This tour is recommended for the first visitors to Kyoto. Kyoto had been the capital of Japan for 1000 years and has many old temples and shrines to visit. In this tour, you can visit two of the most famous and popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto and see the wonderful tradition, especially about Buddhist culture.
At your hotel (lobby) (in Kyoto)
You can see 1001 statues of Buddha in a hall. It's a 'Forest of Buddha'. You will be amazed at the scenery. It is said that you will find the Buddha which resembles you among these statues.
Please be noted that you have to take off your shoes to enter the building.
Please be noted that you cannot take any pictures in this hall. Please imprint the breathtaking view in your memory!
This temple was built on the 13-meter cliff without using any nails in the 8th century. (UNESCO World Cultural Herigate site)
You can enjoy the panoramic view of Kyoto city, shopping and eating on its approach way. (There are many souvenir shops around this temple and you can enjoy shopping. Kiyomizu Pottery is produced in this area and you will find good presents for your family and friends.) How about trying some pieces of 'Yatsuhashi' (specialty sweets of Kyoto area)? You can try some different kinds of 'Yatsuhashi'.
You can also visit waterfall which is famous because the water gives you, 'longevity, love, or study (wisdom)'
This temple is so beautiful with cherry blossoms in spring and colored maple leaves in fall. Please enjoy!!
This shrine is famous as the Shinto shrine for love and many young people like to visit this shrine.
(Jisyu Jinjya Shrine will start its renovation in August 2022 and be closed for public for 3 years.)
You can hold on to the string of Buddhist rosary beads in the dark hall and feel like to go back to your mother's womb.
(If you don't like, you can omit here.)
Exit of Kiyomizudera Temple (Nio Mon, a Deva gate) , however, I will give you some advice, where to have lunch around the temple, how to go back to your hotel, and so on.
You can visit two of the most famous and popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto and see the wonderful tradition, especially about Buddhism culture.
In Sanjyusangendo Temple, no one is allowed to take pictures in the hall, so please go there and imprint the breathtaking view in your memory.
Kiyomizudera Temple is registered as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and from its veranda, you can see the panoramic view of Kyoto city.
In the precinct of Kiyomizudera Temple, there is a famous shrine for love, Jisyu Jinjya Shrine, and many people come and pray for their love. (Jisyu Jinjya Shrine will start its renovation in August 2022 and will be closed for public for 3 years.)
Around Kiyomizudera Temple, there many souvenir shops and you can enjoy shopping there.
Guide fee, hotel pick up in Kyoto area
Transportation fee (you and your guide)
Entrance fee : Kiyomizudera Temple, 400 Japanese Yen/person
Sanjusangendo Temple, 600 Japanese Yen/person
(Zuigudo, 100 Japanese Yen/person)
If you book me early, I can exchange mails with you many times to know what you want to do in details, collect information and prepare a lot for your plan. Please don't hesitate to ask me anything in advance.
I can guide you in the morning almost every day.(from 8:30 or 9:00 AM till 13:00 or 13:30PM)
This year, in case of the full day tour, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, are available.
Kiyomizudera Temple is now being renovated and the main hall is covered.
In Sanjyusangendo Temple, you cannot take pictures. Also, you have to take off your shoes.
We booked 2 separate tours with Tomoe. One half day and a very special one day tour. We were very lucky to have Tomoe as our tour guide. She was very knowledgeable of all sites we visited and gave us a lot of interesting and helpful information. She even helped us buy tickets and showed us where and how to take the Shinkansen to Tokyo. She was very patient with us when we were taking time to take photos but kept us on schedule and organized in a timely manner. She is an impeccable tour guide. Tomoe made our tour of Kyoto an unforgettable experience. We had lots of fun and laughter with her. I would highly recommend Tomoe as your tour guide!!
Dear Jenny, Thank you very much for your warmhearted review. Yes! I had super wonderful 2 days with you, such a nice couple! We talked a lot and laughed a lot during 2 days. I was happy to see you were taking many pictures, too. I will wait for your next visiting Kyoto (especially to see the autumn foliage). Thank you very much for booking me as your guide and such a precious meeting! TOMOE
Tomoe was excellent! She was extremely knowledgeable and very patient with us. She even walked us to our platform when we had to take a train to our next destination. Highly recommend!
Dear Jackie, Thank you very much for your warmhearted review. I hope that you enjoyed visiting places such as Kiyomizudera Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine and Bamboo Forest on such a muggy day. I also hope that you will come back to Kyoto during other seasons except summer and I can see you again. TOMOE
We were looking for a guide for our first day in Kyoto and we found Tomoe's tour of the once-a-month hand-made market. We had no idea about the market, and it was a perfect match for us as we love hand-made things, and they make perfect souvenirs. Tomoe did an amazing job showing us around the market and the beautiful Ginkakuji temple. She helped my elderly mother who had mobility issues and was able to help her get a taxi when she needed to head back to the hotel. We would highly recommend her to anyone and if you're in Kyoto on the 15th of a month please have her show you the hand-made lovers market!
Dear Walter and family, Thank you very much for your wonderful review. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the hand-made market. (I was happy to help your mother to choose and buy her favorite things at the market!) Yes, you are lucky to have been in Kyoto on 15th of a month when the hand-made market held. I hope that all of your family made a good memory and brought your favorite things to your home. Thank you very much for booking my tour. TOMOE
We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Tomoe! We couldn't have visited all those places she took us to alone. Our tour included riding on trains, a bus, and a taxi. It was nice to see how locals travel, and a more rewarding experience than getting off and on a tour bus. Tomoe was knowledgeable about all the sites and was easy to talk to. It was like being on a tour with a family member. Tomoe was approachable and genuinely cared about us having a good time. I highly recommend booking a tour with Tomoe! We look forward to seeing her again on our next trip to Japan!
Dear Lisa, Thank you very much for your wonderful review. I'm very glad to hear that you enjoyed visiting places in Kyoto with me, and saying 'It was like being on a tour with a family member.' I had such a wonderful time with you, really nice family. I do hope that I can see you again! Thank you very much for booking me as your guide. TOMOE