There are many flea markets held in Kyoto on only one day in every month. In this tour, first, we will visit Ginkakuji Temple, and then, another temple where the famous handmade flea market is held. If you are interested in handmade, you will surely have a lot of fun! Only held on the 15th day of every month.
At your hotel (lobby)(in Kyoto)
This temple is famous for the two storied pavillion and its nickname, 'Silver Pavillion' even though no silver is used.
You can enjoy a beautiful sand garden represents the Zen aestheticisim of Wabi-Sabi.
Every 15th day of each month, they hold the handmade market in the precinct of this temple. You will be amazed at the number of the shops and their quality, if you are interested in handmade. You may have the most enjoyable time and can buy the good souvenirs for your family and friends. The market is held on rainy days, too. (For your reference, I stayed there for two hours on a hot day. My friends who like handmade very much stayed there for four hours even on a hot day in summer!)
There are shops which sell old cloth, such as of kimono, in the downtown. You can buy some for your handmade.
Gion district (near Gion Shijyo Station), however, I will show you how to go back to your hotel.
At Ginkakuji Temple, you can see the two-story pavillion and enjoy a beautiful sand garden represents the Zen aestheticism of Wabi-Sabi.
(It's called 'Ginkakuji Temple' meaning silver temple, however, no silver is used for this temple.)
At Chionji Temple, the handmade flea market has been held since 1987, and now, the number of shops has been getting larger and larger.
You can enjoy seeing and shopping handmade goods.
* The market is held on rainy days, too.
Then, if you want, I will take you to two shops in the downtown which sell Japanese old cloth.(Japanese Indigo blue, old cloth used for kimono, and so on.) If you prefer shopping at the flea market, please tell me.
For your reference, I stayed there for two hours because it was such a hot day, and one of my friends who likes handmade very much, stayed there for four hours even in summer!
Guide fee, hotel pick up in Kyoto area
Transportation fee (you and your guide)
Entrance fee: Ginkakuji Temple, 500 Japanese yen/person
Lunch (you and your guide)
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.
This tour will be available on 15th day of each month. Please refer to the calendar.
* Please note that we will use public transportation.
* I recommend you start this tour at your at 8:30, because we want to visit Ginkakuji Temple before it gets crowded and then move to the flea market earlier.
* If you want to stay at the flea market shorter or longer, on that day, I can arrange the shedule.(flexible)
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