The Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for tunnels of vermillion-red torii gates. This shrine has a lot of stories to tell that will connect you to the Japan's history and culture and your guide will show you deeper. You will see a fascinating story attached to the origin of the shrine dedicated to the god of grains. You’ll see statues of the fox around the shrine. “Kitsune” or the fox is a servant to the god Inari. You may would want the foxes on your side after this tour.
Discover one of Kyoto’s most popular temples—Kiyomizu-dera Temple by going on a comprehensive 1-hour guided tour. Exploring the temple grounds with a guide means you’ll be able to learn about Japan’s history and culture as you explore the magnificent building. Enjoy commentary from your English-speaking guide who will make sure you don't miss any important features.
We are here to help you discover new things, places and experiences in Nijo-jo Castle. You will see the gorgeous style of this castle was intended as a demonstration of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616)'s prestige. Learn why the best example of feudal era castle architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is significant in terms of history, culture, and art history. Come enjoy the tour, the best way to explore Nijo-jo Castle!
Exploring the narrow alleyways of Kyoto’s Geisha District—Gion can be daunting for a first-time visitor. Eliminate the worry of getting lost by going on a guided tour. It’s a great way to discover hidden places that locals love, and to hear about Kyoto’s ancient past.
Nishiki Market (錦市場, Nishiki Ichiba) is a narrow, five block long shopping street lined by more than one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as "Kyoto's Kitchen", this lively retail market specializes in all things food related, like fresh seafood, produce, knives and cookware, and is a great place to find seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi. Nishiki Market has a pleasant but busy atmosphere that is inviting to those who want to explore the variety of culinary delights that Kyoto is famous for. The stores found throughout the market range in size from small narrow stalls to larger two story shops. Most specialize in a particular type of food, and almost everything sold at the market is locally produced and procured.
The Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所, Kyōto Gosho) used to be the residence of Japan's Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is located in the spacious Kyoto Imperial Park (京都御苑, Kyōto Gyoen), an attractive park in the center of the city that also encompasses the Sento Imperial Palace and a few other attractions.
Pontocho (先斗町, Pontochō) is one of Kyoto's most atmospheric dining areas. It is a narrow alley running from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori, one block west of Kamogawa River. The alley is packed with restaurants on both sides offering a wide range of dining options from inexpensive yakitori to traditional and modern Kyoto cuisine, foreign cuisine and highly exclusive establishments that require the right connections and a fat wallet. Business hours and closing days of the restaurants, bars and shops along Pontocho vary by establishment, but most places are usually open from around 17:00 to 23:00. Some also open for lunch.
The Higashiyama District (東山) along the lower slopes of Kyoto's eastern mountains is one of the city's best preserved historic districts. It is a great place to experience traditional old Kyoto, especially between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine, where the narrow lanes, wooden buildings and traditional merchant shops invoke a feeling of the old capital city. Recent renovations to remove telephone poles and repave the streets have further improved the traditional feel of the district.
Ginkakuji (銀閣寺, Silver Pavilion) is a Zen temple along Kyoto's eastern mountains (Higashiyama). In 1482, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa built his retirement villa on the grounds of today's temple, modeling it after Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), 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 center of contemporary culture, known as the Higashiyama Culture in contrast to the Kitayama Culture of his grandfather's times. Unlike the Kitayama Culture, which remained limited to the aristocratic circles of Kyoto, the Higashiyama Culture had a broad impact on the entire country. The arts developed and refined during the time include the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, noh theater, poetry, garden design and architecture.
Nanzenji Temple (南禅寺), whose spacious grounds are located at the base of Kyoto's forested Higashiyama mountains, is one of the most important Zen temples in all of Japan. It is the head temple of one of the schools within the Rinzai sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism and includes multiple subtemples, that make the already large complex of temple buildings even larger. The history of Nanzenji dates back to the mid 13th century, when the Emperor Kameyama built his retirement villa at the temple's present location and later converted it into a Zen temple. After its founding, Nanzenji grew steadily, but its buildings were all destroyed during the civil wars of the late Muromachi Period (1333-1573). The oldest of the current buildings was built after that period.
