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

  • Hotel pick up
  • To Kinkakuji by bus
  • To Nijyoujyou by bus
  • To Imperial palace by subway

What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Sightseeing Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from Europe. I had asked in advance about the places they wished to visit, and we carried out the tour almost exactly as planned. They were surprised that in Japan, whether for buses or temple admissions, cash only is often the norm. Since they planned to spend three more nights sightseeing in Kyoto and then continue in Tokyo, they expressed a wish for a card, so I helped all of them purchase ICOCA cards at a subway station. After visiting Kinkaku-ji and Nijo Castle, we went to the Imperial Palace, where I gave an overview before having them join the English-language guided group starting at 14:00 (about one hour). By that point, four hours had passed (10:00–14:00), so my portion of the tour concluded there. It was an enjoyable tour.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1BusKawaramachi Gojo~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
Section 2BusKinkakuji-michi~Nijojo-mae230JPY
Section 3SubwayNijojo-mae~Imadegawa220JPY
Total680JPY

Hi, every one. How have you been? I am JGA tour guide Kazu. It is my great pleasure that I can introduce myself here. I am already more than 70 years old, but I believe I am still young both mentally and physically. I like walking with my customers very much. I am from Tokyo, but now

I live in Kyoto traditional city and an old capital of Japan. I had worked at electric manufacturing company for more than 40 years. While I was working at that company, fortunately I had a lot of chances to visit many foreign countries.

I lived in Singapore, Malaysia, Poland and Mexico. Also I visited America, Britain, and other countries. Basically I used English to proceed my job there, however I always tried to speak local languages as much as possible. Through staying other countries, I found that there were great differences of the culture or the way of thinking between those countries and Japan. I though I had a valuable experience. After I retired from the company 5 years ago, I began to work as a tour guide although I got the National English tour guide license 7 years ago. Besides English I speak Spanish but I don’t have Spanish tour guide license yet. I belong to the comany JGA and worked around 10 days a month. So far I accompanied with mu customers more than 100 groups. All of my tour was good and lucky as I was always favored with gentle and kind customers.

My hobby is playing the guitar, dancing and learning foreign languages. I sometimes join the concert by playing the guitar, and it is fun for me. Though I like dancing, I can not dance well. I only enjoy dancing here in Japan.

About the tour in Japan, I usually take my tourists to the famous spots in Kyoto like Kinkakuji, Kiyomizu dera, Fushimi inari, Gion area,Nishiki market and Arashiyama area. In Arashiyama area we often visit Bamboo forest,Nonomiya shrine,Togetsukyou bridge and Kimono forest. I will cope with my customers demands as much as possible so that I try to visit any places up to your requests.

I welcome a lot for your coming to Japan. and if possible I would like to help you to visit various kind of spots in Japan especially in Kyoto. JGA is very flexible company so that I have a confidence that you will be satisfied with our attitude and hospitality. I am glad that many of my customers told that it was so nice to travel around Japan. We will and I will expect you come down to Japan any time and we are ready to help your memorable trip in Japan. I can not wait!

Sep 26, 2025
kaylah199
Amazing tour guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kazu was extraordinary! He planned a wonderful day for…

Jul 30, 2024
Venture826497
Great time in Kyoto!
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My daughter and I had an amazing time…

Jul 8, 2024
233vickies
6 hour Kyoto tour with Kazu
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We had…

Jun 21, 2024
Hoc_N
A fascinating experience in Kyoto we won’t forget
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The most memorable parts…