Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Kazuko
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
- 9:00 Meet @ Moxy Nijo
- 9:30 @ Saga-Arashiyama Station No paid entry except Tenryu-ji
- Bamboo Grove, Nonomiya Shrine → Seiryo-ji → Nison-in → Rakushisha → Jojakko-ji → Kameyama Observation Deck → Bamboo Grove → Tenryu-ji → Rakan → Togetsukyo Bridge → Kimono Forest
- 12:50 Disband @ Monkey Park entrance
What Is a Private Kyoto Tour of Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. To avoid wasting travel time between Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama, I suggested exploring the Sagano area as well, which they agreed to. They were surprised by the contrast between the crowds at Arashiyama and the relatively quiet atmosphere of Sagano. One of the guests, who enjoys plants, photographed seasonal flowers here and there. They did not seem to want to take pictures of the crowded bamboo grove, so I suggested taking photos from inside Tenryu-ji Temple. They laughed at the story behind the name of Rakushisha and the tale of the sacred fence, so 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 | Train | Nijo～Saga-Arashiyama | 200JPY |
| Total | 200JPY | ||
Hi,there,
I’ve lived between Kyoto and Osaka since I was born, so I know well both cities. I’ve guided mainly in Kyoto, Osaka for around nine years since I got the government licensed guide qualification.
My main guiding city is Kyoto, currently around 70-80% of the tour are there. In addition, I have a qualified 2nd grade of Kyoto expert certification, so I can make customized tour from major spots to off the beaten spots. My tour style is showing the Japan’s seasonal beauty and laughing with you. Let’s enjoy the unique culture and memorable day!!
Experienced Guide cities: Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Himeji and Mt. Koya
Hobby: exploring cities, piano playing and listening, developing new guiding spots
Jun 22, 2026
Clark_C
Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
A leisurely stroll through kyoto
Rather than rushing to…
Jun 22, 2026
Clark_C
Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
A leisurely stroll through kyoto
Rather than rushing to see multiple tourist sites through taxi’s, we opted to customize a tour that utilized public transportation and short walk through neighborhoods in Kyoto. We visited Fushimi Inari Taisha, then sanzyusangen-so, experienced Kyoto noodle, then walked through the old geisha district and finally Gion. We then concluded with shopping on then street past Gion. It was a really nice visit that gave us a local flavor. The tour guide was wonderful and communicated in advance so that we can customize the tour to our liking!
Nov 22, 2025
B571PBrebecap
Koya
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Licensed Guide
We loved the experience. Our guide was…
Nov 22, 2025
B571PBrebecap
Koya
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Licensed Guide
We loved the experience. Our guide was very kind and explained everything very clearly. It’s
a unique experience, and I highly recommend visiting it.
Sep 24, 2025
thaopd0
Mt Koya trip
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Licensed Guide
Kazuko was very nice and…
Sep 24, 2025
thaopd0
Mt Koya trip
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Licensed Guide
Kazuko was very nice and knowlegable. We were very happy having her as our tour guide
for Mt Koya. Such a beautiful place to visit.
Sep 20, 2025
Jeff_L
Excellent Day in Kyoto
Viator review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Osaka with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
We had a great…
Sep 20, 2025
Jeff_L
Excellent Day in Kyoto
Viator review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Osaka with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
We had a great day in Kyoto from our cruise at the Osaka port. Our guide Kazuko had everything extremely well planned and organized for us to visit the locations we selected ahead of time. One member of our group has a dietary restriction for gluten and this is quite difficult to accomodate in Japan. Kazuko found a perfect place for us to eat lunch that could accomodate this. The stops were also timed in such a way that we avoided the worst of the crowds from the big bus tours. I definintely recommend this tour if you want to get the most of of Kyoto in just one day. Normally we prefer to explore on our own but in this case the van, driver and guide was well worth the cost.