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 Hotel meet-up 9:30 Yasaka Pagoda 9:45 Kiyomizu Temple 10:35 Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka 11:10 Yasaka Shrine 11:30 Gion 12:10 Pontocho 12:30 Nishiki Market (lunch)
- 13:30 Nijo Castle 15:05 Drop off at hotel and tour ends
What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. Both were able to walk without any problem at all. However, the destinations had been selected by an agency, so they could not really be described as the guests' own requests. We headed to Kiyomizu-dera early in the morning, so it was not very crowded on the way there, but it was quite crowded on the way back. One of the guests took a lot of photos. In the Higashiyama area, Ishibei-koji was quiet, but the rest was crowded. The guests enjoyed the streetscapes around Gion and Pontocho. They had lunch at Nishiki Market, and one of the guests ate vegetable-filled gyoza. The reason the large chrysanthemum crest above the entrance to the Ninomaru of Nijo Castle was missing was due to a typhoon last year. When I asked a staff member, they said it was unclear whether it would be reattached. The photo was taken near Kiyomizu-dera.
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 | Subway | Kyoto City Hall～Higashiyama | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Higashiyama Sanjo～Kiyomizu-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Shijo～Nijojo-mae | 220JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Nijojo-mae～Kyoto City Hall | 220JPY |
| Total | 890JPY | ||
I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep knowledge about the history and culture of Japan. He is flexible and accommodates changes if you so desire. He is also very empathetic. I had a sprained back and he ensured we took elevators everywhere. You will be lucky if he is assigned as your guide .
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience…
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience on the tour. We travelled all around Kyoto with our guide Kazuo Sumi. He is a sweet older gentleman who had a great depth of knowledge about each place we went to. We told him places we wanted to go and he made the itinerary for us. There is no one better to have as your guide!!
Jul 16, 2026
margaretsM7923ON
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Great way to see Kyoto
Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided…
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided some excellent recommendations. There’s a lot of walking so make sure you are prepared.