Kyoto in Half a Day: Kiyomizu-dera & Tofuku-ji — Guide Hiro
December, 2024
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:00 Meet @ Candeo Hotels Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku
- 9:27 Walk: via Yasaka Pagoda and Sannenzaka
- 9:52 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- 10:55 Sanjusangendo
- 11:48 Tofuku-ji Temple
- 13:02 Disband @ Nishiki Market
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:00 at @ Candeo Hotels Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku and ended at 13:02. The day ran to 4 hours and 2 minutes from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Walk: via Yasaka Pagoda and Sannenzaka at 9:27, Kiyomizu-dera Temple at 9:52, Sanjusangendo at 10:55 and Tofuku-ji Temple at 11:48.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shijo Karasuma to Higashiyama Yasui by bus (230JPY); Gojozaka to Higashiyama Shichijo by bus (230JPY); Higashiyama Shichijo to Tofuku-ji by train (230JPY); Tofuku-ji to Subway Kujo Station by bus (230JPY); Kujo to Shijo by subway (220JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 1,140JPY per person.
What Are the Best Temples to Visit on a Private Kyoto Day Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. Since they only mentioned a love of history and art and had no specific requests regarding where to go, we followed my recommended course and visited three temples. At Kiyomizu-dera Temple, they enjoyed the magnificent views and the remaining autumn foliage; at Sanjusangendo Hall, they experienced its uniquely solemn atmosphere; and at Tofuku-ji Temple, they enjoyed the grand temple buildings and beautiful gardens. They shared that each place had a different atmosphere and character, and that they found it very enjoyable. At the end, instead of being taken to their accommodation, they wished to visit Nishiki Market, so I escorted them to the entrance, where we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Shijo Karasuma～Higashiyama Yasui | 230JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Gojozaka～Higashiyama Shichijo | 230JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Higashiyama Shichijo～Tofuku-ji | 230JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Tofuku-ji～Subway Kujo Station | 230JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Kujo～Shijo | 220JPY |
| Total | 1,140JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Candeo Hotels Kyoto Karasuma Rokkaku at 9:00, and the tour finished at @ Nishiki Market at 13:02.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 2 minutes in total, from 9:00 to 13:02.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Walk: via Yasaka Pagoda and Sannenzaka, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Sanjusangendo and Tofuku-ji Temple.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,140JPY per person across 5 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Hiro is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kyoto itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Thanks for joining our tour. I’m Hiro Nakagawa, assigned to be your guide for this tour. I was eligible as a National Licensed Tour Guide in 2017. I have guided many tourists from overseas since then. Japan is a beautiful country with full of various attractions. Please enjoy your time in this country to the fullest. I will help you with that. What are you interested in this country? I will introduce this country’s long history, traditional culture, beautiful seasonal highlights, and delicious food to you. Please let me know your preferences. If it’s other than which I mentioned, I’m preparing it for you as much as possible. Let’s enjoy the trip together!
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Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was very humble person. Under the extreme heat
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My wife and I enjoyed not one by TWO full day tours with Hiro, one in Osaka and one in Kyoto. Hiro knows his stuff and passed along a lot of interesting history. In both cases he came prepared with detailed itineraries including public transit times to make sure we hit all the sites we most wanted to see. When rain became a factor in Kyoto, he adjusted our schedule to optimize for the weather – indoors during heaviest rain and outdoors when weather improved. In Kyoto, he warned us away from eating in one tourist area and instead found an amazing noodle shop for lunch, a completely unique experience. In Osaka, when we found one site he had chosen for us closed – the Museum of Housing & Life – he proposed another site that proved to be very nice. We went to the museum on our own the next day and found it fascinating and fun. He also took us to an outstanding okonomikayi place for lunch. Friendly, well-organized and accommodating, we really enjoyed our tours with Hiro.
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Excellent tour
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Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable and professional, he accommodated all our expectations.
Highly recommended!
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