Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour — 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. 9:00 Meet up @ Kyoto Station (Shinkansen platform)
  • 2. 9:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha tour
  • 3. 12:00 Kiyomizu-dera tour
  • 4. 13:30 Disband @ Kyoto Station

Title: What Can You See on a Private Half-Day Kyoto Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera

At the request of the guests, who were visitors from North America, we met at the Shinkansen platform at Kyoto Station 30 minutes earlier than planned and traveled by train to Fushimi Inari Taisha. The guests had come to Japan after receiving an invitation from a university.

At Fushimi Inari Taisha, I explained Shinto, the torii gates, and the foxes, and we offered prayers at the main hall before passing through the Senbon Torii and descending Inari Mountain. The guests were fascinated by the vermilion-colored shrine and took many photographs. From Fushimi Inari Taisha, we moved on to the next destination, Kiyomizu-dera, by train and bus, but everywhere was extremely crowded today, and even Kiyomizuzaka was so packed that it was difficult to move. We took a break along the way to have some water, and then walked up the approach to Kiyomizu-dera. Upon arrival, I explained the background of the temple as we entered the grounds, but perhaps due to fatigue from walking, the guests only took photographs rather than touring the interior. After purchasing a few souvenirs at Kiyomizu-dera, and with the Shinkansen reservation approaching, we took a taxi to Kyoto Station, where we parted ways.

With only four hours for sightseeing and the crowds of many travelers, the guests appeared to be tired.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainKyoto Station～Inari Station150JPY
Section 2TrainInari Station～Tofukuji Station150JPY
Section 3BusTofukuji-mae Station～Kiyomizuzaka Station230JPY
Total530JPY

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…