Tofukuji (東福寺, Tōfukuji) is a large Zen temple in southeastern Kyoto that is particularly famous for its spectacular autumn colors. The temple was founded in 1236 at the behest of the powerful Fujiwara clan. Its name is a combination of the names of two great temples in Nara that were also associated with the Fujiwara, Todaiji Temple and Kofukuji Temple. Tofukuji has historically been one of the principal Zen temples in Kyoto, and is a head temple of one of the schools of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. In autumn, people come from all over Japan to see Tofukuji's autumn colors. The most popular view is of the Tsutenkyo Bridge, which spans a valley of lush maple trees. The view from the bridge is equally spectacular, and the 100 meter long, covered walkway becomes extremely crowded when the colors reach their peak, usually around mid to late November.
Toji Temple (東寺, Tōji), literally "East Temple", was founded at the beginning of the Heian Period just after the capital was moved to Kyoto in the late 700s. The large temple, together with its now defunct sister temple Saiji ("West Temple"), flanked the south entrance to the city and served as the capital's guardian temples. Toji Temple is one of Kyoto's many UNESCO world heritage sites. About thirty years after the temple's establishment, Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism, was appointed head priest of Toji, and the temple became one of the most important Shingon temples besides the sect's headquarters on Mount Koya. Kobo Daishi also added many of the large wooden buildings that stand on the grounds today.
Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji was the inspiration for the similarly named Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), built by Yoshimitsu's grandson, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, on the other side of the city a few decades later. Kinkakuji is an impressive structure built overlooking a large pond, and is the only building left of Yoshimitsu's former retirement complex. It has burned down numerous times throughout its history including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much of Kyoto; and once again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955.
Ninnaji (仁和寺) is one of the many great temples in Kyoto which are listed as World Heritage Sites. It is the head temple of the Omuro School of the Shingon sect of Buddhism and was founded in 888 by the reigning emperor. Over many centuries, a member of the Imperial Family used to serve as Ninnaji's head priest, and the temple was also known as Omuro Imperial Palace. Due to the many wars and fires that ravaged Kyoto throughout its history, none of the buildings from the temple's foundation in the 9th century still survive. The oldest buildings date back to the beginning of the Edo Period in the early 1600s, including the main hall (Kondo), the Kannon Hall, the Niomon front gate, the Chumon inner gate and the five storied pagoda.
Shugakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮, Shugakuin Rikyū) was built in the 17th century by Emperor Gomizuno and is now managed by the Imperial Household Agency. It consists of the Upper, Middle and Lower Villa areas, each featuring gardens and buildings of the traditional imperial style. Shugakuin's name comes from a former temple built on the same site in the tenth century. The Imperial Villa was constructed between 1655 and 1659, with a palace for Gomizuno's daughter added ten years later. More recently in 1964, the surrounding farmlands were bought by the Imperial Household Agency. They are leased out to local farmers who continue to work the fields.
Kibune (貴船) is a small town in a forested valley in the northern mountains of Kyoto City, which developed around Kifune Shrine. According to legend, a goddess traveled in a boat from Osaka all the way up the river into the mountains north of Kyoto, and Kifune Shrine was built at the site where her boat journey had come to an end. Kifune Shrine is dedicated to the god of water and rain and believed to be the protector of those at sea. Here you can obtain a unique type of fortune written on paper slips (omikuji) that reveal their messages when dipped into water. Okunomiya, the inner sanctum and original site of Kifune Shrine, lies about one kilometer further up the valley. It has a large rock, known as the boat stone, which is said to be where the goddess' yellow boat is buried.
Kurama (鞍馬) is a rural town in the northern mountains of Kyoto City, less than one hour from the city center. Kurama is best known for its temple Kurama-dera and its hot spring, one of the most easily accessible hot springs from Kyoto. Outdoor and indoor baths can be enjoyed at Kurama Onsen, a ryokan located at the upper end of the town of Kurama. It can be reached in a 10 minute walk from the train station along the town's only road or along a nature trail following the river. Staying guests can use the baths for free, while daytrippers pay 2500 yen(Weekday), 2700 yen(Weekend) to use all of the baths or 1400 yen(Weekday), 1600 yen(Weekend) for just the outdoor bath (rotemburo).
