Suggested walking/taxi routes of the city grouped by general area of the city. We can either do one of the course in one general area of the city or you can pick and choose which places we go.
Arashiyama District 2-6 hrs
Romantic Train ride (1hr)
Hozu rapids boat ride (2.5hr)
Tenryuji and Bamboo grove (1.5hr)
Otagi Nenbutsu Ji and preserved historic district (1.5hr)
Western route 4-5 hrs (with break for lunch)
Kinkakuji, the golden pavilion
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Ryoanji Temple
Notes: less walking and stairs than other tours. Taxi is the most convenient way to see this route. Expect crowds at Kinkakuji.
Eastern route 4-5 hrs (with break for lunch)
Ginkakuji Temple, the silver pavilion
Path of Philosophy
Nanzenji Temple
Heian Shrine
Notes: lots of walking, beautiful gardens, less crowded, great by bike
Gion route 2-3 hrs
Yasaka Shrine
Hanamikoji Street
Shimbashi Street
Geisha quarters
Kennin-ji Temple
Notes: all on foot, near the city centre, beautiful streetscapes, chance to see geisha
Higashiyama route 2-3 hrs
Kiyomizu Temple
Sannenzaka
Ninenzaka
Yasaka Pagoda
Notes: lots of stairs, lots of shopping opportunities, beautiful small pedestrian streets
Other temples and shrines not on above routes
Fushimi Inari 1-3hrs
Choose to see just the highlights or a hike to the top. Most popular place in Japan. We should go before 9am or after 5pm, lots of stairs
Nijo Castle 1-2hrs
See the famous paintings, amazing gate and the famous nightingale “squeaky” floorboards
Sanjusangendo 1hr
An amazing place with 1001 buddhist statues of the “kannon” in the longest wooden building in the world.
Arashiyama District 2-6 hrs
Romantic Train ride (1hr)
Hozu rapids boat ride (2.5hr)
Tenryuji and Bamboo grove (1.5hr)
Otagi Nenbutsu Ji and preserved historic district (1.5hr)
Western route 4-5 hrs (with break for lunch)
Kinkakuji, the golden pavilion
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Ryoanji Temple
Notes: less walking and stairs than other tours. Taxi is the most convenient way to see this route. Expect crowds at Kinkakuji.
Eastern route 4-5 hrs (with break for lunch)
Ginkakuji Temple, the silver pavilion
Path of Philosophy
Nanzenji Temple
Heian Shrine
Notes: lots of walking, beautiful gardens, less crowded, great by bike
Gion route 2-3 hrs
Yasaka Shrine
Hanamikoji Street
Shimbashi Street
Geisha quarters
Kennin-ji Temple
Notes: all on foot, near the city centre, beautiful streetscapes, chance to see geisha
Higashiyama route 2-3 hrs
Kiyomizu Temple
Sannenzaka
Ninenzaka
Yasaka Pagoda
Notes: lots of stairs, lots of shopping opportunities, beautiful small pedestrian streets
Other temples and shrines not on above routes
Fushimi Inari 1-3hrs
Choose to see just the highlights or a hike to the top. Most popular place in Japan. We should go before 9am or after 5pm, lots of stairs
Nijo Castle 1-2hrs
See the famous paintings, amazing gate and the famous nightingale “squeaky” floorboards
Sanjusangendo 1hr
An amazing place with 1001 buddhist statues of the “kannon” in the longest wooden building in the world.