Gion is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, known for its traditional wooden machiya houses, teahouses, and preserved historic streets. It’s a place where visitors can experience the charm of old Kyoto and sometimes catch a glimpse of a geisha or maiko on their way to an evening engagement.
Hanami-koji is a famous street in Kyoto's Gion district where you may have the chance to encounter geisha and maiko. Known for its traditional teahouses, historic ambiance, and wooden machiya houses, it offers a glimpse into Kyoto's elegant past and geisha culture.
Yasui Konpira Shrine in Kyoto is known as one of Japan's most powerful shrines for severing bad relationships. Visitors come to the shrine to pray for the end of negative ties and to find new, positive connections.
Yasaka Pagoda(Hokanji temple) is one of the oldest wooden structures in Japan. Its overwhelming scale makes it hard to believe that it was built without using nails. It is undoubtedly a symbol of Kyoto.
Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka are charming stone-paved streets lined with souvenir shops and restaurants nestled in historic wooden buildings. Strolling through them feels like stepping back in time.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is the most popular place for tourists and a must visit when in Kyoto. Located on top of a mountain, it commands a panoramic view of Kyoto City. Because of its history and scenery, it is one of the few temples recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Yasaka Koshindo is a mysterious temple of unknown date of construction. The colorful decorations here are astonishing, as many temples are of subdued colors. The beauty of the colors makes it a popular photo spot for young people.
Our final destination is Yasaka Shrine, the headquarters of 2,300 related shrines throughout Japan. This historic shrine, dedicated to the gods of prosperity and protection, has been a vital part of Kyoto's cultural heritage for centuries.
Yui is the best tour guide I’ve had in any of the countries I’ve been to. She took amazing photos, was so friendly, and super knowledgeable. I cannot recommend this tour enough. I’d book another tour with her any time!
We highly recommend our experience in Kyoto on this tour. Our guide Ikki was very knowledgeable, spoke good English and was very patient with two older people. The tour was very enjoyable
Our guide was very knowledgeable, spoke very good English and was patient with us as we are older. We would highly recommend Ikki Kataoka.
We did the 7am morning tour before the crowds. Our guide Ikki was not only a guide but also our professional photographer for the morning. He explained everything in detail and his knowledge was amazing. The photos he took turned out amazing
Ikki was a brilliant tour guide today,very very informative & interactive tour. Lovly sites & views great coffee at %.. everything advertised on tour guide was above and beyond what I was expecting. Totally amazing
Ikki was very pleasant and extremely knowledgeable explaining every detail. We were taken to all the places that were advertised on the tour
The tour was above my expectation. We had to wake up early to get to see, on a relaxed way, all the good spots on Kyoto. But it was definitly worth it. Ikki-san was a wonderful and joyful tour guide. We had a great time visiting the main spots of Kyoto.
Had an amazing time on the Kyoto Gion & Higashiyama Morning Tour with Ikki. We went early in the morning before the crowds showed up, the photos turned out amazing. Ikki was patient, explained everything in detail and was very knowledgeable. He also took incredible photos and videos, helped me collect lots of Goshuin stamps, and even found my jacket after I had misplaced it. Great guide and a fantastic experience. 10 out of 10, would highly recommend to anyone!
Had an amazing time on the Kyoto Gion & Higashiyama Morning Tour with Ikki. We went early in the morning before the crowds showed up, the photos turned out amazing. Ikki was patient, explained everything in detail and was very knowledgeable. He also took incredible photos and videos, helped me collect lots of Goshuin stamps, and even found my jacket after I had misplaced it. Great guide and a fantastic experience. 10 out of 10, would highly recommend to anyone!
When Ikki guided us on another tour, he mentioned how amazing this Nishiki Market tour was, so we decided to give it a try, and it exceeded our expectations! At Nishiki Market, we finally found the beautiful Japanese knife we had been longing for. Thanks to Ikki's thoughtful advice to bring enough cash, as the shop only accepted cash, the purchase was seamless. Now, we can’t wait to go home and start cooking with it! Ikki’s expert guidance and recommendations made this tour an unforgettable experience.
Our guide Ikki was fantastic on the early motning tour, so we decided to join this afternoon tour as well. It turns out be a great decision! if you love eating local fresh foods, this tour is MUST!
We had such a great experience with our guide, Ikki, on the morning tour that we decided to book the afternoon Nishiki Market tour too. He was incredibly friendly and shared so much about Japanese food and the history of the market. If you’re up for some walking, I highly recommend doing both tours back-to-back, it’s totally worth it!!!
After an incredible morning tour of Kyoto with Ikki, we decided to his Nishiki Market tour as well! and WOW, what a great decision! Once again Ikki's knowledge and enthusiasm made exploring the market so much more enjoyable. Nishiki is packed with unique flavors and local delights, and having someone to explain the history behind the stalls and suggest must-try foods made all the difference. I tried everything from fresh sashimi to sweet mochi, and it was ALL AMAZING!
Nishiki Market is a foodie’s paradise! The energy here is incredible, with colorful stalls, delicious smells, and so much to explore. I tried so many amazing local foods—grilled seafood, fresh mochi, and even matcha ice cream. The guide IKKI was super friendly and happy to share their recommendations. It’s the perfect spot to soak up Kyoto’s food culture and try things you’ve never had before. Don’t leave Kyoto without visiting this market!
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
Reach us by phone
Reach us by email