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
- 8:45 Hotel pick-up (by taxi)
- 9:10 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- 10: 20 Sannenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda
- 11:00 Strolling around Gion
- 11:20 Transfer from Gion-Shijo Station to Sanjo Station, switch to taxi
- 12:00 Arrive at restaurant, lunch (Japanese cuisine Joy) Walk to Kinkaku-ji Temple
- 13:00 Kinkaku-ji Temple (by taxi toward Arashiyama)
- 14:20 Monkey Park
- Extension requested
- 15:10 Tenryu-ji Temple ~ Bamboo Grove
- 17:00 Finish at the Kyoto Station subway boarding area
What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like Visiting Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama? A Licensed Guide's Report
During the tour, the guests wished to visit the Monkey Park, so the tour was extended until 5:00 pm. Before the tour, the guests had requested to visit Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, and Fushimi Inari all in one day. Since covering all of these in six hours would be difficult, I suggested that the guests visit Fushimi Inari on their own. On the day, in the Arashiyama area, in addition to the bamboo grove, the guests also wished to visit the Monkey Park, so we decided to extend the tour.
The guests were visiting from North America. One of the guests had a very serious allergy (with cross-contamination risk), so we had to be very careful about meals. In the end, the guests ate a packed lunch they had brought (only rice and some special meat), which the restaurant kindly allowed. (I mentioned it to the restaurant, and while they said it was not permitted as a rule, they were busy and seemed to overlook it.)
Since the guests wished to visit many places in one day, they had agreed to use taxis from the outset. As it was a hot and humid day, this was a great help. Fortunately, we were able to use a five-seater taxi twice. Some of the guests had deep interest in Japanese culture and asked many questions. The guests seemed to enjoy the Monkey Park the most.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Keihan Train (Gion-Shijo Station)～(Sanjo Station) | 170JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama Station～Kyoto Station | 240JPY |
| Total | 410JPY | ||
Hello, I am Atsuko Hori. My nickname is “Anne” because I’m a big fan of ” Anne of Green Gables”. I am cheerful, talkative and punctual. I’ve been doing guiding more than ten years mainly in Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. I am especially familiar with ” Geisha Districts”, where traditional Japanese dancers live. I graduated from the university of Education in Nara. I love kids. Actually I have three grandchildren. I like history, architecture and local foods. My motto is giving the best hospitality to my guests. I think we will have a good time during the tour. Would you like to join my tour?
Sep 13, 2024
connormA415PD
Memorable Tour of Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our tour guide Anne was lovely & very…
Sep 13, 2024
connormA415PD
Memorable Tour of Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our tour guide Anne was lovely & very informative. She was very knowledgeable about each place we stopped and made each stop efficient but never felt rushed. The driver was great and the van was always nice and cool. We would definitely recommend Anne & the Japan Guide Agency for a tour of Kyoto.
Jul 3, 2024
Cosmopolitan691874
Private Kyoto Tour
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our family had an amazing time with Anne in…
Jul 3, 2024
Cosmopolitan691874
Private Kyoto Tour
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our family had an amazing time with Anne in Kyoto. Anne is prompt, flexible, and accommodating. As soon as our tour was booked Anne reached out to me and we began communicating via email. Anne provided us an agenda months before our trip. When we arrived in Kyoto I was able to text Anne and we adjusted our schedule to meet our needs. Anne met us at our hotel and off we went on our tour. Anne was very knowledgeable about the sites and the history of Kyoto. During the day she found out we wanted to visit a place not on our agenda and she was able to squeeze it in to our very packed day.
May 31, 2024
Clare_A
Once in a lifetime experience
Viator review: Kyoto Gion Tour Maiko or Geisha Dinner Included
Great tour with Ann who was…
May 31, 2024
Clare_A
Once in a lifetime experience
Viator review: Kyoto Gion Tour Maiko or Geisha Dinner Included
Great tour with Ann who was friendly and really knowledgeable. Loved the experience with
Maya the Maliki we met she was lovely, and sooo friendly and we learned so much about
the geisha culture. Meal was great too