Full Day Private Walking Day Tour in Kyoto with Tea
This comfortable way is highly recommended for seniors who are looking for peace and tranquility. This is a guide course of visiting my own home town of Murasakino area. I know the most efficient way to move around. We are starting our tour from Daitokuji Temple to Imamiya shrine where you can enjoy at one of the oldest tea house. Later on, move on to Kamigamo by a bus which is never crowded from this point. I'll be showing you to a town-scape of historic Kyoto. Let's travel in a peace. In this adventurous course, we will follow the historical footsteps of ancient Zen & Tea masters. Despite how we avoid crowded traffics to keep the tour decent, you will get to see world heritage sites during the tour.
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Full Day Private Walking Day Tour in Kyoto with Tea
What's included in Full Day Private Walking Day Tour in Kyoto with Tea
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Daitoku-ji Temple
The complex of Daitokuji Temple consists of nearly two dozen sub-temples and is one of the best places in Japan to see a wide variety of Zen gardens and to experience Zen culture and architecture. The complex itself is always open to public where I used to walk through almost everyday in my childhood. Daitokuji has historical background closely related to a great unifier of Japan " Oda Nobunaga " and ancient tea master " Ikkyu ". Each sub-temple in the complex require some entrance fee to see its garden. I will take you to two of sub-temples of my recommendation. I will also take you to one called Jyuko-in if you book a tour on its open day ( 28th of each month ). Let's stroll inside the complex before go inside a sub-temple. The entrance to each sub-temple requires additional cost of 500 yen per person here.
The oldest tea house in Japan : We'll get here on the back side path of Imamiya Shrine to visit this ancient tea house right when they open. Even if it is in season you can beat the crowd in this way. This tea house is owned by my family acquaintance and staffs know me very well from my childhood. I also did translation job for this shop. You'll be treated well since they know me very well from the time of my grand father. There are two similar tea houses on the stone path and the one across the street seems more popular which I don't know why, but I would get scolded to visit another one. I am actually little curious, but we must stick to the one called Ichimonjiya. There is a very strong tension of rivalry between them in real life. This place has been shot for many period dramas and samurai movies. I can talk to the people inside to give us the best seats.
Imamiya Shrine
Imamiya Shrine inside ( 10 : 30 a.m ) : When you walk out of Daitokuji Temple from its west gate, it is only a few minutes walk to Imamiya Shrine. This time-honored place is called " Imamiya Shrine. It is founded in 1001 to protect people from epidemic spreading out among towns people. I will be explaining more about this place when we get there. Murasakino Uenocho Bus stop ( 11 : 10 a.m ) : It is only a minute walk to this bus stop from Imamiya Shrine to take No. 46 which directly goes to Kamigamo Shrine. This is the most efficient way to save the time and no mess of tourists being on the same bus because all the tourtsts are already off going to the same direction before they come to the north. You can get a comfortable seat. Even to get to the same destination, it is very important where you take a bus from. It is to go from the locals way. This is the best way to get to a World Heritage site. It only takes about 10 minutes to get there.
Inclusions
- Written brochure and area guide in English
- Complete guide in English
- The cost of your food and drinks while traveling. There are some places require entrance fee.
- Entrance fee at sub-temples in Daitokuji Temple complex. 500 yen per person at each sub-temple.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting Points
- First we'll meet you at a bus stop " Daitokuji-mae ". Mae means " in front of ". It is very simple to find and you can get on to the tour right away. I'll meet you here at 8 : 00 a.m. Bus number 12 goes to the center Shijo.
End Points
- This is additional option for you to go back to your accommodation.
- It is actually optional, but it is very likely that it is the most convenient point to finish the tour to get back to your accommodation. I will offer area guide during my tour.
