• Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Discover the wonders of the Fushimi Inari Shrine, renowned for its iconic vermillion-red torii gates. Beyond the scenic views, this shrine offers rich stories that connect visitors to Japan’s history and culture. A knowledgeable guide will delve deeper into the shrine’s origins, dedicated to the god of grains, “Inari.” Statues of foxes, or “Kitsune,” serve as messengers to Inari, known for their cleverness and guidance in the business world. After this tour, you might find yourself wanting these foxes on your side.
• Nijo Castle - Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was constructed in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1867).
• Gion - Navigating the narrow alleyways of Kyoto’s Geisha District, Gion, can be challenging for newcomers. A guided tour eliminates the risk of getting lost and reveals hidden gems cherished by locals, while sharing insights into Kyoto’s ancient past. Highlights include learning about Geisha culture and rituals, and visiting Gion, Pontocho, and Miyagawacho.
• Nishiki Market Shopping District - Nishiki Market (錦市場, Nishiki Ichiba) is a bustling, five-block-long shopping street with over a hundred shops and restaurants. Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” this vibrant market specializes in food-related items, including fresh seafood, produce, knives, and cookware. It’s an excellent place to discover seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, such as Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood, and sushi.

Nishiki Market offers a lively yet welcoming atmosphere for those eager to explore Kyoto’s culinary delights. The market features a range of store sizes, from small stalls to larger two-story shops, each specializing in a specific type of food, with most products locally sourced.

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple - Explore one of Kyoto’s most beloved temples, Kiyomizu-dera Temple. A guided tour of the temple grounds provides insights into Japan’s history and culture while exploring the magnificent architecture. Enjoy commentary from an English-speaking guide who ensures no important features are missed.
• Kyoto Imperial Palace - The Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所, Kyōto Gosho) was the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. It is situated in the expansive Kyoto Imperial Park (京都御苑, Kyōto Gyoen), a beautiful park in the city center that also includes the Sento Imperial Palace and other attractions.
• Pontocho - Pontocho (先斗町, Pontochō) is one of Kyoto’s most atmospheric dining areas. This narrow alley, running from Shijo-dori to Sanjo-dori, is lined with restaurants offering a wide range of dining options, from affordable yakitori to traditional and modern Kyoto cuisine, foreign cuisine, and exclusive establishments.

Business hours and closing days vary by establishment, but most places are open from around 17:00 to 23:00, with some also open for lunch. An increasing number of establishments offer English menus.

• Higashiyama Ward - The Higashiyama District (東山) along Kyoto’s eastern mountains is one of the city’s best-preserved historic areas. It offers a glimpse into traditional old Kyoto, especially between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine, where narrow lanes, wooden buildings, and traditional merchant shops evoke the old capital city. Recent renovations have enhanced the district’s traditional charm.
• Ginkakuji Temple - Ginkakuji (銀閣寺, Silver Pavilion) is a Zen temple in Kyoto’s eastern mountains (Higashiyama). In 1482, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa built his retirement villa on the grounds of today’s temple, inspired by Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), his grandfather’s villa. After Yoshimasa’s death in 1490, the villa was converted into a Zen temple.

Ginkakuji became a center of contemporary culture, known as the Higashiyama Culture, which had a broad impact on the entire country. The arts developed during this time include the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, noh theater, poetry, garden design, and architecture.

• Nanzenji Suirokaku - Nanzenji Temple (南禅寺), located at the base of Kyoto’s forested Higashiyama mountains, is one of Japan’s most important Zen temples. It is the head temple of a school within the Rinzai sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism and includes multiple sub-temples, making the complex even larger.

Nanzenji’s history dates back to the mid-13th century when Emperor Kameyama built his retirement villa at the temple’s current location, later converting it into a Zen temple. After its founding, Nanzenji grew steadily, but its buildings were destroyed during the late Muromachi Period (1333-1573) civil wars. The oldest current buildings were constructed after that period.

• Tofuku-ji Temple - Tofukuji (東福寺, Tōfukuji) is a large Zen temple in southeastern Kyoto, renowned for its stunning autumn colors. Founded in 1236 by the powerful Fujiwara clan, its name combines the names of two great Nara temples associated with the Fujiwara, Todaiji Temple and Kofukuji Temple. Tofukuji has historically been a principal Zen temple in Kyoto and is a head temple of a Rinzai sect school.

In autumn, visitors from across Japan come to see Tofukuji’s vibrant colors. The most popular view is from the Tsutenkyo Bridge, which spans a valley of lush maple trees. The view from the bridge is equally spectacular, and the 100-meter-long covered walkway becomes crowded when the colors peak, usually around mid to late November.

