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T0034

Kyoto Town Day-walking Tour - Market and Zen Temples

Kyoto
Guided/FIT:
Guided
Highlights
This day tour leads you to the historical Zen temples of Kyoto. There's no better way to soothe your spirit than by strolling through and experiencing the Zen at a leisurely pace. The tour begins at the lively market, typically bustling with tourists and locals in the morning. The transition from the hustle and bustle to the tranquility of Zen will leave a lasting impression to you. Our matcha master guides the walking tour. He is often seen in his distinctive kimono meandering through the streets and alleys while enjoying his everyday life in the city. You'll fully immerse yourself in Kyoto, embracing its culture, history, cuisine, and beverages.

Kyoto Town Day-walking Tour - Market and Zen Temples

Price per person

Duration

By quotation

1D

Price may go UP or DOWN subject to your final trip plan.

Details

Breakfast in Japanese coffee house

Begin your day with breakfast at a traditional Japanese coffee house located near the Nishi Market. Savor authentic coffee or tea prepared using traditional Japanese methods, along with delicious toasts and fresh pastries.

Cozy morning ambiance with a warm cup of coffee at a traditional coffee house.
Cozy morning ambiance with a warm cup of coffee at a traditional coffee house.

The hustling market

The Nishi market is a narrow shopping street extending five blocks in the heart of Kyoto. Often referred to as "Kyoto's Kitchen," this bustling retail market focuses on food-related products, including fresh seafood, Japanese sweets, pickles, dried seafood, tea, sushi and kitchenware. It's an excellent spot to discover seasonal foods and Kyoto specialties like bamboo shoots. Our guide will provide insights into these items. If you're looking to gain more from your visit than just "seeing without understanding", our matcha master is here to assist you.

Bustling atmosphere at Nishi Market, with lively stalls and crowds under a colorful stained-glass ceiling.
Bustling atmosphere at Nishi Market, with lively stalls and crowds under a colorful stained-glass ceiling.
Traditional tea shop in Kyoto, renowned for its matcha sweets and authentic Japanese confections.
Traditional tea shop in Kyoto, renowned for its matcha sweets and authentic Japanese confections.
Assorted Japanese street food snacks on skewers, freshly grilled and ready to savor.
Assorted Japanese street food snacks on skewers, freshly grilled and ready to savor.
Beautifully crafted Japanese kitchenware offering the perfect souvenir to bring a touch of traditional elegance home.
Beautifully crafted Japanese kitchenware offering the perfect souvenir to bring a touch of traditional elegance home.

The Zen temples in Higashiyama

The rest of the day will be spent wandering slowly through the Zen temples in Higashiyama area. The best season to visit Kyoto's temples is the Sakura Spring and the red-folie Autumn. However, the temples, just like the city where they are in since hundreds of years, are spectacular in all seasons including hot Summer and snowy Winter.


A serene Zen garden enveloped in the vibrant reds of autumn foliage, creating a peaceful and colorful sanctuary.
A serene Zen garden enveloped in the vibrant reds of autumn foliage, creating a peaceful and colorful sanctuary.
Autumn's vibrant red and yellow hues gracefully envelop a serene zen garden, creating a picturesque and tranquil landscape.
Autumn's vibrant red and yellow hues gracefully envelop a serene zen garden, creating a picturesque and tranquil landscape.
In the serene zen garden, the brilliant and gorgeous reds and oranges of autumn offer a peaceful embrace.
In the serene zen garden, the brilliant and gorgeous reds and oranges of autumn offer a peaceful embrace.
Autumn leaves create a stunning display against the traditional architecture of a Zen temple, highlighting its serene beauty in every corner.
Autumn leaves create a stunning display against the traditional architecture of a Zen temple, highlighting its serene beauty in every corner.

Gardens are embraced by traditional architecture and natural beauty of different seasons. The matcha master will walk you through the most picturesque spots while explaining the history and philosophy of traditional Kyoto.



Quick lunch or coffee break

Guessing you have had a happy stomach after the breakfast and snacks from the market, we can continue our walk with small breaks at either an easy lunch or coffee.

Charming blend of traditional and modern architecture at a beloved coffee house in Higashiyama.
Charming blend of traditional and modern architecture at a beloved coffee house in Higashiyama.

Walk through wisdom and natural authenticity

We keep exploring the paths and canals in the Higashiyama area. During Sakura Spring, this location becomes a popular spot for both tourists and locals on social media. Nonetheless, walking the same path that many renowned poets and philosophers once did remains an authentic experience.

