Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Kinkaku-ji — Guide Masaki

November, 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

  • 9:30 Hotel Wing International Premium Kyoto Sanjo
  • 10:00-10:40 Fushimi Inari
  • 11:40-11:50 Photos at the riverbank in Arashiyama
  • 11:50-13:10 Lunch (Arashiyama Daizen)
  • 13:30-13:50 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path
  • 14:20-14:50 Kinkaku-ji
  • 15:30 Disband at the Handicraft Center

Tour Itinerary in Detail

From there the group visited Hotel Wing International Premium Kyoto Sanjo at 9:30, Fushimi Inari at 10:00, Photos at the riverbank in Arashiyama at 11:40, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path at 13:30 and Kinkaku-ji at 14:20.

Can You Do a Private Kyoto Day Tour Around Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from North America. The original plan was Hotel → Fushimi Inari → the Bamboo Grove path in Arashiyama → lunch → Kinkaku-ji → Nijo Castle → Hotel, but with the autumn foliage season bringing heavy traffic congestion and severe crowding at each sightseeing spot, we needed to rearrange the itinerary and omit some parts. In the end, the itinerary became Hotel → Fushimi Inari → lunch (a small restaurant in Arashiyama) → the Bamboo Grove path in Arashiyama → Kinkaku-ji → dispersal at a handicraft center.

The highlight for this group was lunch. In our exchanges beforehand, they had repeatedly requested saba-zushi (mackerel sushi), so taking the itinerary into account, I guided them to a small sushi restaurant on the outskirts of Arashiyama. This restaurant is by no means famous, but saba-zushi is its signature dish, and its quality is comparable to that of long-established shops such as Izuu. In addition, the interior and atmosphere of the shop are those of an old-fashioned Showa-era sushi restaurant, so the guests were thrilled, saying, "This is exactly the kind of place we wanted to visit — something you can only experience in Japan!"

From there, they looked at the picture menu and got very excited. In addition to saba-zushi, they ordered sanma sushi, anago sushi, steamed sushi, various nigiri sushi, and numerous à la carte dishes, all at an incredible pace. I was quite worried about whether they could finish it all, and sure enough, partway through they realized they had over-ordered — but by then it was too late. "Well then, let's all eat like wild beasts!" they declared, and guests and guide became one, cheering each other on as we finished every last bite.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Masaki

My name is Masaki Kitagawa, a male in the middle of 50s living in Kyoto with my wife, son and three cats. While working for a local energy company on weekdays, I’ve been a tour guide on weekends since 2019 and enjoy interacting with people coming from different worlds. It is my great pleasure to help you make your excursion time-efficient and pleasant even during the high seasons in Kyoto. Considering your interests, preferences and priorities, I want to design and make your journey fruitful one. I’m thrilled to be contacted from you. Let’s explore Kyoto !

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