Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car — Guide Nori
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
- 08:30 Meeting point: Hyatt Place Kyoto
- 08:40 Transfer: By private car to Kinkaku-ji Temple
- 09:00 Sightseeing ①: Kinkaku-ji Temple tour
- 09:50 Transfer: By private car to Nijo Castle
- 10:00 Sightseeing ②: Nijo Castle tour
- 11:00 Transfer: By private car to Arashiyama
- 11:30 Sightseeing ③: Arashiyama walk (Bamboo Grove ⇒ Tenryu-ji Temple ⇒ Togetsukyo Bridge)
- 12:30 Lunch/Break (Arashiyama)
- 13:15 Transfer: By private car to Fushimi Inari
- 14:00 Sightseeing ④: Fushimi Inari tour
- 14:50 Dismissal: Hyatt Place Kyoto
Title: What Is a Private Autumn Foliage Tour in Japan Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan for sightseeing. All prior communication and coordination were arranged through one member of the group. Some of the guests had visited Japan about twenty years earlier and had been very much looking forward to this trip to Japan. They were on a short one-week trip to Japan timed for the autumn foliage season during a holiday.
On the day of the tour, in complete contrast to the heavy rain of the previous day, the weather turned out to be ideal, mostly sunny with occasional clouds. Because we used a private vehicle in consideration of the fact that one of the guests could not walk for long periods, travel between destinations went smoothly. However, as full autumn foliage came into view at every stop, the guests became absorbed in taking photographs, and the schedule often did not proceed exactly as planned. Even so, the guests listened attentively to my explanations at key points, and it seemed they were able to fully enjoy the vibrant natural scenery while also appreciating the history and culture.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.
Apr 9, 2026
Ron_W
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We saw so much in the…
We saw so much in the…
Apr 9, 2026
Ron_W
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We saw so much in the…
We saw so much in the time we had. Nori explained the history of all places we visited. He
was so passionate about everything, we were very lucky to have him as tour guide.
Mar 24, 2026
zackn719
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
We did our private tour with…
Mar 24, 2026
zackn719
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
We did our private tour with Kamon-San, and he was a great guide to show off the sites and features of Nara! He got their early, and had a detailed and interesting schedule planned for us, including several of the local shrines and temples, allowing us to also enjoy the deer throughout our tour.
He also took us to a nice local restaurant where we were able to enjoy some of the best soba and catsu curry we had all trip! Kamon-san’s insights and trivia were definitely one of the top highlights from our entire trip to Japan! We would strongly recommend not just Nara but this guided tour to anyone who wants to appreciate more than just the deer!
Oct 20, 2025
66speech
Highlights of Kyoto.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…
Oct 20, 2025
66speech
Highlights of Kyoto.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with his knowledge of Kyoto history and culture. Well paced tour, covered Imperial Palace, temples, shrines, Bamboo Grove and Arashiyama. Helpful with navigating rail system. Very worth while. Nori earns highest rating possible.
Oct 16, 2025
Michael_H
Thoroughly enjoyed the…
Viator review: Osaka Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Thoroughly enjoyed the day out…
Oct 16, 2025
Michael_H
Thoroughly enjoyed the…
Viator review: Osaka Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Thoroughly enjoyed the day out with our guide Nori. Without him we would have been
literally lost & seen nowhere near the amount of sites. Nori guidance was top notch.