This tour will take you through classic Kyoto landmarks, including Nijo Castle and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The character of these sites is not flashy but rather exudes a serene impression.
This stems from the quintessentially Japanese spirit of finding beauty in simplicity and the solemn atmosphere that arises from their roles as centers for political decision-making and as residences for the Emperor.
The lobby of your hotel
Our guide will come to pick you up at your hotel.
Nijo Castle is a historic architectural marvel in Japan, renowned for its opulent gates, the central keep (known as the tenshukaku), and its beautiful gardens.
Inside, the building features lavish gold leaf decorations and rooms adorned with traditional Japanese paintings, offering a glimpse into the splendor of Japan's former royal dynasty.
Additionally, this castle holds significant historical importance as the site where power was transferred from the shogunate, a military regime, back to the Emperor.
The Kyoto Imperial Palace served as the residence of the emperor for about 1,000 years, symbolizing the history of the Japanese imperial family.
The central building, the Shishinden, is where the emperor ascends to the throne.
It is a raised-floor architecture using traditional timber, and the emperor's and empress's thrones are placed inside.
Furthermore, there are scattered gardens, expressing Japanese aesthetics through ponds, trees, garden stones, and lanterns.
In an elegant Japanese setting, you can enjoy a relaxing moment.
Their trained chefs offer Kyoto cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients.
In a sophisticated atmosphere filled with a dignified air, please delight in the seasonal charm of Kyoto dishes.
Cost: 5,000 ~ 6,000 JPY per person.
Seimei Shrine in Kyoto, a serene haven dedicated to the legendary onmyo-ji Abe no Seimei, offers a glimpse into Japan's mystical past.
Founded in 1007 by Emperor Ichijō, it stands on the site of Seimei's house, symbolizing a deep historical connection.
Seimei, an astrologer and diviner during the Heian Period, was revered for his mastery in astrology, numerology, and controlling demons.
The shrine's key feature, a pentagram symbolizing the balance of nature's five elements, was Seimei's talisman against evil.
Though less crowded than Kyoto's other famous sites, Seimei Shrine's allure lies in its blend of history, mystery, and tranquil ambiance, inviting visitors to explore the intriguing world of a famed onmyo-ji.
Kamigamo Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto, established in the 7th century, and enshrines Kamo Wakeikazuchi no Kami, known as a god of warding off evil and disaster with strong power. It has a National Treasure "Main Hall", as well as a Heiden and Haiden (buildings for preparing offerings and worshiping to the gods), which were constructed from the 10th to the 12th centuries. Additionally, the garden called Shin-en, with its natural forest and strolling-style garden, forms a beautiful landscape and has attracted the faith of nobles and warriors since ancient times.
At Kamigamo Shriine, we will arrange transportation to the hotel and then disband.
The Tanukidani Fudo Temple
This tour focuses on visiting classic tourist destinations in Japan.
We start with Nijo Castle, constructed in the 17th century by the Tokugawa clan, the most powerful family in Japan at the time. The Tokugawa family's influence lasted for 300 years, and they were responsible for establishing Edo (modern-day Tokyo). A symbolic event marking the end of their prosperity also took place at Nijo Castle. This was when the Tokugawa shogunate returned power to the Emperor of Japan, an event that is among the most significant in Japanese history. You will have the opportunity to see the very room where this historical event occurred.
Next, we'll visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace. This was the residence of Japan's Emperors from the 8th to the 19th century (though the location shifted slightly over the years). While Tokyo is now Japan's capital, Kyoto was the capital until the mid-19th century, and this is where the Emperors resided. Consequently, you can enjoy some of Kyoto's most magnificent buildings and expansive, beautiful gardens here.
After lunch, we'll visit Seimei Shrine, dedicated to Abe no Seimei, a famous onmyoji (a practitioner of Japanese esoteric cosmology) from the 10th century. Due to his legendary mystical powers, he frequently appears in anime, manga, films, and games (most recently in a 2023 anime on Netflix titled "Onmyoji"). Experience the mystical charm of this power spot at Seimei Shrine.
The final stop on our tour is Kamigamo Shrine. This is one of Kyoto's oldest shrines, believed to date back to the 7th century, even before Kyoto became the flourishing capital. Pay your respects at this historic shrine, a witness to Kyoto's prosperity, as we conclude our tour.
Guide fee, Hotel pick up within Kyoto
Transportation fare,(you and guide), lunch・dinner or dessert (you and guide), entrance fee(you and guide)
The hourly rate for the guide fee stands at 7,000JPY for a group of 3people.It’s essential to note that this fee solely covers the guide’s services. All other expenses, including meals, transportation, and entrance fees, are not included and will be billed separately.
