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
- 8:30 Meet at the hotel
- 8:50 Nijo Castle
- 10:10 Kinkaku-ji Temple
- 11:30 Mikami Shrine, Bamboo Grove Path, Nonomiya Shrine, Tenryu-ji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge
- 12:20 Lunch in Arashiyama
- 13:30 While driving along Shijo Street, introduced the floats lined up for the Yoiyama of the Gion Festival
- 14:10 Fushimi Inari Shrine. The car service ends here. The customer requested, "I'd like to go to Kiyomizu-dera Temple next, could you guide us there too?" and I agreed.
- 15:20 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- 16:10 Guide finished. Since I went over the guiding time by one hour, I received 4,000 yen from the customer. They said, "Hideharu, you are an Excellent Guide. It was wonderful. Thank you!" and we parted.
Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Guided Tour of Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report
We first visited Nijo Castle. The Ninomaru Palace was closed, but I guided the group through the East Gate, the Karamon Gate, and the gardens, explaining that it served as both a castle and a palace designed to welcome the Emperor. At Kinkaku-ji, although rain had been forecast, faint sunlight came through, and the guests were deeply moved by the sight of the temple shining in gold. When I mentioned that in my student days I had come here in despair, thinking of throwing myself into the water, the reaction was, "Oh my God, but you're alive!" — met with surprise and laughter.
I then guided the group to Mikami Shrine, the Bamboo Grove Path, Nonomiya Shrine, Tenryu-ji Temple, and the Togetsukyo Bridge. At Mikami Shrine, one of the guests remarked, "I should have come to pray here much sooner," which made everyone laugh.
We headed by car toward Fushimi Inari Shrine, but the driver said, "The roads are clear, so we might be able to see the Gion Festival floats," and took us along Shijo Street. There I introduced the festival floats one by one. One of the guests said, "We might come back at night." Once we arrived at Fushimi Inari Shrine, the car service ended. The guests then asked, "We'd like to visit Kiyomizu-dera next, so could you continue guiding us? We'll pay the additional guide fee directly to the guide," and I agreed. I guided them to Kiyomizu-dera, where everyone drank the wish-granting water at the Otowa Waterfall and were delighted.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Fushimi Inari～Higashiyama Gojo | 220JPY |
| Total | 220JPY | ||
My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.
Jul 16, 2026
salomons666
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto fun
Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge
Jul 15, 2026
P9099TXkennethr
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A great day
A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.
Jun 28, 2026
A
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached…
Jun 28, 2026
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Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached out immediately to make sure that we had a customized tour of what we wanted to see and do in Nara. The level of details in his emails was incredible! Not only did Shuji plan a great tour but he also went above and beyond by explaining the Japan rail system, the public transportation cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.) and even told us exactly what trains, times and gates to exit so that our meetup was seamless. Been on a lot of tours around the world and have never had this level of communication. Once we started our tour, Shuji was articulate, knowledgeable and so much fun! Nara is amazing and Shuji made it so much better – please request him!
Jun 22, 2026
yeseniag981
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Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was…
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yeseniag981
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Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and made sure we were able to see everything that we wanted while in Osaka. He even took my 5 year old into consideration and took us to the Pokémon store since he is a Pokémon fan. I would definitely recommend him as a tour guide.