Visiting Katsura Imperial Villa requires joining a tour that follows the garden’s circular walking trail around the central pond. The palace buildings can only be viewed from the outside, and photography is restricted to designated spots. English tours are available.

• Daikaku-ji Temple - Daikakuji (大覚寺) is a large temple in northern Kyoto’s Sagano district. Originally built in the early 800s as Emperor Saga’s detached palace, it was converted into a temple thirty years after his death and has since been a prominent Shingon Buddhism temple.

Daikakuji has played a role in several significant historical events, including hosting peace talks in the 12th century that reunited the Northern and Southern Imperial Courts after 50 years of civil war. The temple is also featured in the Tale of Genji, Japan’s first novel. Today, Daikakuji is a prime location to experience the ancient court atmosphere described in the novel and is often used for filming historical dramas.

• Tenryuji Temple - Tenryuji (天龍寺, Tenryūji) is the most important temple in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district. Ranked first among the city’s five great Zen temples, it is now a world heritage site and the head temple of its own school within the Rinzai Zen sect of Japanese Buddhism.

Built in 1339 by shogun Ashikaga Takauji, Tenryuji was dedicated to Emperor Go-Daigo, who had recently passed away. Although Takauji and the emperor were once allies, they later became adversaries in a power struggle. By constructing the temple, Takauji sought to appease the emperor’s spirit.

• Yoshimine-dera - Yoshiminedera (吉峰寺) is a Tendai sect temple located in Kyoto’s western mountains. Like Kiyomizudera on the opposite side of the city, Yoshiminedera is built along the mountainside, offering expansive views of Kyoto. The temple grounds are extensive, with many buildings spread across the mountainside.

Founded in 1029 by a priest from Enryakuji named Gesan, Yoshiminedera was initially a personal retreat. It was destroyed in the Onin War in 1467 but rebuilt in 1621. The temple’s main objects of worship are a Kannon statue carved by Gesan and another given by Emperor Gosuzaku in 1042.

• Kennin-ji Temple - Kenninji Temple (建仁寺), located near the bustling Hanamikoji and Shijo streets, offers expansive and pleasant grounds for a tranquil walk. It is considered the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto and features two karesansui (dry landscape gardens) that provide an oasis of calm.

• Private vehicle
• Customizable Walking Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from ‘What to expect’ list
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide

• Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
• You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
• Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.

Kyoto keeps traditional arts and beauty alive, but the busses and subways can be confusing and provide challenges for those with walking limitations. At Japan Guide Agency, we want everyone to experience Kyoto so we are happy to provide this customizable, private guided tour with a vehicle!

Join us on a tour of Kyoto to see Kiyomizu Temple as it towers over the historical Gion district, famous for its rich history of geisha. The bamboo forest of Sagano and the gardens, shrines and temples in Kyoto will provide you with a window into old Japan.

Once your reservation is made, a guide will contact you to plan your personalized tour. Choose 4 to 5 spots from ‘Tour Details’ to visit. Whether you are a history buff, love Japanese architecture, or just want to enjoy a green tea parfait, Kyoto has something for you!

Maximum 7 participants per tour. If you have a child or children in your group, please let us know the number and their age.

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