Ryoanji Temple (龍安寺, Ryōanji) is the site of Japan's most famous rock garden, which attracts hundreds of visitors every day. Originally an aristocrat's villa during the Heian Period, the site was converted into a Zen temple in 1450 and belongs to the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, whose head temple stands just a kilometer to the south. As for the history of Ryoanji's famous rock garden, the facts are less certain. The garden's date of construction is unknown and there are a number of speculations regarding its designer. The garden consists of a rectangular plot of pebbles surrounded by low earthen walls, with 15 rocks laid out in small groups on patches of moss. An interesting feature of the garden's design is that from any vantage point at least one of the rocks is always hidden from the viewer.
Arashiyama (嵐山) is a pleasant, touristy district in the western outskirts of Kyoto. The area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. Arashiyama is particularly popular during the cherry blossom and fall color seasons. The Togetsukyo Bridge is Arashiyama's well known, central landmark. Many small shops, restaurants and other attractions are found nearby, including Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama's famous bamboo groves and pleasure boats that are available for rent on the river.
Katsura Imperial Villa (桂離宮, Katsura Rikyū) is one of the finest examples of Japanese architecture and garden design. The villa and garden in their present form were completed in 1645 as the residence for the Katsura Family, members of Japan's Imperial Family. Visiting Katsura Imperial Villa requires joining a tour. The tour follows the garden's circular walking trail around the central pond. Palace buildings can be viewed only from the outside, and photographing is allowed only from designated spots. Tours in English are available.
Daikakuji (大覚寺) is a large temple in the northern part of Kyoto's Sagano district. It was originally built in the early 800s as the detached palace of Emperor Saga, who thoroughly enjoyed spending time in this calm area on the outskirts of Kyoto. Thirty years after the emperor's death, the palace was converted into a temple and has since been one of the highest ranked temples of Shingon Buddhism. Daikakuji has had a role in several significant historical events. A succession of retired emperors reigned from here, and in the 12th century the temple hosted peace talks that reunited the Northern and Southern Imperial Courts after 50 years of civil war. Daikakuji is also featured in the Tale of Genji, the first novel in Japanese literature. Today, the temple is one of the best places to still feel the ancient court atmosphere described in the novel and is often used for filming historical dramas.
Tenryuji (天龍寺, Tenryūji) is the most important temple in Kyoto's Arashiyama district. It was ranked first among the city's five great Zen temples, and is now registered as a world heritage site. Tenryuji is the head temple of its own school within the Rinzai Zen sect of Japanese Buddhism. Tenryuji was built in 1339 by the ruling shogun Ashikaga Takauji. Takauji dedicated the temple to Emperor Go-Daigo, who had just passed away. The two important historic figures used to be allies until Takauji turned against the emperor in a struggle for supremacy over Japan. By building the temple, Takauji intended to appease the former emperor's spirits.
Yoshiminedera (吉峰寺) is a temple of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism located in Kyoto's western mountains. Similar to Kiyomizudera on the opposite side of town, Yoshiminedera is built along the mountain side and looks out onto Kyoto. The temple grounds are spacious and there are many buildings distributed up the mountain side. A priest from Enryakuji, named Gesan, established Yoshiminedera as a personal retreat in 1029. In 1467 the temple was destroyed in the Onin War but was rebuilt in 1621. The temple's main objects of worship are a Kannon statue carved by Gesan and a Kannon statue given to the temple by Emperor Gosuzaku in 1042.
The Togetsukyo Bridge (lit. "Moon Crossing Bridge") is Arashiyama's most iconic landmark. It was originally built during the Heian Period (794-1185) and most recently reconstructed in the 1930s. The bridge looks particularly attractive in combination with the forested mountainside in the background. A riverside park with dozens of cherry trees is located just adjacent to the bridge.
The walking paths that cut through the bamboo groves make for a nice walk or bicycle ride. The groves are particularly attractive when there is a light wind and the tall bamboo stalks sway gently back and forth. The bamboo has been used to manufacture various products, such as baskets, cups, boxes and mats at local workshops for centuries.
This is the former villa of the popular actor Okochi Denjiro (1896-1962), located in the back of Arashiyama's bamboo groves. Okochi Sanso consists of several different gardens and buildings, including living quarters, tea houses and gates. The buildings can only be viewed from the outside. Admission includes matcha green tea with a snack.
