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 up @ Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo
- 10:40-11:10 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 11:40-12:25 @ Nijo Castle
- 12:40-13:25 @ Kyoto Imperial Palace
- 13:40-14:10 Lunch @ Hama Sushi Kinkakuji Branch
- 14:15-14:50 @ Kinkakuji
- 15:00-15:35 @ Ryoanji
- 16:05 Disband @ Onyado Nono Kyoto Shichijo
Can You Do a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Covering Fushimi Inari, Kyoto Gosho, Kinkakuji, and Ryoanji? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. It was a very humid and hot day from the morning.
At Fushimi Inari Taisha, the guests each dedicated an ema votive plaque at the auxiliary shrine of Higashimaru Shrine, praying for success in their studies.
Before entering the Kyoto Imperial Palace (Kyoto Gosho), we stopped by an air-conditioned facility displaying a diorama of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and it was helpful that I could explain an overview of the palace there.
For lunch, since some of the guests wanted to eat sushi while others wanted to eat udon, I guided them to a restaurant near Kinkakuji that offers both.
At Kinkakuji, we strolled under the blazing sun, becoming drenched in sweat. After the walk, the guests bought ice cream and other treats to cool down.
At Ryoanji, the guests purchased several furoshiki-style wrapping cloths as souvenirs.
On the taxi ride back to the hotel, perhaps due to fatigue, some of the guests appeared to have fallen asleep.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car 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.