Kyoto Small Group Day Tour: Kifune Shrine & Nanzen-ji Temple/Eikando Temple & Sanzen-in Temple & Eizan Electric Railway Experience (Departure from Osaka/Kyoto)

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! ❤️

I believe this trip route isn't very popular, but we booked it anyway since we couldn't find any other Klook tour for Kifune Shrine on such short notice. All the locations were beautiful. Our driver, Toshiya, was very accommodating with all of our requests. He even left his car to help us find our train to the airport at Kyoto Station.

I always wanted to lose myself in mossy gardens. This trip made that dream come true. There were so many photos ops. My daughter and I were part of a small group of 8. This was a self-guided tour. Though our driver provided good information in Whatsapp, I looked up each location while on our way for more information. We immensely enjoyed our day and felt it was worth every penny.

We had a wonderful day with Ultraman, visiting many beautiful sights. The weather was great, perfect for taking stunning photos. Ultraman was very responsible and told us the best routes to explore!

had an amazing time, the tour guide was nice and helpful with any questions and gave many tips around the area. wonderful trip.

Greta way to see many different temples in day. it was nice , off the super touristy spots and have some nice peace and quiet, while learning Japanese culture and history. very easy transportation to see Kifune Shrine. the cable car ride would also be beautiful in any season. we were there end of Feb and it was a sunny day and the branches were bare, but I could see how it would very crowded in all the other season.

Tour guide Ai is very conscientious and responsible; while driving diligently, he also introduces the attractions.

The itinerary was very fulfilling, and every scenic spot was beautiful. One part of the trip involved taking the Eizan Electric Railway to Kurama Station, which was a very special experience!

Our driver and tour guide, Mr. Wang, was kind and polite, and he drove smoothly. The car was comfortable. I really enjoyed all three attractions; my only regret is that we didn't have enough time at each, but that's to be expected with a one-day tour.

This time, I visited Eikan-do Temple and Nanzen-ji Temple. I originally thought I'd have to choose only one, but it turns out the two temples are right next to each other, so if you plan your time well, you can visit both. Sanzen-in Temple and Kifune Shrine require a longer car ride to reach, which is why I chose to go with a tour group this time. The scenery was truly beautiful, and even in the hot summer, it made me feel refreshed. The tour guide arranged the sightseeing time perfectly, so it wasn't too rushed, and they also shared some travel tips with us along the way. Thanks to the guide and the comfortable vehicle, I had a wonderful trip.