For groups exceeding four customers, an additional fee will be incurred as the guide needs to attend to a larger number of people. Please be advised.
We will compose a tour for you.
If you have any concerns or particulars about your trip, please contact us!
At least 3days of notice required before a booking.
The hourly guide fee varies depending on the number of guests:
- One guide can handle up to 7 guests. For every additional 7 guests, an extra guide is added.
(E.g., 9 guests require 2 guides, 15 guests require 3 guides)
- The basic hourly rate per guide is ¥7,000/h.
(E.g., 2 guides would cost ¥14,000/h, and 3 guides would cost ¥21,000/h)
- If one guide handles more than 3 guests, an additional fee of ¥1,500/h per guest will be charged.
(E.g., for 4 guests, the rate is ¥8,500/h, for 7 guests it's ¥13,000/h. For 10 guests (i.e., 2 guides), the calculation is ¥7,000/h x 2 + ¥1,500/h x 4 = ¥20,000.)
- The fees indicated on the tour page are based on the basic hourly rate.
Therefore, if the number of guests is more than 3, the price will be adjusted according to the formula mentioned above.
Thank you for your understanding.
Koin helped create a great day for my son and I with the guide Momo. She was a huge help navigating us around to different temples and finding us some delicious ramen for lunch. Thank you Momo for a memorable day.
Dear Matt, Thank you for your kind feedback! I’m glad to hear you and your son had a wonderful day with Momo and enjoyed the temples and ramen. It’s great to know we could make your experience memorable. If you or anyone you know plans to visit Japan again, we’d be happy to help with another personalized tour! We look forward to the chance to assist again. Warm Regards, Koin
We asked her for a short tour our first day in Kyoto to get us acquainted with the city, and she really put together a good program with 3 temples, some stores, some street vendors, the old quarter, and a bar by the river. All that in 4 hours! She recommended a restaurant for after the tour, which turned out to be great. Her English is fantastic. Keiko is just a really smart and flexible person who can put together what you are looking for, I'm sure. She is actually from Indonesia but has lived in Japan for several years and is currently a student in Kyoto, so that was an interesting and different perspective we thought. Highly recommended. Kent and Luca
Dear Kent and Luca, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Keiko. It sounds like she did an excellent job of creating a comprehensive itinerary for your first day in Kyoto, showcasing the city's highlights while also providing insights into its culture and atmosphere. We're delighted that you appreciated Keiko's recommendations and found her to be both smart and flexible in tailoring the tour to your preferences. Her diverse background adds a unique perspective to the experience, and we're glad you found it interesting. We hope to welcome you back on your next visit to Japan, or perhaps your friends and family as they explore this beautiful country! Warm Regards, Koin
Our tour was with Chiharu and he was lovely. From the moment he met us at our accommodation he was tremendously friendly and kind. He took us to many of the highlights every tourist should see in Kyoto but also took us to some much less crowded and beautiful places that we had not thought about visiting. He took such good care of us recommending his favorite coffee shop close to where we are staying, making sure we had eaten or were planning to try all the important dishes of Japan and helping us get dinner reservations. He listened to what we enjoyed doing and explained so much about many of the sites we visited. Out of 5 I would give him 10. Booking was also very easy and Koin did a fantastic job communicating with me. If you are looking for a friendly, well educated, easy going local to help you find your way in Kyoto this is the tour for you.
Dear Caroline, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a brilliant time exploring Kyoto with Chiharu. It warms our hearts to know that he provided such a friendly and personalized experience for you, showcasing both the must-see highlights and hidden gems of Kyoto. We're delighted that Chiharu's recommendations, from coffee shops to local cuisine, added extra enjoyment to your trip. We hope to welcome you back on your next visit to Japan, or perhaps your friends and family as they explore this beautiful country! Warm Regards, Koin
We loved this tour. Chiharu was an excellent guide since he was local and knew the area well. We wanted to fo beyond the city and see the country side, normal life and the mountains. This tour was great for that as the train ran up the mountain through villages and also a magical Japanese Maple Forest. Our guide was patience with us as the hike was fairly steep at times. Food along the river was excellent and a wonderful experience. We were exhausted at the end of the day but totally recommend the company and the tour.
Dear Chip, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you loved your tour in the countryside. Chiharu is indeed an excellent guide, and we're proud to have him on our team. It's fantastic that you got to experience the beauty of the countryside, the normal life, and the mountains. The train journey through the villages and the Japanese Maple Forest sounds like a magical experience. And it's great to know that you enjoyed the excellent food along the river—it's always a delight to showcase the diverse culinary experiences Japan has to offer. Your recommendation means the world to us, and we truly appreciate your support. If you ever find yourself back in Japan or if any of your friends plan a visit, we'd be honored to host you again! Warm Regards, Koin