Carefree Private Exploration of Fushimi Inari, Gion, Kiyomizudera, and More
Description
Dive into and swoon about one of Kyoto's most historically rich areas, Higashiyama ("Eastern Mountain") with your very own private, English speaking guide with vast knowledge of Kyoto and Japanese culture. Start from the southernmost mountain in the city, where the justifiably famous Fushimi Inari Shrine lies in wait with its thousands upon thousands of bright red torii gates leading you up the mountain into higher and still holier places. Mission accomplished, a short train ride (included) deposits us perfectly for an exploration of the Gion, a traditional entertainment district, where geisha still hold court and high regard. Work your way through various temples and shrines on the east side while learning what makes this area so special. All admission fees and transit are included so there's no need to fret about hidden fees. Since this is a private tour, feel free to contact us about any changes you'd like to make to the itinerary. We're very flexible.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Start your journey at the southernmost tip of the Higashiyama mountain range with the unrivaled magnificence of Fushimi Inari Shrine. Here, transport yourself to another world underneath the thousands of mystical, vermilion torii gates, as your guide explains the meaning behind the architecture and symbolism. Founded in 711 AD, this shrine has lots of stories to tell.
A quick train ride takes us to the granddaddy of Kyoto entertainment districts, the Gion, where Geisha still reside and entertain to this day. Pass by the awe-inspiring Kabuki theater, then stroll the tea house string of pearls known as Hanami Koji Street. The beautifully preserved medieval architecture in this area transports you straight back the Edo period (1603-1868).
Pay a visit to Kyoto's most notorious love shrine where people don't just wish for their soul mate, but also revenge. See if you can crawl through the power stone said to help strengthen bonds with those you love, and cut out the toxic ties in your life.
Behold the breathtaking Yasaka Pagoda that towers over the Eastern Mountain district. Its authoritative stance has been part of the district's fabric since 1440 AD. We'll stop by this architectural wonder on our way up to Sannenzaka street.
Blissfully less crowded then some other must-see spots in Kyoto, Kodaiji temple allows you to bask in the serenity of its gardens and just generally breathe it all in. The temple complex hosts the mausoleum and remains of two heroes from the end of the Warring States period in the late 16th century, the 2nd great unifier Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and his wife, Nene. There was a time when the temple was enrobed in luxuriant lacquer, with crushed precious metal inlay achieved through a technique called “Maki-e”. Despite many fires, there is still one original structure with the fading lacquer and murals as well as the immaculately preserved mausoleum itself, where you can see the spectacular, enduring craftsmanship up close and first hand. For an additional 500 yen, you can also enjoy some fresh whisked matcha tea with a small sweet as you gaze at the serene gardens.
Two beautifully preserved pilgrimage streets that lead to the famous Kiyomizudera (pure water) Temple. Lined with bustling shops and townhouses in the medieval style, with lovely, unobstructed, lines of sight.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(6)
Booked a private car with Pinpoint for a guided tour of Kyoto. Our guide picked us up from our hotel and we toured Gion, Kiyomizu-Dera, Fushimi Inari, and a couple of other sites. After spending the morning and part of the afternoon, we were dropped off back at our hotel. Very convenient, and this allowed us to avoid wasting time on public transit (some sites are inconvenient to reach using subways and busses) and see more in the time we had. If we had tried to do this ourselves with subways, busses, and walking it probably would have taken the better part of two days to see this all. Not to mention, we would have missed quite a bit of what we saw simply because of unfamiliarity with the area. Our guide was very knowledgeable of the area and did a great job.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re glad to hear that the private car tour allowed you to make the most of your time in Kyoto and visit several key sites comfortably in one day. Traveling by vehicle can be especially helpful in covering areas that are less convenient by public transport, and we’re pleased this made your day more efficient and relaxed. It’s also nice to know your guide’s knowledge helped bring more context to the places you visited.
Walking tour around Gion and Fushimi Inari. A lot of walking was involved and we had someone who used a cane. It was extremely hot and it would have been nice to have more water breaks.
Thank you very much for joining our four-hour walking tour in Kyoto. It’s true that there is quite a bit of walking involved, and although we wish it weren’t so, summers in Japan can feel steamier than a hot pot. Still, we’re truly grateful you chose to explore Kyoto with Pinpoint Traveler, and we hope the sights and experiences will remain a memorable part of your visit!
Oisin greeted us at the station and we were Introduced to shrines and temples of Kyoto. Up and down the hills we walked and enjoyed seeing so many sites. What a great way to spend the day.
Thank you so much for your review. It sounds like you had a full day exploring Kyoto’s beautiful shrines, temples, and hillside paths. We’re glad you enjoyed the journey. We hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future!
Our guide (and his trainee) were very knowledgeable about all aspects of Japan. We had a great time and learned a lot. Ferdinand took us to some less busy spots of the shrines where we could enjoy the peaceful surroundings and soak in the experience. We had a great time! It is a pretty fast pace and gave us a great introduction to the area so we could go back and visit places we wanted to spend more time.
Hi Julie. Thank you for the kind review. Our guests' happiness is our greatest reward. We love Japan, and love finding ways for others to share that love!
Duygo provided us excellent explanations of all the sites we visited. Very friendly and super knowledgeable! Lots of walking and a few steeper hills made the trip challenging for some older folks in our group but guide was very accommodating.
Kyoto is a very walk-centric city, especially the area the night tour happens in. We're glad you were still able to power through and really enjoy the history and food the tour provides. Please join again anytime!
