水 The Water Element [ Kyoto ] Private Tour
水 The Water Element [ Kyoto ] Private Tour
In traditional Japanese esoteric thought, particularly in Onmyōdō and Esoteric Buddhism (Mikkyō), the Five Elements (五大, godai) are: earth, water (the second element), fire, wind, and void.
This private tour is dedicated for the second element:
水 (sui) – Water
This is an elemental journey through Kyoto — an immersion into Japan’s second layer, water, where the circle symbolizes receptivity, flow, and adaptability. Visit tranquil springs, sacred wells, and temple gardens shaped by water’s gentle power — each reflecting the beauty of adaptation, intuition, and stillness.
Water is the second element because it follows Earth — shifting from solidity to movement. Where Earth grounds, Water flows — responding, absorbing, and guiding change through softness rather than force.
What It Means
In this context, Water symbolizes:
Adaptability – finding strength in fluidity
Cleansing – spiritual and emotional purification
Intuition – connection to inner truth and feeling
Calm – relief from intensity and overthinking
Flow – moving with, not against, life’s rhythms
If you’d like to purchase all the 5 Elements Tours, email us and we will send you a 20% discount code to use at checkout.
Tour Summary
⚲ Location: Kyoto
↻ Duration: 6 hours
⇒ Meeting Time: 11 am
⌕ Meeting Location: Your hotel lobby. The guide will contact you to confirm the exact location.
⇐ Drop-off Time: 5 pm
⌕ Drop-off Location: Last destination
⚐ Language: English
Note: No other tourists will be joining your tour, making it an exclusive and personalized experience.
Tour Details
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….. 1. Kamogawa Delta . 30 minutes
Main Water Element: River & Time
At the confluence of the Kamogawa and Takano rivers, water becomes both a gathering point and a flow of time. The stepping stones across the shallow stream connect not just the banks but also generations of people who have rested here. It is Kyoto’s living heartbeat, where earth meets water — grounding, steady, and constantly moving forward.
…. Commute . 15 minutes
….. 2. Sanjo River View . 20 minutes
Main Water Element: Gathering & Flow
Here the Sanjo River tells its story in movement. Beneath bridges old and new, the water flows as it has for centuries — binding together past and present. Watching its gentle current, you sense how water gathers people and memories alike, carrying them forward in an endless stream that connects nature with the pulse of the city.
….. 3. Kennin-ji Main Garden · 45 minutes
Main Water Element: Dry version -Circular Raked Patterns & Impermanence
In the raked circles of Kennin-ji’s Zen garden, gravel becomes water. The flowing patterns symbolize rivers and ripples, reminding us that even without liquid, water’s essence — movement, impermanence, and cosmic unity — can be felt. Here, stillness paradoxically reveals water’s eternal flow.…. Commute . 20 minutes
….. 4. Walk Above Water Channel Bridge —from Keage Incline . 60 minutes
Main Water Element: Water Canal & Adaptability
Beneath the Roman-style arches of this 19th-century aqueduct flows a canal that once powered Kyoto’s industry. Walking above, you feel water’s quiet adaptability — its ability to shape cities, fuel life, and flow onward with grace. This blend of engineering and nature reveals water’s dual role: practical force and serene companion.
….. 5. Nanzenji Complex's Tanju-An Garden . 30 minutes
Main Water Element: Pond & Harmony
The still pond at Tanju-an reflects both sky and trees, holding the world in its quiet surface. Stones, moss, and pathways all lean toward water, the central point of harmony in the garden. Here, water is not only life-giving but also a mirror for contemplation, inviting balance between nature and spirit.
…. Commute . 40 minutes
….. 6. Kiyomizu-dera Temple (The Pure Water Temple) . 60 minutes
Main Water Element: Natural Spring & Leaps of faith
At the base of Kiyomizu-dera flows the Otowa Waterfall, where pilgrims sip from sacred streams for health, success, and longevity. Water here becomes a promise, a leap of faith embodied in the temple’s saying: “Why not jump from Kiyomizu?” Both spring and stage embody water’s role as risk, renewal, and the courage to trust in life’s flow.
Kiyomizu-dera has generally burned down twice, foreshadowing the next element — Fire.
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✔ Dedicated, multilingual, professional local tour guide’s time and expertise (for 6 hours), along with their personal expenses.
✔ All Entrance Fees: All entrance fees for the listed attractions are fully included in the tour, ensuring a seamless and worry-free experience for our guests.
✔ Stovenirs: A unique souvenir for each guest on the tour (see section below).
✔ Customizable Itinerary: Flexibility to tailor the tour according to your preferences and interests.
✔ Personal Support: If customers who book contact us with any questions about their Japan trip, we will respond promptly.
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✖ Meal Costs: Participants are responsible for their own meals (e.g., lunch).
✖ Transportation Costs: Participants handle their own transportation costs (public or private).
Note: For those who booked the 'Luxury Wand' asset, everything mentioned above is fully covered, including private transportation.
More about the 'Luxury Wand' here.
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Stovenirs = Souvenirs + Stories.
贈り物の背後には、心のこもった物語が広がっています。
(Okurimono no haigo ni wa, kokoro no komotta monogatari ga hirogatteimasu.)
Translation: "Behind every gift, there is an heartfelt story unfolding."
For direct bookings made through our website, every guest will receive a special "stovenir" during the tour—a thoughtfully chosen souvenir accompanied by a captivating story about Japan, shared by your guide.
These stovenirs are designed to enrich your experience, making your tour not just memorable but deeply meaningful.
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1. Confirmation Email: You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of booking.
2. Resources: We will email you "Preparing for Your Japan Trip" and "Japan Secrets" digital guides to help you make the most of your experience.
3. Personalized Contact: Your guides will reach out to you three times (via email or Whatsapp):
a… 2-4 weeks before your tour.
b… again the day before your tour with them.
c… and finally at the meeting point on the day of the tour.
4. Support: We will follow up with you to ensure everything is going smoothly and offer support if any issues arise.
You may have more inquiries. Why not explore our Frequently Asked Questions section?