Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
We will take you beyond the usual sightseeing spots and into the heart of Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district, where tradition still lives and breathes. You’ll explore four of the area’s most atmospheric locations — Yasaka Shrine, Kodaiji Temple’s Zen garden, Rokudo Chinno-ji Temple, and the famous Yasaka Pagoda (Hōkan-ji Temple) — each revealing a different side of Kyoto’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
Unlike large bus tours, this experience is led by a local English-speaking guide who shares stories, hidden paths, and insights you won’t find in guidebooks. You’ll stroll through narrow stone streets lined with wooden houses, hear legends about the afterlife at Rokudo Chinno-ji, and stand beneath the five-story Yasaka Pagoda for one of the city’s most iconic views.
This tour is perfect for travelers who want to see Kyoto like a local, learn the deeper meanings behind its traditions, and enjoy a calm yet unforgettable journey through Japan’s ancient capital.
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English-Speaking Guide
Tea Ceremony Experience
Yasaka Shrine
Discover Yasaka Shrine, a 1,300-year-old treasure at the heart of Kyoto’s Gion district — famous for its glowing lanterns, vermilion gates, and deep connection to Kyoto’s traditional culture.
Kodai-ji Temple
Kodaiji Temple, built in 1606, is one of Kyoto’s most elegant Zen temples. Its beautifully designed gardens feature raked gravel, tranquil ponds, and graceful maple and cherry trees that change color with the seasons. The temple is especially magical in the early morning, when the grounds are quiet and the reflection of the trees dances on the water.
2 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
jessicagB6586ZT,
Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
We had a wonderful tour with our tour guide Yoshino. She told us a lot about the temples and shrines and their importance in Japanese culture. We learned a lot of new things that we didn't know before. She responded to all our questions and answered them with love, even if it was questions about Japan in general. You can feel from the beginning that Yoshino wants to bring us tourists closer to Japanese culture with love, so that we can understand it better and experience our trip to Japan even better.
arturocE7719EN,
Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Taira Yoshino was a great tour guide. Very informative and will definitely recommend to anyone. Also, her English is very well spoken.
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