Nanzen-ji Temple Tours and Activities

Pedal through the historic streets of Kyoto as you visit its magnificent temples and shrines by bike during this small-group tour limited to 9 participants. Take a spin down the Path of Philosophy on this Kyoto tour that gives you an overview of the city while using a mode of transport preferred by locals: the humble bicycle. See shrines, temples and mountains — this is an enlightening escape from the city.

Step into an authentic Japanese rickshaw for the ride of a lifetime, through some of the most scenic and historic districts in Kyoto, Japan. You have the option of exploring the verdant Bamboo Grove and impressive shrines of west Kyoto’s Arashiyama district or the intriguing wooden buildings and stone alleys (maybe even spotting a geisha or two) in Kyoto’s famed Higashiyama area, all with a knowledgeable local guide and rickshaw driver. This authentic, customizable Kyoto adventure is a fun introduction to this beautiful city.

This is a perfect pick for nature lovers, and those interested in Japanese spirituality. Put away the guidebook and follow the lead of a landscape designer with over 15 years’ experience. It’s a great way to discover secret local spots that you wouldn’t discover otherwise, and to understand more about the meaning behind zen gardens.

During the Kyoto day walking tour, you will experience the beauty of Kyoto; its nature, religion, history, and culture. This tour covers everything you'll need to know when you visit Kyoto. ​If you are looking for a real local experience and perspective, why don’t you stroll this quiet and beautiful neighborhood with our local guide.

This private cycling tour of Kyoto is a wonderful way to spend time outdoors and see many of Kyoto’s beautiful sites in one day. Bicycle and helmet hire is included, and you’ll have a guide to accompany you, making it the ultimate hassle-free tour. See shrines, temples, and mountains as you ride down the Path of Philosophy. You won’t have to navigate, as your guide will lead the way, so you can concentrate on the stunning views.

“When a garden is used as a place to pause for thought, that is when a Zen garden comes to life. When you contemplate a garden like this it will form a lasting impression on your heart.” — Muso Soseki, 13th c. Zen master The Japanese garden defies quick and easy understanding. As we move in awe through one of these masterpieces we can feel that there is something deeper than just the physical beauty that surrounds us. This experience is designed to go to the heart of that "something deeper". While occupying 3 temples of the Nanzen-ji Monastery, you will hear in-depth explanations and insights into the world of Japanese gardens that you would never learn about otherwise. The Japanese garden will be revealed to you as an expression of profound art. As you will undoubtly visit at least several temples and gardens while you are here, this experience will equip you with all the tools you need to help make your experience in Kyoto one that will form a lasting impression on your heart.

Visit ancient shrines and temples of Kyoto-- Nanzen-ji Temple, Kiyomizudera Temple, and Yasaka Shrine. Your guide shows you how to respectfully cleanse yourself and offer prayers before entering the sacred places. This small group tour includes information about each stop and history of the area going back 2,677 years. Lunch is included, and the tour ends with shopping and sake tasting in the Gion district, where you may see Geisha and Maiko (apprentice Geisha).

Let’s ride on a bike to explore Higashiyama, the most popular area among Kyoto, where many famous temples and shrines concentrated in. This area is well-known about its jam-up, since thousands of tourists visit at all times of the year. Resulted in overcrowded buses and even if you are luckily get in, the bus may not move forward. There are so many bus services provided by several companies which makes you confused. Yet people surround you maybe also tourists like you who know little about the area. Let’s not waste your time reading maps, waiting for buses, and traffic jams. After we leave Kyoto station, we will guide you several places: Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, Shimogamo jinja, Ginkakuji temple, Tetsugaku-no-michi Street (the philosophers' path), Eikando, and Nanzenji temple. We continue pedaling to Gion area then the most busiest area of Kyoto, Sanjyo and Shijyo-kawaramachi. You can either drop the bike at the place where the tour ends or keep pedaling until Kyoto station.

What’s the Story? Enter a sanctuary of Zen in the confines of the Nanzenji temple complex. The weight of the world will melt away as we explore verdant gardens and elegant Zen architecture. Together we will escape into this wonderland and find harmony in our selves as well as in our viewfinders. You will also get in touch with the subtleties of each of the four seasons, depending on when you choose to visit—contemplate nature through the lens of your camera and the school of Zen. What We’ll Shoot Learn how to work with various lighting conditions in the confines of Kyoto’s serene Zen gardens and temples. We will explore creative and effective composition concepts for capturing the beauty of each location. Taking it a step further, we will also instruct you on being in tune with the peculiarities and characteristics of each season and all kinds of weather conditions, whether that be rain or sunshine. In a true Zen sense, we will teach you to accept and adapt to all shooting conditions. Where We’ll Explore We avoid the famous locations cluttered with selfie sticks and throngs of tourists, and instead we take you to some of the lesser-known sub-temples around Nanzenji. There, unhindered by the crowds, we can appreciate the aesthetics of rock gardens and Buddhist temples. You’ll be struck by the sense of intimacy of a real Zen experience.

As famously featured on Amazon TV's 'Our Man In Japan' programme recently, this is an EXCLUSIVE chance to tour around some of Kyoto's most beautiful temples and locations with the cutest little robot! He'll function as an interesting guide, an amusing travel partner, and a great model for Instagram-worthy photos! He's great with kids, the elderly... in fact, he'll keep the whole family entertained! And just in case you'd like more information, your fluent, highly-qualified driver/guide will be able to jump in at any point to answer any further questions or requests you may have. (In collaboration with Sharp)

Visit "Must-See" temple and shrine! I reccomend two of the greatest temples and shrines in Kyoto, "Nanzenji" temple and "Yasaka" Shrine. I'm sure that the gate of "Nanzenji" temple will take your breath away! "Yasaka" shrine is well known to foreign visitors and As a special information, "Only on June 15", annual event will take place in the morning !!!

This 1 day exclusive walking tour gives you general information of Kyoto city and Japanese cultures including Japanese customs, culture differences between some cities. You could try Real matcha tea at authentic Tea house in Kyoto This tour covers pretty much all touristic areas in Kyoto except Kinkakuji, Kyoto Imperial Palace, and Kitano tenmangu. Kiyomizu Temple. We walk throught the city from South to East to West, We sometimes use Train to short cut some areas. Also We will have lunch at Local Restaurant

Besides venerated temples and shrines, Kyoto is also a city rich in nature. In this tour, we will enjoy strolling around a picturesque landscape once loved by the nobles at the western end of the city. Afterwards we will visit the gorgeous Nijo castle built by the shogun. It shows off his power and authority, exceeding even that of the emperor. This castle witnessed the shogun and his family’s dominance of the nation from their rise to their fall. The castle is located at the center of Kyoto. Our last stop is one of the most famous zen temples in Japan situated at the bottom of Kyoto’s eastern mountains. Nanzenji Temple calms us down and invites us to the world of meditation.