Yakir Solomon

A Bit About Me and the Tour

My name is Yakir Solomon – a Japan tour guide and practitioner of Chinese medicine. My interest in Japan began as a child after reading Shogun, which introduced me to worlds of samurai, geisha, and Zen Buddhism. Since then, my curiosity and love for this culture have only grown. I first arrived in Japan in 2010. At the time, it wasn’t as popular a destination as it is today, and while most of my friends traveled to South America or India, I chose to come here. That experience led me to study East Asian Studies at university and deepen my understanding of Japan. Today, I live in a small town outside Kyoto and guide travelers from around the world. Looking back, it feels like everything in my life led me here, to share my knowledge and appreciation of Japan and its culture. 1. Eastern Kyoto Route This route covers some of the most important must-see sites in the city. It’s my most popular tour, and if you only have one day in Kyoto, this is the one to choose. The route includes: Kiyomizu-dera – the famous wooden temple The historic streets and Gion Yasaka Shrine Fushimi Inari Taisha – known for its thousands of red gates 2. Western Kyoto Route On the western side of Kyoto, you’ll find some of the most historically important sites in the city, and in Japan as a whole. As we walk, I’ll explain the connection between religion and the state in Japan, and how one key historical period shaped the rich culture we see today. The route includes: Nijō Castle Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Ryōan-ji rock garden Arashiyama and the bamboo forest 3. Yakir’s Hidden Temples Route Kyoto was Japan’s capital for over 1,000 years and is home to more than 2,000 temples. In this tour, I invite you to explore unique places that are still relatively unknown and less exposed on social media. The route includes: A relaxed start at Nishiki Market for snacks and great coffee Daitoku-ji temple complex Imamiya Shrine and traditional mochi shops Otagi Nenbutsu-ji (stone statues temple) Adashino Nenbutsu-ji bamboo grove and ancient cemetery Finish with a scenic viewpoint over the river and mountains in Arashiyama Pricing: 1–4 participants: $380 USD per group 5–7 participants: $420 USD per group 8–10 participants: $460 USD per group Price does not include expenses during the tour Payment Terms: Deposit: $70 USD at the time of booking Remaining balance: paid in cash (yen or USD) on the day of the tour