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

  • Meet at 9:30 (Hotel Kyoto Sanjo Premier), head to Fushimi Inari using the subway and Keihan Line
  • Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine: 10:15-11:10, head to Nishiki Market using JR and the subway
  • Nishiki Market: 11:40-12:10, travel by taxi from Shijo Kawaramachi to Yasaka Street
  • Higashiyama: 12:30-13:00, head to Kiyomizu-dera Temple via Yasaka Pagoda and Sannenzaka
  • Kiyomizu-dera Temple: 13:00-13:30, disperse after the tour

Title: What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera

The guests were a group visiting from North America and Oceania. Some of the guests were energetic and often walked ahead of us. At Fushimi Inari, I explained the proper way to worship and the differences between Shinto and Buddhism, and the guests took photos among the Senbon Torii, tried the Omokaru-ishi stones, and clapped their hands at the Kodama-ga-ike pond. There was a spot in the grounds where a few cherry blossoms were beginning to bloom, which delighted them. We took many photos within the Fushimi Inari grounds. At Nishiki Market, I had thought they might eat something, but they only looked around, so I guided them to a shop selling Japanese-style small goods in the Teramachi shopping arcade, where some of the guests purchased souvenirs. We then moved by taxi to Yasaka-dori and I guided them to Kiyomizu-dera via the Yasaka Pagoda and Sannenzaka, where they had the experience of pouring water for the Kannon Bodhisattva. After visiting Kiyomizu-dera, it was around 13:30, and although the tour was ending, I asked what they would like to do next. They said they would stroll around the area a bit before heading back but could return on their own, so it was fine to end here. I told them the taxi would need to go out to the bus street, and we said goodbye in front of Kiyomizu-dera.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayKarasuma Oike~Sanjo Keihan220JPY
Section 2TrainSanjo~Fushimi Inari Station220JPY
Section 3TrainInari~Kyoto150JPY
Section 4SubwayKyoto~Shijo220JPY
Total810JPY

Nice to meet you.
My name is Hiroki Muramoto, please call me Hiro.
Hiro in Japanese means large or big. Although I’m neither large nor big, you can call me Hiro. How are you doing ?
I lived in a city nearby Kobe city. Do you know Kobe ? Kobe is famous for Kobe beef and pearl. If you have not yet had Kobe beef, you should taste the authentic Kobe beef. It is very satisfying taste. But I have recently moved to a city in Kyoto prefecture, so I can be in Kyoto city in about one hour. By the way, I am a family of four. I have a son and a daughter. My son now works in Tokyo. I sometimes go to Tokyo to see him. Tokyo is a huge city, but too crowded, so it seems not to suit me. I seem to be better suited to a small city than a big one. Where do you live in ? How many families do you have ? If you like, please tell me about them. I worked in the quality assurance department of a pharmaceutical company and visited the factories of foreign affiliated companies, so I became interested in foreign cultures and obtained a qualification as an interpreter guide in 2015.

I have been a guide for about eight years. During that time, I have guided in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Kochi and so on, although I could do little guiding work between 2020 and 2022 due to COVID-19. However, since last year, my guiding work has been back! So, I am happy to be able to meet different people again. My hobby is travelling, but sadly, I am not in a position to travel abroad easily at the moment due to the very weak yen, and I hope to travel abroad again when the situation eases a bit more.
How many countries have you been to so far ? Which countries have you liked so far? Another hobby is watching sports – baseball and football. Do you like the baseball ? Do you know Otani, Japanese baseball player ? He has joined Dodgers in Los Angeles this year. I look forward to another successful year for Otani.

By the way, what interests you in Japan? Food, history, scenery ? As far as tourist attractions are concerned, famous places are too crowded. If you like, I also would like to show you some less crowded places. Are you interested in experiencing something ? If you want to experience something, I can suggest an experience plan for you. If so, please contact me as early as possible. As for food, what kind of food do you like? There are many kinds of delicious food. Of course, you can get good food in fine restaurants, but you can also get good food in downtown restaurants. If you like alcohol, why don’t you try Japanese sake? It can range from light and fragrant to rich in flavor, so you’re sure to find a Japanese sake you like.

My motto is “Be content with life.” However, I find myself complaining all the time. If you like, please tell me your motto. I want to treat all guests who visit Japan with the spirit of “Treasure every encounter” and guide them so that they can enjoy themselves and have good memories of Japan.
You only live once (YOLO). So, I also want to enjoy it with you.

I look forward to meeting you.
Best regard.

Nov 27, 2024
Julianne_A
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