Silent Beauty of Kyoto Zen Walk and Tea Experience

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3 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

We will take you beyond the usual sightseeing spots and into the heart of Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district, where tradition still lives and breathes. You’ll explore four of the area’s most atmospheric locations — Yasaka Shrine, Kodaiji Temple’s Zen garden, Rokudo Chinno-ji Temple, and the famous Yasaka Pagoda (Hōkan-ji Temple) — each revealing a different side of Kyoto’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

Unlike large bus tours, this experience is led by a local English-speaking guide who shares stories, hidden paths, and insights you won’t find in guidebooks. You’ll stroll through narrow stone streets lined with wooden houses, hear legends about the afterlife at Rokudo Chinno-ji, and stand beneath the five-story Yasaka Pagoda for one of the city’s most iconic views.

This tour is perfect for travelers who want to see Kyoto like a local, learn the deeper meanings behind its traditions, and enjoy a calm yet unforgettable journey through Japan’s ancient capital.

What's Included

English-Speaking Guide
Tea Ceremony Experience

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Yasaka Shrine

We will meet you in front on the main gate of Yasaka Shrine. Our guide will be holding a sign that says GuideMe Japan.

End point

After we conclude the tea ceremony session, we will end off the tour at the place.

Itinerary

Duration: 3 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Yasaka Shrine

    Discover Yasaka Shrine, a 1,300-year-old treasure at the heart of Kyoto’s Gion district — famous for its glowing lanterns, vermilion gates, and deep connection to Kyoto’s traditional culture.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 2

    Kodaiji Temple, built in 1606, is one of Kyoto’s most elegant Zen temples. Its beautifully designed gardens feature raked gravel, tranquil ponds, and graceful maple and cherry trees that change color with the seasons. The temple is especially magical in the early morning, when the grounds are quiet and the reflection of the trees dances on the water.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 3

    Rokudo Chinno-ji Temple is a small but fascinating temple tucked away in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. Known as the “Gate to the Afterlife,” it is said to mark the boundary between the world of the living and the dead. Visitors come here to ring the temple’s special bell, believed to guide the spirits of ancestors and protect loved ones.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 4

    Hōkan-ji Temple, better known as the Yasaka Pagoda, is one of Kyoto’s most photographed landmarks. The elegant five-story pagoda rises gracefully above the traditional streets of Higashiyama, creating a picture-perfect view of old Kyoto. Visitors can even step inside to admire the ancient wooden structure and enjoy a rare close-up look at one of Japan’s most iconic pagodas.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included
  • 5

    Step into the peaceful world of Japanese tea culture at Camellia Flower, a charming tea house nestled in Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district. Under the guidance of an expert tea master, you’ll learn the art of preparing and serving matcha while discovering the deep meaning behind each graceful movement. Surrounded by tatami mats and seasonal flowers, it’s a calm and authentic experience that connects you to centuries of Japanese tradition.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Supplied by GuideMe Japan

Tags

Half-day Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Small Group
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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