This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan.
Tour Itinerary
- 14:50 Pickup in front of Kyoto Station
- 15:20 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- 15:50 Tenryuji Temple
- 17:20 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
- 18:30 Gion Hanamikoji
- 19:00 Pontocho Izakaya "Nanan"
- 20:40 Return to hotel by guest taxi
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Osaka began at 14:50, when the guide met the guests at front of Kyoto Station, and finished at 20:40. The day ran to 5 hours and 50 minutes from start to finish.
From there the group visited Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at 15:20, Tenryuji Temple at 15:50, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine at 17:20, Gion Hanamikoji at 18:30 and Pontocho Izakaya "Nanan" at 19:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station by train (240JPY); Saga-Arashiyama Station to Inari Station by train (240JPY); Fushimi Inari to Gion-Shijo by train (220JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 700JPY per person.
What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Tenryu-ji, Gion, and Dinner
The tour was originally planned for two groups totaling 12 people, but some guests in each group were unable to attend due to health reasons, so the tour was conducted with 8 guests in total.
On both the outbound and return trips, we were able to catch the rapid JR trains at just the right time, allowing us to complete the tour about 30 minutes earlier than scheduled.
At Tenryu-ji, rhododendrons, azaleas, and other flowers were blooming beautifully, and the guests took many photos in the garden.
The guests had requested dinner at an izakaya, and a reservation had been made for 20:00, but since they were hungry and wanted to have dinner sooner, we wrapped up the Gion guided walk in 30 minutes and arrived at the restaurant at 19:00.
At the izakaya, the guests enjoyed dishes such as Kyoto duck loin steak and tempura.
Since it was an izakaya, I had expected everyone to have beer or other drinks, but none of the guests drank alcohol.
After the meal, the guests returned to their Hotel by taxi.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Instagram Spots Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Kyoto Station～Saga-Arashiyama Station | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama Station～Inari Station | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Fushimi Inari～Gion-Shijo | 220JPY |
| Total | 700JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Osaka tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at front of Kyoto Station at 14:50, and the tour finished at hotel by guest taxi at 20:40.
How long does the tour last?
About 5 hours and 50 minutes in total, from 14:50 to 20:40.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryuji Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Gion Hanamikoji and Pontocho Izakaya "Nanan".
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 700JPY per person across 3 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Hideyoshi is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Osaka itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hello, I’m HIDEo YOSHIda. Please call me HIDEYOSHI, the same name as a famous shogun who unified Japan for the first time in 1590.
I was born in Kobe, worked in Osaka for nearly 40 years. I would like to introduce you Kansai region, including Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Wakayama.
In Kyoto, I can guide you Nijojo Castle, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkakuji Tempe (Golden Pavilion), Gion area, and Fushimi Inari Taisha.
In Osaka, I’ll show you Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Dotonbori, and Umeda Sky biilding. We have locall foods such as Kushikatau, Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki.
In Kobe, I’ll take you to former foreign residential area, Sannomiya Shopping Street, Chinese Market, and Arima Onsen.
In Nara, I’ll guide you Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, and Yakushiji Temple.
In Wakayama, I take you to Koyasan, the center of Esoteric Buddhism.
I enjoy guiding foreign tourists.
I can show you Japanese history, especially samurai period, and Shinto and Buddhism.
I’ve been looking forward to guiding you !!
Jun 1, 2026
Stephan_F
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great overview of the…
Great overview of the highlights of Kyoto with…
Jun 1, 2026
Stephan_F
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great overview of the…
Great overview of the highlights of Kyoto with an excellent guide. Just beware that the
different sites may be located at different ends of the city so you will spend time on trains.
Also, in the summer a parasol is probably a good idea as it can get hot.
May 28, 2025
terrym866
Kyoto guided tour was as promised. Very knowledgeable guide and driver .
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Kobe with…
May 28, 2025
terrym866
Kyoto guided tour was as promised. Very knowledgeable guide and driver .
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Kobe with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
Tour was as promised , well planned and executed. The guide was very knowledgeable and
friendly and went out of his way to make sure we were pleased.
Oct 17, 2024
katiya2017
Walking visit in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Government-Licensed Guide
We booked a full day walking…
Oct 17, 2024
katiya2017
Walking visit in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Government-Licensed Guide
We booked a full day walking tour excursion from Osaka to Kyoto from our cruise ship. Hideo Yoshida met us promptly and escorted us all day from Osaka to visit 4 of Kyotos most famous sites.
He proved to be a true Japanese gentleman, very polite , very knowledgeable and knew the train system well. We must have changed at least 10 trains and it would have been impossible to navigate this without him. Also we had our most delicious sushi and sashimi lunch in Japan in a restaurant he recommended.
Thank you Hideo for providing us a wonderful insight in Kyotos history.
Sep 29, 2024
Roy_M
Excellent tour of Kyoto
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a very good private tour with…
Sep 29, 2024
Roy_M
Excellent tour of Kyoto
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a very good private tour with Hide Yoshi – he made a good plan for us and whisked us around Kyoto to the key sites very efficiently. He had good knowledge about the places we visited and had prepared materials and photos to show us. He really helped us to get the maximum out of our time in Kyoto and is a really nice person. Also took us for an excellent lunch! Highly recommended.