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 up @The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto
  • 9:25 Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • 10:05 Ninna-ji Temple
  • 11:00 Bamboo Grove Path~Tenryu-ji Temple
  • 12:10 Nijo Castle
  • 13:25 Lunch @Shijo Karasuma
  • 14:30 Walk: Ninenzaka~Sannenzaka~Kiyomizu-dera Temple
  • 15:00 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
  • 16:15 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
  • 17:20 Gion Hanamikoji~Gion Shinbashi
  • 18:00 Dismissal @The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto

Title: Can You Do a Private Snowy-Day Tour of Kyoto? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji and More

The guests were visitors from North America. In response to their request, I arranged a fairly packed itinerary, but we were able to complete it a little earlier than expected. It snowed from the morning, and by the time we reached our first stop, Kinkaku-ji, a considerable amount had accumulated, and the guests were delighted to see the golden pavilion covered in snow. The snowfall continued throughout the morning, but it stopped around the time we finished lunch, and since there were occasional glimpses of sunshine in the afternoon, we were able to complete the entire itinerary. Although one of the guests seemed a little tired, the group was very pleased to have been able to visit so many places.

Thanks for joining our tour. I’m Hiro Nakagawa, assigned to be your guide for this tour. I was eligible as a National Licensed Tour Guide in 2017. I have guided many tourists from overseas since then. Japan is a beautiful country with full of various attractions. Please enjoy your time in this country to the fullest. I will help you with that. What are you interested in this country? I will introduce this country’s long history, traditional culture, beautiful seasonal highlights, and delicious food to you. Please let me know your preferences. If it’s other than which I mentioned, I’m preparing it for you as much as possible. Let’s enjoy the trip together!

Jul 13, 2025
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Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
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Excellent tour
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