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

  • 7:00 Meet at hotel 7:35 Fushimi Inari  9:00 Yasaka Pagoda 9:20 Kiyomizu-dera 10:00 Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka 10:30 Yasaka Shrine 10:45 Gion 11:10 Lunch at Issen Yoshoku
  • 12:00 Nijo Castle 13:10 Tour ends at Nijojo-mae, guests take a taxi to the hotel

What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Nijo Castle

The guests visited Japan from North America. They were a very friendly and cheerful group. They asked many questions, but what left the strongest impression was that at the end of sightseeing at each destination, they would express their gratitude by saying, "Thank you for bringing us here." As a guide, that was truly appreciated. Since we started at 7:00, Fushimi Inari had few visitors, and we were able to take plenty of photos. The approach to Kiyomizu-dera was also uncrowded and easy to climb. It really does pay to get up early. For lunch, we went to a restaurant serving issen yoshoku. It had been a while since I had been inside that establishment, and I felt a strange mix of nostalgia and the sense that things had changed. At Nijo Castle, the restoration of the main keep has been completed, but visiting the interior requires an advance reservation. After leaving Nijo Castle, the guests asked to return to their hotel by taxi, and the tour came to an end. The photo was taken at Fushimi Inari.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1BusHigashiyama Shichijo~Tofukuji230JPY
Section 2TrainTofukuji~Inari150JPY
Section 3TrainInari~Tofukuji150JPY
Section 4BusTofukuji~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
Section 5TrainGion-Shijo~Sanjo Keihan170JPY
Section 6SubwaySanjo Keihan~Nijojo-mae220JPY
Total1,150JPY

I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.

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