This mountainside temple was founded in 1596. With small, attractive buildings and gates, the temple has a quiet and understated atmosphere. Maple trees and moss are located just beside the paths and stairs that lead across the temple grounds. From a number of spots, visitors can enjoy views over Kyoto.
Similar to Jojakkoji, Nisonin Temple is a hillside temple with slightly larger and imposing buildings. A generally understated atmosphere on the temple grounds is partly due to the overhanging trees along approach. Founded in the mid 9th century, Nisonin is a temple of the Tendai sect. There are views over the city from the upper grounds.
Gioji is even more nestled into the forest than Jojakkoji and Nisonin. It is known for its moss garden that is punctuated with tall maple trees. The temple's entrance gate and small main hall have thatched roofs. The latter has an attractive round window looking into the gardens.
Adashino Nenbutsuji is located at the end of the Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street. The temple was founded in the early 9th century when the famous monk Kobo Daishi placed stone statues for the souls of the dead here. Today, the temple grounds are covered by hundreds of such stone statues. In the back of the temple, a short path leads through a bamboo forest.
Another ten minute walk north of the similarly named Adashino Nenbutsuji, the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple is famous for its 1200 stone statues of rakan, devoted followers of Buddhism, each with a different facial expression. Created relatively recently in the 1980s and early 1990s, the many statues stand across the temple grounds which cover part of a forested mountain slope.
Daitokuji (大徳寺) is a large, walled temple complex in northern Kyoto and the head temple of the Rinzai sect's Daitokuji school of Japanese Zen Buddhism. The complex consists of nearly two dozen subtemples and is one of the best places in Japan to see a wide variety of Zen gardens and to experience Zen culture and architecture. Daitokuji's main buildings are usually not open to public but there are 4 subtemples which are open to public. -Daisenin -Ryogenin -Zuihoin -Kotoin(Currently closed)
Myoshinji (妙心寺, Myōshinji) is a large temple complex in northwestern Kyoto which includes about 50 subtemples in addition to its main buildings. While a few of the temple halls can be entered, the majority of the subtemples are closed to the public. However, visitors are free to wander along the walking paths. In several ways the temple complex resembles Daitokuji Temple.
Eikando (永観堂, Eikandō), formally known as Zenrinji Temple, belongs to the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism. Located north of Nanzenji, Eikando is very famous for its autumn colors and the evening illuminations that take place in fall. The temple has a long history, and there are a variety of buildings and a pond garden that visitors can explore.
Sanjusangendo (三十三間堂, Sanjūsangendō) is the popular name for Rengeo-in, a temple in eastern Kyoto which is famous 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 had been destroyed in a fire.
Kenninji Temple (建仁寺) locates very close to the bustle of Hanamikoji and Shijo streets, the grounds of Kenninji Temple are expansive and pleasant to walk, and the two karesansui (dry landscape gardens) here offer the visitor an oasis of tranquility. It is thought to be the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.
Byodoin Temple(平等院) is known for its Phoenix Hall, which is a National Treasure of Japan and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Extra travel time is expected as it is located in Uji city in Kyoto prefecture
Wonderful experience. Kazuo was great. Being a local of Kyoto, he was very knowledgeable. He efficiently took us to all the places we wanted to see. He even made time for us to have lunch. I would definitely recommend him.
Kazz was hands down the best tour guide we had during our entire trip to Japan! He arrived at our hotel 15 minutes early and did an incredible job keeping us on track throughout a very ambitious day of sightseeing in Kyoto. We managed to see everything on our itinerary without ever feeling rushed. His knowledge of Japanese history and culture was fantastic, and he shared so many interesting facts and stories along the way. What really set him apart was his attention to detail. He even brought his own professional camera, took tons of beautiful photos of us throughout the day, and shared them afterward via Google Drive! Kazz was friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about making our day special. I would book with him again in a heartbeat and can’t recommend him highly enough!
