Come See Walrus Tours
Make just temples to memorable one with interesting stories
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Kyoto
Temples and shrines all look alike?
Ancient capitals like Kyoto and Nara have countless historic sites. While they might seem similar at first, each carries fascinating stories from the samurai era. This guide introduces these intriguing historical connections, along with the unique features and delicious local foods associated with each site!
I can only do a tour guide for now. I will ask you to pay any move and admission fees on the spot, including mine. I apologize for your inconvenience.
<KYOTO> Sample Itineraries
~ I will arrange as you like. ~
3H Plan
Near Kyoto Station — Twin Temples, East and West
Starts at ¥5500/H
- Professional Tour Guide included
- Start from Kyoto Station
- Transportation by City Bus or taxi, paid on the spot
- Admission fee paid on the spot
4H Plan
Famous Twin Temples, Golden, Silver & Head Temple of them
Starts at ¥4500/H
- Professional Tour Guide included
- Start from Kyoto Station or any hotel in Kyoto City
- Transportation by City Bus or taxi, paid on the spot
- Admission fee paid on the spot
5H and more Plan
Go as you want
Starts at ¥4000/H
- Professional Tour Guide included
- Start from Kyoto Station or any hotel in Kyoto City
- Transportation by City Bus or taxi, paid on the spot
- Admission fee paid on the spot
<KYOTO> Tour Details
3 Hours Plan ①
3 Hours Plan – Near Kyoto Station walking ① Twin Temples at East & West
| Start | Finish | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | 9:20 | Start at Kyoto Station, walk up to Nishihonganji Temple. Have some stories about it and War against the Famous Samurais on the way. |
| 9:20 | 10:20 | At Nishihonganji, walk through several gorgeous gates, then proceed to 2 main halls and the beautiful garden. |
| 10:20 | 10:40 | Exit and walk through the Buddhists’ shopping arcade to Higashihonganji Temple. |
| 10:40 | 11:40 | At Higashihonganji, see and compare the main halls and gates. Then, we will explain why those 2 are so similar. |
| 11:40 | 12:00 | Walk back to Kyoto Station, and see you off |
As you pass by the gates of these two temples, they appear so remarkably similar that you might mistake one for the other, wondering if you have returned to the same spot. Why do two such strikingly similar temples exist in such close proximity? The reason traces back to their profound relationships with the renowned historical figures Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu. This guide will delve into the historical dramas involving these powerful warlords while showcasing the magnificent and grand architecture of both temples.
INCLUDED:
Professional tour guide
NOT included:
Other than above, such as transportation, admission fee and so on.
3 Hours Plan ②
3 Hours Plan – Near Kyoto Station walking ② Twin Temples, Existing East & Vanished West
| Start | Finish | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | 9:20 | Start at Kyoto Station, walk up to Toji Temple. Have some stories about it and “The Rain-Making Duel”. |
| 9:20 | 10:20 | At Toji, walk through the garden and see the famous Five-Storied Pagoda, which is the tallest in Japan. |
| 10:20 | 11:00 | Exit and walk up to Ruins of Saiji Temple. We will drop by Rajo-mon Gate on the way. |
| 11:00 | 11:40 | Explore Ruins of Saiji, then see outside look of renewed Saiji |
| 11:40 | 12:00 | Walk back or take train to Kyoto Station, and see you off |
Toji Temple, a prominent symbol of Kyoto, was founded in 796 to protect the capital of Heian-kyo and later flourished under the monk Kukai as the center of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. Originally, Toji had an identical twin state temple named Saiji, located symmetrically across the capital’s main gate, Rashomon. Managed by the monk Shubin, Saiji served as the official administrative office for temples nationwide and potentially held a higher status than Toji. A intense rivalry developed between Kukai and Shubin. Their destinies ultimately diverged when a severe drought in 824 prompted the imperial court to order a decisive “rainmaking duel” between them.
INCLUDED:
Professional tour guide
NOT included:
Other than above, such as transportation, admission fee and so on.
4 Hours Plan
4 Hours Plan – Twin Temples: Golden, Silver & Head temple of them.
| Start | Finish | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | 9:45 | Start at Kyoto Station or your hotel, move to Shokokuji temple, and have some explanation about it on the way. |
| 9:45 | 10:45 | At Shokokuji, explore the main temple and its museum. |
| 10:45 | 11:15 | Go to Ginkakuji Temple. Have some stories about its builder, the 8th Shogun of Kamakura, who caused a big war there. |
| 11:15 | 11:45 | At Ginkakuji, walk through the famous garden and see the Silver Pavilion (Outside). |
| 11:45 | 12:30 | Go to Kinkakuji temple. Have some stories about it and its builder, the 3rd and strongest Shogun of Kamakura. |
| 12:30 | 13:00 | At Kinkakuji, walk through the famous garden and see the Golden Pavilion (Outside) |
| 13:00 | Show how to go back to Kyoto Station or the nearest station to go to Arashiyama (Bamboo forest) |
Although Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji are world-famous, they are actually sub-temples of Shokoku-ji, which acts as their corporate-like headquarters under one chief priest. Located near Imadegawa, Shokoku-ji was established by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu as a political and cultural power center. It once featured a massive 109-meter pagoda and served as an artistic hub that nurtured legendary painters like Ito Jakuchu. Today, the temple safeguards the group’s treasures and features a historic Dharma Hall with a ‘Crying Dragon’ ceiling. Ultimately, visiting Shokoku-ji provides the essential context for understanding Kyoto’s shogun history.
INCLUDED:
Professional tour guide
NOT included:
Other than above, such as transportation, admission fee and so on.
5 Hours Plan
5 Hours Plan – Go as you want, SAMPLE: Fushimi Torii Gate and its famous Sake brewery tour
| Start | Finish | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | 9:30 | Start at Kyoto Station, Go to Fushimi Inari Shrine by JR train. Have some stories about what the Torii gate is for. |
| 9:30 | 10:30 | At Fushimi, walk through the Shrine and 10 thousand of continuous gates. |
| 10:30 | 11:15 | Go by JR train to Sake Brewery |
| 11:15 | 12:15 | At a Brewery, you will see how to make it. Then you could try Sake-tasting (For a fee) |
| 12:15 | 12:45 | Walk through the local shopping arcade to Sake museum. |
| 12:45 | 14:00 | At the museum, you could have another Sake-tasting or tour. You could have lunch or some snacks near there. We will see you off at nearest Station to Kyoto. |
Fushimi Inari Taisha is famous for its 10,000 vermilion torii gates, donated since the Edo period by worshipers to express gratitude and prayers. The shrine’s iconic foxes are not gods but sacred messengers of the agricultural deity, symbolizing divine protection and connection. You will be drawn into the Vermillion world.
Then you will see the secret of Sake and try it. After that, we will take to nearest train station to go back to Kyoto station.
INCLUDED:
Professional tour guide
NOT included:
Other than above, such as transportation, admission fee and so on.