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Private tour in Kyoto Akiko M
Hidden Highlights of Kyoto
5.0
(11) reviews
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7 hours
1
Tour date
Start time
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7 hours
1
Akiko M.
5.0
Guide rating
53
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Tours delivered
14 hrs
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Explore Japan's spirituality in Nara with me! Hello everyone, my name is Akiko. I'm a nationally licensed tour guide in Nara focusing on the Yamato area. Here, you can still feel the presence of the ancient spirits in the air as you enjoy Japan's seasonal natural beauty. Nara is famous as the ancient capital of Japan. Here, there are many historical UNESCO World Heritage sites. When the ancient capital was later moved to Kyoto (794 A. D. ) many sacred sites in Nara remained important and have been worshiped for over 1300 years. As I have experienced my own spiritual growth, both in and beyond Japan, I came to realize the true value of the spiritual heritage of Yamato, which is rarely explained to visitors in English. As we say in Japanese, 「温故知新」 or "Onko chishin". This means- if we want to learn about the future, we should consult the past. I believe history has much to teach us. True heritage is the spiritual teaching and wisdom of those who came before us. These are not religious, but universal teachings. In this sense, Yamato has a lot to offer. It is my passion, mission and honor to share what I've discovered about the long and rich cultural and spiritual history of Yamato. I truly hope you'll have the most memorable and meaningful trip ever as I guide you in Japan! I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter since 2009. As we travel through the town we will utilize public transportation, taxis or walking. I am not a driver, but I can arrange for a taxi and a driver for you.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Akiko M.
Let's go off the beaten path on the east side Kyoto
Overview of your Kyoto tour
With over 1, 100 years of history, Kyoto is filled with cultural sites that attract millions of visitors every year. Most visitors only visit a handful of sites while there are here. As a result, if you only visit the "main attraction" you will spend your entire time in Kyoto surrounded by dense crowds. In this tour we will avoid the crowds and go to the some of the lesser known but very important cultural sites on the east side of Kyoto. As we enjoy traditional architecture, gardens, art, statuary, and good food your mind will be transported to a far away time where you can feel the deep energy of Kyoto.
Your Kyoto tour itinerary
● Meet at Higashiyama Station (Tozai Line). We will then take about a 10 minutes taxi ride to Eikando. ● Visit Eikando. Known for it's beautiful architecture, gardens, and art, this temple is usually very quiet and offers us a chance to get close to nature. ● Walk to Shirakawain. This traditional inn has a small but beautiful garden that we can walk through and enjoy peaceful moments away from the crowds. ● Walk to Heian Jingu. Heian Jingu is one of the most important shrines in all of Kyoto. Here we will explore Heian period architecture and gardens. ● Lunch ● We will then take a 15 minute taxi to Sanjusangendo and explore the 1, 0001 golden Buddha statues in this temple hall. ● Walk to the Kawai Kanjiro Memorial House. This former home of a well known artist is filled with wonderful art from the mid 1900's.
Want to customize this tour?
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Transport details
Type: Public Transportation / Category: Taxi
We will take a couple of short taxi rides during this tour, but mainly walking.
What's included
What's not included
Meeting location
Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Higashiyama Station (Kyoto city subway,Tozai Line) or in the guest's hotel lobby
- You can request a different meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout process.
Other details
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Languages
English
JapaneseActivity level
Traveller reviews for this private tour in Kyoto
11 reviews
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7 hours
1
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7 hours
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Book with a deposit
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- 30 days before your tour date, the remaining balance is automatically charged.