Kyoto has many temples, shrines, artefacts, unique cultures, traditional architecture and beautiful gardens because it was the ancient capital of Japan. Kyoto city has two different areas called Kitayama area and Higashiyama area which were divided according to its period and culture. Today we will visit Kitayama area, which flourished in the 14th century. This tour will show you three temples which are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a tea ceremony experience.
At your hotel or Kyoto station
You can choose the meeting place. (EX a station or a building)
Ninnaji Temple was built by an emperor called Uda in 888. This temple is famous because the chief monk was also emperor. Although it was a high-ranking temple, it experienced a lot of fires because of battles in Kyoto. We can see the five-storey pagoda and the main gate which were built 400 years ago. The beautiful cherry trees in the temple are famous for their late blooming. They attract many visitors in the middle of April every year.
We can enjoy old architecture, Imperial structures and beautiful gardens that emperors in ancient times lived in or used, and the magnificent scenery behind.
Ryoannji Temple is famous for its beautiful rock garden, which is a Zen-style garden.
Originally, one of the top-ranking warlords under the Ashikaga Shogunate built this temple and invited a monk for Zen training. The simple and remarkable rock garden is completely different from the gorgeous gardens that court nobles constructed.
This simple garden gives us unlimited advice based on Zen teachings. We can also find the old stone wash basin. The four characters on it also gives us advice for our lives.
The temple also features a beautiful landscape garden.
We will enjoy sitting on the veranda quietly and then strolling around the beautiful garden.
A traditional Japanese restaurant is in the Ryoanji Temple Ground.
There are some local restaurants on the way to Kinkakuji Temple
Kinkakuji Temple, or an official name Rokuonji Temple is located in the west part of Kyoto city. The temple is so famous for a golden colored pagoda that it is called ‘The Golden Pavilion.’ Originally, one of the powerful Shoguns called Yoshimitsu Ashikaga built this temple in 1397, when his Shogunate flourished. The most remarkable structure is a beautiful golden pavilion because of its gorgeous gilding. The reflection of the pagoda on the pond called ‘Mirror Pond’ enhances its attraction.
The temple also features a beautiful landscape garden which has a unique pine tree shaped into a sailing boat which faces the paradise in the west (according to Buddhist teachings), the magnificent view of the mountain behind, the spring water from the mountain, a traditional tea house, and other attractions.
We will enjoy seeing the gorgeous pagoda and strolling around the beautiful garden in the temple ground
The tea room is located near Kinkakuji Temple.
Tea ceremony is one of traditional Japanese culture. It is not only about serving and drinking tea but also about learning good manners. It is regarded as an elegant art and practiced in order to develop refined manners and mental composure.
Today we can enjoy this special Japanese culture as well as drinking 'Maccha', which is green tea.
According to this tour schedule, I will make a reservation for the tea ceremony from 3:30 to 4:15.
You will be able to experience a tea ceremony and learn how to make your own green tea.
At your hotel `or Kyoto station
On this tour, we will enjoy visiting the Kitayama area which is located in the north of Kyoto city.
The area has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites which are Ninnaji Temple, Ryoanji Temple and Kinkakuji Temple.
Each of them has its own feature.
They are located at the foot of mountains so the beautiful mountain scenery is part of the scenery of those temples.
The Kitayama area flourished thanks to a Shogun, who was the founder of Kinkakuji Temple. It is called 'Kitayama culture' which is characterized by gorgeous, elegant and spectacular culture by being influenced by the Imperial Court.
The tour will show you the following;
・Ninnaji Temple
Enjoying seeing the old structures in the temple and one of the three biggest gates in Japan.
Learning the relationship between emperors and the temple
・Ryoanji Temple
Enjoying seeing the rock garden, the temple and walking around the temple ground which has seasonal flowers.
Learning the Zen Buddhism in Japan
・Kinkakuj Temple
Enjoying seeing the beautiful golden pavilion and strolling around the beautiful garden
Learning the history of the Kitayama Culture
・Tea ceremony Kyoto
Enjoy learning the tea ceremony and making green tea
Learning about the culture of tea ceremony
(If this place is fully booked or has a holiday on the day, I will find another tea ceremony place instead.)
This is a customized tour.
If you want to visit other places or have other experiences, please feel free to ask me anytime.
Also, if you want to change the meeting time or finishing time, please feel to ask me anytime.
I will tailor the tour for you.
Guide fee, hotel pick-up
transportation fee for you and your guide
Admission fee for you and your guide (Guides don't need admission fees for some temples.)
Lunch costs for you and your guide
• This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
• Several places we will visit do not accept credit cards, so please bring cash.
・The tea room is sometimes closed or fully booked. I will find another tea room or destination instead.
Atsuko-san has delivered an excellent Osaka overview tour for us. She has been very communicative through the trip even before confirmating the reservation asking about customizing, answering general questions about Japan, providing helpful hints about sights for helping us choose. On the day of the trip, she arrived at our hotel on time and took us around to the different spots by metro, rearranging schedule as needed, took us to a nice restaurant for lunch and overall very caring. Just FYI be prepared for a good amount of walking as part of the tour Would highly recommend Atsuko-san.
Hello Mr. Suresh N, Thank you for your kind review and comment for me. I am happy to hear you enjoyed the tour yesterday. I wondered you would enjoy walking in the heat on the tour. I also enjoyed showing you especially the temple. It was fun to share Buddhism with all of you. You must be in Kyoto now. Please enjoy the Kyoto tour today and your Nara tour tomorrow. Thank you for joining my tour. Best regards, Atsuko
Atsuko was a wonderful guide, she was so helpful with information leading up to the day. She was exactly where she had explained she would be on arrival and at the time she said. It was extremely hot in Osaka and Kyoto, Atsuko helped us around and altered the itinerary to suit our children and elderly family members who were struggling with the heat. Would highly recommend at Atsuko
Hello Ms. Natasha, Thank you for your wonderful revies and comment for me. I had a great time with your family yesterday. It was very hot and humid, so everyone was tired walking around Arashiyama. I think it was good to skip the shrine and change to the market. I enjoyed talking and playing with your three little cute girls. Thank you for joining my tour. Please say hello to everyone and enjoy Hiroshima today. Best regards, Atsuko
We were a family of 4 adults and 1 child. Atsuko was really accommodating and adjusted all the times considering a 4 year old. We saw what we planned and couldn't be happier.
Hello Ms. Elizabeth H, Thank you for your kind review and comment for me. I really enjoyed showing my home town to you. It was fun to talk with you and your family. Dahlia is very cute. I am happy I could join your family trip. Please let me know if you have any chance to visit Osaka again. Thank you for joining my tour. Best regards, Atsuko
Thanks to Atsuko we had a perfect day exploring Nara and Osaka with our two kids! She picked a great Sushi Restaurant for lunch and we learned so much about the Japanese history and Culture. 100% recommendations :)
Hello Ms. Anke, Thank you for your kind comment and review for me. It was great that we could visit both Nara and Osaka Castle today. I was worried if we could do this tour or not when I saw the pouring rain this morning. I really enjoyed talking with you and showing my favorite place, Nara. If you have another chance, please visit Nara again. Please say hello to everyone. Enjoy the Universal Studio tomorrow. Thank you. Best regards, Atsuko