Kyoto Hidden gems Tour
Description
Experience a quieter side of Kyoto, where ancient pathways, wooden neighborhoods, and centuries-old traditions create a gentle and spiritual atmosphere. This tour guides you through serene temple grounds, peaceful gardens, and beautifully preserved cultural districts that reveal the city’s deeper and more intimate character. With slow moments, soft scenery, and stories that connect the past to the present, it’s a calming journey for travelers who want to feel the true heart of Kyoto beyond the crowds.
What's Included & Not Included
Fuel Surcharge
Travel time from Osaka/Kyoto to all
the destinations and back to hotel
Parking Fees
Entrance fee to Ginkaku-ji Temple (500yen)
Private Transportation
Entrance fee to Kennin-ji Temple Temple (800yen)
English Tour Guide
Entrance fee to Nanzen-ji Temple Temple (600yen)
Lunch / Personal Expence
Gratuities / Tips is very welcomed
Meeting and Pickup
• Pick-up and drop-off are available at any hotel in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, or Kobe.
• Pick-up from Osaka Port and Kobe Port is also available.
• Pick-up from Shinkansen stations and major train stations is possible as well.
Itinerary
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Kitano Tenmangu is a historic Shinto shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning, scholarship, and wisdom. Known for its beautiful wooden architecture and thousands of plum trees, the shrine attracts students from across Japan who come to pray for academic success. With stone lanterns, quiet pathways, and seasonal blossoms, it offers a peaceful atmosphere that reflects Kyoto’s deep cultural and spiritual heritage.
※ 40minutes・Admission Ticket Free
Kamishichiken Street
Located next to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kamishichiken is the oldest geisha district in Kyoto, dating back to the 15th century. The name means “Upper Seven Houses,” coming from the seven tea houses originally built with leftover wood from the shrine’s reconstruction. Today, Kamishichiken remains a quiet and elegant neighborhood where geiko (geisha) and maiko (apprentice geisha) still perform traditional dances and tea ceremonies. Unlike the busy Gion area, this district offers a calm, authentic atmosphere — a rare chance to see the refined side of Kyoto’s entertainment culture
※ 20minutes・Admission Ticket Free
Ginkaku-ji Temple
Built in the late 15th century by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, Ginkaku-ji — the Silver Pavilion — is one of Kyoto’s most elegant Zen temples. Originally designed as a peaceful mountain villa, it later became a center of Higashiyama Culture, which shaped Japan’s art, tea ceremony, and garden design. Unlike the golden brilliance of Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji represents simplicity, quiet beauty, and “wabi-sabi” — finding perfection in imperfection. Surrounded by moss gardens, raked sand, and scenic paths, it offers a calm, reflective experience that captures the true spirit of Kyoto.
※ 40minutes・Admission Ticket Included
Philosopher's Walk
The Philosopher’s Path, or Tetsugaku-no-michi, is a charming stone walkway that follows a canal lined with cherry trees between Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) and Nanzen-ji Temple. It’s named after the famous philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who used to stroll this route daily while meditating on life and nature. In spring, the path is covered in soft pink blossoms; in summer, it’s shaded by green leaves; and in autumn, it glows with fiery colors. Today, it’s one of Kyoto’s most tranquil places — a perfect escape from the crowds, where travelers can slow down, reflect, and feel the quiet beauty of Japanese simplicity and Zen spirit.
※ 20minutes・Admission Ticket Free
Lunch Time with your guide
Lunch will be decided based on what you feel like eating and the guide’s recommendations. This time is also a great chance to connect more deeply with your guide. While enjoying your meal together, we’ll share stories about culture, history, and everyday life in Japan. It will surely become one of the most memorable meals of your trip.
※ 60minutes・Lunch Fee Not Included
Kennin-ji Temple
Established in 1202 by the monk Eisai, Kennin-ji is Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple and a cornerstone of Japan’s Rinzai Zen tradition. Eisai was the monk who introduced both Zen Buddhism and green tea from China to Japan. Inside the temple, visitors can admire the masterpiece “Wind and Thunder Gods” by artist Tawaraya Sotatsu and the breathtaking Twin Dragon ceiling painting. Located at the edge of Gion, Kennin-ji offers a serene contrast to the busy streets outside — a perfect place to feel the harmony of spiritual calm and artistic beauty that defines Kyoto.
※ 40minutes・Admission Ticket Included
Gion Shimbashi Bridge
The Gion District is Kyoto’s most famous and picturesque geisha quarter, located between Yasaka Shrine and the Kamo River. With its preserved wooden teahouses (ochaya), narrow stone lanes, and soft lantern light at dusk, Gion feels like stepping back in time. Here, geiko (Kyoto-style geisha) and maiko (apprentices) still perform elegant dances and tea ceremonies, continuing centuries-old traditions of grace and hospitality. Strolling through the Hanami-koji or Shirakawa area in the evening, visitors can experience the refined atmosphere of old Kyoto — a world where culture, beauty, and serenity quietly meet.
※ 30minutes・Admission Ticket Free
Nanzen-ji Temple
Founded in 1291 by Emperor Kameyama, Nanzen-ji is one of Japan’s most important Zen temples and the head temple of the Nanzen-ji branch of the Rinzai sect. Originally built as an imperial villa, it became a symbol of Zen philosophy, simplicity, and discipline. The temple complex features the iconic Sanmon Gate, elegant rock gardens, and the famous Suirokaku Aqueduct — a red-brick waterway from the Meiji Era that still carries water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto today. Nanzen-ji beautifully blends ancient spirituality with modern engineering, offering a peaceful balance of tradition, nature, and innovation in the heart of Kyoto.
※ 40minutes・Admission Ticket Included
Nanzen-ji Suirokaku Aqueduct
Hidden within the grounds of Nanzen-ji Temple, the Suirokaku Aqueduct is one of Kyoto’s most striking and unexpected sights. Built in 1889 during the Meiji Era, this red-brick structure was part of the Lake Biwa Canal Project, designed to carry water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto for power, irrigation, and daily use. With its elegant Roman-style arches blending harmoniously into the temple’s quiet greenery, the aqueduct perfectly symbolizes the meeting of tradition and modernity. Even today, real water still flows through it — a living reminder of Kyoto’s transformation from ancient capital to modern city.
※ 30minutes・Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Infants must sit on laps
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• The remaining hours are allotted for travel time
• Some destinations in Kyoto have lots of staircase and not recommended for wheelchairs
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted. Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time. This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.