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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:00 Depart from Hotel Kyoto Sanjo 9:40 Kifune Shrine 11:00 Kinkaku-ji Temple 12:00 Togetsukyo Bridge 12:20 Get off the taxi in front of Torokko Arashiyama Station and stroll through the bamboo grove 12:40 Leave the bamboo grove and have lunch at a restaurant on the corner of Arashiyama's main street (because the child wants to eat fried chicken) 13:30 Nijo Castle 14:30 View Gion Shirakawa, Yasaka Shrine, Gion Hanamikoji, and Yasaka Pagoda from the car window 14:54 Arrive at Hotel Kyoto Sanjo, end
Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour by Taxi Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report
The booking listed 4 adults, but the group actually included two adults and two younger members. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) arranged this private one-day tour of Kyoto for a group visiting from North America.
The itinerary that the guests had sent the previous week requested Kibune River, Arashiyama, Ginkaku-ji, the Suirokaku Aqueduct at Nanzen-ji, Gion, and Higashiyama. However, since younger members were in the group, and because someone asked whether Ginkaku-ji was a castle, I showed a photo of the Aqueduct and recommended Kinkaku-ji and Nijo Castle instead. The guests said they would like to go there, so we dropped Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji and visited Kinkaku-ji and Nijo Castle.
The guests were visitors from North America, where the summer is said to be even more humid than Japan. On hot days they preferred to stay in air-conditioned places. Around 2:00 p.m. in Kyoto, the temperature reached 34°C, which was quite hot for them. We had originally planned to view Gion from the taxi, get off at Higashiyama, and finish there, but the guests requested that we also view Higashiyama from the taxi and return to the Hotel to end the tour. The taxi arrived in front of the Hotel at 14:54, and the guests were able to get out and finish by 15:00.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
I am Keiko Ibuki, Goverment-Licensed Guide. I passed National Guide examination and registered in 2015. I started guiding job in 2016. I mainly guide Kansai area, especially Kyoto. From 2016 to 2019, I guided visitors from overseas about 50 days. In 2023, I guided visitors from overseas about 50 days. I passed 2nd grade of Kyoto Tourism and Culture examination in 2020. I passed National Examination for Certified Travel Supervisors in 1997. I can tailor my guided tour to meet your requirements. I would like to make your visit to Japan enjoyable and memorable.
May 15, 2025
Christine_M
There are SO many choices…
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
There are SO…
May 15, 2025
Christine_M
There are SO many choices…
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
There are SO many choices to make in Kyoto but for us, sadly only enough time for a few. Our guide was Keiko Ibuki. She contacted us as soon as the booking was confirmed to make suggestions for different itineraries. She did a fantastic job of narrating our chosen visited spots. Additionally, we were trying to make it to another city after our tour, and Keiko walked us into the train station to assist us in getting our tickets so we could make the train. Then she followed up to make sure we made it to our destination! Anytime we had questions, she was happy to answer. Also, she was very pleasant. Thank you, Keiko!
Dec 25, 2024
Kerri_D
World Heritage Sites in Kyoto
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Government-Licensed Guide and Vehicle (Max 7 persons)
Well- planned, strong…
Dec 25, 2024
Kerri_D
World Heritage Sites in Kyoto
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Government-Licensed Guide and Vehicle (Max 7 persons)
Well- planned, strong communication prior to trip, adapted to our unique choices of what
we want d to most do, efficient t, helpful, pleasant, easy to understand our guide, Keiko.
Jul 31, 2024
whyisthisneededthiss
Kyoto tour
Tripadvisor review: Private Kyoto Tour with Government-Licensed Guide and Vehicle (Max 7 persons)
Our tour guide Keiko was great.…
Jul 31, 2024
whyisthisneededthiss
Kyoto tour
Tripadvisor review: Private Kyoto Tour with Government-Licensed Guide and Vehicle (Max 7 persons)
Our tour guide Keiko was great. She stuck with us ensuring we had a great experience. She
was very flexible and accommodating our changing itinerary. Great tour but very tiring.