West Side Route (6-7hrs)
Otagi Nenbutsu Ji and preserved historic district (1.5hr)
Tenryuji and Bamboo grove (1.5hr)
Kinkakuji, the golden pavilion
Ryoanji Temple the famous rock and sand garden
We can expect some crowds on this route but we try to start and end with quieter stops. Lots of zen gardens and a nice variety of busy and calm.
Eastern route 4-5 hrs (with break for lunch)
Fushimi Inari with it's 10,000 red gates
Kiyomizu Temple the most famous temple in Kyoto with sweeping views over the city
Ginkakuji Temple, the silver pavilion and its incredible garden
Path of Philosophy, the tranquil nature filled path dotted with cute shops and cafes
The first two are the most popular places in Kyoto so we recommend to start this tour early if you can! Great in combination with a 2hr walking tour of the Gion and Higashiyama district.
Gion & Higashiyama route 2-6 hrs
Yasaka Shrine
Hanamikoji Street
Shimbashi Street
Kennin-ji Temple
Sannenzaka
Ninenzaka
Yasaka Pagoda
Lots of stairs, lots of shopping opportunities, beautiful small pedestrian streets and a chance to see where the real geisha live and work, this can be either a highlights package or an in depth exploration of the whole area
Other temples and shrines not on above routes
Heian Shrine 1hr
Noteworthy for its enormous garden and for not being very popular despite its beauty. Kids love feeding the fish at the large pond.
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.
West Side Route (6-7hrs)
Otagi Nenbutsu Ji and preserved historic district (1.5hr)
Tenryuji and Bamboo grove (1.5hr)
Kinkakuji, the golden pavilion
Ryoanji Temple the famous rock and sand garden
We can expect some crowds on this route but we try to start and end with quieter stops. Lots of zen gardens and a nice variety of busy and calm.
Eastern route 4-5 hrs (with break for lunch)
Fushimi Inari with it's 10,000 red gates
Kiyomizu Temple the most famous temple in Kyoto with sweeping views over the city
Ginkakuji Temple, the silver pavilion and its incredible garden
Path of Philosophy, the tranquil nature filled path dotted with cute shops and cafes
The first two are the most popular places in Kyoto so we recommend to start this tour early if you can! Great in combination with a 2hr walking tour of the Gion and Higashiyama district.
Gion & Higashiyama route 2-6 hrs
Yasaka Shrine
Hanamikoji Street
Shimbashi Street
Kennin-ji Temple
Sannenzaka
Ninenzaka
Yasaka Pagoda
Lots of stairs, lots of shopping opportunities, beautiful small pedestrian streets and a chance to see where the real geisha live and work, this can be either a highlights package or an in depth exploration of the whole area
Other temples and shrines not on above routes
Heian Shrine 1hr
Noteworthy for its enormous garden and for not being very popular despite its beauty. Kids love feeding the fish at the large pond.
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.