Kazu san was an excellent guide - easy to understand, well researched, intelligent and fun to be with. He accommodated our requests for places to visit, kept us on time and made careful adjustments when required We would highly recommend him as a guide in kyoto
Kazz was hands down the best tour guide we had during our entire trip to Japan! He arrived at our hotel 15 minutes early and did an incredible job keeping us on track throughout a very ambitious day of sightseeing in Kyoto. We managed to see everything on our itinerary without ever feeling rushed. His knowledge of Japanese history and culture was fantastic, and he shared so many interesting facts and stories along the way. What really set him apart was his attention to detail. He even brought his own professional camera, took tons of beautiful photos of us throughout the day, and shared them afterward via Google Drive! Kazz was friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about making our day special. I would book with him again in a heartbeat and can’t recommend him highly enough!
Tatsuya Ito was our guide for 6 hours in Kyoto. He was very accommodating about the sights we saw. We had already been in Kyoto so he made an itinerary that included places we had not seen. He provided a great deal of historical, religious and secular information. I was a little concerned about taking public transportation due to time constraints but it all went well. Excellent guide!
Well organised and responsive time at JGA put us in touch with an excellent and experienced guide. We were able to choose the sights and the guide put together an itinerary that considered locations and transport links. As well as explanations about the locations the guide also talked about Japanese history, religion and culture, which was fascinating.
We did the Kyoto private tour with Mizu and had a great day. She met us at the Shinkansen station and we went from there. We saw Nijo Castle (the shogun's castle), the Golden Pavilion, and the bamboo forest in Arashiyama, plus a hike. Honestly a lot to fit into one day, but it never felt rushed and we got to see the big sights without having to figure out the trains and buses ourselves. Mizu's English was excellent and she really knows the area and the history. We learned a lot and had a ton of fun with her. Highly recommend this tour, and definitely ask for Mizu!
Yasu was a wonderful guide! He provided us with lots of interesting information and he was easy to understand. Yasu was very pleasant, considerate and personable. It was a very worthwhile tour customized, to our wishes.
Yasu was an well informed guide he knows a lot of the history of Osaka, which he shared with us during the tour. The Osaka castle was a highlight of our tour. The explanation and conversation with Yasu was good his English very well so the communication went good. We had a great day Aart and monique
Very informative, professional and friendly. Would highly recommend
My husband and I spent a wonderful eight-hour day exploring Kyoto with our guide, Kuni. We set off from our hotel at 7 AM to beat the crowds at Fushimi Inari Shrine, with its thousands of vermilion torii gates. By 9 AM, the shrine was already crowded, so the early start was well worth it. We then headed to Arashiyama to see the Bamboo Forest, Tenryū-ji Temple, and the Togetsukyō Bridge. Lunch was at Gyoza no Ohsho, a popular Japanese-style Chinese chain that reminded us of an American Denny's or IHOP, a fun glimpse of everyday dining in Japan. In the afternoon, we visited the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) and Nijo Castle. Since our last stop was close to our hotel, Kuni kindly walked us back at the end of the day. Kuni was warm and knowledgeable, and we enjoyed his company very much. He previously worked for All Nippon Airways (ANA) and is well-traveled, having visited more than 50 countries. He's also a photography enthusiast and pointed out the best spots and angles for pictures, so we came home with photos we'll treasure. We highly recommend Kuni Arakawa to anyone visiting Kyoto!
We had an absolutely wonderful day on our Kyoto Customized Private Tour with our lovely guide, Masaki. He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about sharing the beauty, history and culture of Kyoto. Masaki went above and beyond to make our day special, tailoring the tour to our interests and ensuring we visited all the places we wanted to see. He also introduced us to some hidden gems along the way and shared fascinating stories and insights that made each location even more meaningful. His enthusiasm, patience and attention to detail made the entire experience relaxed, enjoyable and memorable. We truly appreciated how much effort he put into making our day so special. We would highly recommend Masaki to anyone visiting Kyoto. Having such a wonderful and knowledgeable local guide made all the difference and was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Japan!
We had a very good 6 hour tour. It was pouring rain and our guide took us all around the temples and areas I asked to see. I would not have done as much in the rain if I hadn’t booked this tour. We used so E taxis due to the weather but walked most of the 6 hours and covered a lot. It was a good intro to Kyoto with history and navigation.
