Kyoto Private Tour: One Day Highlights and Cultural Gems

After lunch we will explore the Gion neighborhood, extending west of Yasaka Shrine to the north and south. A cherry-blossom lined path where nice cafes and tea houses beautifully line the street, with quintessentially Kyoto views yours for the taking in. You may even meet a Maiko (roughly equivalent to young, apprenticing Geisha) if you are lucky.

Yasaka Shrine awaits your visit. Yasaka Shrine is famous for the Gion Festival, one of the three biggest festivals in Japan, which local people lovingly call "Gion San." The number of worshipers over New Year's time tops more than 1 million every year, making it one of the most popular shrines in the country. Not just New Year’s, but also throughout the year you will find many visitors from both Japan and abroad.

This is a cultural treasure of a spot that cannot be removed, as it is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. It was opened by Eisai, the master who is the founder of Rinzai sect and boasts the third largest Kyoto Goyama ceremony. The vast precincts are made up of many towers and beautiful gardens and are also famous for possessing many valuable cultural assets including the Wind Fuji Thunder Graphics screen.

The Nishiki market is popular as a shopping district for Kyoto locals, and has shops dealing in seasonal fish and fruits, as well as traditional craft items unique to Kyoto, so here you can enjoy both shopping and eating while strolling.

A popular tourist spot in Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of the most beautiful and peaceful areas you’ll find in Japan. Composed with thousands of shrines, this popular location attracts visitors and photographers for it’s illusional, maze-like effect the shrines create when walking through it’s path.