Hōkan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda) tours

Our guide Ms Shion was amazing! She is very enthusiastic and engaging. The walk covers quite a lot at a good pace but we didn’t spot any maikos or geishas which was my main objective. I wonder if the route could be reversed so there’s a higher chance of spotting the talented artistes at the the Queen of Geisha district?

We had a great experience with Ben who was very knowledgeable. Booking this on the first night arriving was a good idea to beat the heat during the day and we managed to cover a lot of area including some uphill locations which would have been exhausting by foot. We learnt a lot about the general history of Kyoto itself and significance of a few sites which was a great base to build upon for the rest of the trip thank you again Ben!

This walking tour was a great tour with more steps added to your walking haha. Marie our tour guide was so knowledgeable about every attraction with their history and helpful in showing us what’s around the area of Kyoto, Gion etc. She also takes great photos and gives any food recommendations wherever we are. At the end we were given some gifts from Marie which was a nice suprise. Would book with her again next time.

it was very good trip. Mr Kai was helpful and cooperative. he helped and guide us through the trip. I really recommend to take the trip with him and and company was so cooperative with us

Had a great time on this trip to Kyoto. Despite the crowd, Victoria was able to give some tips and made sure that we are on time to cover the places in our agenda. She was bubbly and gave us time to rest while travelling from 1 place to another. Will surely do this again!

It is an awesome tour, felt like hanging out with a local friend! My friend and I booked the Kyoto Gion Cultural Walk for the 10:30 AM slot, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience! Since this is a new start-up, it’s the perfect choice if you want to support a small business and avoid the massive, overcrowded tour groups. No one else booked our time slot, so we actually ended up getting a "private" tour just for the two of us! Our guide, Momo, was top. We learned so much about Kyoto's history and Geisha culture. Since it was our first time in Japan, we asked a million random questions on the street, and Momo happily answered them all while keeping us safe in the busy crowds. Fun fact: Momo is a former chef, so we got some excellent food recommendations too! The pace was super relaxed. Momo even let us take a quick detour to a Totoro shop just because my friend was so excited. If you want a great, relaxing experience, highly recommend booking this!

Amy (Happy Bunny🐇) is a wonderful tour guide. She is dedicated to making sure everyone has a great time. Her communication and instructions were clear, and she gave us plenty of time to explore on our own. She also shared her valuable knowledge about each destination, which greatly enriched our experience. Thank you!

If you're planning a leisurely trip to Kyoto, one that isn't rushed and allows you to deeply experience the beauty of Kyoto's mountains, forests, and ancient temples, I truly highly recommend this tour! 🌿 I especially want to give a strong recommendation to our tour guide, Wang Zhaoyu! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you only speak Chinese, there's absolutely no need to worry. Mr. Wang speaks fluent Chinese, and his professionalism was evident even the day before the tour. I couldn't find the meeting point the day before, so I called the guide on a whim, and to my surprise, he not only answered immediately but also patiently helped me step-by-step. This level of service alone deserves a five-star rating! Throughout the entire trip, Mr. Wang's explanations were clear, and he was very friendly and approachable. His driving skills were also incredibly impressive; despite being very prone to motion sickness, I didn't feel sick at all. His driving was smooth and comfortable, allowing everyone to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. The itinerary was also excellent, perfect as an introductory tour for these attractions. It not only helps you quickly understand the characteristics of each site but also helps you identify which places best suit your preferences. If you find a particular spot you love, it will give you better direction for a more in-depth, self-guided exploration next time. For a day trip, the pace of this itinerary is very comfortable, suitable for those who prefer a slower pace. Each attraction allowed ample time to linger and experience the charming blend of Kyoto's mountains, ancient temples, and streams. It's a route I highly recommend. 🍃 Nanzen-ji Temple boasts a solemn and ancient temple atmosphere, complemented by the famous Suirokaku aqueduct, where history and nature blend perfectly, offering different charms in every season. Eikan-do Temple is renowned for its autumn foliage, and although it wasn't maple leaf season during our visit, the serene and elegant garden still had a unique charm; each has its own beauty. 🍃 Sanzen-in Temple is filled with a strong sense of Zen, with its tranquil and healing moss garden. Strolling through it instantly calms the mind. We were also fortunate to encounter an exhibition by artist Kumiko Minami (on its last day), which added an unexpected surprise to the trip. 🚃 Although the Eizan Electric Railway (between Hieizan-guchi Station and Kurama Station) doesn't offer the spectacular autumn maple leaf tunnel, the summer mountains are lush green, and the scenery along the way is fresh and therapeutic, showcasing another vibrant side of Kyoto. ⛩️ The most unforgettable aspect of Kifune Shrine is the neatly arranged red lanterns lining both sides of the approach, which look especially dreamy against the green backdrop. Although we didn't experience kawadoko (riverside dining) this time, seeing the kawadoko structures built along the stream gave us a deep appreciation for Kyoto's unique summer charm. Overall, this was a comfortable and stress-free in-depth trip to Kyoto. There was no constant rushing; instead, we truly had the opportunity to slow down and appreciate the beauty created by the intertwining mountains, ancient temples, and streams. If you're still wondering whether to join, I genuinely recommend choosing Tour Guide Wang Zhaoyu. He is professional, friendly, meticulous, and reliable, and he will undoubtedly make your Kyoto trip even more enjoyable! ❤️