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
- 7:00 Meet up @ Mimaru Kyoto Shinmachi Sanjo
- 7:40-8:30 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
- 8:50-10:00 @ Gion Area
- 10:30-11:15 @ Nijo Castle
- 11:40 Disband @ In front of Kushikura Main Store
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Kyoto began at 7:00, when the guide met the guests at @ Mimaru Kyoto Shinmachi Sanjo, and finished at 11:40. The day ran to 4 hours and 40 minutes from start to finish.
From there the group visited Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine at 7:40, Gion Area at 8:50 and Nijo Castle at 10:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Karasuma Oike Station to Kyoto Station by subway (220JPY); Kyoto Station to Inari Station by train (150JPY); Fushimi Inari Station to Gion-Shijo Station by train (220JPY); Shijo Keihan to Nijojo-mae by bus (230JPY); Nijojo-mae to Karasuma Oike by subway (220JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 1,040JPY per person.
Private Family Kyoto Day Tour with a Licensed Guide: Fushimi Inari, Gion, and Nijo Castle Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. Since they did not use IC transit cards, we bought individual tickets each time we moved between locations.
Because we started early in the morning, Fushimi Inari Taisha was pleasantly uncrowded, though the sound of the cicadas was quite loud. Here, the guests purchased souvenirs including a festival lantern and torii-shaped ema plaques.
Around the time we strolled through Gion, it gradually began to get hotter. There was little shade, and some of the guests grew tired and started sitting down on the road, so we wrapped things up promptly and headed to Nijo Castle.
At Nijo Castle, one of the guests had apparently watched a documentary about the castle on a streaming service and already knew many things about the Ninomaru Palace. At the guests' request, we skipped the Ninomaru Garden.
Since I had been informed of the guests' dietary requirements, for lunch I guided them to a restaurant specializing in chicken dishes and we parted ways in front of the restaurant.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Karasuma Oike Station～Kyoto Station | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Kyoto Station～Inari Station | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Fushimi Inari Station～Gion-Shijo Station | 220JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Shijo Keihan～Nijojo-mae | 230JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Nijojo-mae～Karasuma Oike | 220JPY |
| Total | 1,040JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Mimaru Kyoto Shinmachi Sanjo at 7:00, and the tour finished at @ In front of Kushikura Main Store at 11:40.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours and 40 minutes in total, from 7:00 to 11:40.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Gion Area and Nijo Castle.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,040JPY per person across 5 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Kaz is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kyoto itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!
My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.
I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.
I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.
I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and a pleasure to be with.
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic Kyoto. He was flexible when we decided to modify our itinerary on the morning due to rain forecast the next day. Kaz’s English was great which meant he kept my teenage sons engaged with stories about shoguns and samurai battles. We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden and Silver pavilions. The highlight of the tour with Kaz was being shown around beautiful gardens to see cherry blossoms still blooming and views of the city. We highly recommend going on a tour with him.
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of of the historical aspects of the sites we visit, provided us great guidance on appropriate behavior at each site. He was energetic throughout the tour. More important he was more of a companion which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour…
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour guide! He spent 6 hours showing us around Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple and the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, spoke English well (lived in the US for 3 years), and took lots of photos for us. We are so glad we booked this tour.