Maya was an amazing tour guide, showing us round Kyoto. Very friendly and good knowledge of the area. High recommend!
Etsuko the guide was quite exceptional, the day was difficult because of the rain and wind but she was veey patient and kind she made ecery effort to keep us comfortable and took us to all locations explaining the history and more. We ended the day with a Shushi finding wich all both my son I enjoyed. I cannot fault her.
Mickey was an excellent guide, we learnt lots from her about the history of the region. We enjoyed our time with her.
Very good experiece, food recommendations and temples.
Our guide Yasu was attentive, calm, and incredibly patient throughout the day. He was generous with his knowledge and shared so much fascinating information about Japanese culture, history, and traditions. What made him truly special was his ability to make us fall in love with his country. His passion and kindness made the experience even more meaningful, and we couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Highly recommended!
We had a fabulous day with Yasu touring around Kyoto. He is so knowledgeable, answered all of our questions, and most of all made the experience fun and memorable. Thank you Yasu for a great experience. We learned so much!
Our guide, Kazuo Sumi, was very knowledgeable and informative. He was able to explain the history and importance of the temples and rhymes. And, a efficiently uncomfortably, let us through to all the locations.
Excellent experience. Kaeko was very energetic and enthusiastic. We loved our day with her.
We had a wonderful tour with Yuka. She did a great job explaining the history and cultural meaning of the places we visited. She arrived promptly at our hotel and tailored the walk to our interests. All in all we greatly enjoyed our ttime together.
Yuriko was an excellent guide. She was knowledgeable and interesting. She customized the itinerary to our interests. She knew the quiet spots at the crowded temples. Touring with her was a delightful experience.
It was a wonderful tour give us a lot of information she was very friendly and we enjoyed the time with her .. she gave us several Information about japanese life
Our guide Yuri is a very friendly helpful person. She patiently answers questions and provides explanations whenever is necessary.
We had a wonderful experience with Kazuo who did a very good job at planning the tour and took us to have lunch at a fantastic local restaurant!
This was an absolutely incredible tour experience. Our guide, Kaz, was an excellent guide and tailored the entire experience to our groups preferences. He has an amazing wealth of knowledge about the history of Kyoto and Japan and we learned so much about each spot we visited that we would have never otherwise known if we had visited on our own. He knew the answers to every single niche question we asked him about Japan. He even knew all the places to get the best photos and shortcuts along the way that were less crowded than the main areas. He did all of the navigating of public transportation and was so patient with us who were inexperience with the bus + subway systems. It eliminated so much of the stress and uncertainty of navigating on our own and saved us so much time. This is absolutely worth the money and was a very special experience for my family. Thank you Kaz!
We had a fabulous tour today with Kuni. He was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Each part of our tour was explained and he took photos in the right spots. He noted his recommended spots for us on Google maps and helped with the questions we had regarding different trains and destinations. I would definitely recommend him to anyone interested in this tour
Kazz was an excellent guide. We learned so much about the various sites we visited. He helped us navigate the train to and from Kyoto. This was an amazing experience for us. He also took great photos of us throughout the day. We highly recommend Kazz.
Kuni was very nice, informative and we had a great experience with him, thank you
Keiji was an excellent guide and took all our requests into consideration in planning the day. He was punctual and provided us with lots of information throughout the day. It was the right balance as too much info can be difficult to remember. He avoided walking in some of busiest streets allowing us to reach destinations quicker. As keen walkers we appreciated this as it provided time to go around many sites. The highlight was the Nijo-Jo castle and gardens. Well worth a visit and to the tea house if not too busy. We enjoyed our day and Keiji answered lots of questions we had. He kindly returned us to our hotel at the end of the day.
Our tour of Kyoto with Kazu was informative, educational, engaging and so much fun! Through his explanations of the various temples and shrines, it gave us a better understanding and appreciation of Kyoto’s history. If you’re looking for a tour guide in this city, he’s your guy! We’d gladly go on another tour with him if we could.
We had a very nice tour with our lovely guide, Hiro. She communicated in advance to help plan a day according to our specific interests. She shared lots of information on history and culture, as well as anecdotes from her life. Thank you, Hiro, for a great day in Kyoto.
