Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha & Ishibei-koji Alley — 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

  • 10:30 　Meet at Hotel TAKASEGAWA
  • 10:35　 Itinerary explanation, about the history of Kyoto
  • 11:30　Fushimi Inari Taisha
  • 12:45　Sanjusangendo
  • 14:00　Lunch at Sanjo
  • 15:00　Kodaiji Temple
  • 16:00　Ishibei-koji Alley
  • 16:15　Gion: Tatsumibashi Bridge to Shinbashi-dori Street
  • 16:40　Disband at Gion, Furumonzen-cho

Tour Itinerary in Detail

Meeting at Hotel TAKASEGAWA at 10:30, the group explored Kyoto until the tour ended at 16:40. The day ran to 6 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at Sanjo at 14:00.

The itinerary covered Itinerary explanation, about the history of Kyoto at 10:35, Fushimi Inari Taisha at 11:30, Sanjusangendo at 12:45, Kodaiji Temple at 15:00, Ishibei-koji Alley at 16:00 and Gion: Tatsumibashi Bridge to Shinbashi-dori Street at 16:15.

Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Higashiyama and Gion

The guests were visiting Japan and Kyoto for the first time from North America. The destinations for this visit were decided according to the guests' wishes. One of the guests was always chatting, and whenever I explained something about a site in response to a question, they would enthusiastically add that there was something similar back home, sharing story after story. They were thoroughly enjoying the trip, and I found listening to them delightful. Another of the guests was interested in history and asked me a variety of questions. I thought they asked excellent questions, such as why the 15th Tokugawa shogun returned the samurai government, which had lasted some 700 years, to the Emperor. For lunch I took them to a very local spot. At Kodaiji Temple, even though Christmas was near, the autumn leaves and the golden ginkgo foliage sparkled in the evening sun, and the scene looked more autumnal than autumn itself — truly beautiful. Kyoto today turned from light rain to clear skies, with both the morning and evening sun shining beautifully, and the streets of Gion glowed with a wonderful atmosphere, so we took many photographs. The guests were very pleased. I hope it made for a lovely Christmas Eve for them.

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

Request Booking

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…