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
- 9:00 Meet @ Hotel Alza Kyoto
- 9:13-9:23 Sanjo → Fushimi Inari 220 yen JR
- 9:30-10:30 Sightseeing at Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 10:39-11:13 Inari → Saga-Arashiyama 240 yen JR
- 11:20-12:40 Sightseeing at Tenryu-ji, Bamboo Grove Path, Togetsukyo Bridge, Kimono Forest
- 12:45-13:30 Lunch @ Arashiyama Curry
- 13:40-13:46 Saga-Arashiyama → Nijo 200 yen JR
- 14:00-15:00 Sightseeing at Nijo Castle
- 15:12-15:18 Nijojo-mae – Sanjo Keihan 220 yen Subway
- 15:30 Dismiss @ Hotel Alza Kyoto
Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour of Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, and Nijo Castle Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
I guided a group visiting from North America. The guests had a deep interest in Japanese culture and history, and they asked many questions, especially on topics related to religion and political systems. We began at Fushimi Inari Taisha, where we walked through the Senbon Torii, and I explained the history of Shinto and the role of shrines. Next, we visited Arashiyama, where at Tenryu-ji Temple I spoke about Buddhism and Zen teachings, and the guests enjoyed the beauty of the Japanese garden. Along the Bamboo Grove path and at Togetsukyo Bridge, we continued our conversation about Japanese culture while enjoying the scenery. For lunch, the guests had curry in Arashiyama and were very satisfied. Finally, we visited Nijo Castle, where I explained in detail the shoguns of the Edo period and the changes in the imperial system.
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 | Sanjo～Fushimi Inari | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Inari～Saga-Arashiyama | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama～Nijo | 200JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Nijojo-mae～Sanjo Keihan | 220JPY |
| Total | 880JPY | ||
Hello! I am Andy Murao. I love this job as I can visit various destinations with the people from all over the world. I am always thinking that I could help you know more about Japan and understand the attractiveness of Japan.
I would like to provide a tour in accordance with your request and preference. Please let me know what you want to see, eat, experience, etc. and then I will propose a schedule based on them.
There is one point to note. I like walking very much, so I might be a guide who forces you to take long walks.
I look forward to attending you in Japan.
Best regards,
Andy Murao
Jul 13, 2026
webstere2025
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Excellent
Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our…
Jul 13, 2026
webstere2025
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Excellent
Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our itinerary. He was flexible with changes we requested. Andy was very informative during the tour. He also was willing to take our family’s pictures. We were able to stop and check out shops as we pleased along the way. He also accommodated lunch requests(as our daughter has food allergies).
One thing I wish we realized was that there is quite a bit of walking. We were fine but for people who are perhaps older or with young children you may want to consider taking a cab between different sites.
Jun 21, 2026
Catherine_D
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in Osaka
Andy was great . On time and patience…
Jun 21, 2026
Catherine_D
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in Osaka
Andy was great . On time and patience with our walking tour since we had a 14 yr old with
us. Very informative and picked us up and dropped us off our hotel. Thank you Andy for
showing us Osaka
Jun 6, 2026
eyeessess
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour!
Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide.…
Jun 6, 2026
eyeessess
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour!
Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide. He reached out to us with some ideas for our private tour. He worked with us as we made the tour perfectly suited to our needs. He met us on time. He navigated the crowds and the sites perfectly. He was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot. He even put together a nice photo collection of photos he emailed us after. Highly recommend.
Jun 5, 2026
Janice_W
Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
Great tour of Kyoto
It was a good tour…
Jun 5, 2026
Janice_W
Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
Great tour of Kyoto
It was a good tour & Andy looked after us well. He managed to change things to suite our
walking limitations & we had a good day.