Kyoto Afternoon Tour - Fushimiinari Shrine & Kiyomizu Temple from Kyoto

See the most picturesque temples and beautiful gardens that Kyoto has to offer on this 4-hour afternoon tour, with guide, stopping at some of the city’s most significant religious monuments. Gain new insight into the traditions of ancient Japan and get plenty of photo-taking opportunities as you visit a selection of its beautiful temples and shrines.

Begin your tour by meeting your guide at Avanti Tour Desk near Kyoto Station in the afternoon. The city of Kyoto today is home to more than 1.4 million residents, and as it has evolved, it has seamlessly blended its modern architecture with a wealth of religious and cultural structures that date back to the city’s days as Japan’s capital from 794 through 1868. Although the city has been ravaged by many years of war and fire, it was not significantly damaged by bombing raids during World War II, meaning many important ancient structures still survive to this day.

Head over to the visually-striking Fushimiinari Taisha Shrine, a wildly colorful building bearing bright-red columns and a green roof. The interior of this beautiful structure is perhaps even more impressive, harboring a series of immaculate gardens and placid ponds. Please note the tour will not enter the site’s Shin-en garden.

Next move on to Sanjusangendo Temple on the eastern edge of Kyoto for your day’s first stop. This beautiful religious site, home to 1,001 statues of Kannon, Bodhisattva and was built in the 13th century, is famous for being the longest wooden building in the entire country, spanning more than 394 feet (120m) in length.

Proceed next to the famous Kiyomizu Temple, stopping to browse the rows of pottery stores that line the streets leading up to the site. This elegant UNESCO World Heritage site, also known as Kiyomizu-dera, offers panoramic views of Kyoto and the surrounding area from its spacious terrace and many walkways lining the nearby foothills of Higashiwama mountain. When the tour concludes, drop-off service is available at select locations in Kyoto.