Kyoto is divided into a northern, a southern, a western, an eastern area, and the city center. You will explore the eastern area called “Higashiyama” featuring a lovely atmosphere thanks to its stone-paved roads and its wonderful temples and shrines. The first stop at Fushimi Inari Taisha, a Shrine located in the southeastern area dedicated to Inari, the deity of a good harvest and fertility, known all over the world for its thousands of vermilion torii gates and its kitsune (foxes) statues. You will then proceed north and visit Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Temple) a stunning Temple surrounded by nature and famous for its wooden stage from where you can admire a breathtaking view Kyoto.

Then, walk on Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, (two-year slope and three-year slope), two stone-paved pedestrian streets lined with Japanese traditional-style buildings, souvenir shops, and food stalls. Together with these picturesque slopes, there is Nene No Michi (the path of Nene), a 400mt long street connecting Kiyomizu-dera Temple to Yasaka-jinja Shrine in Gion, the most famous geisha district in Kyoto filled with shops, restaurants, teahouses where geiko (geisha) and maiko (geiko apprentices) entertain. Yasaka-jinja Shrine, also known as “Gion Shrine”, which was founded 1350 years ago and it is very popular for its summer festival: Gion Matsuri.
In the late afternoon you will have a break at Salon de Royal, one of the oldest chocolate shops in Japan, where you can enjoy a delicious dessert and a coffee with a view of the Kamogawa River. Before sunset we suggest a relaxing stroll along the River to Gion: Kamogawa River runs throughout Kyoto Prefecture and it is a perfect place if you want to enjoy the sound of nature, jogging, birdwatching, cycling and also painting. Once arrived in Gion you will experience the magical atmosphere of Hanamikoji Street and, if you are lucky, you may even spot some beautiful geiko while going to their next appointment in the evening.

*Upon request it is possible to get on a Rickshaw or a Private car for door-to-door sightseeing spot transfers