【Early Morning Discovery】Toyotomi Hideyoshi and 400 Years of Kyoto at Toyokuni Shrine

A curated morning journey with a local expert: uncover “Modern Kyoto” through a historic masterpiece. Begin your day with a special early-morning stroll at Toyokuni Shrine—just minutes from Kyoto Station. In the serene atmosphere before the crowds arrive, this exclusive 90‑minute program immerses you in the hidden depths of Kyoto’s history.

The city’s familiar beauty holds a secret: the very blueprint for modern Kyoto was established 400 years ago by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, arguably the most powerful and successful leader in Japanese history. His extraordinary life is currently reigniting national interest, serving as the subject of Japan’s premier historical TV drama series starting in January 2026.

The highlight of this journey is the encounter with the "Toyokuni Festival Folding Screen" housed in Hideyoshi's Treasure Museum. Remarkably, this screen vividly depicts "famous modern Kyoto landmarks" that you might be planning to visit—such as Sanjusangen-do and Kiyomizu-dera—exactly as they appeared 400 years ago. With your expert guide's commentary, we will decode this magnificent screen, allowing the scenes of the past to superimpose onto the streets of the present. This unique intellectual exercise will illuminate the unbroken historical thread woven by Kyoto, profoundly connecting the city you know today to the era of Hideyoshi.

What if the familiar streets of Kyoto actually conceal remnants from Hideyoshi’s time? These surprising discoveries will not just stimulate; they will fundamentally transform your understanding of the city.

【Important Notes for a Comfortable Experience】
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes.
Restrooms: Please note that there are no restrooms within the shrine grounds. Your guide can direct you to nearby public facilities upon request.
Attire: Mornings can be chilly. We strongly recommend dressing warmly to fully enjoy the tranquility of the morning.

This is a shrine that deifies Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who rose from peasant origins to become the ruler of all Japan, as a kami (a god).While there are other shrines in Japan dedicated to great historical figures, Hideyoshi's case is exceptionally rare, and indeed highly unusual on a global scale. It is extremely uncommon for someone to be deified at their own request and subsequently enshrined by a direct imperial decree from the Emperor.

It is also popularly known for its blessings of career advancement and good relationships (matchmaking). Located near the Kyoto National Museum and Sanjusangendo, it is also within a 20-minute walk from the famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Its convenient location near Kyoto Station makes it easy to stop by between visiting other sightseeing spots.

Here, you will view valuable items associated with Hideyoshi, including the National Treasure "Karamon" Gate, constructed over 400 years ago, and the "Toyokuni Festival Screen" housed in the Treasure Museum.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi is considered the greatest success story of the Warring States period. Born into a poor peasant family in Owari (now Aichi Prefecture), he achieved the unification of Japan through sheer talent and effort—a rarity in Japanese history. While the anecdote of him warming his lord Oda Nobunaga’s sandals in his bosom is famous, it was his charm and ability to read people's emotions—a talent known as being a "people person" or hitotarashi—that propelled him to the position of supreme ruler.

In fact, the elegant form of modern Kyoto exists largely because of his vision. After centuries of conflict had left the city a burnt ruin, Hideyoshi initiated monumental urban planning projects to restore it. By relocating scattered temples to one area and improving the Kamo River, he vividly revived the devastated capital.

He was a man who possessed not only military strength but also a love for opulent culture, such as gold and the "Way of Tea," and he organized the streets of Kyoto into the form that remains today. In this tour, we look beyond his image as a warrior to touch upon the very human story he left behind, which still breathes within this city.

◎ English-speaking local guide
◎ Admission fee for Toyokuni Shrine
◎ Souvenir and Omikuji (fortune slip)
× Transportation costs

8:30
Meet at Toyokuni Shrine, Grand Torii Gate

8:35
Shrine visit & Grounds tour (Introduction to Hideyoshi / Karamon Gate)

9:00
Treasure Museum tour (Artifacts related to Hideyoshi / In-depth Viewing of the Toyokuni Festival Masterpiece)

9:50
Omikuji (fortune slip) experience & Souvenir shopping

10:00
Tour ends

・Your reservation will be confirmed upon a reply from Sharing Kyoto.
・Please book at least 2 days in advance so that we can build the best experience for you.
・Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply. Minors must obtain the consent of a parent or guardian before applying. Elementary school children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
・The experience may be canceled or postponed at short notice, or the content may be changed due to traffic conditions, etc.
・We may share your responses to surveys and reviews on our social networking sites and media.

・Free of charge for cancellations up to 3 days prior to the tour date, 100% for cancellations 2 days or less prior to the tour date.
・Special Cases (Natural disaster, virus, etc.): Full refund.
・Transaction fees for refunds in the event of cancellation will be borne by the customer.
・Please contact us if you will be more than 5 minutes late. If you are late without notice, we may have to treat your booking as a cancellation. Please be aware of this policy.