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.
Tour Itinerary
- 11:30 Meet @ Hyatt Regency Kyoto
- 12:00-13:20 @ Nijo Castle
- 14:00-14:45 @ Kinkaku-ji
- 15:30-16:10 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- 16:50-17:30 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 17:45 Disband @ Keihan Shichijo Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Kyoto began at 11:30, when the guide met the guests at @ Hyatt Regency Kyoto, and finished at 17:45. The day ran to 6 hours and 15 minutes from start to finish.
From there the group visited Nijo Castle at 12:00, Kinkaku-ji at 14:00, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at 15:30 and Fushimi Inari Taisha at 16:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Higashiyama Shichijo to Shichijo Keihan by bus (230JPY); Shichijo Station to Sanjo Station by train (170JPY); Sanjo Keihan Station to Nijojo-mae Station by subway (220JPY); Nijojo-mae Station to Nishioji Oike Station by subway (220JPY); Nishioji Oike to Kinkakuji-michi by bus (230JPY); Kinkakuji-michi to Nishinokyo Enmachi by bus (230JPY); Enmachi Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station by train (190JPY); Saga-Arashiyama Station to Inari Station by train (240JPY); Fushimi Inari Station to Shichijo Station by train (170JPY). Across 9 sections the fare came to 1,900JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Full-Day Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, and Nijo Castle
The guests were visitors from Asia. Some of the guests had visited Kyoto in the past and mentioned that this was their second time seeing Fushimi Inari and Kinkaku-ji. At Nijo Castle, they asked many questions while walking through the Ninomaru Palace, so we ended up spending more time there than planned, and we had to move more quickly through the other locations. After exploring Kinkaku-ji, they purchased one bag each of wasabi peanuts and shichimi peanuts at a local shop. On the way from Kinkaku-ji to Arashiyama, we stopped at a convenience store where they bought light snacks such as sandwiches to eat. At Fushimi Inari Taisha, lamps were lit within the Senbon Torii, creating a very different atmosphere from the daytime. At the guests' request, we parted ways at Keihan Shichijo Station.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Higashiyama Shichijo～Shichijo Keihan | 230JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Shichijo Station～Sanjo Station | 170JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Sanjo Keihan Station～Nijojo-mae Station | 220JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Nijojo-mae Station～Nishioji Oike Station | 220JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Nishioji Oike～Kinkakuji-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 6 | Bus | Kinkakuji-michi～Nishinokyo Enmachi | 230JPY |
| Section 7 | Train | Enmachi Station～Saga-Arashiyama Station | 190JPY |
| Section 8 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama Station～Inari Station | 240JPY |
| Section 9 | Train | Fushimi Inari Station～Shichijo Station | 170JPY |
| Total | 1,900JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hyatt Regency Kyoto at 11:30, and the tour finished at @ Keihan Shichijo Station at 17:45.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 15 minutes in total, from 11:30 to 17:45.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Fushimi Inari Taisha.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,900JPY per person across 9 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Kaz is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kyoto itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!
My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.
I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.
I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.
I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and a pleasure to be with.
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic Kyoto. He was flexible when we decided to modify our itinerary on the morning due to rain forecast the next day. Kaz’s English was great which meant he kept my teenage sons engaged with stories about shoguns and samurai battles. We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden and Silver pavilions. The highlight of the tour with Kaz was being shown around beautiful gardens to see cherry blossoms still blooming and views of the city. We highly recommend going on a tour with him.
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of of the historical aspects of the sites we visit, provided us great guidance on appropriate behavior at each site. He was energetic throughout the tour. More important he was more of a companion which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour…
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour guide! He spent 6 hours showing us around Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple and the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, spoke English well (lived in the US for 3 years), and took lots of photos for us. We are so glad we booked this tour.