Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Yuka
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.
Tour Itinerary
- 1.9:00 Meet up @Villa Sanjo Muromachi
- 2. 9:40 @Arashiyama Monkey Park
- 3. 11:00 @Tenryu-ji Temple & Bamboo Grove
- 4. 12:50 @Kinkaku-ji Temple
- 5. 14:30 @Kawaramachi Sanjo
- 6. 15:10 Disband @Shinkyogoku Shopping Street
Title: What's a Private Family-Friendly Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
I had been told that the group included some energetic younger guests, so I planned an itinerary that would keep everyone engaged and entertained. The forecast called for rain, which worried me, but we only had a light drizzle on the way to Arashiyama Monkey Park. One of the guests had a taste for the authentic and was very satisfied with the garden at Tenryu-ji Temple. When asked for advice on souvenirs, I guided the group to a trustworthy shop that also offered samples, and they purchased with full confidence. Along the way, the group had a light snack at Arashiyama Station on the Randen line before heading to Kinkaku-ji Temple. One of the younger guests left a bag in the restroom, and we went back to retrieve it, but it was already gone. On the off chance, we checked at a souvenir shop, and it had been turned in there. The guests were deeply moved, certain that a local person had found it and handed it in. We had also wanted to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, but between one thing and another we ran out of time, so I took the group to Shinkyogoku shopping street to buy an authentic yukata. In the end, one of the guests purchased an authentic tie-dyed haori and looked very satisfied.
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 | Train | Karasuma～Arashiyama | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Randen Arashiyama～Kitano-Hakubaicho | 250JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Kitano-Hakubaicho～Kinkakuji-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Kinkakuji-michi～Kawaramachi Sanjo | 230JPY |
| Total | 950JPY | ||
Hi! My name is YUKA. I’ve got the government license in 2018 and joined a half year traning to do the guide. But a half year later I started my carreer, Covid came. I should have given up guiding. During the Covid, I’ve read many books and made my own materials to explain Japanese culture, history, etc. I love guiding because the guests expand my horizon all the time and let me know their own country and culture, etc. It is really important for us all to know each other and respect each other to make this world peace. Thank you for coming to Japan! Let’s enjoy Japan together!
Sep 29, 2026
duncans746
Yuka was great
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Yuka was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable,…
Sep 29, 2026
duncans746
Yuka was great
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Yuka was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. I had a fantastic day going around Kyoto with her.
Thank you Yuka!
Sep 23, 2026
navinderp2024
Great day in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We had a great tour…
Sep 23, 2026
navinderp2024
Great day in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We had a great tour of Kyoto with Yuka. She mate us promptly at our hotel and customised a tour to get the most out of the day. We saw everything we wanted to see on the day and it was all very smooth and well planned.
Aug 9, 2026
piperl686
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Honeymoon Tour in Kyoto
We were so impressed by…
Aug 9, 2026
piperl686
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Honeymoon Tour in Kyoto
We were so impressed by our beautiful tour of Kyoto! Our tour guide Yuka made our day so special with her positive attitude, sweet disposition, and countless fun and interesting facts about Japan. She went out of her way to make sure we saw everything we wanted to see, and even lent me Yen to buy a special gift for my mother when I was short a few coins. We cannot recommend her enough to make your trip to Japan memorable and worthwhile!
Aug 5, 2026
Anita_M
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great day of sightseeing in Kyoto
Yuka was a…
Aug 5, 2026
Anita_M
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great day of sightseeing in Kyoto
Yuka was a lovely and knowledgeable guide who took great care of us on our recent one day trip to beautiful Kyoto. She met us coming off the Shinkansen and gave us options about how to spend the day wisely. We are so thankful for her thoughtful insights into Japanese traditions and culture, highly recommend doing a guided tour with her as it was very memorable.