Kyoto has been the capital of Japan for more than 1,200 years! There are so many historic sites and beautiful places that you will be at a loss for what to choose. Please tell me about your favorite. Considering the access, the season, and the time, I will make a suitable plan.
I recommend some hidden gems if you like going off the beaten track. And also the charming famous popular tourist spots worth visiting when it is so busy. I will tell you stories to help you appreciate the place.
At you hotel lobby
At your Hotel Lobby in Kyoto, etc.
It is a rare place where you can see the residence and office of the Shogunate with many masterpieces of art along with beautiful gardens.
Beautiful golden palace with wonderful gardens and northern mountains on its backdrop. One of the must-see places in Kyoto.
This restaurant is a kind of a hidden gem. They serve a beautiful lunch. We can spend time silently in a small home-like restaurant.
Zen Buddhist temple, famous for its dry garden, which Elizabeth Ⅱ admired. Please feel the universe of Zen Buddhism.
It's not just a temple. As it is jutting out of the cliff, you will enjoy the panoramic views of Kyoto. And please enjoy the quaint feel around it. You shouldn't miss it.
downhill course with stairs
Gion district is famous for Geisha(Geiko and Maiko). Many high-class Japanese restaurants and houses exist where Geisha live. As we are now in the evening, you may see some dressed-up Geisha on the way to the party places if you are lucky.
Ending spot
At you hotel or train station
guide fee, hotel pick-up
transportation fee (you and the guide), taxi(about 4,800 yen) bus or metro (depends)
lunch (you and the guide) of about 3,000 yen /per person, or a more reasonable lunch of about 1200 yen
admission fees of about 3000 yen/per person, no guide required
If you have some request for the meal, please let me know beforehand at least 3 days.
This course is mostly flat or downhill, but there are a few uphill sections. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
We will visit many must-sees efficiently in a limited hours.
To avoid being in a hurry, let's use taxis. Taxis are not expensive in Japan, and you can easily catch one in Kyoto.
I will plan to visit scenic beauties at a good time of the day. I will take some nice photos of you.
You will have a happy time in Kyoto.
We really wanted to see some of Japan's wild forrest, so Shuji organized for a taxi van to take us (from Narra)to Uguisu waterfall. This was really off the beaten track and was quite unique.Although It was very wet we really enjoyed it.He also guided us through Nara's Deers, buddhist temples and statues. I would recommend Shuji for anyone looking for a guide, he is a long time Osaka resident, great with kids, good English and a nice Man.
Thank you very much for your kind message. Your request made this tour a fantastic one. Despite the rain, we explored the sacred forest and met many beings and wonderful views. I hope your children had fun and it was exactly what you wanted. I also enjoyed it very much. And I hope this tour will be a good memory for your family. Thank you very much.
What better way to discover amazing Kyoto than with Shuji ? This ex- history professor who speaks very good English, well traveled, and at the same time passionate of working his family-rice field, made us discover both the great history and spiritually of the place and the every day life of the region and Japan at large. The tour was adjusted to our preferences and Shuji's suggestions fitted perfectly who we are, him having immediately understood us. Thank you Shuji for these memorable moments we shared and the diverse and profound discussions we had on the way.
Thank you so much for the great review. And thank you for your wonderful and interesting questions. You hit the nail on the head. It means that you have a deep understanding of Japanese history and culture. We had a really lucky day with great weather. We were able to choose places off the beaten track. They were very beautiful. Thank you again for a happy day! Shuji O.
Despite being called last minute to cover for another guide, Shuji was great in reworking our tour based on our interests, on the fact that the day of the tour was a Japanese holiday, and the weather was unseasonably hot and humid. Overall we had a good time with Shuji and learned about Osaka history and culture.
Dear Stephen, Thank you very much for the kind words and the lovely photo. Although I was a substitute guide that day, I had a good time with you both despite the sweltering weather. I'm afraid that you got tired because of the heat. I hope your business is perfect today. Thank you again. Shuji O.
Had an absolutely incredibly time with Shuji and wouldn't hesitate to recommend him.
Hi Peter! Thank you for this most excellent review! Yes, we really had wonderful experiences in the factories of the Sakai traditional blades. I owe it to your curiosity and love for Japanese culture. Thank you very much. You are a great traveler. See you again sometime!