• Arashiyama - TOGETSUKYO BRIDGE Arashiyama’s most iconic landmark is the Togetsukyo Bridge, also known as the “Moon Crossing Bridge.” It was last reconstructed in the 1930s, having originally been built during the Heian Period (794-1185). The bridge is particularly stunning against the backdrop of the forested slope. Nearby, a riverbank park is adorned with numerous cherry trees. HAMMOOSE GROVES offer delightful walks and bike rides along paths that weave through the bamboo trees. When a gentle breeze sways the tall bamboo stalks, the scenery becomes exceptionally picturesque. For generations, bamboo has been used in local workshops to craft various items, such as mats, cups, boxes, and baskets.

• Kinkakuji Temple - The Zen temple Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), situated in northern Kyoto, has its upper two floors entirely covered in gold leaf. Originally named Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. After his passing in 1408, the shogun bequeathed it as a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect. A few decades later, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, Yoshimitsu’s grandson, constructed Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) on the opposite side of the city after being inspired by Kinkakuji. Kinkakuji is the only remaining structure from Yoshimitsu’s former retirement complex, an exquisite temple overlooking a large pond.

• Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Fushimi Inari Shrine (Fushimi Inari Taisha) is a prominent Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is renowned for its thousands of red torii gates that form a network of trails behind the main buildings. These paths lead into the wooded area of the sacred Mount Inari, which is part of the shrine grounds and rises to 233 meters. Among the many shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, Fushimi Inari is the most important. Foxes, believed to be Inari’s messengers, are represented by numerous statues scattered throughout the shrine grounds. The history of Fushimi Inari Shrine predates Kyoto’s establishment as the capital in 794.

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple - Kiyomizudera, meaning “Pure Water Temple,” is one of Japan’s most famous temples. It derives its name from the pure waters of the Otowa Waterfall, located on the forested hillsides east of Kyoto, where it was founded in 780. Initially associated with the Hosso sect, one of the oldest schools of Japanese Buddhism, the temple established the Kita Hosso sect in 1965. In 1994, the temple was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kiyomizudera’s most remarkable feature is its wooden stage, which extends 13 meters over the hillside from the main hall. From this stage, visitors can enjoy a splendid view of the cherry and maple trees below, which transform into a vibrant sea of color.

• Ginkakuji Temple - Ginkakuji, the Silver Pavilion, is a Zen temple nestled in Kyoto’s eastern Higashiyama mountains. In 1482, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa constructed his retirement villa on the site of today’s temple, inspired by Kinkakuji, his grandfather’s retirement villa at the base of Kyoto’s northern Kitayama mountains. After Yoshimasa’s death in 1490, the villa was converted into a Zen temple. As the retirement villa of an art-loving shogun, Ginkakuji became a hub of new culture, known as the Higashiyama Culture, contrasting with the Kitayama Culture of his grandfather’s era. Unlike the Kitayama Culture, which remained confined to Kyoto’s aristocratic circles, the Higashiyama Culture had a broad impact across the nation. The arts developed and refined during this period include the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, noh theater, poetry, garden design, and architecture.

• Sanjusangendo Temple - Sanjusangendo, commonly known as Rengeo-in, is a temple in eastern Kyoto celebrated for its 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. The temple was founded in 1164 and rebuilt a century later after the original structure was destroyed by fire. Measuring 120 meters, the temple hall is Japan’s longest wooden structure. The name Sanjusangendo, meaning 33 intervals, refers to the number of intervals between the building’s support columns, a traditional method of measuring a building’s size.

• Gion Corner - Gion, Kyoto’s most famous geisha district, is located along Shijo Avenue between the Kamo River to the west and Yasaka Shrine to the east. The area is filled with shops, restaurants, and ochaya (teahouses) offering entertainment by geiko (Kyoto’s term for geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices). Gion’s significant collection of traditional wooden machiya merchant houses attracts tourists. These houses were built with narrow facades, only five to six meters wide, but extend up to twenty meters from the street, as property taxes were once based on street frontage. Hanami-koji Street, running from Shijo Avenue to Kenninji Temple, is Gion’s busiest area. The street and its side alleys are lined with charming, elegant, and upscale dining establishments.

• Nishiki Market Shopping District - Nishiki Market (Nishiki Ichiba) is a narrow, five-block-long shopping street lined with over one hundred shops and restaurants. Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” this vibrant market specializes in all things food-related, such as fresh seafood, produce, knives, and cookware, and is an excellent place to discover seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties, including Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood, and sushi. Nishiki Market has a lively yet welcoming atmosphere, inviting those eager to explore the diverse culinary delights for which Kyoto is renowned. The market’s stores range from small, narrow stalls to larger two-story shops, with most specializing in a specific type of food, and nearly everything sold is locally produced and sourced.

• On-board WiFi
• English speaking guide
• In-vehicle air conditioning

• Tea and coffee
• Any special Ride or Cruise not included in this package

Explore the captivating sights of Kyoto that pique your interest with this tailor-made sightseeing tour. Accompanied by a private driver-guide, you can either plan your own itinerary of preferred attractions or receive expert recommendations to craft your ideal day. Whether your focus is on temples, culture, shopping, or Japanese history, this tour ensures a complete experience for you.

• Gain insights into Kyoto’s history and culture from your knowledgeable guide
• Experience a thorough overview of Kyoto in just one day
• Enjoy complimentary extra time in case of traffic delays
• A private tour guarantees a personalized adventure

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