Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Yuka

September, 2024

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. 11:00 Meet up @ Kyoto Station Shinkansen platform
  • 2. 12:00 @ Arashiyama (Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge)
  • 3. 14:00 @ Lunch @ Gontaro
  • 4. 15:00 @ Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • 5. 16:30 Disband @ Shijo Street

Title: What Is a 4-Hour Private Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji

Because they could not reserve their preferred bullet train, the guests requested a meeting time of 12:00, so I was standing by at Kyoto Station before 11:00. They suddenly emailed me saying they would arrive at Kyoto Station at 10:59, so I hurried to the meeting point. Since meeting on the bullet train platform is difficult, I had asked for their car number and told them I would wait with a name board where that car would stop, yet we were unable to meet. They had not checked the email carefully and had gone all the way down to the central ticket gate of the bullet train, then rushed back up to the platform to look for me. I truly wished they would not act on their own without confirming the plan. Since [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) arranged this private tour, I had prepared thoroughly for the meeting. The guests were talkative and enjoyable people, so I felt there was no ill intent and that they simply had a go-my-way style. As the tour was only four hours, they understood that we could visit only two places, so we focused on Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji. It was drizzling in Arashiyama, but the guests were moved by my explanation of the Zen garden at Tenryu-ji, and by the time we reached Kinkaku-ji the sun had come out, and they were delighted, saying how beautiful it was. Since they said they did not need any more sightseeing and wanted to enjoy shopping, I guided them along Shinkyogoku Street and Teramachi Street, explained how to get back to Kyoto Station, and we parted ways.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1OtherKyoto～Kyoto140JPY
Section 2TrainKyoto～Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
Section 3TrainRanden Arashiyama～Kitano-Hakubaicho250JPY
Section 4BusKitano-Hakubaicho～Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
Section 5BusKinkakuji-michi～Kawaramachi-Shijo230JPY
Section 6OtherKyoto～Kyoto140JPY
Total1,230JPY

Tour Report by YUKA

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!

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Sep 29, 2026
duncans746
Yuka was great
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Great day in Kyoto
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