Mickey was an excellent guide, she was very knowledgeable and interesting. She was able to answer if our questions. She was very calm and we enjoyed her company. I would definitely recommend her.
I had a really good day with Kazz, who brought me to Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji and the Bamboo Path. It was great to see so many places with such a good guide, who was knowledgeable and friendly and even gave me some great photography tips! Really enjoyed my day.
Yuka was thoughtful, client focused and knowledgeable. Yuka ensured that we were physically comfortable and enjoying ourselves.(2 70+ year old women on a 6 hour walking tour). Yukas energy and excitement about her hometown was contagious and her deep knowledge of the area and cultur enhanced our experience greatly. At the end of the tour we felt like we knew Japan. Finally, her flexibility and attention to detaile enabled us to experience two bucket list items etching this experience in our hearts and minds forever. Arigato Gozaimasu
Kiko gave us a great tour of several Buddhist temples that was very interesting! She knew the quieter spots we could go to avoid crowds, and easily coordinated our transportation. I can’t wait to go back and see more!
Our tour with Kiko was very enjoyable and relaxing at several buddhist temples! She knew the less busy spots to show us and helped us with all the transportation. I want to return and see more!
Kazu was an excellent guide for this full day tour of Kyoto, before the day he had contacted us with a suggested itinerary and we then finalised it with some of his own suggestions. We visited Kinkakuji golden temple, Manshu-in temple and Enko-ji temple and Nijo Castle. We used public transport - bus, train and metro and although this takes time due to the vastness of Kyoto it worked out ok. Manshu-in and Enko-ji temples were a delight as they were close together, off the beaten path and both very quiet with hardly any tourists. Kazu had excellent knowledge of all of the sites and also spoke very good English. My only small criticism is that he took too many photos of us, some without our knowledge which felt a little overwhelming towards the end when he kept asking us to keep posing for photos every 5 minutes. A long and tiring day but very enjoyable with an experienced guide. Thanks Kazu, Neil and Sheryl Buckley
We had a fantastic day with Mako. She had contacted us prior to the tour to find out what we wanted to see or do. She tailored the day around our request and also added places of interest she was especially keen on. Mako couldn't have been more helpful or knowledgeable on the places we visited. We will definitely book more tours with Mako on future visits to Japan. Make sure you visit Nishiki Market. Some of the best food we have ever eaten!
This was the absolute right decision. We also won the lottery.with Kiyoshi. He was knowledgeable, wise, at the right pace to our day, and a consummate gentleman. He honored all of our requests and made many excellent additional selections. Completely worth it. Also a great selection of taxis and trains. Great lunch selection, also. All around, a 10 out of 10.
We had a wonderful time on our private half-day tour of Kyoto with Akiko. We’re so glad we booked this tour because the experience was so much more personal and thoughtful than we could have imagined. Akiko was in touch with us weeks in advance, taking the time to understand our interests and plan an itinerary around what we wanted to see. She even put together a presentation for us outlining the highlights of the tour, which we thought was such a lovely and thoughtful gesture. We were travelling with our 70-year-old mother, and Akiko went out of her way to ensure the tour was comfortable and well-paced for everyone. She was incredibly patient, calm, kind and attentive throughout, always making sure we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves. What really stood out was how genuinely invested she was in making sure we had a great experience. You could tell she had put a lot of thought and care into every detail. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide to show us Kyoto. Thank you, Akiko, for making our time there so special. We would highly recommend her to anyone visiting Kyoto!
I booked three tours with JGA for my trip to Kyoto, the first one was with Keiji, a very friendly and knowledgeable guide. Early in the morning we visited the Fushimi Inari shrine and its thousand tori-gates before briefly relaxing with a coffee in a nearby café. Afterwards we went to the Tojo-Temple featuring beautiful wooden statues (Unfortunately no pictures allowed) a wonderful garden and an impressive Pagoda. A brief bus-ride later we arrived at the Nijo-Castle which currently featured a special exhibition. The castle itself featured beautifully crafted gates, another gorgeous garden and wonderful tapestry in both buildings, depicting scenes with cranes, tiger, pines and other drawings. (Again, no pictures allowed) A little highlight was the gorgeous little waterfall and garden at a small café inside the castle which served a lovely little tea-set. (also feeding the carp with the provided feed was a fun change of pace – bring 100 yen coins though) Freshly hydrated we went onto a little foot march towards the nearby palace gardens where Keiji found a nice restaurant for lunch. Outside the soft scent of blooming osmanthus , inside scents of tasty dishes. (I can absolutely recommend the unagi) Afterwards we visited the nearby imperial palace and even though the 8 hours went away too fast Keiji still escorted me back to my hotel Keiji curated a wonderful, tailor-made tour and efficiently guided me through it, with his knowledge it was fun, interesting and a memorable experience, I can only recommend him as a guide.
