Heian Jingu Shrine walking tour

Heian Jingu Shrine

This is a walking tour that usually departs from the Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum at 10:00 in downtown Kyoto. The fee covers 10 people. The tour is about 2 hours. Your tour guide is a government licenced tour guide. Whether you are a couple or a a group of 10 people the price is standard. The tour guide escorts you all the time and you take public transportation or ride a taxi as a group.
Please read more below about the venue:

Heian Jingu Shrine was founded in 1895 to celebrate the 1,100th anniversary since Kyoto became the capital of Japan in the 8th century. It enshrines the Emperor Kanmu, who originally made Kyoto as the capital of Japan as well as Emperor Komei, who was the last Emperor in Kyoto.

After the capital was moved to Tokyo in 1868, a population of Kyoto has rapidly decreased, and the city completely lost its glory. The city government decided to host the National Industrial Exhibition to revive Kyoto. Japan’s first hydro-electric power plants was constructed, and this electricity generated the first streetcar in Japan. After the Exhibition, the venue was turned into Heian Jingu.

The Torii Gate of Heian Jingu is 24.4m high, the tallest torii gate in Japan. The Gate separates the human world and divine world. You are not to walk in the middle of it as Shinto deities are believed to go through the center.

Shin-en garden is said to have reproduced the image of the Buddhist Paradise. It was designed by Ogawa Jihei, one of the most celebrated landscape garden designers in Japan. Garyukyo (Crawling Dragon Bridge), stepping stones are made of stone foundation used for 3-jo and 5-jo bridges in central Kyoto. It appeared in a film, “Lost in Translation.” Taihei-kaku is the bridge with roof which was moved from the Old Imperial Palace. The location was used for the film “Memoirs of Geisha.”

Having your local private tourguide on the ground makes the traveling experience way more rewarding and fun. Maikoya has constantly been rated as the top cultural experience venue in Osaka and Kyoto and we work with the best tour guides in Osaka and Kyoto who are experts in their field. The best part is we have actual locations in the heart of Osaka and downtown Kyoto, so you can always call us or come to our office if you should have any problems at all. You can also leave your luggaes in our locations.

By having your private government licensed private tour guide you will get

An experienced, licensed local tour guide with all the local knowledge and tips who will make sure that you focus on relaxing and having fun and not worry about getting lost.
A well planned itinerary prepared for you in advance and shared with you in advance so that you don’t have to worry about missing your train or missing the best museum in town because it closes early.
An opportunity to exchange emails with the tour guide and ask some questions you may have including but not limited to good restaurants in town, seasonal activities, local customs and the etiquette, what to bring along and so on.
Your local guide will not only escort you throughout the whole trip, he/she will also share all the interesting facts about the culture and history of your destination that only locals know.
Your local guide will show you the best photo spots, best souvenir shops and off the beaten tracks that may be of interest to you.
You don’t have to pay for your guide’s transportation or meal.
During this tour you get to choose whether to take a taxi or use the public transportation. In either case it is good to bring comfortable shoes and leave your heavy bag at your hotel. You can always leave your belongings at our locations in Kyoto or Osaka if you need to. Also don’t forget to bring some cash to use for the vending machines and the souvenir shops as in Japan some stores still do not accept credit card.

This tour can be adjusted based on your needs and desires. As soon as you make the reservation the tour guide will contact you with the details.