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
- 9:30 Meet @ Kyoto Station Central Gate
- 9:55-10:45 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 11:30-12:15 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- 13:10-13:50 @ Kinkaku-ji
- 14:40-15:20 @ Gion
- 15:55 @ Kyoto Station
**Title:** What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like from a Cruise Ship at Kobe Port? A Licensed Guide's Report
**Body:**
The guests were a group visiting from Oceania, who came to Kyoto on an excursion from a cruise ship docked at Kobe Port.
They already had return Shinkansen tickets, and according to those tickets they needed to catch the 16:46 Shinkansen departing from Kyoto Station, so I made sure to keep our schedule on track to make it in time.
Regarding the cherry blossoms, the guests mentioned they had already seen plenty of them elsewhere, so although the blossoms were in full bloom at each location, they did not show much interest.
Fushimi Inari Taisha was very crowded, but the guests were pleased that they could take a commemorative photo at the Senbon Torii.
At the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, we entered from the Naga-tsuji Street entrance, passed through Kameyama Park, and came out at the Togetsukyo Bridge.
On the way to Kinkakuji, we stopped at a convenience store, where the guests bought sandwiches and other items to eat.
At Kinkakuji, the wind was strong, so the reflection of the golden pavilion did not appear on the Kyoko-chi Pond.
In Gion, there was some light rain, and there was a moment when I lent the guests the folding umbrella I had brought as a spare.
After finishing in Gion, we headed to Kyoto Station by city bus, but Higashioji Street was very congested, so we arrived at Kyoto Station later than planned. However, we still made it in time for the Shinkansen, which was a relief.
I guided the guests to the Shinkansen platform at Kyoto Station, and we parted ways there.
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～Inari Station | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Inari Station～Saga-Arashiyama Station | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama Station～Enmachi Station | 190JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Nishinokyo-Enmachi～Kinkakuji-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Kinkakuji-michi～Nishioji-Oike | 230JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Nishioji Station～Sanjo-Keihan Station | 260JPY |
| Section 7 | Bus | Higashiyama-Yasui～Kyoto Station | 260JPY |
| Total | 1,560JPY | ||
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.