Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Kazu

December, 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

  • ①　09:00　Ref Kyoto　Hachijyoguchi meeting point
  • ②　09:05　Itinerary explanation・Explanation about Kyoto
  • ③　09:50　Pontocho～Gion・Tatsumi Bridge・Shinbashi
  • ④　11:00　Chugenji Temple・Hanamikoji Street・Yasui Konpira Shrine
  • ⑤　11:30　Yasaka Pagoda～Sannenzaka
  • ⑥　12:00　Kiyomizu-dera Temple
  • ⑦　13:10　Lunch・Sanjo area
  • ⑦　14:00　Nishiki Market stroll
  • ⑧　14:45　Dismissal at Nishiki Market

What Is a Private Kyoto and Gion Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Europe. This was their third day in Kyoto, and they had been exploring various places entirely on their own, so I explained Kyoto, Gion, and the basics of Japan from the very beginning. They listened to me patiently and were truly pleasant and courteous, making them a pleasure to guide. This may be something guides everywhere do, but in Osaka and Kyoto there is a dialect expression, "ookini," used alongside "thank you," so I encouraged the guests to try it when getting out of a taxi or leaving a restaurant. When they actually did, it always gets a wonderful reaction, and the guests are delighted. Today was no exception. I still remember the very happy expressions on the guests' faces when it went over so well. I think they realized that this might be the quickest way to blend in, even just a little, with the local community while traveling.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Kazu

Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama

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Jul 29, 2026
James_G
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great guide and very…
Great guide and very knowledgeable.…

Jul 13, 2026
peterhR6472GA
Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A wonderful day with Kazu…

Jul 12, 2026
cgalvez73
Fantastic tour guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

Jun 23, 2026
Winni_H
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Highly recommended when in Kyoto
Our tour guide…