Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car — Guide Toshi

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. 11:00 Meet up @ Kyoto Hilton
  • 2. 11:30 Fushimi Inari Shrine tour
  • 3. 13:30 Lunch @ Arashiyama Udon
  • 4. 14:30 Tenryu-ji Temple tour
  • 5. 15:30 Bamboo Grove tour
  • 6. 16:30 Dismissal @ Kyoto Hilton

Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, and Tenryu-ji

After the guests had checked their luggage in at the hotel, I met the group, visitors from North America, in the hotel lobby. We discussed the day's itinerary and decided to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, Tenryu-ji, the Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji, and Tatsumi Shrine. Because the group included younger and older members, we planned to move with flexibility throughout the day. At Fushimi Inari Taisha, I explained the relationship between Shinto and shrines, as well as the story of the foxes enshrined there, and the guests entered the grounds with great interest. They first paid their respects at the main hall, then experienced omikuji fortune slips, the Senbon Torii path, and a power spot before heading back down. Next, we moved to Arashiyama, which is home to the highly anticipated Bamboo Grove. Since the guests wanted to have lunch, we stopped at "Arashiyama Udon" in Arashiyama for a meal and a rest. Afterward, we walked to Tenryu-ji, where the guests enjoyed learning about the temple and Zen Buddhism, as well as the beautiful garden. We exited through the north gate of Tenryu-ji into the Bamboo Grove for a stroll, and after passing by Nonomiya Shrine, we headed toward the city center. At that point, the guests mentioned they had a dinner appointment that evening and asked to go straight back to the hotel, so we parted ways at the hotel.

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Tour Report by Toshi

After a rather long teaching experience at Japanese college, I converted my career about 6 years ago into working as a tour guide for the tourists visiting Japan.
As my career overseas, I’ve been in the UN and the Japanese Embassy, all in the USA, totaling more than 6 years.
And then I had made a big change in my career from a diplomat to an academic researcher. For that career to achieve, I studied abroad and won a doctorate degree in linguistics from Indiana University and landed a teaching position at college in Japan.
With all these interesting and exciting experiences I’ve made myself ready to enrich your tour and make it both enjoyable and worthwhile.

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Apr 26, 2026
39ferdinandr
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Exceptional and entertaining
Great tour better the tour guide Toshi.

Apr 9, 2026
X1429XKclaudiam
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Sehr zu empfehlen
Wir haben als Familie diese 6-stundige Tour durch Kyoto…

Jun 28, 2025
WilliamAlfonso_R
Toshi is a very eloquent, knowledgeable, and diligent tour guide.
Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi was…

May 30, 2025
Z
ZevP5
Best Tour Guide!
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshi was the best guide!! He was so…