Strolling along the serene canal path, once trodden by poets and philosophers, offering inspiration and reflection amidst natural authenticity.
Strolling along the serene canal path, once trodden by poets and philosophers, offering inspiration and reflection amidst natural authenticity.

Gion charm

In the shopping streets of Gion, you can sample and purchase local products such as sweets, pickles, and crafts.

Bustling Gion shopping streets in Kyoto, lined with traditional buildings and vibrant storefronts, as local residents and tourists like to explore.
Bustling Gion shopping streets in Kyoto, lined with traditional buildings and vibrant storefronts, as local residents and tourists like to explore.

In the evening, we will lead you through Gion, Kyoto's famous Geisha district, rich in shops, restaurants, and tea houses. Historically and even now, this area remains the hub of Geisha entertainment.


Traditional wooden houses line a tranquil side street in Kyoto's Gion district, where lanterns softly illuminate the path to an evening of geisha entertainment.
Traditional wooden houses line a tranquil side street in Kyoto's Gion district, where lanterns softly illuminate the path to an evening of geisha entertainment.

The densely clustered wooden houses from the Edo period will amaze you. These structures continue to be utilized today for a range of purposes, including Geisha entertainment, restaurants, shops, and tea houses.


Wooden Houses Facing The Canal
Wooden Houses Facing The Canal

In the evening, you have a good chance of seeing Geisha on their way to work. Please respect them and avoid following them like paparazzi.

Warm lanterns illuminate traditional Geisha entertainment spots at dusk, creating a serene and mysterious ambiance for curious foreign tourists.
Warm lanterns illuminate traditional Geisha entertainment spots at dusk, creating a serene and mysterious ambiance for curious foreign tourists.

Experiencing Geisha entertainment is a unique opportunity for tourists. Traditionally, hiring Geisha services is costly and exclusive, often needing a referral from a current client. However, in recent years, some Geisha performances and other cultural introductions such as Ikebana and Banraku have become accessible to tourists. We are fortunate to assist you in reserving seats for these performances. For more information, please check out another of our Kyoto day tours.

A geisha gracefully performs a traditional dance in front of an elegant gold folding screen, embodying the refined art of Japanese entertainment.
A geisha gracefully performs a traditional dance in front of an elegant gold folding screen, embodying the refined art of Japanese entertainment.

Kamogawa River In The Evening

This area is delightful and becomes especially busy in the evenings. Both tourists and locals love to dine and unwind here. We will guide you along the riverbank to our genuine dining spot.


Evening tranquility along the Kamogawa River, where locals gather to unwind before dinner under the soft glow of the setting sun.
Evening tranquility along the Kamogawa River, where locals gather to unwind before dinner under the soft glow of the setting sun.

The Kamogawa River becomes a vibrant scene in the evening, bustling with diners enjoying the illuminated riverside views.
The Kamogawa River becomes a vibrant scene in the evening, bustling with diners enjoying the illuminated riverside views.

Dining


Depending on your preference, we can bring you to a genuine restaurant serving Kyoto specialties such as the irresistibly delicious grilled eel, or to an Izakaya that offers grills and wine sitting among chatting crowds.

A chef skillfully grills eel over an open flame, using traditional sauces to enhance the flavors, in a classic culinary setting.
A chef skillfully grills eel over an open flame, using traditional sauces to enhance the flavors, in a classic culinary setting.

Authentic grilled eel dinner set served with rice, soup, and traditional Japanese sides, offering a delightful culinary experience at a reasonable price.
Authentic grilled eel dinner set served with rice, soup, and traditional Japanese sides, offering a delightful culinary experience at a reasonable price.

Grilled yakitori skewers served on a textured plate at an Izakaya restaurant, showcasing a delicious blend of charred and juicy flavors.
Grilled yakitori skewers served on a textured plate at an Izakaya restaurant, showcasing a delicious blend of charred and juicy flavors.

Kyoto stay

Though the day is lengthy, you'll end it feeling happy and well-fed. After a productive day of walking, staying at a hotel with a public bath (onsen) can be very beneficial. Finding an onsen hotel in Kyoto city might be challenging, but we have ways to book one for you.


We can help you book an Onsen hotel in Kyoto city
We can help you book an Onsen hotel in Kyoto city

Included

  • Experience and entrance fees of all shrines and temples

  • Guide fee


Excluded

  • Travel or accidental insurance

  • Cost for drinks and food

  • Accommodation

  • Any commercial item purchased by the guest during this visit












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