• Toji - Toji Temple (東寺, Tōji), meaning “East Temple,” was founded at the start of the Heian Period after the capital moved to Kyoto in the late 700s. The large temple, along with its now-defunct sister temple Saiji (“West Temple”), flanked the city’s south entrance and served as guardian temples. Toji Temple is one of Kyoto’s UNESCO World Heritage sites.

About thirty years after its establishment, Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism, became Toji’s head priest, making it a significant Shingon temple alongside the sect’s headquarters on Mount Koya. Kobo Daishi also added many large wooden buildings that stand today.

• Kinkakuji Temple - Kinkakuji (金閣寺, Golden Pavilion) is a Zen temple in northern Kyoto, with its top two floors covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and per his will, it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. Kinkakuji inspired the similarly named Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), built by Yoshimitsu’s grandson, Ashikaga Yoshimasa.

Kinkakuji is an impressive structure overlooking a large pond and is the only remaining building of Yoshimitsu’s former retirement complex. It has burned down multiple times, including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that devastated Kyoto, and once in 1950 when a fanatic monk set it on fire. The current structure was rebuilt in 1955.

• Ninna-ji Temple - Ninnaji (仁和寺) is one of Kyoto’s many great temples listed as World Heritage Sites. It is the head temple of the Omuro School of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, founded in 888 by the reigning emperor. For centuries, a member of the Imperial Family served as Ninnaji’s head priest, and the temple was also known as Omuro Imperial Palace.

Due to wars and fires throughout Kyoto’s history, none of the original 9th-century buildings survive. The oldest buildings date back to the early 1600s Edo Period, including the main hall (Kondo), the Kannon Hall, the Niomon front gate, the Chumon inner gate, and the five-storied pagoda.

• Shugakuin Imperial Villa - Shugakuin Imperial Villa (修学院離宮, Shugakuin Rikyū) was built in the 17th century by Emperor Gomizuno and is now managed by the Imperial Household Agency. It consists of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Villa areas, each featuring gardens and traditional imperial-style buildings.

Shugakuin’s name comes from a former temple on the same site in the tenth century. The Imperial Villa was constructed between 1655 and 1659, with a palace for Gomizuno’s daughter added ten years later. In 1964, the surrounding farmlands were acquired by the Imperial Household Agency and are leased to local farmers.

• Kibune River - Kibune (貴船) is a small town in a forested valley in Kyoto City’s northern mountains, developed around Kifune Shrine. Legend says a goddess traveled by boat from Osaka up the river into the mountains north of Kyoto, and Kifune Shrine was built where her journey ended.

Kifune Shrine is dedicated to the god of water and rain, believed to protect those at sea. Visitors can obtain unique fortunes written on paper slips (omikuji) that reveal messages when dipped in water. Okunomiya, the inner sanctum and original site of Kifune Shrine, lies about a kilometer further up the valley, featuring a large rock known as the boat stone, where the goddess’ yellow boat is said to be buried.

• Ryoanji Temple - Ryoanji Temple (龍安寺, Ryōanji) is home to Japan’s most famous rock garden, attracting hundreds of visitors daily. Originally an aristocrat’s villa during the Heian Period, the site became a Zen temple in 1450 and belongs to the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, whose head temple is just a kilometer south.

The history of Ryoanji’s rock garden is uncertain, with unknown construction dates and speculated designers. The garden features a rectangular plot of pebbles surrounded by low earthen walls, with 15 rocks arranged in small groups on moss patches. An intriguing design feature is that from any vantage point, at least one rock is always hidden from view.

• Arashiyama - Arashiyama (嵐山) is a charming, tourist-friendly district in Kyoto’s western outskirts. The area has been a popular destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles enjoyed its natural beauty. Arashiyama is especially popular during cherry blossom and fall color seasons.

The Togetsukyo Bridge is Arashiyama’s central landmark. Nearby, visitors can find small shops, restaurants, and attractions, including Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama’s famous bamboo groves, and pleasure boats available for rent on the river.

• Katsura Imperial Villa - Katsura Imperial Villa (桂離宮, Katsura Rikyū) is a prime example of Japanese architecture and garden design. Completed in 1645 as the residence for the Katsura Family, members of Japan’s Imperial Family, the villa and garden are a must-see.

Visiting Katsura Imperial Villa requires joining a tour, which follows the garden’s circular walking trail around the central pond. Palace buildings can only be viewed from the outside, and photography is allowed only from designated spots. English tours are available.

• Daikaku-ji Temple - Daikakuji (大覚寺) is a large temple in Kyoto’s northern Sagano district. Originally built in the early 800s as Emperor Saga’s detached palace, it became a temple thirty years after his death and has since been a high-ranking Shingon Buddhism temple.

