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
- 1. 8:30 Meet up @Hotel
- 2. 10:10 @Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 3. 12:00 Lunch @Ueshima Coffee Shop
- 5. 13:00 @Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Togetsukyo Bridge
- 6. 14:30 @Kinkaku-ji Temple
- 7. 15:45 @Kawaramachi Shijo
- 8. 17:00 @Namba Takashimaya
- 9. 18:00 Dismissal @Hotel
Title: What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like, Including Kinkaku-ji? A Licensed Guide's Report
The weather forecast had mentioned a possibility of thunderstorms in the evening, so I first explained this to the guests and they agreed that we might need to head back early. When we were finishing at Kinkaku-ji, there was thunder in the distance and I was worried, but fortunately we did not encounter any rain during the tour. During the day, I explained the situation regarding foreign currency exchange for the return train fare, and we searched for a currency exchange machine, which took some unexpected time. Because of all this, we were not able to purchase Japanese tea in Kyoto, so I mentioned that my recommended tea could be bought at a department store in Osaka, and in the end I accompanied the guests for shopping at the department store as well. They seemed very pleased, and later I received a thank-you email with photos, so if they were satisfied, that was the best outcome of all.
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 | Namba～Yodoyabashi | 190JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Yodoyabashi～Fushimi Inari | 420JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Inari～Saga-Arashiyama | 240JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Kinkakuji-michi～Shijo Kawaramachi | 230JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Kyoto-Kawaramachi～Osaka-Umeda | 410JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Umeda～Namba | 240JPY |
| Total | 1,730JPY | ||
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!
Sep 29, 2026
duncans746
Yuka was great
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Yuka was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable,…
Sep 29, 2026
duncans746
Yuka was great
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Yuka was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. I had a fantastic day going around Kyoto with her.
Thank you Yuka!
Sep 23, 2026
navinderp2024
Great day in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We had a great tour…
Sep 23, 2026
navinderp2024
Great day in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We had a great tour of Kyoto with Yuka. She mate us promptly at our hotel and customised a tour to get the most out of the day. We saw everything we wanted to see on the day and it was all very smooth and well planned.
Aug 9, 2026
piperl686
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Honeymoon Tour in Kyoto
We were so impressed by…
Aug 9, 2026
piperl686
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Honeymoon Tour in Kyoto
We were so impressed by our beautiful tour of Kyoto! Our tour guide Yuka made our day so special with her positive attitude, sweet disposition, and countless fun and interesting facts about Japan. She went out of her way to make sure we saw everything we wanted to see, and even lent me Yen to buy a special gift for my mother when I was short a few coins. We cannot recommend her enough to make your trip to Japan memorable and worthwhile!
Aug 5, 2026
Anita_M
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great day of sightseeing in Kyoto
Yuka was a…
Aug 5, 2026
Anita_M
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great day of sightseeing in Kyoto
Yuka was a lovely and knowledgeable guide who took great care of us on our recent one day trip to beautiful Kyoto. She met us coming off the Shinkansen and gave us options about how to spend the day wisely. We are so thankful for her thoughtful insights into Japanese traditions and culture, highly recommend doing a guided tour with her as it was very memorable.