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 pick up
  • 9:05-9:20 Go to Kinkakuji
  • 9:25-10:20 At Kinkakuj
  • 10:20-10:40 To Arashiyama
  • 10:40-10:45 Togetsukyou picturetime
  • 10:55-12:35 Oukouchisansou,Bamboo forest,Nonomiya shrine
  • 12:35-13:10 To Gion hanamikouji
  • 13:10-13:20 Hanamikouji street by car window
  • 13:25-14:30 At Restaurant Tenpura Endou
  • 14:30-14:50 To Fushimiinari
  • 14:50-15:30 At Fushimiinari and finish the tour

Tour Itinerary in Detail

From there the group visited Kinkakuji at 9:05, At Kinkakuj at 9:25, To Arashiyama at 10:20, Togetsukyou picturetime at 10:40, Oukouchisansou,Bamboo forest,Nonomiya shrine at 10:55, To Gion hanamikouji at 12:35, Hanamikouji street by car window at 13:10, At Restaurant Tenpura Endou at 13:25, To Fushimiinari at 14:30 and At Fushimiinari and finish the tour at 14:50.

Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from North America. They had made a reservation in advance at a tempura restaurant (starting at 13:30), so I arranged the rest of the itinerary around that fixed time. (I called the restaurant to confirm, but was told the time could not be changed and the reservation could not be cancelled.) We visited Kinkaku-ji early to avoid the crowds, then enjoyed Arashiyama, focusing on the Okochi Sanso villa. Before lunch, I showed them Gion from the car and explained the geiko and maiko culture. The restaurant said the meal would take about an hour and a half, but since the guests said, "We have other places we want to visit, so please bring the dishes quickly," we were able to finish in one hour. After that we drove to Fushimi Inari, where the car service ended, and I personally guided them around Fushimi Inari for about 30 minutes over the scheduled time. The weather was wonderful, and I was very happy that the guests were able to enjoy the tour.

Hi, every one. How have you been? I am JGA tour guide Kazu. It is my great pleasure that I can introduce myself here. I am already more than 70 years old, but I believe I am still young both mentally and physically. I like walking with my customers very much. I am from Tokyo, but now

I live in Kyoto traditional city and an old capital of Japan. I had worked at electric manufacturing company for more than 40 years. While I was working at that company, fortunately I had a lot of chances to visit many foreign countries.

I lived in Singapore, Malaysia, Poland and Mexico. Also I visited America, Britain, and other countries. Basically I used English to proceed my job there, however I always tried to speak local languages as much as possible. Through staying other countries, I found that there were great differences of the culture or the way of thinking between those countries and Japan. I though I had a valuable experience. After I retired from the company 5 years ago, I began to work as a tour guide although I got the National English tour guide license 7 years ago. Besides English I speak Spanish but I don’t have Spanish tour guide license yet. I belong to the comany JGA and worked around 10 days a month. So far I accompanied with mu customers more than 100 groups. All of my tour was good and lucky as I was always favored with gentle and kind customers.

My hobby is playing the guitar, dancing and learning foreign languages. I sometimes join the concert by playing the guitar, and it is fun for me. Though I like dancing, I can not dance well. I only enjoy dancing here in Japan.

About the tour in Japan, I usually take my tourists to the famous spots in Kyoto like Kinkakuji, Kiyomizu dera, Fushimi inari, Gion area,Nishiki market and Arashiyama area. In Arashiyama area we often visit Bamboo forest,Nonomiya shrine,Togetsukyou bridge and Kimono forest. I will cope with my customers demands as much as possible so that I try to visit any places up to your requests.

I welcome a lot for your coming to Japan. and if possible I would like to help you to visit various kind of spots in Japan especially in Kyoto. JGA is very flexible company so that I have a confidence that you will be satisfied with our attitude and hospitality. I am glad that many of my customers told that it was so nice to travel around Japan. We will and I will expect you come down to Japan any time and we are ready to help your memorable trip in Japan. I can not wait!

Sep 26, 2025
kaylah199
Amazing tour guide
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Venture826497
Great time in Kyoto!
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Jul 8, 2024
233vickies
6 hour Kyoto tour with Kazu
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We had…

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Hoc_N
A fascinating experience in Kyoto we won’t forget
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