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

  • 7:15 Meet at the hotel
  • 8:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha
  • 9:30 Kiyomizu-dera, the five-story pagoda of Hokan-ji, Koshin-do
  • 11:15 Lunch in Arashiyama.
  •    Bamboo Grove Path, Nonomiya Shrine, the garden
  •    of Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge
  • 13:20 Guide ends in Arashiyama

Can You Do a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Covering Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Arashiyama? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America. Since rain was in the forecast, we started the tour early in the morning. At Fushimi Inari Taisha, the group enjoyed walking through the torii gates and also had fun with the "Omokaru-ishi" (lighter-heavier stones). At Kiyomizu-dera, they paid their respects to the principal image, the Thousand-Armed Kannon, and to Daikokuten, and took photos of the view from the wooden stage. At Otowa Waterfall, they happily drank from all three streams of pure water, said to bring health, beauty, and success. After arriving in Arashiyama, we had lunch. The guests were delighted with the tofu and yuba set meal, saying it was truly delicious. As it began to rain, we decided against the originally planned visit to Kinkaku-ji and stayed in Arashiyama, where I guided them through the Bamboo Grove path, the garden of Tenryu-ji, and Togetsukyo Bridge, concluding the tour.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainKiyomizu-Gojo~Fushimi Inari220JPY
Section 2TrainFushimi Inari~Kiyomizu-Gojo220JPY
Section 3TrainKyoto~Saga-Arashiyama240JPY
Total680JPY

My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.

Jul 16, 2026
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Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge

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A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.

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Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached…

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