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.
Tour Itinerary
- 1. 9:00 Meet up @Alza Kyoto
- 2. 9:15 @Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 3. 10:20 @Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Temple
- 4. 11:30 @Ryoan-ji Temple
- 5. 12:00 @Kinkaku-ji Temple
- 6. 12:30 Lunch @Cafe Du Mondo
- 7. 13:45 @Obai-in & Zuisen-in
- 8. 14:45 @Ginkaku-ji Temple
- 9. 15:15 @Philosopher's Path
- 10. 16:15 @Nanzen-ji Temple Gate
- 11. 16:30 Disband @Alza Kyoto
What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour by Taxi Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
An intermediary travel agency had provided detailed requests regarding the lunch venue and places to visit, so I followed them for the most part. All transportation was by taxi. The agency had requested that we avoid Arashiyama, but when I showed photos to the guests, they said they very much wanted to go, so I guided them there together with Tenryu-ji Temple. After a leisurely lunch, we started the second half of the tour, but the extreme heat of 38°C made it quite challenging. Even so, the guests said they wanted to walk the Philosopher's Path, so we made the effort to walk it, saw the Sanmon gate of Nanzen-ji Temple, and returned to the hotel. Afterward, I was asked for advice about the rest of their stay in Kyoto, so I explained while showing them a map and also recommended some restaurants before we parted. Right afterward, I received a message of thanks from the guests via a messaging app, saying "You are the best!" — they seemed very pleased.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Hi! My name is YUKA. I’ve got the government license in 2018 and joined a half year traning to do the guide. But a half year later I started my carreer, Covid came. I should have given up guiding. During the Covid, I’ve read many books and made my own materials to explain Japanese culture, history, etc. I love guiding because the guests expand my horizon all the time and let me know their own country and culture, etc. It is really important for us all to know each other and respect each other to make this world peace. Thank you for coming to Japan! Let’s enjoy Japan together!
Sep 29, 2026
duncans746
Yuka was great
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Yuka was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable,…
Sep 29, 2026
duncans746
Yuka was great
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Yuka was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. I had a fantastic day going around Kyoto with her.
Thank you Yuka!
Sep 23, 2026
navinderp2024
Great day in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We had a great tour…
Sep 23, 2026
navinderp2024
Great day in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We had a great tour of Kyoto with Yuka. She mate us promptly at our hotel and customised a tour to get the most out of the day. We saw everything we wanted to see on the day and it was all very smooth and well planned.
Aug 9, 2026
piperl686
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Honeymoon Tour in Kyoto
We were so impressed by…
Aug 9, 2026
piperl686
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Honeymoon Tour in Kyoto
We were so impressed by our beautiful tour of Kyoto! Our tour guide Yuka made our day so special with her positive attitude, sweet disposition, and countless fun and interesting facts about Japan. She went out of her way to make sure we saw everything we wanted to see, and even lent me Yen to buy a special gift for my mother when I was short a few coins. We cannot recommend her enough to make your trip to Japan memorable and worthwhile!
Aug 5, 2026
Anita_M
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great day of sightseeing in Kyoto
Yuka was a…
Aug 5, 2026
Anita_M
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great day of sightseeing in Kyoto
Yuka was a lovely and knowledgeable guide who took great care of us on our recent one day trip to beautiful Kyoto. She met us coming off the Shinkansen and gave us options about how to spend the day wisely. We are so thankful for her thoughtful insights into Japanese traditions and culture, highly recommend doing a guided tour with her as it was very memorable.