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
- 10:15 Meet at Kyoto Station
- 11:15 Guide to Kinkaku-ji
- 12:00 Guide to Ryoan-ji
- 13:50 Lunch at Saga-Arashiyama @ "Tenryu Ramen"
- 15:30 Kyoto Station
- 16:00 Shinkyogoku
- 16:30 Disband @ Nishiki Market
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at Kyoto Station at 10:15, the group explored Kyoto until the tour ended at 16:30. The day ran to 6 hours and 15 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at Saga-Arashiyama @ "Tenryu Ramen" at 13:50.
The itinerary covered Guide to Kinkaku-ji at 11:15, Guide to Ryoan-ji at 12:00, Kyoto Station at 15:30 and Shinkyogoku at 16:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kyoto Station to Enmachi Station by train (190JPY); Nishinokyo-Enmachi Station to Kinkakuji-michi Station by bus (230JPY); Randen Ryoanji Station to Randen Arashiyama Station by train (250JPY); Saga-Arashiyama Station to Kyoto Station by train (240JPY); Kyoto Station to Shijo Station by subway (220JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 1,130JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Rainy-Day Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group from North America visiting Kyoto. They were calm and easy to guide. Unfortunately, light rain fell from the morning and it was a chilly day, with even a few snow flurries in Arashiyama. After touring temples including Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji, they asked to have lunch once we reached the Randen tram, so I guided them to a ramen restaurant in Arashiyama. After lunch, we walked from the Hozugawa River area to the bamboo grove, then moved from the bamboo grove to Nonomiya Shrine, which I introduced. The original plan was to go from the bamboo grove to Fushimi Inari Shrine, but the guests requested a visit to Nishiki Market, so we headed toward Shinkyogoku. In Shinkyogoku, I pointed out a place offering a "ninja experience" for one of the guests, as well as Takashimaya where they could enjoy Nintendo products, and as this reached our closing time, I parted ways with the guests at Nishiki Market.
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 | Kyoto Station～Enmachi Station | 190JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Nishinokyo-Enmachi Station～Kinkakuji-michi Station | 230JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Randen Ryoanji Station～Randen Arashiyama Station | 250JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama Station～Kyoto Station | 240JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Kyoto Station～Shijo Station | 220JPY |
| Total | 1,130JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Kyoto Station at 10:15, and the tour finished at @ Nishiki Market at 16:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 15 minutes in total, from 10:15 to 16:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Guide to Kinkaku-ji, Guide to Ryoan-ji, Kyoto Station and Shinkyogoku.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,130JPY per person across 5 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Toshi is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kyoto itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
After a rather long teaching experience at Japanese college, I converted my career about 6 years ago into working as a tour guide for the tourists visiting Japan.
As my career overseas, I’ve been in the UN and the Japanese Embassy, all in the USA, totaling more than 6 years.
And then I had made a big change in my career from a diplomat to an academic researcher. For that career to achieve, I studied abroad and won a doctorate degree in linguistics from Indiana University and landed a teaching position at college in Japan.
With all these interesting and exciting experiences I’ve made myself ready to enrich your tour and make it both enjoyable and worthwhile.
Apr 26, 2026
39ferdinandr
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Exceptional and entertaining
Great tour better the tour guide Toshi.
Apr 9, 2026
X1429XKclaudiam
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Sehr zu empfehlen
Wir haben als Familie diese 6-stundige Tour durch Kyoto…
Apr 9, 2026
X1429XKclaudiam
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Sehr zu empfehlen
Wir haben als Familie diese 6-stundige Tour durch Kyoto mit unserem Guide Toshi verbracht. Er hat uns so viel Hintergrundwissen zu den einzelnen Sehenswurdigkeiten und daruber hinaus vermittelt! Wir haben in den 6 Stunden 4 Spots erreichen konnen.
Diese Tour durch Kyoto konnen wir jedem zum Einstieg in die Kultur, Religion und Tradition nur empfehlen. Wir wurden sie jederzeit wieder buchen.
とてもおすすめです
私たちは家族で、ガイドのトシさんと一緒に京都の6時間ツアーに参加しました。彼は各観光地についての背景知識だけでなく、それ以上に多くのことを教えてくれました！6時間の中で、4つのスポットを訪れることができました。
この京都ツアーは、日本の文化・宗教・伝統を知る入門として、どなたにも強くおすすめできます。ぜひまた参加したいと思える内容でした。
Jun 28, 2025
WilliamAlfonso_R
Toshi is a very eloquent, knowledgeable, and diligent tour guide.
Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi was…
Jun 28, 2025
WilliamAlfonso_R
Toshi is a very eloquent, knowledgeable, and diligent tour guide.
Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi was very eloquent, knowledgeable, and patient. He diligently guided us through the Deer Park and various important Buddhist and Shinto landmarks in the area. He answered each question with clear detail. We often saw other tourists trying to overhear the historical context explanations he shared. We were very lucky to have him.
May 30, 2025
Z
ZevP5
Best Tour Guide!
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshi was the best guide!! He was so…
May 30, 2025
Z
ZevP5
Best Tour Guide!
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshi was the best guide!! He was so kind, patient and knowledgeable. He took us on a very
fun tour filled with detailed knowledge of each location and patience to answer all of our
questions including my two kids.
※こちら、「Yoshi」との記載がございますが、ゲストのニックネーム「ZevP5」およびレビュー内容より、吉川様にご担当いただいた案件（JGA-T93795962）と一致すると判断し、お送りさせていただきました。
万が一お心当たりがない場合は、お手数ですがご放念いただけますと幸いです。