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
- 9:50 Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
- 10:40 (leave)
- 11:00 Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
- 11:20 Tenryuji Temple
- 12:00 (lunch)
- 12:40 (leave)
- 13:15 Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 14:00 (leave)
- 14:15 Gion
- 15:00 (leave)
- 15:10 Nijojo Castle
- 15:50 **Tour end**
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) at 9:50, (leave) at 10:40, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest at 11:00, Tenryuji Temple at 11:20, (lunch) at 12:00, (leave) at 12:40, Fushimi Inari Taisha at 13:15, (leave) at 14:00, Gion at 14:15, (leave) at 15:00, Nijojo Castle at 15:10 and **Tour end** at 15:50.
Title: What Is a Private Day Tour of Kyoto's Temples Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
1. While waiting at Nijo Castle in Kyoto, I received a call from the guests at 9:20 saying they were waiting in front of Nijo Castle, so I moved by car with the driver and picked them up. It turned out that the guests were staying at a Hotel near Nijo Castle, which was different from the one initially communicated.
2. At Kinkaku-ji, the guests purchased ornaments and magnets.
3. At Tenryu-ji, the guests enjoyed the hydrangeas and lotus flowers, which were in full bloom.
4. Although I had planned for rest breaks, the group did not need to use the restroom, so the schedule progressed faster than expected. We arrived at Nijo Castle 20 minutes earlier than planned, and finished the tour after guiding the group through Nijo Castle.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
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.