This course has four choices. Please select one of the four courses shown below. Rick will guide you deep inside the Kyoto history, culture, tradition and nature in each course. Each course can be customized upon your request as far as possible. Every course has spectacular spots which will satisfy you with visiting Kyoto!
At your hotel in central kyoto
Theme: History, Garden, Nature
Please enjoy the history and beautiful garden in Nijo castle, Tenryuji temple, Golden pavilion and please breath the nature in Bamboo groove.
Theme: History, Garden, Tradition
Please enjoy the history and beautiful garden in Nijo castle, Kyoto Imperial Palace and Heian shrine and please feel the Kyoto tradition in Gion area.
Theme: Zen, Garden, Tradition
Please enjoy the Zen culture and the beautiful gardens at Silver Pavilion, Kenninji temple and please feel the Kyoto tradition in Gion area.
Theme: Japanese religions and Tradition
Please touch the Japanese Shintoism at Fushimi Inari shrine and Buddhism at Sanjusangendo temple and please feel the Kyoto tradition in Gion area.
At your hotel or anywhere requested
guide fee, hotel pick-up in central Kyoto area
transportation fee(apx. 1,500JPY by subway/bus/local train per person or apx.6,000JPY by taxi), entrance fee(apx. 1,000 to 2,300JPY per person), lunch(apx. 1,500 to 2,000JPY per person)
In case you want to book my tour for two or more consecutive days, please send me a message in advance.
West course and central course will not be operated on every Tuesday in January, July, August, December and between Dec.26 to Jan.3 because Ninomaru Palace of Nijo castle will be closed. In central course, Kyoto Imperial palace will be closed every Monday or the next day (when a Monday is holiday) and between Dec.28 and Jan.3. Also it might be closed on some specified days for some events. In this case, Kenninji temple, etc. will be replaced to Kyoto Imperial Palace.
This tour is not available on all days in August.
The transportation for this course is public transportation as bus, subway, local train. Taxi may be used depending on the situation.
The total walking distance of each course is about 5 to 6Km, so please confirm if you are ready for the walking.
The tour order for visiting each spots might be changed depending the location of your hotel or starting point / time.
On a very hot and humid day, Rick guided us through trains and trams, enabling us to visit multiple locations effortlessly. He took photos for us and was excited to discuss the significance of the historical sites we visited. Rick suggested an excellent restaurant with a beautiful view, and we had an unforgettable meal of Unagi Don. Later, he helped us plan the rest of our day with the oppressive heat in mind and walked us to our destination. I can honestly say visiting Kyoto with Rick was one of the highlights of our trip, and we couldn't have seen and learned so much without him.
Dear Karen and families, Thank you very much for the nice review! I'm so glad that you enjoyed the tour with using the public transportation. I believe you felt and touched the real Kyoto city and I hope it will be one of your nicest memories in Japan. Best regards, Rick
Rick gave us a very good and thorough tour of Kyoto. He helped us understand the history and traditions and showed us some of the best and unique aspects of Kyoto. Without him, it would be tough to see as much as we saw in half a day. On top of everything, Rick took us back to the Kyoto station and made sure that we found our locker. He took care of every detail of the tour!
Dear Leonid, Thank you very much for the nice review! I'm glad you enjoyed some unique and best aspects of Kyoto. I appreciate your coorperation to go through the tour on schedule and it was my pleasure to have helped you to find your locker at the end. I hope Kyoto will be one of your best memories in Japan. Best regards, Rick
Rick is a very gentle and pleasing guide. We asked Rick to adjust our plans due to our exhaustion and without fail, he reciprocated. He went out of his way to search for an items for my husband and I, and was such a kind spirit that we really enjoyed his style. He was exactly what we needed for a more calming experience. We were ‘templed out’ and he understood that immediately. He also really wanted us to enjoy his guiding and he was a ‘no problem’ kind of guide who was clear and very patient. Without question I would utilize Rick’s services again. He represents the spirit of Kyoto very well. Quiet gentility.
Dear Veronica, Thank you very much for the nice review! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed my tour. I tried my best to adjust your plans and I'm glad I was able to help you. I hope Kyoto will be one of your nice memories in Japan and you will come back this city sometime in future. Best regards, Rick
We spent a lovely afternoon with Rick in Kyoto. We took the golden tour and Rick guided us through the golden pavilion, Nijo Castle and Gion. Along the way he told us interesting facts and took us to places in Gion we wouldn’t have seen if we had been on our own. We learned a lot about Geikos and Maikos. Rick’s knowledge about Kyoto is excellent and his command of English is good. We would highly recommend Rick as guide.
Dear Esther, Thank you very much for the nice review! I'm so glad that both of you are interested in Kyoto very much and we had nice conversation during the tour. It was my pleasure replying your questions and guiding you to the best recommended places. I hope Kyoto will be your nice memory and you will come back to this city sometime in future. Best regards, Rick