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.
Tour Itinerary
- 11:00: Meet at Kyoto Station
- 12:00: Tour of Uji Byodoin
- 13:00: Lunch @ Pizzzeria Uji
- 14:30: Tour of the Gion area
- 15:30: Tour of Teramachi Shopping Street
- 16:00: Disband @ Ueshima Coffee Cafe
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Kyoto began at 11:00, when the guide met the guests at Kyoto Station, and finished at 16:00. The day ran to 5 hours from start to finish. It included lunch @ Pizzzeria Uji at 13:00.
From there the group visited Uji Byodoin at 12:00, Gion area at 14:30 and Teramachi Shopping Street at 15:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: JR Kyoto Station to JR Uji Station by train (240JPY); JR Uji Station to JR Tofukuji Station by train (240JPY); Tofukuji Station to Gion Station by bus (230JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 710JPY per person.
What Is a Private Kyoto and Uji Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Byodo-in, Gion, and Nishiki Market
The guests today were a group visiting from Europe. The meeting time had been set for 10:00, but while I was waiting at Kyoto Station, the guests suddenly contacted me to change the meeting time, and we arranged to meet at 11:00 in front of a McDonald's. One of the guests requested that I guide them to a place away from crowds, so I decided to take them to Byodo-in in Uji. This was not the group's first visit to Japan, and they had been to Kyoto before as well. The weather was fine today, warm enough to make you sweat, almost like early summer. There were relatively few tourists, and the wisteria at Byodo-in had begun to bloom, so the guests were able to enjoy it very much. For lunch we had pizza to recharge, then moved on to Gion by train and bus. In Gion, I explained about maiko and geiko, and told them about the training and living environment of maiko while strolling around Hanamikoji and the Tatsumi Shrine area, after which I guided them to a shopping street. I also guided them to Nishiki Market, but the crowds were tremendous, so we gave up partway through and had them take a break at a coffee shop, and since it was time, we parted ways there. Some of the guests seemed a little tired from walking, but once I guided them through the shopping street they became noticeably energized, and they happily enjoyed shopping before heading back to their hotel in Osaka.
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 | JR Kyoto Station～JR Uji Station | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | JR Uji Station～JR Tofukuji Station | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Tofukuji Station～Gion Station | 230JPY |
| Total | 710JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Kyoto Station at 11:00, and the tour finished at @ Ueshima Coffee Cafe at 16:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 5 hours in total, from 11:00 to 16:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Uji Byodoin, Gion area and Teramachi Shopping Street.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 710JPY per person across 3 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。