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. 10:00 Meet up @ Hotel
  • 2. 10:45 @Ginkaku-ji Temple
  • 3. 12:15 Lunch @Bear Cafe
  • 4. 13:00 @Philosopher's Path
  • 5. 13:45 @Eikan-do Temple
  • 6. 15:00 @Nanzen-ji Temple
  • 7. 16:30 Dismissal @Kyoto Station

Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Walking Tour Like, from a Licensed Guide's Report?

Before the tour, we exchanged many emails about various questions, including how to get to Osaka and sightseeing information. Because I wanted to fulfill the guests' wishes, I put together a carefully planned itinerary, but on the morning of the tour I received a request to have lunch earlier, so I had to suddenly change the order of visits and the lunch location. I had checked the business hours of the new lunch spot before going there, but I overlooked its only closing day of the month (the second Monday), so despite taking them there, it was closed. We had no choice but to have lunch at a nearby restaurant, but it was inexpensive and delicious, and many other international guests came in as well, which pleased the guests. I was relieved, but I reflected that I need to research more carefully in the future. It was a course the guests had requested, but the Philosopher's Path → Eikando/Nanzenji involves quite a lot of walking, so we cancelled the plan to visit one more place they had originally wanted to see and returned to Kyoto Station. Since they would be traveling from Kyoto to Osaka, I helped them purchase tickets at the vending machine and we parted ways.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1BusKyoto~Ginkaku-ji-michi230JPY
Section 2SubwayKeage~Kyoto260JPY
Total490JPY

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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