Things to do in Sanzen-in Temple

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! ❤️

Last time, I visited Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, so this time I went to places I hadn't seen before. It was just before a long holiday, so there weren't many people, and it was wonderfully peaceful and quiet! When you actually see it, it's not so much 'Wow, that's amazing!' but rather beautiful scenery, the path you walk while admiring that scenery, various photos taken at photo spots, and an unexpected seagull zoo feeding (making eye contact with seagulls and hawks). I didn't have high expectations, but it was fun! The only downside is that the travel time is a bit long if you depart from Osaka! However, our guide, MICA, explained many things about Japan so well and took such beautiful photos that I even changed my KakaoTalk profile picture for the first time in a while! 😄

Our tour guide was Ms. Effy Ya-fei, who speaks Mandarin, English, and Japanese. She was very patient with our questions, and her communication was clear and well-organized. She thoughtfully sent an email before departure with her contact information, and on the day of the tour, she kept us updated via a messaging app group. Before arriving at each attraction, she would give us helpful tips on what to look out for. We were all very satisfied with the arrangements 👍🏻

The day's itinerary was incredibly rich and fulfilling, and the bay was absolutely beautiful. It was a truly memorable experience, where we saw many seagulls following the boat. Amanohashidate was stunning, and there were bicycles on the mountain for taking photos. The sea train saved us a lot of hassle.

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!

Thank you to our guide Effy! I enjoyed the tour today and it was nice to connect with nature. The tour made transport easy for me to visit areas that are not convenient with public transit. Reminder that the Biwako terrace is at a ski resort... bring a jacket or brave the cold wind like I did!!

I was very fortunate to have Abu as my tour guide this time; he was truly exceptional. In addition to providing detailed explanations of the attractions along the way, he also shared a lot of Japanese culture and historical background, making the entire trip very enriching. He took great care of every group of guests, and even as a solo traveler like myself, I never felt overlooked, which was very reassuring. During the trip, a small incident occurred: a vending machine in a tourist area took my money when I tried to buy water. At the time, we were in a hurry to catch a cable car, so Abu quickly decided not to delay the itinerary and told me he would accompany me to the service center to handle it later. Due to the language barrier, when I explained my situation to the service staff, they didn't fully understand at first and asked for clarification multiple times. Fortunately, Abu was there to help translate and explain. Although the back-and-forth communication took some time, we eventually managed to get a refund. Not only is he a professional guide, but he also proactively assists and patiently handles unexpected situations for travelers, which I truly appreciate. I highly recommend Abu and hope to join another one of his tours in the future!

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.

I think this is my first time leaving a review while using Klook. I am Korean and traveled alone. Overall, I am 100% satisfied. Although I rode with foreign tourists, there were a few other Koreans including myself, and it was so great that our guide, Lee Song-ran, explained everything in Korean. When I visited Amanohashidate back in May, it was during Golden Week, so I couldn't ride the lift ㅠㅠ I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to ride it this time either, but I was so happy it was easy to do so!! The water was so clean, and it was a feast for the eyes. Visiting the thatched-roof rural village early in the morning was great for a stroll. I tried the sweet potato donut that was recommended—it was hot and made a great, light breakfast. Going to Ine Funaya to watch the gulls and taking a walk in the tranquil countryside village was the best part of all. Also, the bus driver drove in a way that really relieved any frustration; his driving was simply the best!!! It was also nice that the guide took pictures for everyone on the bus tour whenever we arrived at a nice spot. If I visit again, I will definitely use Gogo Tour❤️