Daikakuji played a role in significant historical events, including hosting peace talks in the 12th century that reunited the Northern and Southern Imperial Courts after 50 years of civil war. The temple is featured in the Tale of Genji, the first novel in Japanese literature, and is often used for filming historical dramas.

• Tenryuji Temple - Tenryuji (天龍寺, Tenryūji) is the most important temple in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district. Ranked first among the city’s five great Zen temples, it is now a world heritage site. Tenryuji is the head temple of its own school within the Rinzai Zen sect of Japanese Buddhism.

Built in 1339 by shogun Ashikaga Takauji, Tenryuji was dedicated to Emperor Go-Daigo, who had recently passed away. The two historic figures were once allies until Takauji turned against the emperor in a power struggle. By building the temple, Takauji aimed to appease the former emperor’s spirit.

• Yoshimine-dera - Yoshiminedera (吉峰寺) is a Tendai sect temple located in Kyoto’s western mountains. Like Kiyomizudera on the opposite side of town, Yoshiminedera is built along the mountainside, offering views of Kyoto. The temple grounds are spacious, with many buildings scattered up the mountainside.

A priest from Enryakuji, named Gesan, established Yoshiminedera as a personal retreat in 1029. The temple was destroyed in the Onin War in 1467 but was rebuilt in 1621. The main objects of worship are a Kannon statue carved by Gesan and a Kannon statue given by Emperor Gosuzaku in 1042.

• Togetsukyo Bridge - The Togetsukyo Bridge (“Moon Crossing Bridge”) is Arashiyama’s iconic landmark. Originally built during the Heian Period (794-1185) and reconstructed in the 1930s, the bridge is particularly attractive with the forested mountainside backdrop. A riverside park with cherry trees is located nearby.
• Bamboo Forest Street - The walking paths through the bamboo groves offer a pleasant walk or bicycle ride. The groves are especially beautiful when a light wind causes the tall bamboo stalks to sway gently. For centuries, bamboo has been used to create various products, such as baskets, cups, boxes, and mats at local workshops.
• Okochi Sanso Garden - This former villa of popular actor Okochi Denjiro (1896-1962) is located in Arashiyama’s bamboo groves. Okochi Sanso features several gardens and buildings, including living quarters, tea houses, and gates. Buildings can only be viewed from the outside, and admission includes matcha green tea with a snack.
• Jojakkoji Temple - Founded in 1596, this mountainside temple offers a serene atmosphere with small, charming buildings and gates. Maple trees and moss line the paths and stairs across the temple grounds. Visitors can enjoy views over Kyoto from several spots.
• Nisonin - Similar to Jojakkoji, Nisonin Temple is a hillside temple with larger, more imposing buildings. The understated atmosphere is enhanced by overhanging trees along the approach. Founded in the mid-9th century, Nisonin is a Tendai sect temple with views over the city from the upper grounds.
• Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple - Located at the end of the Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street, Adashino Nenbutsuji was founded in the early 9th century by monk Kobo Daishi, who placed stone statues for the souls of the dead. Today, the temple grounds are covered by hundreds of stone statues. A short path leads through a bamboo forest at the back of the temple.
• Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple - A ten-minute walk north of Adashino Nenbutsuji, Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple is famous for its 1200 stone statues of rakan, devoted followers of Buddhism, each with a unique expression. Created in the 1980s and early 1990s, the statues stand across the temple grounds on a forested mountain slope.
• Arashiyu Japanese Foot Spa & Foot Massage - Enjoy a 15-minute foot bath with your choice of flower, green tea, matcha, or salt, accompanied by a drink and Japanese sweets, followed by a 35-minute foot massage.

• Meet up with guide in Kyoto on foot
• Foot spa & foot massage
• Licensed Local English Speaking Guide
• Customizable Tour of your choice of 2-3 sites from ‘What to expect’ list

• Lunch
• Private transportation
• You cannot combine groups

This 6-hour walking tour features a 5-hour guided exploration and a 1-hour foot spa and massage session at Arashi-yu, located near Fushimi Inari. Before enjoying the spa, participants will embark on a walking tour led by our licensed guide. At the conclusion of the tour, the guide will escort guests to the foot spa near the Fushimi Inari temple. Guests can unwind with a hot water foot spa, followed by a relaxing foot massage from a skilled therapist, leaving them rejuvenated after a day of sightseeing.

Participants will delight in a 15-minute foot bath, choosing from options such as flower, green tea, matcha, or salt-infused water, accompanied by a drink and Japanese sweets, followed by a 35-minute foot massage.

After making a reservation, guests are encouraged to inform the guide of any specific sites they wish to visit. Each site visit, including travel time, typically takes about 2 hours.

Note: Pregnant women are advised to avoid the foot acupressure massage. An alternative will be provided for those who are pregnant.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.