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

  • 09:00 ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto
  • 09:30 Otagi Nenbutsuji (500) by taxi
  • 11:20 Bamboo forest by walking
  • 11:30 Tenryuji garden by walking
  • 12:20 Arashiyama Monkey Park (800) by walking
  • 13:40 Lunch (Kura Sushi Kinkakuji Branch)
  • 14:50 Ryoanji (600) by walking Rock Garden
  • 16:00 Gion
  •   End of the tour

Tour Itinerary in Detail

From there the group visited ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto at 09:00, Otagi Nenbutsuji (500) by taxi at 09:30, Bamboo forest by walking at 11:20, Tenryuji garden by walking at 11:30, Arashiyama Monkey Park (800) by walking at 12:20, Ryoanji (600) by walking Rock Garden at 14:50 and Gion at 16:00.

What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Arashiyama and Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from North America. Initially they had many places they wanted to see, so I proposed three plans, and this itinerary was decided upon. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple was crowded with many international visitors. We viewed the traditional townscape of Toriimoto on our way to the bamboo grove. After that, we passed through the garden of Tenryu-ji Temple, crossed the Togetsukyo Bridge, and went to the Monkey Park. One of the guests mentioned having seen the Togetsukyo Bridge on social media. The Monkey Park was very popular with international visitors, and we saw few Japanese tourists there. After lunch, we walked to Ryoan-ji Temple. Japanese irises, sweet flags, and water lilies were in beautiful bloom. Forest green tree frogs were calling in the pond in the back garden of Ryoan-ji Temple. There were three egg masses of forest green tree frogs attached to the branches of a maple tree. After the tour, the guests said they wanted to go to Gion, so I took them to Gion and we parted ways there. They were delighted to have seen so many things.

I’m Ryoichi Kazuma and my nickname is “Kazz”. I live in Kyotanabe city next to Kyoto city. I want guests to enjoy Kyoto by seeing and experiencing not only from outside but also from inside. I offer various information from daily matters to traditional cultures. Most destinations in Kyoto are located on the eastern side or the western side. As I want to guide guests to as many destinations as possible, I make an efficient itinerary and recommend a taxi use to save time. Additionally, I take pictures at various spots and finally share the link to my storage. By doing so, guests can download their favorite pictures from my storage. Please enjoy Kyoto night and day!

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Awesome experience
Tour guide Kazz was great. Very informative and showed…