KYOTANUKI SPECIALTY TOURS
The Kyotanuki Specialty Tours are much more than simple guided tours, they were created to give you a unique insight into a particular subject of Japanese culture and heritage rich places.
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FUSHIMI INARI TAICHA SECRET TOUR WITH A TORII BUILDER
Kyotanuki offers the most unique ‘secret hike’ tour at Fushimi Inari Taicha, as I’ve been personally involved in the construction of hundreds of Torii gates since 2019.
From the smallest to the biggest Torii, day and night, during all seasons, I put considerable effort and energy in this place.
During this tour, you’ll learn everything about the history of the shrine, the rituals, statues, Shinto priests and Miko-san, and small details that usually escape the eye. But also about the Torii gates themselves and how they’re built. You’ll discover truly secret spots, far from the crowds and access information no other guide can provide.
Details:
3 to 4 hours - ¥30.000
Maximum 5 people
Practical:
This tour is best enjoyed in the (early) morning.
We’ll hike up a hidden path through the forest. Unknown by most, this path will bring us at the middle of the mountain. From there we’ll hike to the summit and go back down the main path, so you won’t miss a thing.
Tips:
Shoes with a grippy sole are recommended.
KYOTO’S KAGAI
Having some contacts in the “Flower and Willow world”, it will be my pleasure to take you on a discovery tour in the 5 Kagai of Kyoto.
During this tour you will learn about the secretive world of the Hanamachi and the extraordinary women who live there and devote themselves to the most refined arts: the Geiko-san and Maiko-san of Kyoto.
Details:
4 hours - ¥30.000
Maximum 5 people
Practical:
We’ll walk through each distinctive Kagai during which I will talk about this secret world and teach you the proper etiquette to uphold in those places.
We might encounter Geiko and Maiko, but please keep in mind that taking pictures of them without permission is forbidden and incredibly rude.
ZEN GARDENS
Originally created by Buddhist Zen monks as meditation aids, Kyoto houses some of the most authentic examples of those dry gardens.
Discover the relaxing atmosphere and the meaning of rocks and gravel during this half day tour.
Details:
4 hours - ¥30.000
Maximum 5 people
Practical:
In good Kyotanuki habit, we will visit the lesser know gems, as silence and quietness are essential to zen.
You’ll learn about the dry gardens, their meaning and symbolism, but also about the Buddhist zen monks, what they really do and how they live.
MOUNT HIEI & ENRYAKU-JI
Hieizan, Kyoto’s sacred mountain and home of Enryaku-ji, head temple of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism, dating back to the 8th century. This is the place were many founders of influential Japanese Buddhist schools trained.
Details:
7 to 8 hours - ¥45.000
Maximum 5 people
Practical:
PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
MOUNT KURAMA
Mount-Kurama, a sacred mountain adjacent to a small hamlet with the same name, tucked away in Kyoto’s northern mountains.
Home of an esoteric Buddhist temple, a 1000 year old Shinto shrine, many legends, mythological beings and important figures from Japanese history.
Legends tells of the samurai, Minamoto no Yoshitsune who was trained in martial arts by the Tengu king, Sojobo-sama that lives on Mount-Kurama.
This is also the place where Buen, an ascetic Buddhist monk faced a male dragon and defeated it.
Reiki, an energy based healing practice, was also born in Kurama.
Details:
4 to 5 hours - ¥32.000
Maximum 5 people
Practical:
After a 30 minutes train ride from Kyoto we’ll hike up Mount-Kurama, (+/- 45min), discovering many spiritual and sacred places before arriving at Kurama-dera, the main temple.
From there it’s a very short climb to the summit (15 min), were we’ll take a short break before descending to Kibune, a hamlet on the other side of the mountain.
After visiting Kibune-jinja, we’ll head back to the station and return to Kyoto.
Tips:
Sport or hiking shoes with a grippy sole are strongly recommended.
QUIET KYOTO
Escape the crowds and let me take you to a quiet and authentic part of Kyoto, overseen by most travelers.
Details:
3 to 4 hours - ¥30.000
Maximum 5 people
Practical:
You’ll discover a truly unique Buddhist temple, a Shinto shrine with an extraordinary history linked to one of Japan’s most famous samurai and a beautiful villa including a Japanese garden.