Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Toshi

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

  • 1. 10:30 Meet up @ Kyoto Station
  • 2. 11:30 Guided tour of Kinkaku-ji
  • 3. 13:30 Snack break
  • 4. 14:00 Guided tour of Ginkaku-ji
  • 5. 15:30 Guided tour of Kiyomizu-dera
  • 6. 16:00 Disband @ Kiyomizu-dera

What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, and Kiyomizu-dera

I met the group visiting from North America on time at Kyoto Station, confirmed the itinerary, and then traveled to Kinkaku-ji by train and bus. Although Kinkaku-ji was very crowded with travelers, I was able to guide them at a relaxed pace, and the guests took many commemorative photos, making it an enjoyable tour. From Kinkaku-ji, we transferred buses and, although it took some time, arrived at Ginkaku-ji. Since it was already past lunchtime, we took a snack break at a teahouse along the approach. After that, we toured Ginkaku-ji, and the guests enjoyed an atmosphere quite different from that of Kinkaku-ji. The trip from Ginkaku-ji to Kiyomizu-dera was by bus, but due to traffic conditions it took longer than planned. The approach was also so crowded that it was hard to move, and after I explained about the temple and guided them to the front gate, one of the guests became tired from walking and sat down at the stone steps, deciding not to enter the temple. One of the guests suggested, "Rather than going into the temple, we would like to take our time and enjoy the atmosphere of the area, so let's part ways here. We will manage on our own from now on." Unfortunately, we parted ways there. As a result, I somewhat regretted not being able to guide them to Fushimi Inari Shrine due to time constraints. Everyone was very interested in Japan, and one of the guests seemed to have visited Japan before and appeared to have background knowledge about the country.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainKyoto Station～JR Enmachi Station190JPY
Section 2BusNishinokyo-Enmachi Station～Kinkakuji-michi Station230JPY
Section 3BusKinkakuji-michi Station～Ginkakuji-michi Station230JPY
Section 4BusGinkakuji-michi Station～Kumano-jinja-mae Station230JPY
Section 5BusHigashiyama-Nijo Station～Kiyomizu-michi Station230JPY
Total1,110JPY

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…