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WEST GEMS OF KYOTO - ON BIKE
Thanks again for joining us on the West Side bike Tour of Kyoto. I am sure that you will agree that Kyoto is an absolute delight to visit the sites by bicycle and with it being fairly flat, you may have found that your legs were not as tired after the tour as they would be if walking. The West side tour also visits some of the true gems of the city. Here is a recap for you to look back on and recall them for years to come. Note that depending on the pace of your tour and the interests of the group you are with that day, there may have been slight variations but either way this can serve as a little memory for you of the day you had with Kyoto Fun Tours.
PLACES WE VISITED ON TOUR
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine: a shinto shrine dedicated to the god of learning
Kinkakuji "Golden" Pavilion: an UNESCO site and a must see in Kyoto
Ryoanji Temple: one of the most famous rock and sand gardens in the world
RECAP OF OUR TOUR ROUTE & HIGHLIGHTS
We started by getting suited up on the bikes and heading for the first major stop Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Along the way we enjoyed seeing the side streets and residential neighbourhoods of Kyoto. We may even have stopped at the market of Sanjo street where we could see people going about their morning shopping.
It was a little bit off a long ride till we arrived at the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine. Here we could chat about Shinto beliefs in general and tell you the story of the exiled Sugawara no Michizane who was believed to become an angry spirit in death and had many natural disasters credited to him. His spirit rests peacefully now and all the young people come here to improve their studies by praying to him as he is now deified as the god of learning. We enjoyed a stroll in this beautiful area before getting back on the bikes to discover the Kamishichiken geisha district en route to the Golden Temple.
Then we arrived at to the Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji. This being one of the busiest places in Kyoto we had to contend with some crowds. But once we entered the gates and were immediately impressed by the site. Here you could learn more about the story of how it was destroyed and rebuilt in the early 1950's making it once of the most recently rebuilt sites in Kyoto. Replica or not, this is truly a stunning site. Here we had the chance to talk a bit more about zen and the garden technique of "borrowed scenery". We also got to talk about tea ceremony and it's importance to Japanese and saw a beautiful old tea house.
After visiting this most famous site we headed for the Ryoan-ji temple. This had a bit more of a zen feel to it than the Golden Pavilion with it's more rustic and peaceful setting. We tried to see all 15 stones at once (a tasked deemed impossible by the zen monks) and then saw the beautiful moss and stone wash basin along and behind this the most famous rock garden in all Japan. We then strolled through the gardens and enjoyed the nature surrounding the pond.
It was then time to cruise back to the city centre. We made our way back to the bike shop whizzing through the side streets and calling it a day. We really hope you enjoyed your day. Next time you come, or if you still are in town, check out our East Side Tour and we have tons of other tours that you are more than welcome to join.
DID YOU ENJOY YOUR TOUR ???
CONSIDER VISITING OUR FRIENDS !!!
At Kyoto Fun, we share our passion for this beautiful city and the incredible businesses that make it shine. Our curated list of top-quality restaurants showcases the best culinary experiences you can savor during your stay.
Dive into our recommendations below and let us guide you to Kyoto’s hidden gems that celebrate authentic flavours.
Enoteca Irodori
Their specialty is deep friend skewers of vegetables and meats dipped into a rich and tangy brown sauce. They even have deep fried cheese cake! Very good value and tasty. Just 1 min walk from where the tour begins.
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Udon MAIN
One of the tastiest udon places I know with a very creative menu and cool atmosphere.
Kyoya Kiyomizu Shimbashi 京家きよみず 祇をん新橋
Another obanzai favourite with tasty tempura, sashimi, salads and more.
Toku: Wagyu Yakiniku
A yaki-niku BBQ place with great views out the window to the Kamo River. You can even book a private booth for groups of four or more. Choose from several cuts of beef from all over Japan and enjoy grilling them at your table. Fun and casual way to enjoy delicious "wagyu"
Gion Duck Noodles: Ramen
One of the fancier ramen restaurants I have ever been to, this place has a French influence and uses duck as the base for the broth among other ingredients. Also highly recommended by the Ramen Beast, a friend of Kyoto Fun.
Kyoasobi: Yakitori
A new favourite of mine right in the heart of Gion. Lots of delicious chicken options, but you can also get wagyu beef, tons of vegetable options and a decent drink list too. A great option for groups as we can all order our favourite thing.
Gion Sho: Obanzai
This is obanzai style meaning small dishes of meat, fish and vegetables all served on small shareable plates. It has a pleasant and cosy atmosphere with the opportunity to book the private room on the 2nd floor too.
Gion Danran: Casual Teppanyaki
This is a tiny little restaurant tucked away on a quiet little street but it's a real gem. The married couple make it a friendly atmosphere and the food is incredibly good. Simple dishes but very flavourful.