Kiyamachi Dori tours

I received my reminder and instructions the day before the tour and you are requested to join the WhatsApp group for the tour. We meet outside the Nippombashi Station Exit 2. A lot of other tour groups as gather there to London buses so make sure you arrive early enough and keep your eyes peeled for whatever marker they are wearing/carrying. For our tour we had two tour guides, Nox and Rex. They were engaging and shared stories of Japan’s history of Osaka, Amanohashidate, Ine fishing village, and Miyama. This was definitely the highlight of our trip! One tip I would like to share is, make sure you eat breakfast beforehand and also bring a few snacks in case you end up not having time to eat lunch while exploring. Plan to eat in Amanohashidate, because that’s the only place where you’ll have extended time. We opted to have our tour guides purchase tickets for the Ine sightseeing boat tour as well as the chairlift in Amanohashidate. Get the milk and milk pudding in Miyama!

I was truly impressed with this trip. Every place we visited was absolutely beautiful. The guide took great care of us and gave us enough time at each destination to fully enjoy and soak in the atmosphere. The travel time between each stop was just right, and I loved every destination along the way. I would definitely love to come back and take this trip again!

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?

Aye was an absolutely amazing tour guide at Nijo Castle! He was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so many fascinating details about the castle, its history, and features that we never would have noticed on our own. I had previously visited Nijo Castle without a guide, and I can honestly say that this experience was 100% better. I learned so much and walked away with a completely new appreciation for the castle and its history. On top of being an excellent guide, Aye was incredibly thoughtful and attentive. When it started to rain during our tour, he even offered to get umbrellas for us! It was such a kind gesture and really showed how much he cares about the people on his tours. I cannot recommend Aye enough. If you’re visiting Nijo Castle in Kyoto, having him as your guide makes the experience so much more meaningful and memorable. Thank you, Aye, for such a wonderful tour!

awesome experience! it's really rare to meet a geisha/maiko and it was so fun to play a game with her so close

This is a great way to see Gion. Since most of the crowds are there during the day, the night time is the perfect time to go. Plus, if you get Jasmine, you will have an incredibly knowledgeable guide. Totally worth the money!

This was such a great tour! Reon was our guide and he was fantastic. he walked at a good pace, had a picture book to show us everything he was talking about and knew soooo much about the topics he was talking on. he was able to answer all the questions. a very exciting part was we got to see a geisha in training (Maiko) walk by and it brought everything to life. Reon was quick to point her out so we didn’t miss the moment. great tour , lots of really cool information and not difficult walking. would highly recommend. was awesome seeing Kyoto at night!

Our tour guide, who could switch between Chinese, Japanese, and English, and also spoke Korean, made sure every group member was taken care of. It was a huge benefit not having to research the history and stories of each attraction ourselves. They offered pre-ordered lunch, which allowed us more time to explore Kiyomizu-dera Temple and its surroundings, and the food was quite good. The itinerary was well-paced for the limited time (however, this tour is not suitable for travelers who prefer to savor sights slowly or spend a lot of time taking photos, as the time allotted for Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine doesn't allow for walking the entire Senbon Torii path!). The tour bus was clean and tidy, and the ride was smooth and steady. I'm prone to motion sickness and usually sleep on buses, and I didn't wake up due to poor driving.

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! ❤️