Passeios por Heian Shrine

The meeting point is a bit hard to find, in the B1 underground passage of the AVANTI building, opposite Kyoto Station Building. Our guide, Mr. Rich, was very dedicated in his explanations. He first discussed with us if there were any alternative spots we wanted to visit instead of the standard itinerary, and he also explained the rules for cycling in Japan. Through his vivid explanations, we learned about the history of Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Gion, and more. In addition to the listed attractions, he also accommodated our request to take the Kamo River path on the way back, allowing us to fulfill our wish of jumping on the turtle stones. It was truly a wonderful experience.

The 4-hour Kyoto Historical Highlights Bike Tour was absolutely fantastic! Naru was an exceptional guide—knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about Kyoto’s history and culture. The bike ride was smooth and enjoyable, taking us through scenic streets, peaceful back alleys, and beautiful UNESCO Zen temples. Naru made the experience unforgettable by sharing fascinating stories and ensuring everyone in the group felt comfortable. The pace was perfect for exploring without feeling rushed, and the itinerary covered a wonderful mix of iconic landmarks and hidden gems. If you’re looking to experience Kyoto’s rich heritage in a fun and active way, this tour is a must. Thank you, Naru, for an amazing day!

Der Reiseleiter war freundlich und auf den Punkt gebracht. Die Burg Nijo war für mich überbewertet – sie hatte leere Räume im Inneren, was für mich keinen Sinn ergab. Kinkaku-ji ist ein Muss in Kyoto, die Gegend um Arashiyama und Fushimi Inari waren ebenfalls hervorragend. Meine Eltern gehen nicht viel, aber sie konnten dies bequem in der Zeit bewältigen, die wir an jedem Ort hatten. Wir sind nur zum Startpunkt für Fushimi Inari gegangen. Für Arashiyama nehmen Sie unbedingt den Bambusweg und betreten Sie dann den Tenryu-ji-Tempel durch den Hintereingang – das verkürzt den Fußweg und der Tempel hat einen wunderschönen Garten.

Tuvimos un gran recorrido al atardecer con nuestro guía, Logan, quien nos brindó mucha información sobre el distrito de Gion y la historia y los acontecimientos de la vida de una geisha. Ninguna pregunta quedó sin respuesta. Lo disfrutamos muchísimo, solo deseamos que hubiera hecho más calor.

The morning itinerary in Ine was quite packed. The cafes were overflowing with people, so there was no way to leisurely enjoy the food and scenery. Feeding the seagulls from the boat was indeed very interesting. I accidentally got hit by "golden rain" and even got bitten, but the feeling of being treated like a bird's nest by the seagulls was quite peculiar, almost like being close to nature. The afternoon at Amanohashidate was about 2 hours. Following the tour guide, after taking the cable car, there was only about an hour left. The scenery on the mountain was magnificent, and there were quite a few facilities to enjoy. It happened to be the Emperor's birthday (or yesterday), so many shops were closed, and we couldn't find a place to eat (the remaining few were packed with people). However, there were still a few small vendors where we could buy snacks. The scenery at Akechi Temple was beautiful, and the paper umbrella ema were also very pretty; I really wanted to take them home. The tour guide was kind and very enthusiastic, constantly emphasizing the characteristics of the attractions. When I accidentally broke the handle of a cabinet on the bus, he kindly said it was okay, which made me feel a bit embarrassed. The itinerary was great, and I would consider it again in the future. I recommend it to others.

From the moment I saw the name, I knew this was the person for me... I thought my trip to Kyoto would be really fun, and it certainly was! They were incredibly kind and explained everything in great detail, making the trip twice as enjoyable! Not only did they provide detailed explanations about the spots, but they also shared insights into Japanese culture and their life experiences, which kept things from getting boring. Also, there aren't many tours that include Nara, so I compared many options, and this tour was 100,000,000,000,000% satisfying. :) After the tour, they even recommended a great restaurant near Namba and offered to make a reservation if possible, so I asked for a yakiniku place. The first bite was amazing... It was truly, truly, truly delicious, the best meat I've ever had in my life!!! It was a happy tour where I felt reassured by their offer to contact them anytime if I needed other restaurant recommendations, had questions, or faced difficulties during my trip, and I felt like I had met a wonderful person.

The guide was very informative and spoke good English. The timing of the walk was fantastic, being early morning, so there were fewer crowds. We got really good pictures from those places. It was to the point. The transport was via metro and train, so it was very nice, but you need to be ready for a lot of walking. That was not an issue with us. I highly recommend this kind of tour.

It was such an honor and a great experience. Definitely worth the money. We had fun as Ai was such an excellent guide. She provided nuances between Maiko and Geiko, correcting the preconceived notions given by the movie, Memoirs of a Geisha, and being an excellent interpreter. Umemai-san, the maiko that performed for us, was very amazing. For someone so young to be able to perform for us with great confidence and answer all of our questions, she was just superb. Great job for GuideMe Japan Team for arranging this tour!