Classic Kyoto

Classic Kyoto (9:00-17:00)

Kyoto has been the capital of Japan for more than a thousand years, becoming a repository of the best achievements of Japanese art, culture, religion and thought. Pavilions with curved roofs are reflected here in the immovable surface of the ponds, coniferous trees grow neatly, it seems, directly from the rocks, and attractions more than enough for one eastern country.

We will begin our day with a passage through thousands of scarlet gates assembled in long tunnels., in the temple of Inari Taishya. We will not pass through the center under these gates, since this place of honor is reserved for the gods. Every gate is someone’s donation, from the largest corporations to individuals. It is noteworthy that the first gate was put by the company Dentsu - the largest advertising agency in Japan. In order to enlist the support of Inari, the patroness of cereals, trade and business, for many centuries merchants donated orange torii with the names of their enterprises, which were formed in long corridors on the slopes of the mountain, founded in the eighth century. Today there are hundreds of thousands of torii: they rise higher and higher, interspersed with small shrines, next to which sit stone foxes - the messengers of Inari, holding the keys to the granary in their teeth. The reward for the long climb is a panorama of the suburbs of Kyoto. However, walking through the endless orange labyrinth – especially alone when it snows or rains – is one of those Japanese experiences that stay with you much longer than the skyscrapers of Japan and the artificial bulk islands of Tokyo. Touch the eternal in a very ancient and mystical temple - Sanjusan-gendo, which means "Hall of 33 spans". Sanjusangendo is the temple of the goddess Kannon. A hundred and twenty meters long wooden structure is the longest wooden structure in all of Japan. The temple itself is very ancient, it was erected in the XII century, its interior and exterior have the sophistication inherent only in Kyoto temples. But the main attraction of this temple inside: 1001 statues of the goddess Kannon. The statues are placed on a stepped elevation. In the center on the pedestal in the form of a lotus flower sits Eleven and Millennial Cannon, which has an eye on each palm. This number of hands and eyes symbolizes Cannon’s limitless ability to save sentient beings. A thousand usually means perfection. The height of this sculpture is 3.3 m, it was made by the famous sculptor Tankei. This sculptural composition of the thousand-armed goddess Kannon cannot but amaze with its scale All 1000 images of the goddess are included in the list of National Treasures of Japan. Most of them are masterpieces of the 13th century. Filled with the majesty of the goddess Kannon, we will head to the most impressive temple in Kyoto - the Temple of Pure Water Kiyomizu-dera. Inside the temple complex there are sacred springs of water, symbolizing love, health and wealth. Washing on a ritual waterfall promises us the enlightenment of the soul, and the spirit of the goddess Kannon will bring a sense of peace and tranquility. But Kiyomizu Dera is known not only for its miraculous waters. Near the temple is the best shopping street in Kyoto - Matsubara Dori. Here you can find shops and shops that have a history of 200 years. Traditional sweets, handmade products and jewelry, traditional teas and tea sets to them, antiques, kimono and fans - your soul will find everything you want here! And in the evening we are waiting for the lights of the famous geisha quarter – Giona, where we immerse ourselves in traditional Japanese culture. Wooden two-storey houses with a clear geometry of exterior grilles today, unlike earlier times, look mysteriously secretive. Previously, this quarter, along with the geisha, was inhabited by many art craftsmen who served them. They created kimonos, jewelry, shoes, various accessories, musical instruments, fans, household items. Descendants of some of them continue to live and work here for geisha, thereby strengthening the atmosphere of conservation of the area. Every evening in the area of tea houses, through which maiko and geiko (geishi) rush with a quick seeding step, photographers come in the hope of catching the moment of their appearance on camera and taking a little beauty with them.

In the evening, you will have the opportunity to attend the performance “Gion Corner”. You can get acquainted with seven types of traditional scenic arts: tea ceremony, floral composition, playing the koto (Japanese six-stringed zitra), gagaku music (music and dances of the imperial court), bunraku (puppet theater), Kyogen (comic theater), and Kyo-mai dance (the famous Kyoto dance performed by maiko dancers). The Maiko Gallery is located in the foyer of the theater (not included in the main part of the program). Pre-order required)

Full day excursion, duration of 8 hours

Each additional hour is paid at the rate of 3,000 JPY/h.

Excursion cost: 27000 JPY / 270 USD per group from 1st to 3 people. (more than 3 people - contractual)

(The tour starts and ends at your hotel)

The price includes:

Russian-speaking guide

The price does not include:

1. Lunch 2. Option: (departure from Kyoto or Osaka)

Public transport -2000 JPY per person.

Car + gasoline, parking, toll roads - 38,000 JPY

Taxi approximately 13,000 yen for a full day for a group of up to 3 people

3 Entrance tickets for the full tour program -1200 JPY per person.

There are two options for visiting Kyoto:

1 Tour of Kyoto with departure from Tokyo with a Tokyo guide.

In cases where the guide accompanies customers from Tokyo, customers additionally pay:

- Guide ticket for the high-speed train Shinkansen round-trip -29000 JPY

- Guide hotel 8000 PY / day

2 One-day excursion to Kyoto with a Kyoto guide

For an excursion to Kyoto, you depart from Tokyo Station (or from Shinagawa Station) on the famous Shinkansen high-speed train. I will help you buy roundtrip train tickets and show you how to find the right platform and how to get on the train. If necessary, I can take you to the train in the morning.

The distance between Tokyo and Kyoto is 540 kilometers. This distance is covered by a high-speed train in 2.5 hours. Tourists usually leave Kyoto early in the morning at 8009 and arrive in Kyoto at 10:30. A guide who lives in Kyoto meets tourists right on the platform of Kyoto Station.

The tour lasts until 18:00 – 19:00 and ends at Kyoto Station, where a guide to Kyoto escorts tourists to the return train to Tokyo. After 2.5 hours (about 21:30) the train arrives in Tokyo.

Prices can vary from the number of people in the group to the season. For a more accurate assessment please write a request by email