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
- 1. 7:00 Meet up @Hotel Osaka
- 2. 8:30 @Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 3. 10:30 @Arashiyama
- 4. 12:30 @Gion
- 5. 14:00 @Osaka Umeda
- 6. 14: 20 Dismissal @Lucua
Can You Do a Private One-Day Kyoto and Arashiyama Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests had requested, through both the guests and an agency, to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, Nijo Castle, Gion, and a particular sweets shop, so I had planned the itinerary accordingly. However, the guests responded with "What is that sweets shop?", which left me a little puzzled. Since it was also the day of the Gion Festival Yamaboko Junko procession, I suggested choosing between Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu-dera, and we decided on Kiyomizu-dera. But then, after Fushimi Inari Taisha, just as I had bought the tickets to take the Keihan train to Kiyomizu-Gojo, I noticed the sad expressions of some of the guests, who asked, "Aren't we going to the Bamboo Forest?" I made up my mind and said, "Let's skip Kiyomizu-dera and go to the Bamboo Forest!", making a major change to the course. After taking many photos at the bamboo grove and the Oi River, we headed to Gion. We happened to encounter the turning of the Naginata-boko float at Shijo-Kawaramachi, but perhaps because of the heat, the guests' reaction was muted, which was a little disappointing. Since we were unable to visit the character goods shop on Ninenzaka that some of the guests had wanted to see, I guided them to a Ghibli goods shop in Osaka afterward before we parted ways. I believe they enjoyed themselves.
Click here for more details: Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Nakanoshima～Fushimi Inari | 490JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Fushimi Inari～Sanjo | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Sanjo～Nijo | 220JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Nijo～Saga-Arashiyama | 200JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Arashiyama～Kyoto Kawaramachi | 240JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Kyoto Kawaramachi～Osaka Umeda | 410JPY |
| Total | 1,780JPY | ||
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!
Jul 25, 2026
Ann W
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
One of the highlights of my trip, perfect for solo…
Jul 25, 2026
Ann W
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
One of the highlights of my trip, perfect for solo travelers!
My solo tour of Arashiyama with Yuka-san was easily one of the absolute highlights of my trip!
Her clever planning allowed us to beat the crowds completely.
Visiting Otagi Nenbutsu-ji and the moss gardens of Gio-ji was deeply moving, and the quiet atmosphere truly forced a moment of silence. Hearing the nightingales and frogs made it extra magical.
Yuka provided incredible guidance and care throughout the day.
I am returning home with a suitcase full of unforgettable stories!
Jul 14, 2026
Elizabeth W
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
Great tour
We had a great tour with…
Jul 14, 2026
Elizabeth W
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
Great tour
We had a great tour with Yuka. She customized the trip based on our interests and made everything easy
Jul 11, 2026
Dianna-fam
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Wonderful Tour, Wonderful Guide!
My teenage boys and I…
Jul 11, 2026
Dianna-fam
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Wonderful Tour, Wonderful Guide!
My teenage boys and I had a wonderful private walking tour of Osaka with our guide Yuka! After I booked the Japan Guide Agency tour through TripAdvisor, Yuka reached out to me directly about our itinerary. She was very accommodating and responsive during the planning stage, and was extremely flexible right up until the day of our tour with last minute changes. She was a wonderful tour guide and incorporated all the sights that we wanted to visit, with a lot of interesting history/facts provided along the way. She spoke very good English and was easy to understand. Would highly recommend this tour (and Yuka!) as a very efficient/immersive way to experience and explore Osaka.
Jul 1, 2026
Christian_L
Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto visite with Yuka : Wow !
Wow ! Yuka was…
Jul 1, 2026
Christian_L
Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto visite with Yuka : Wow !
Wow ! Yuka was an amazing guide and the visite was better than our expectations ! We gave learned a lot and the kids loved it !