In this tour, you'll visit Uji area in Kyoto, about 20 minutes by train from JR Kyoto station.
Byodoin-Hoodo temple is one of must-sees in Kyoto area, it is the temple you can see in the design of Japanese 10-yen coin!
Mimuroto temple is also a famous temple, and in rainy season (June and earlu July), the hydrangea garden is very beautiful. You can also enjoy lotus in bloom.
JR Kyoto Station
Byodoin-Hoodo Temple
Mimurotoji Temple
Anyplace convenient for you
June and July is the rainy season in Japan, and Mimuroto-temple's hydrangea garden would be the most beautiful in rainy season.
Uji area is famous for its high quality green tea, so you can find a lot of green tea (Maccha) sweets in many shops.
Fushimi inari shrine is easily accessable by train from this area. The itinerary can be revised as you like, feel free to ask me anything.
guide fee, transportation fee for guide
transportation fee for you, lunch, entrance fee (you and guide), rental bicycle(you and guide)
Please request me at least 7days in advance.
Please note that we use public transportation in my tours.
Mimuroto temple is about 25 to 30 minutes walk from JR Uji station, so if you don't want to walk too much, I recommend to use rental bicycles or take a taxi. I recommend bicycles because that way it's going to be easire to add more destinations in Uji area, such as Ujinokami shrine(a UNESCO World Heritage site) and The Tale of Genji museum.
Michiko was lovely - knowledgeable and with good English - ticks the boxes!. Recommended.
Thank you for your review! Yesterday was a very lovely day for me with you and Sue. Thank you for your cooperation. I wish you a wonderful trip!
I recently had the pleasure of exploring Kobe with an exceptional guide, Michiko, whose expertise and enthusiasm truly made my experience unforgettable. From the moment we met, Michiko's engaging personality immediately put me at ease. She is not only a bright university graduate, but also has a natural ability to converse intelligently on a vast array of topics, enriching the entire experience. A few examples of our day together are as follows. Our journey began with a hike up a scenic trail, where several waterfalls cascaded next to lush greenery with a number of historic Japanese poems carved into adjacent rocks. Next we visited a magnificent historical woodworking museum. The Japanese craftsmanship on display was nothing short of breathtaking. Each piece was not only perfectly made but exquisitely executed, showcasing the dedication and skill of the artisans. Michiko's insights into the history and intricacies of these masterpieces added an extra layer of appreciation. We then strolled through the vibrant Chinatown area, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch together and our exploration continued as we paid a visit to the earthquake memorial, a poignant reminder of Kobe's history. Michiko's ability to convey the significance of the memorial and its impact on the local community added depth to our experience. While still at the seashore, we embarked on a short ocean cruise, taking in the coastal views of Kobe. Michiko's adaptability and willingness to accommodate my requests, including a full day of walking, showcased her dedication to ensuring that I had a memorable experience. What truly made this tour exceptional was the genuine connection that developed throughout the day. Michiko went above and beyond, exceeding all my expectations. Her intelligence and warm personality transformed what could have been an ordinary tour into a memorable adventure. We parted ways as new friends, making this a day in Kobe a major highlight of my Japanese vacation. It was, without a doubt, a splendid tour and a day well spent.
Thank you for your review, Alan. It seems too much praise for me, but I'm relieved that you enjoyed the day in Kobe! It was wonderful day for me, too. I enjoyed talking with you a lot. Please come to Japan someday and talk and walk together again!
Michiko was very obliging and kind to us during the tour. Michiko was particularly good when I needed to go shopping - she was very able in finding an obscure place and in dealing with the people. Because of her excellent English, she could interpret what we needed very well.
Thank you Jonathan, for your nice review. It was really pleasure to meet you and visit places in Kyoto with you. It was a surprise for me that you had visited Japan so many time! I appreciate your love for my country very much. Please come again! Michiko
Michiko gave us an excellent tour. She met us exactly where she said she would at exactly the time specified. I admit, we had our doubts about finding her on an extremely crowded and busy train platform, but there she was, with her sign, exactly as she said she would be. Starting with Fushimiinari, where she provided us with interesting historical and local information that you don't find in the guidebooks and shepherded us through the crowds of people. Then local transport to Arashiyama, for a nice authentic Japanese lunch, a Japanese garden, bamboo forest, monkey park and local attractions. I even got to meet some local Jr High students and answer their questions about my trip to Japan, while working on their English skills. All through the tour, Michiko was very flexible and understanding of any limitations we had while providing options that we may not have known about originally. She flexed her time and skills to meet our sometimes out of the ordinary requests and meet our needs. If you are looking for a professional, knowledgeable, flexible guide who takes pride in her touring, Michiko is definitely a #1 choice. I would have no problem booking her again if/when I return to Japan and recommend her highly to anyone else looking to tour the Nara/Arashiyama area.
Hi Robert, Thank you for your nice review! It was really nice meeting you! In this tour, we had to walk a lot and your cooperation made the tour successful. I really appreciated it.Thank you very much! Your passion for Japanese pop culture interested me and I really enjoyed talking with you at the riverside of Arashiyama. I wish for your health and success from Japan and in the future, please revisit Japan! Michiko