Free tour

Free Walking Tour: Local Life in Sakyo Ward - From Ginkaku-ji to Heian Shrine

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Kyoto

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Languages: English and Spanish

Guru: Joseph

Registered on 25 June 2025

My life in Kyoto: Colombian living with my Japanese wife, her mother, her grandmother and our son - 4 generations experiencing the contrast between the world's most opposite cultures. My background in Japanese tech companies, work as a CrossFit trainer, and years researching Kyoto's history with locals give me unique perspectives - from understanding why I shouldn't drink all the ramen broth, to the most subtle social codes. My tours are spontaneous conversations where I mix real history with deep cultural interpretations - which is what travelers really want: understanding the why behind the what.

Free reservation and cancellation

Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

I'm Joseph, a Colombian living with 4 generations of my wife's Japanese family in Sakyo ward. This isn't a typical temple tour - it's a walk through my actual neighborhood.

What we'll see:

- Ginkaku-ji entrance and Philosopher's Path

- Hōnenin Temple's moss-covered gate

- My local public bath (sentō) where neighbors without home showers gather

- My actual home (you might meet my family!)

- Brown Restaurant - best fried oysters (kakifry) in Kyoto

- Kyo Hiyoshi Shrine where my grandma-in-law and I pray

- Shinnyodo and Konkaikōmyō-ji temples

- Okazaki Rabbit Shrine (where I prayed before my wife got pregnant)

- Heian Shrine and the Pokémon manhole cover

- Okazaki Park and the giant torii gate

What makes this different:

I'll share real stories - like why my 70-year-old restaurant owner plays Pokémon GO, how Japanese bath house culture works, and what it's like living in a 4-generation household. This is the Kyoto guidebooks don't show you.

2 hours, small groups only, pay what you feel it's worth.

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

Japan, 〒606-8411 Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Jōdoji Higashidachō, 淨土寺東田町57

I'll be wearing a distinctive outfit and carrying a speaker near the stone monument (https://maps.app.goo.gl/VfWTtrp7XEoHbxtu6?g_st=ipc) right before the Ginkaku-ji temple approach path. Look for the Colombian guy waving at the entrance to the Philosopher's Path canal area — you'll know when you see me!

Outside visit

Ginkaku-ji Entrance Area

UNESCO World Heritage site Silver Pavilion. We'll view the entrance and approach path (Sandou) while I explain the Gozan no Okuribi fire festival connection and share stories about the local shops I've tried.

Outside visit

Hōnenin Temple

Hidden moss-covered temple with distinctive sand mounds (byakusadan). A peaceful spot that most tourists miss, but locals treasure. We'll walk through the atmospheric entrance gate and grounds.

Free entry

Ginkaku-ji Entrance Area

Starting point near the entrance to Philosopher's Path, 30 meters from the police box

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €15 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).