Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Yuka

January, 2025

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. 8:00 Meet up @Four Points
2. 9:20 @Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
3. 11:00 @Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
4. 12:30 @Kinkaku-ji Temple
5. 14:00 Disband @Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Starting at 8:00 AM? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan who loved taking photographs. Since each of them had their own wishes, the initial request included as many as 11 locations, so I explained that four would be the maximum and they kindly narrowed the list down. Because the tour started at 8:00, Fushimi Inari Taisha would already be crowded regardless, so I decided to start from the more distant Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple. Even though I had carefully checked the bus schedule, the bus, which runs only once an hour, was already full and we could not board. However, since there were also some members of a youth baseball team who could not board, an extra bus was arranged. There were many hikers, and when I asked one of them, it seemed that many of them were setting out on their first mountain climb of the season. Right next to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is Mount Atago, whose deity protects against fire, so I imagine many people go there to receive protective charms. In any case, the extra bus was completely empty, so we could all sit down and travel comfortably to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, which delighted the guests. Everyone was quite moved.

After Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, we walked leisurely to the bamboo grove, had a snack at the Randen station, and went to Kinkaku-ji. Since we were running behind schedule, I explained about Fushimi Inari Taisha on the train during the ride, and we managed to arrive at Fushimi Inari Taisha at 14:05. I explained the return route and a chopstick shop, took a commemorative photo together, and we parted ways.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.	Transportation	Route	Fare
Section 1	Train	Karasuma～Arashiyama	240JPY
Section 2	Bus	Arashiyama～Atagodera-mae	230JPY
Section 3	Train	Arashiyama～Kitano-Hakubaicho	250JPY
Section 4	Bus	Kitano-Hakubaicho～Kinkakuji-michi	230JPY
Section 5	Bus	Kinkakuji-michi～Enmachi	230JPY
Section 6	Train	Enmachi～Inari	200JPY
Total			1,380JPY

Tour Report by YUKA

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!

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