Harumi was our guide during a brief visit to the area while on a cruise, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience! She was warm, kind, and incredibly informative. She tailored the tour to our interests and fitness level, making it a perfect fit for us. We especially enjoyed learning about the area’s history and sampling some of the delicious local cuisine. Harumi was the perfect guide, and we highly recommend her to anyone visiting the area!
Japan Guide Agency (JGA) was easy to work with and very responsive to my inquiries. They were also prompt in connecting me with our guide, Shu. It was our good fortune to get Shu as our guide. He is native to Kyoto and has a wealth of knowledge about all the places we visited. After a few email exchanges with Shu, we had an excellent custom 6 hour itinerary that perfectly matched our interests. The morning of our tour, Shu was already at our meeting point waiting for us (and we were 15 minutes early!). Additionally, he researched the menu for where he planned our lunch stop and confirmed my husband had options compatible with his dietary restrictions. Throughout our tour, Shu was very patient with my constant picture taking and kindly cautioned me when photos were prohibited. The shrines and temples we visited were either free or inexpensive. We visited Fushimi Inari Shrine first because it is always crowded and best to visit earlier in the day. Shu kept us on schedule, but we never felt rushed. The places we visited required some traveling by bus, subway and train. Shu helped us navigate the local transportation systems which helped us confidently explore on our own the following days. I highly recommend using JGA for booking a private guide and if you’re lucky enough to get Shu, you’ll have an exceptional authentic experience guided by his depth of expertise and sensitivity to your safety and comfort.
Japan Guide Agency (JGA) was easy to work with and very responsive to my inquiries. They were also prompt in connecting me with our guide, Shu. It was our good fortune to get Shu as our guide. He is native to Kyoto and has a wealth of knowledge about all the places we visited. After a few email exchanges with Shu, we had an excellent custom 6 hour itinerary that perfectly matched our interests. The morning of our tour, Shu was already at our meeting point waiting for us (and we were 15 minutes early!). Additionally, he researched the menu for where he planned our lunch stop and confirmed my husband had options compatible with his dietary restrictions. Throughout our tour, Shu was very patient with my constant picture taking and kindly cautioned me when photos were prohibited. The shrines and temples we visited were either free or inexpensive. We visited Fushimi Inari Shrine first because it is always crowded and best to visit earlier in the day. Shu kept us on schedule, but we never felt rushed. The places we visited required some traveling by bus, subway and train. Shu helped us navigate the local transportation systems which helped us confidently explore on our own the following days. I highly recommend using JGA for booking a private guide and if you’re lucky enough to get Shu, you’ll have an exceptional authentic experience guided by his depth of expertise and sensitivity to your safety and comfort.
Just had a fabulous private tour with Yuka in Kyoto. She guided us around the city with ease, highlighting so many interesting aspects to the sights we saw including Arashiyama, Gion, the Golden Temple and Fushimi Inari shrine. Excellent day in Kyoto.
We had a very informative and enjoyable day visiting Kyoto sights and famous landmarks with our experienced guide Akira. He did an excellent job of showing us around, fitting many stops into our schedule and giving us much context and background on what we were seeing. We learned a lot, thank you Akira!
We had a wonderful day with Kaeko Tanigawa in Kyoto. She showed us how to get around on trams and trains and took us to the three places we most wanted to see. She was very patient with us and answered all our questions thoroughly. She opened up our eyes to Kyoto history and traditions
Kuni was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable and also showed us the practical ways of traveling in Japan. He introduced us to Japan’s history, traditions and religion and was very engaged and friendly. We highly recommend Kuni as a guide.
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