Ryōan-ji Tickets and Tours

Kyoto E-Bike Tour: Bamboo Forest, Golden Pavilion & Zen Temple

An unforgettable and beautifully personalised cycling tour with Kevin B

We booked Kyoto Fun’s E-Bike Tour of Kyoto’s West Gems and arrived at the meeting point, which was very easy to find, where we met our guide, Kevin B. Kevin explained that we were the only two people booked that day, so the experience would effectively become a private tour that could be adapted around our interests. From the outset, Kevin was warm, friendly and exceptionally attentive. He took the time to get to know us, asking what we enjoyed, which parts of Kyoto we had already explored and what had particularly appealed to us. Although we have visited Kyoto many times, we had never properly explored the north of the city. When we explained how much we enjoy temples, gardens, the countryside and being outdoors, Kevin suggested creating a different route featuring some of his own favourite places. It proved to be an inspired decision. We began by cycling beside the river to Kamigamo Shrine, a remarkable place that felt quite different from the other shrines we had visited. It was peaceful, spacious and largely free from crowds. A ceremony for a baby was taking place during our visit, which was a privilege to witness. Kevin was excellent at explaining what we were seeing and giving us the cultural context needed to appreciate it properly. Our next stop was Entsū-ji Temple, one of Kevin’s favourite temples. It appears quite unassuming from outside, but once inside we immediately understood why he loves it. Its beautiful Zen moss garden incorporates Mount Hiei as “borrowed scenery”, creating an extraordinary sense of depth and tranquillity. Because the unusually dry weather had been damaging the moss, the temple had installed an ingenious misting system across the garden. We were incredibly fortunate to see the elderly monk switch it on. As the mist drifted over the moss and Mount Hiei appeared through the haze beyond, it felt as though the entire garden were floating on a cloud. It was magical and unlike anything we had ever experienced. The monk’s pride, joy and excitement made the moment even more special. Photographs simply cannot capture how beautiful it was. For lunch, Kevin recommended Takaragaike Café Garden, close to Takaragaike Pond. The owner was extremely welcoming, the choice and quality of food were excellent, and the setting was delightful. Afterwards, we cycled around the beautiful surrounding park before continuing our tour. We then visited Renge-ji, a secluded old temple that we would almost certainly never have found on our own. Its peaceful grounds, moss-covered landscape, pond and historic buildings were exquisite. It was precisely the kind of quiet, deeply atmospheric place we had hoped to discover. Our final major visit was Manshu-in Monzeki, an historic temple with outstanding buildings and magnificent gardens. Its hand-painted screens, golden mikoshi and carefully composed garden—with a remarkable 400-year-old pine tree set on an island of raked gravel—were unforgettable. It is a truly beautiful place and absolutely worth seeking out. Kevin’s knowledge throughout the day was exceptional—not only extensive, but broad, thoughtful and communicated with real enthusiasm. Having lived and worked in several countries, he brought a worldly and engaging perspective to everything we discussed. He also has a wonderful sense of humour and enjoyed gently teasing us about being British, always in the warmest possible spirit. By the end of the day, it felt less like being shown around by a guide and more like exploring Kyoto with a knowledgeable and generous friend. The route was beautifully paced, the cycling was a pleasure and the flexibility of the tour allowed us to experience a quieter and more personal side of Kyoto. Even after visiting the city many times, Kevin showed us places we would never have discovered independently and gave us a much deeper understanding of everything we saw. This was a genuine highlight of our trip to Japan. We cannot recommend Kyoto Fun, Kevin B or exploring Kyoto by bicycle highly enough. Thank you, Kevin, for such a wonderful day and for sharing your knowledge, humour and favourite temples with us. It is an experience we will remember for a very long time.

Private Kyoto Walking Tour Temples, Traditions and Hidden Gems

Excellent Kyoto Tour

Our guide today was Mo. We were very lucky to have him. He ended up driving us around rather then taking the trains and that was a huge help because we got to cover a lot of ground in a short period and your especially beneficial since it was raining today.