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 @Machiya Ebisuya
  • 2. 9:40 @Arashiyama (Tenryu-ji Temple・Bamboo Grove)
  • 3. 12:00 @Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • 4. 13:40 Lunch @Katsukura
  • 5. 15:20 @Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
  • 6. 16:45 Disband @Shijo

Title: What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

Even though it was 30 minutes before our scheduled meeting time, I spotted the guests who appeared to match in the hotel lobby, so I approached them. They were indeed the right people, and they were pleased that I had been standing by so early. Since they came to trust me completely, the tour proceeded smoothly throughout. To avoid the crowded lunch hour and due to the itinerary, I had received their consent to have a late lunch, but as it was already past 13:30, they seemed quite hungry. Thanks to the delayed timing, we did not have to wait, and the guests were delighted with the delicious meal as well as with my strategy. One of the guests enjoyed patchwork as a hobby and wished to purchase materials, so I took them to a handicraft shop in the Shijo area before we parted ways. After returning home, one of the guests sent me photos of the items they had purchased, and they seemed very pleased.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainKyoto Kawaramachi~Arashiyama240JPY
Section 2TrainRanden Arashiyama~Kitano-Hakubaicho250JPY
Section 3BusKitano-Hakubaicho~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
Section 4BusKinkakuji-michi~Kawaramachi Sanjo230JPY
Section 5TrainSanjo~Fushimi Inari220JPY
Section 6TrainFushimi Inari~Gion-Shijo220JPY
Total1,390JPY

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
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