Kurama Hot Spring tours

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! ❤️

We thoroughly enjoyed this day trip filled with serene shrines, peafeful temples, natural beauty, and some touristy shopping and food at the end of the tour. Our guide Hide, was friendly and knowledgeable and he got us everywhere safely and on time. We would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to see these major sites and attractions without having to worry about the transportation.

We had an enjoyable trip thanks to our wonderful tour guide Vivi who did a great job explaining each of the Kyoto sites that we visited. She really organized everything well for our big tour group while also contending with a challenging traffic situation during peak Sakura season. This package is highly recommended for first timers and repeat visitors to Kyoto. Two thumbs up!

This tour was definitely an excellent choice for a Kyoto trip. Getting to these attractions can be quite difficult and tiring, but this tour perfectly solved that problem and offered great value for money! It was a wonderful travel experience. The air in Kifune after the rain was incredibly fresh and refreshing. Our guide, Ultraman, was very nice, friendly, and humorous. The itinerary was well-planned, and his explanations were vivid and impressive. I feel very lucky to have booked this tour. Thank you, Ultraman, for being so charming and capable! I'm already reminiscing and looking forward to visiting again!

This is such a good experience for my last day in Japan. Atsuki communicates well for the pick-up and is on time (not a bare minimum where I come from). He is also very informative about the onsen culture, its history, and the do’s and donts. On the other hand, I’m also very relaxed and I can tell the smooth skin I still have even hours after the onsen. This is highly recommended!

good service and friendly tour guide, fluent in English and mandarin, able to explain to us in details, recommended tour trip

I cannot recommend this tour highly enough! Our guide, Justin, was absolutely fantastic. He is incredibly knowledgeable about Kyoto’s history and hidden gems, but what truly made the experience special was how fun and friendly he was. ​He didn’t just recite facts; he made us feel like we were simply exploring the city with a close friend. He was so helpful with recommendations, patient with our questions, and had a wonderful energy that made the entire day fly by. If you are looking for a genuine, personalized, and insightful way to see Kyoto, book this tour and specifically ask for Justin—you won't regret it!

This was a great small group tour. We didn't have to carry our luggage; it could be stored in the trunk, and the driving time wasn't long. The driver-guide had an excellent service attitude and allowed us enough time at each stop. The night before, they individually confirmed the meeting and pickup times with everyone and reminded us not to be late, which was very thoughtful. On the day of the tour, they were also very punctual. As we approached the hotel, they specifically messaged us in advance to let us know we could wait at the hotel entrance, which was very considerate. Along the way, the driver-guide explained the history, characteristics, and important notes for each attraction, helping us to explore them more effectively. The three attractions were well-connected and all very impressive, with beautiful scenery that my family also loved. For those staying in Osaka, traveling to Kyoto can be a bit far, so this day trip is very suitable. I would definitely recommend it to friends!

We had Wen as our guide for the tour. He had a gentle and likeable personality. The whole tour was a delight and appreciated Wen’s knowledgeable inputs to the sights we visited. Highly recommend this tour to anyone who is looking for a compact/bundle sightseeing with the comfort of a private tour.