Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Hiro
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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 1)meet: cross hotel Kyoto 8:20am
- 2)Sanjo Keihan→Kinkakuji-michi (bus fare 230 yen)
- 3)Kinkakuji 9:10~10:00
- 4)Kinkakuji-michi→Ryoanji-mae (bus fare 230 yen)
- 5)Ryoanji 10:10~10:50
- 6)Ryoanji-mae→Omuro Ninnaji (bus fare 230 yen)
- 7)Ninnaji 11:10~12:00
- 8)Omuro Ninnaji→Randen Arashiyama Station (train fare 250 yen)
- 9)Say goodbye at Randen Arashiyama Station 12:40

Title: What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji, Ninna-ji, and Arashiyama
Since we were able to meet earlier than expected, we managed to catch the 8:30 bus, allowing the tour to progress ahead of the planned schedule. On the bus heading to Kinkaku-ji, a group of school students on a school trip boarded with their teacher. Since one of the guests was around the same age, I struck up a conversation with the students to create an opportunity for them to talk together, and they spent a while chatting with one another. The day was quite hot, and most of the guests seemed a bit worn out. After visiting Ninna-ji, the guests wanted to go to Arashiyama, but since a transfer was required and there was still time, I accompanied them to Randen Arashiyama Station while explaining the sights of Arashiyama and how to return to the hotel from there, and we said our goodbyes at that point. They seemed to really like Kinkaku-ji. I believe they enjoyed the tour.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Sanjo Keihan~Kinkakuji-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Kinkakuji-michi~Ryoanji-mae | 230JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Ryoanji-mae~Omuro Ninnaji | 230JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Omuro Ninnaji~Randen Arashiyama Station | 250JPY |
| Total | 940JPY | ||
Nice to meet you.
My name is Hiroki Muramoto, please call me Hiro.
Hiro in Japanese means large or big. Although I’m neither large nor big, you can call me Hiro. How are you doing ?
I lived in a city nearby Kobe city. Do you know Kobe ? Kobe is famous for Kobe beef and pearl. If you have not yet had Kobe beef, you should taste the authentic Kobe beef. It is very satisfying taste. But I have recently moved to a city in Kyoto prefecture, so I can be in Kyoto city in about one hour. By the way, I am a family of four. I have a son and a daughter. My son now works in Tokyo. I sometimes go to Tokyo to see him. Tokyo is a huge city, but too crowded, so it seems not to suit me. I seem to be better suited to a small city than a big one. Where do you live in ? How many families do you have ? If you like, please tell me about them. I worked in the quality assurance department of a pharmaceutical company and visited the factories of foreign affiliated companies, so I became interested in foreign cultures and obtained a qualification as an interpreter guide in 2015.
I have been a guide for about eight years. During that time, I have guided in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Kochi and so on, although I could do little guiding work between 2020 and 2022 due to COVID-19. However, since last year, my guiding work has been back! So, I am happy to be able to meet different people again. My hobby is travelling, but sadly, I am not in a position to travel abroad easily at the moment due to the very weak yen, and I hope to travel abroad again when the situation eases a bit more.
How many countries have you been to so far ? Which countries have you liked so far? Another hobby is watching sports – baseball and football. Do you like the baseball ? Do you know Otani, Japanese baseball player ? He has joined Dodgers in Los Angeles this year. I look forward to another successful year for Otani.
By the way, what interests you in Japan? Food, history, scenery ? As far as tourist attractions are concerned, famous places are too crowded. If you like, I also would like to show you some less crowded places. Are you interested in experiencing something ? If you want to experience something, I can suggest an experience plan for you. If so, please contact me as early as possible. As for food, what kind of food do you like? There are many kinds of delicious food. Of course, you can get good food in fine restaurants, but you can also get good food in downtown restaurants. If you like alcohol, why don’t you try Japanese sake? It can range from light and fragrant to rich in flavor, so you’re sure to find a Japanese sake you like.
My motto is “Be content with life.” However, I find myself complaining all the time. If you like, please tell me your motto. I want to treat all guests who visit Japan with the spirit of “Treasure every encounter” and guide them so that they can enjoy themselves and have good memories of Japan.
You only live once (YOLO). So, I also want to enjoy it with you.
I look forward to meeting you.
Best regard.
Nov 27, 2024
Julianne_A
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Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
This was a wonderful experience with our guide Hiro. He…
Nov 27, 2024
Julianne_A
Book it
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
This was a wonderful experience with our guide Hiro. He adapted the tour to our preferences
and helped us cover a lot of ground in one day. Would recommend!
