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
- 10:00 Meet @ Suiran
- 10:30-11:20 @ Kinkaku-ji
- 11:45-12:45 @ Kyoto Imperial Palace
- 13:00-14:50 @ Nijo Castle
- 15:20-15:50 @ Ryoan-ji
- 14:10 Disband @ Suiran
Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like in the Rain? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America who had already retired. This was their second visit to Japan, having first come in 2005. On this trip, they spent some time in Tokyo before arriving in Kyoto the previous day.
The guests shared that they especially love watching baseball, and that they had visited every ballpark in Major League Baseball. On this trip they watched a Giants game in Tokyo, and they expressed a wish to eventually visit all the ballparks in Japan as well.
It had been raining quite heavily from early in the morning, but by the time we met it had eased to a light drizzle, so we decided to start with an outdoor site, Kinkaku-ji. Despite the rain, the golden pavilion was clearly reflected on the surface of Kyoko-chi Pond, which delighted the guests.
After arriving at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the rain began to strengthen, so we took shelter under a roof and waited a while for it to ease. During that time, I was able to give a general explanation of the Kyoto Imperial Palace in a covered spot, which worked out well.
On the way from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Nijo Castle, the rain started falling heavily in the taxi, and it continued to rain throughout our walk around Nijo Castle. However, since most of it was indoors, we managed not to get too wet. We sat down in the shop area inside Nijo Castle and took about a 40-minute break.
After that, we stopped by Ryoan-ji, then took the guests back to their hotel and parted ways.
All transportation on this tour was by taxi.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!
My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.
I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.
I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.
I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and a pleasure to be with.
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic Kyoto. He was flexible when we decided to modify our itinerary on the morning due to rain forecast the next day. Kaz’s English was great which meant he kept my teenage sons engaged with stories about shoguns and samurai battles. We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden and Silver pavilions. The highlight of the tour with Kaz was being shown around beautiful gardens to see cherry blossoms still blooming and views of the city. We highly recommend going on a tour with him.
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of of the historical aspects of the sites we visit, provided us great guidance on appropriate behavior at each site. He was energetic throughout the tour. More important he was more of a companion which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour…
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour guide! He spent 6 hours showing us around Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple and the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, spoke English well (lived in the US for 3 years), and took lots of photos for us. We are so glad we booked this tour.