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 @ Hotel Resol Kyoto Shijo Muromachi
- 9:35-10:15 @ Kifune Shrine
- 11:05-11:35 @ Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
- 11:45-12:10 @ Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
- 12:35-13:30 @ Nijo Castle
- 14:10-14:40 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
- 15:00 Dismissal @ Near Kawaramachi Rokkaku Intersection
Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kifune, Arashiyama, Nijo Castle, and Fushimi Inari
The guests were a group visiting from the Middle East. Some of the guests had been to Japan around five times in total, while the others were visiting Japan for the first time.
At Kifune Shrine, the plan was to be dropped off near the main hall and then call the taxi waiting at the inner shrine to come pick us up after the visit. However, there was no mobile phone signal at all, so while the guests explored Yui-no-yashiro, I walked to the taxi waiting area myself to call the taxi—an unexpected turn of events.
One of the guests was fond of horse racing and asked about the connection between Kifune Shrine and horses. When I explained that Kifune Shrine is said to be the birthplace of ema votive plaques, two of the guests dedicated ema.
At Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, the main attraction was the bamboo grove behind the temple. At Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, the guests each took photos of the rakan statues as they liked.
The guests had all watched the TV drama series "Shogun," and listened with great interest to the explanation of Nijo Castle. As we were running short on time, I gave a general explanation of Fushimi Inari in the car, and limited the walk to passing through the Senbon Torii up to the Okusha.
At the guests' request, I dropped them off at an intersection near Kawaramachi Rokkaku and we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!
My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.
I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.
I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.
I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and a pleasure to be with.
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic Kyoto. He was flexible when we decided to modify our itinerary on the morning due to rain forecast the next day. Kaz’s English was great which meant he kept my teenage sons engaged with stories about shoguns and samurai battles. We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden and Silver pavilions. The highlight of the tour with Kaz was being shown around beautiful gardens to see cherry blossoms still blooming and views of the city. We highly recommend going on a tour with him.
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of of the historical aspects of the sites we visit, provided us great guidance on appropriate behavior at each site. He was energetic throughout the tour. More important he was more of a companion which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour…
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour guide! He spent 6 hours showing us around Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple and the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, spoke English well (lived in the US for 3 years), and took lots of photos for us. We are so glad we booked this tour.