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
- 1.10:00 Meet @ Kyoto Station, Shinkansen Central Exit
- 2: 10:10 @ Nijo Castle
- 3.11:20 @ Viewing Naginata Hoko on Oike Street
- 4.12:10 @ Kinkaku-ji Temple
- 5.13:30 Lunch @ Yoshiya, Oku no Niwa (Arashiyama Station)
- 6. 14:40 @ Tenryu-ji Temple
- 7.15:10 @ Bamboo Grove Path
- 8. 15:50 @ Iwatayama Monkey Park
- 9. 17:40 Disband @ Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit
Can You See the Gion Matsuri on a Private Kyoto Tour from a Cruise Ship? A Licensed Guide's Report
I met and guided guests who arrived in Kyoto by bullet train from a cruise ship that had docked in Kobe, welcoming them at Kyoto Station. The guests were a group from North America, including some who came from another part of the region. They knew that the Gion Matsuri pre-festival procession was taking place that day and expressed a wish to see it if possible. Since their arrival in Kyoto was scheduled to be late (their booking time was 10:30) and there would be traffic restrictions, I had told them in advance that it would likely be difficult. However, they arrived in Kyoto 30 minutes earlier than expected, and the driver showed them the live broadcast on the in-car television and mentioned that around 11:00 it might be possible to see the procession on Oike Street. So I began the itinerary at Nijo Castle, which is near Oike Street, and guided them through Nijo Castle while keeping an eye on the time. After visiting Nijo Castle, I had the guests walk a short distance, and we were able to see the Naginata-boko float procession on Oike Street. For lunch, since one of the guests requested a certain dietary preference, I had made a reservation in advance at a restaurant in Arashiyama. I could only book it for 14:00, but when I called after visiting Kinkaku-ji, they were kind enough to move the lunch earlier. In Arashiyama, the guests also wished to visit the Iwatayama Monkey Park, so I proposed extending the tour. They happily agreed, and overall they were very satisfied.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
I am an experienced guide, who live in Osaka. I have been a Government-Licensed Guide in English since 2018. I have already guided a lot of tourists overseas in Kansai Area, that is, in the vicinity of my prefecture, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. I am especially good at guiding in Kansai Area with sufficient knowledge of history, culture and transportation. I have guided people ranging from a small group of one or two to a group of 20-50 people in a big bus, that is, a coach. I like delicious food, because Osaka is a city of Kuidaorre, which means that people in Osaka love to eat and never spend too much money on food. Therefore, as an Osakan, I will do my best to explore restaurants which serve most delicious foods in wherever I take to my guests.
Mar 31, 2026
Michael A
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Perfectly customized tour
Shoko San did an amazing job planning a…
Mar 31, 2026
Michael A
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Perfectly customized tour
Shoko San did an amazing job planning a customized tour of more quiet places for Osaka.
We visited a couple of temples and a beautiful Japanese garden. Shoko was very
knowledgeable and accommodating for us. Highly recommended.
Mar 29, 2026
judyl582
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Shoko was great
Shoko was an excellent guide. From the moment she…
Mar 29, 2026
judyl582
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Shoko was great
Shoko was an excellent guide. From the moment she was assigned to our tour (month prior) to the day of, her communication was clear and proactive. She tailored our day based on our interests and got us where we needed to be quickly and efficiently. She was also VERY knowledgable of the history of the sites we visited.
Oct 8, 2025
441gayh
World Heritage Kyoto places with the best guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Absolutely perfect! SHOKO was…
Oct 8, 2025
441gayh
World Heritage Kyoto places with the best guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Absolutely perfect! SHOKO was the best person to take this tour with. She knew the history of the places we visited – we went to 4 of the world heritage listed places, by train, bus, tram, taxi – just a wonderful day and we will carry many happy memories. Thank you Shoko, you are a beautiful person.
Oct 3, 2025
Judi H
Introduction to Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful tour with Shoko.
She…
Oct 3, 2025
Judi H
Introduction to Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful tour with Shoko.
She was the same age as we were and we all had a lot of fun.
She had a lovely sense of humour and was very fit so we all worked hard to keep up and enjoy every moment.
She had been in touch with us prior to our arrival in Kyoto,and knew what we wanted to see, and she assisted us with the public transport as it was our first day to see this city.
We had a wonderful tour of Fushimi Inari Shrine where she helped us to make our way through the crowds and took some great photos.
She was up beat and enthusiastic, and could answer all of our many questions.
After taking us to three wonderful shrines and finding us a very cute little place to eat, she stayed with us until she was satisfied we could find our way home.
Shoko was a lovely guide and we left feeling like old friends.