Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Kazu

October, 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

  • 14:00　Meet at Hotel Sanjo
  • 14:10　Explanation of Kyoto's history at the hotel
  • 14:15　Pontocho ~ Tatsumibashi/Shinbashi area ~ Chugenji Temple ~ Hanamikoji Street
  • 16:00　Watch a maiko dance performance at Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater
  • 16:30　Stroll along Hanamikoji Street and shopping at Kiyamachi
  • 17:15　Disband at the hotel

What Is a Private Kyoto Tour Like When Guests Skip the Temples? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from Africa. The booking had been made by a family member, but when I met the group, their wishes turned out to be different from what had been arranged. They said they had already seen plenty of temples and shrines in Southeast Asia and Tokyo and did not need to see more, and that they could not manage the slopes, so Yasaka Shrine, Sannenzaka, and Kiyomizu-dera were canceled on short notice. Since they had no interest in Fushimi Inari or Nijo Castle either, the tour took the form shown in today's route. Even so, I believe they came to understand the general outline of Gion, what geisha and maiko are, what an ochaya and okiya are, and what kabuki is, and they were delighted by the maiko dance performance at the theater. At the guests' request, we parted ways early. As we said goodbye, they smiled and thanked me for teaching them so much, which was a relief. There were no expenses to be reimbursed.

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

Tour Report by Kazu

Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama

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Jul 29, 2026
James_G
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Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
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Jul 12, 2026
cgalvez73
Fantastic tour guide
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Jun 23, 2026
Winni_H
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Highly recommended when in Kyoto
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