Kyoto Temple Pilgrimage: Bamboo Grove & Kinkaku-ji

We had such a great day on this tour with Apple. Apple was great at giving information about each place before we arrived. We were provided with must see and visit recommendations to help us whilst exploring Arashiama on our own. All of the stops are beautiful. The tour itself was very efficient with just enough time in each place to see all the highlights. Would definitely recommend!

A relaxing yet efficient day tour. Huge thanks to our guide for putting together such a wonderful itinerary — the commentary was incredibly detailed, and the fun stories along the way really brought everything to life. The day was so well-organized that everything ran like clockwork. We never felt rushed, and had plenty of time to explore every stop.

Today's itinerary went very smoothly. I thought there would be traffic due to the festival, but it was surprisingly easy. Lee was great; he didn't talk non-stop, and what he did say was very interesting, providing a lot of little-known facts about Japan. The only downside was the schedule. The time allocated for Katsuoji Temple was too short. After buying charms and getting the Goshuin, and then visiting the temple, it was already time to meet. I think it would have been better to remove the Kinkaku-ji Temple visit and dedicate that time to Katsuoji Temple, which would have made it less rushed. Overall, the guide's service was quite good. I'll probably have to go back to Katsuoji Temple on my own, which is a bit of a shame.

Thank you to our tour guide, Apple, for taking care of us all day today. Her voice was sweet, and she was very kind and lovely! Although the itinerary was a bit rushed, it was expected that we wouldn't spend much time at each stop, given that we were visiting three major attractions in one day. Arashiyama and Katsuoji Temple were both very impressive! The advantage of joining a one-day tour like this is having a driver, which allows you to quickly visit the main spots. Afterward, you can choose your favorite attractions to explore in more depth! Overall, it was a good experience. Plus, I happened to be staying in Osaka the day before and Kyoto the day after, so I boarded the bus in Osaka with my luggage and was able to tell the guide in advance that I wanted to get off in Kyoto on the return trip. This conveniently saved me the hassle of traveling from Osaka to Kyoto with my luggage!

The tour guide was very meticulous, providing illustrated guides for every must-see attraction and thoroughly explaining the stories behind each site.

Our tour guide, Noa, a young woman from Taiwan, enriched our summer trip with her extensive and vivid historical explanations. She filled our hearts with the history and culture of the ancient capital, and also introduced us to local delicacies and souvenirs. Everyone returned home with wonderful memories and treasures, making the trip truly worthwhile.

Today, I visited Katsuo-ji Temple and was lucky enough to see the last of the cherry blossoms. I bought a Daruma doll, then went to Arashiyama, where I photographed the bamboo grove path, ate matcha dango and matcha pudding, and bought a bunch of matcha drinks from a vending machine. I also dined at a restaurant that served yudofu (boiled tofu) and gyudon (beef bowl). I took pictures of the Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama, and finally, I went to Kinkaku-ji Temple, a place I'd always wanted to visit but hadn't until now. It was truly dazzling and beautiful with its golden shimmer. The weather was fantastic throughout this trip, and Apple's service was incredibly friendly. They provided very detailed explanations of the attractions, helping me understand the stories behind these places. The driver was also excellent. If I come to Osaka again in the future, I would definitely consider booking this tour again!

We're grateful for the beautiful weather and scenery today, which made our trip smooth and satisfying, especially the visit to Katsuoji Temple, which was truly worth it. Our tour guide, Apple, was dedicated and responsible, explaining the unique features and history of our itinerary along the way. Many thanks also to our driver for his hard work throughout the day.

Steven was friendly & funny. He spoke in 2 languages & answers all our queries. We hv WhatsApp group pre-travel date. Still good experience despite the rainy day! He is helpful telling & recommend places to go. Thx

Today's visits to Katsuō-ji Temple, Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Arashiyama were fulfilling and rejuvenating! The sea of red Daruma dolls at Katsuō-ji was incredibly impressive; personally dotting the eyes of a Daruma for good luck brought a wonderful feeling of fortune. Kinkaku-ji, shimmering golden in the setting sun and reflected in Kyōko-chi Pond, was breathtakingly beautiful. The bamboo groves of Arashiyama offered tranquil paths, and the gentle breeze by Togetsukyo Bridge felt like stepping into a painting. Special thanks to our guide, Apple, for her thoughtful care throughout the trip, her lively and engaging explanations, and her exceptional patience with our elders. The itinerary was perfectly paced, allowing us to effortlessly experience the beauty of Kansai. This trip was made even more memorable by your professionalism and warmth. Highly recommended!