Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car — Guide Yuka
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. 10:00 Meet up@Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto
- 2. 10:45 @Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 3. 11:30 @Kiyomizu-dera
- 4. 13:00 @Ryoan-ji
- 5. 13:45 @Kinkaku-ji
- 6. 15:20 @Philosopher's Path
- 7. 16:00 Disband@Hotel
What Is a Private Kyoto Taxi Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari and More
The tour started a little late, as the guests contacted me to say they were still having breakfast. They had expressed interest in Nijo Castle, but since the castle was right in front of the Hotel, I explained that using the reserved taxi for it would be a waste, and they agreed, so we decided to head to Fushimi Inari Taisha instead. One of the guests mentioned having attended a junior high school in the Yasaka area for a year back in 1997, but the driver, Shigemori, was very knowledgeable about Kyoto and knew that the school no longer existed and had since become the Kanji Museum. The driver took us right up to the site, and the guest seemed deeply moved. At Kiyomizu-dera, the actual "Kanji of the Year" was on display, and we were told it would be exhibited at the Kanji Museum from the 21st. The guests felt this was a curious and meaningful coincidence. Since they had eaten a late breakfast, lunch was not needed, which left us with some time to spare, so after consulting with the driver, I suggested a short stroll along the Philosopher's Path and a drive by taxi near the large torii gate of Heian Shrine, which the guests happily accepted. We returned to the Hotel right at 16:00, and the guests were very pleased.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
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!
Jul 25, 2026
Ann W
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
One of the highlights of my trip, perfect for solo…
Jul 25, 2026
Ann W
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
One of the highlights of my trip, perfect for solo travelers!
My solo tour of Arashiyama with Yuka-san was easily one of the absolute highlights of my trip!
Her clever planning allowed us to beat the crowds completely.
Visiting Otagi Nenbutsu-ji and the moss gardens of Gio-ji was deeply moving, and the quiet atmosphere truly forced a moment of silence. Hearing the nightingales and frogs made it extra magical.
Yuka provided incredible guidance and care throughout the day.
I am returning home with a suitcase full of unforgettable stories!
Jul 14, 2026
Elizabeth W
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
Great tour
We had a great tour with…
Jul 14, 2026
Elizabeth W
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
Great tour
We had a great tour with Yuka. She customized the trip based on our interests and made everything easy
Jul 11, 2026
Dianna-fam
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Wonderful Tour, Wonderful Guide!
My teenage boys and I…
Jul 11, 2026
Dianna-fam
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Wonderful Tour, Wonderful Guide!
My teenage boys and I had a wonderful private walking tour of Osaka with our guide Yuka! After I booked the Japan Guide Agency tour through TripAdvisor, Yuka reached out to me directly about our itinerary. She was very accommodating and responsive during the planning stage, and was extremely flexible right up until the day of our tour with last minute changes. She was a wonderful tour guide and incorporated all the sights that we wanted to visit, with a lot of interesting history/facts provided along the way. She spoke very good English and was easy to understand. Would highly recommend this tour (and Yuka!) as a very efficient/immersive way to experience and explore Osaka.
Jul 1, 2026
Christian_L
Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto visite with Yuka : Wow !
Wow ! Yuka was…
Jul 1, 2026
Christian_L
Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto visite with Yuka : Wow !
Wow ! Yuka was an amazing guide and the visite was better than our expectations ! We gave learned a lot and the kids loved it !