Private Kyoto Early Bird English Tour: Gion(Geisha) & Higashiyama
Description
Join us and experience Kyoto at its most peaceful, creating unforgettable memories before the city awakens! Guided by a knowledgeable local, you’ll journey through two of Kyoto’s most iconic areas: Gion, the historic district famed as the home of the geisha, and Higashiyama, where charming streets lead to the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site of Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Gion is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, known for its traditional wooden machiya houses, teahouses, and preserved historic streets. It’s a place where visitors can experience the charm of old Kyoto and sometimes catch a glimpse of a geisha or maiko on their way to an evening engagement.
Hanami-koji is a famous street in Kyoto's Gion district where you may have the chance to encounter geisha and maiko. Known for its traditional teahouses, historic ambiance, and wooden machiya houses, it offers a glimpse into Kyoto's elegant past and geisha culture.
Yasui Konpira Shrine in Kyoto is known as one of Japan's most powerful shrines for severing bad relationships. Visitors come to the shrine to pray for the end of negative ties and to find new, positive connections.
Yasaka Pagoda(Hokanji temple) is one of the oldest wooden structures in Japan. Its overwhelming scale makes it hard to believe that it was built without using nails. It is undoubtedly a symbol of Kyoto.
Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka are charming stone-paved streets lined with souvenir shops and restaurants nestled in historic wooden buildings. Strolling through them feels like stepping back in time.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is the most popular place for tourists and a must visit when in Kyoto. Located on top of a mountain, it commands a panoramic view of Kyoto City. Because of its history and scenery, it is one of the few temples recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Yasaka Koshindo is a mysterious temple of unknown date of construction. The colorful decorations here are astonishing, as many temples are of subdued colors. The beauty of the colors makes it a popular photo spot for young people.
Our final destination is Yasaka Shrine, the headquarters of 2,300 related shrines throughout Japan. This historic shrine, dedicated to the gods of prosperity and protection, has been a vital part of Kyoto's cultural heritage for centuries.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour is designed as a WALKING experience, plenty of time on foot to explore Kyoto.
- If you are late for the meeting time, you will not be able to join the tour or receive a refund.
Reviews(14)
Yui is the best tour guide I’ve had in any of the countries I’ve been to. She took amazing photos, was so friendly, and super knowledgeable. I cannot recommend this tour enough. I’d book another tour with her any time!
Thank you so much for your incredible review. We’re truly honored to hear that Yui was the best guide you’ve had across all your travels—that means so much to us. It’s wonderful to know that her friendliness, knowledge, and photography helped create such a memorable experience for you. Your kind recommendation and support are deeply appreciated, and we’re so happy to hear you would join another tour with her. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on your next visit to Japan. Warm regards, OTAKU hopper Team
We highly recommend our experience in Kyoto on this tour. Our guide Ikki was very knowledgeable, spoke good English and was very patient with two older people. The tour was very enjoyable
Thank you very much for your kind recommendation. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experience in Kyoto and that Ikki’s knowledge, clear English, and patient guiding style helped make the tour comfortable and enjoyable. Providing a relaxed and pleasant experience for all guests is something we value greatly. Thank you again for choosing our tour. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back in the future.
Our guide was very knowledgeable, spoke very good English and was patient with us as we are older. We would highly recommend Ikki Kataoka.
Thank you very much for your kind review. We’re pleased to hear that you felt comfortable and well cared for during the tour, and that Ikki’s knowledge, clear English, and patient guiding style made the experience enjoyable for you. Creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for guests of all ages is very important to us. Thank you for your recommendation. We truly appreciate it and hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again in the future.
We did the 7am morning tour before the crowds. Our guide Ikki was not only a guide but also our professional photographer for the morning. He explained everything in detail and his knowledge was amazing. The photos he took turned out amazing
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the 7am morning tour and that Ikki’s expertise and photography skills made it memorable for you. We look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure in the future!
Ikki was a brilliant tour guide today,very very informative & interactive tour. Lovly sites & views great coffee at %.. everything advertised on tour guide was above and beyond what I was expecting. Totally amazing
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you had a brilliant experience with Ikki as your tour guide. We strive to provide informative and interactive tours, and it’s great to know that we exceeded your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you back for another amazing adventure!
Ikki was very pleasant and extremely knowledgeable explaining every detail. We were taken to all the places that were advertised on the tour
Thank you for your feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that you had a pleasant experience with Ikki and that he was able to provide detailed explanations during your tour. We strive to ensure that all our guests visit the advertised locations, and it’s great to know that we met your expectations. We look forward to welcoming you on another tour in the future!
The tour was above my expectation. We had to wake up early to get to see, on a relaxed way, all the good spots on Kyoto. But it was definitly worth it. Ikki-san was a wonderful and joyful tour guide. We had a great time visiting the main spots of Kyoto.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that it exceeded your expectations. Starting early truly allows us to explore Kyoto in a relaxed way, especially around iconic spots like Gion and Kiyomizu-dera before the crowds arrive. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Ikki, who will be delighted to know you had such a great experience. We hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Kyoto!
Had an amazing time on the Kyoto Gion & Higashiyama Morning Tour with Ikki. We went early in the morning before the crowds showed up, the photos turned out amazing. Ikki was patient, explained everything in detail and was very knowledgeable. He also took incredible photos and videos, helped me collect lots of Goshuin stamps, and even found my jacket after I had misplaced it. Great guide and a fantastic experience. 10 out of 10, would highly recommend to anyone!
Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us. We are so pleased to hear that the Kyoto Gion & Higashiyama Morning Tour with Ikki was memorable for you. Visiting Kiyomizu-dera Temple and strolling through the quiet streets of Gion before the crowds arrive is always a highlight, and we’re glad you could enjoy it to the fullest. It’s wonderful to know that Ikki’s guidance, detailed explanations, and support—from Goshuin stamps to finding your jacket—helped make your time in Kyoto even more special. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again on your next visit to Japan!
Had an amazing time on the Kyoto Gion & Higashiyama Morning Tour with Ikki. We went early in the morning before the crowds showed up, the photos turned out amazing. Ikki was patient, explained everything in detail and was very knowledgeable. He also took incredible photos and videos, helped me collect lots of Goshuin stamps, and even found my jacket after I had misplaced it. Great guide and a fantastic experience. 10 out of 10, would highly recommend to anyone!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Kyoto Gion & Higashiyama Morning Tour with Ikki. Exploring Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the charming streets of Gion in the quiet morning hours truly offers a special experience, and we’re glad you could capture it with beautiful photos. We’re also happy to know Ikki could assist with Goshuin stamps, photos, and even reuniting you with your jacket. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back on another tour in Japan!
When Ikki guided us on another tour, he mentioned how amazing this Nishiki Market tour was, so we decided to give it a try, and it exceeded our expectations! At Nishiki Market, we finally found the beautiful Japanese knife we had been longing for. Thanks to Ikki's thoughtful advice to bring enough cash, as the shop only accepted cash, the purchase was seamless. Now, we can’t wait to go home and start cooking with it! Ikki’s expert guidance and recommendations made this tour an unforgettable experience.
Thank you for your wonderful review! I’m so glad you decided to join the Nishiki Market tour and that it exceeded your expectations. I’m thrilled you found the perfect Japanese knife and that my advice helped make the purchase seamless. Enjoy cooking with it, and I hope your memories of Kyoto stay with you for a long time!
