Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car — Guide Kazu
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 09:00 Gather at Gion, Ryokan Kinoe
- ② 09:10 Itinerary explanation and about Kyoto's history
- ③ 10:30 Kinkaku-ji
- ④ 11:45 Ryoan-ji
- ⑤ 13:30 Lunch and shopping (in Arashiyama)
- ⑥ 15:00 Bamboo grove walk
- ⑦ 15:45 Saga Daikaku-ji
- ⑧ 17:10 Disperse at Ryokan Kinoe
Title: What Is a Private Full-Day Kyoto Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. Some of the guests had been to Japan many times, while others were visiting for the first time. Everyone showed great interest in Japan's religion, customs, and history, so I gave an orientation on the history of Kyoto first thing in the morning, and the questions kept coming one after another. We began with the very basics — what Shinto is and what people do day to day, what Buddhism is and what is practiced within it, and how the two differ — and then moved on to the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, Shichi-Go-San, traditional Japanese clothing, and hanging scrolls, so it was already past 10:00 by the time we finally left the Hotel. During the drive, our conversation turned to politics and economics. There were also many topics related to healthcare, and we had a lively discussion about "good for the body" subjects such as Japanese cuisine, kaiseki, ichiju-sansai (one soup and three sides), the microbiome, and Blue Zones. Lunch was, of course, gluten-free. Since we were able to focus on the conversation today, I felt the chartered taxi was a great choice.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
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
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 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. Spoke perfect English and made the day fun and educational. Was able to adjust the tour based on my needs.
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 13, 2026
peterhR6472GA
Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A wonderful day with Kazu san in Kyoto. From the moment that the tour was booked, his communication with email about planning the day was exceptional.
Kazu gave detailed explanations about the areas we visited and we appreciated all that he had to offer at each of our stops.
We thoroughly enjoyed our day with him.
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.…
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. By the end of the day, we felt like we had made a new friend.
Kazu helped us arrange the best day with our short time in Kyoto. He brought us to some “hidden gems” and gave us thorough explanations on history and culture.
I would highly recommend this tour.
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…
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 Kazu was very knowledgeable in terms of the history and explaining many of
the wonderful ancient sites around Kyoto. Definitely a must! Otherwise, I think it would be
difficult to tourists to understand on their own.