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
- ① 11:00 Meet at Hilton Garden Inn Kyoto Shijo Karasuma
- ② 11:05 Itinerary explanation, explanation about the history of Kyoto
- ③ 11:40 Nijo Castle
- ④ 13:00 Daisen-in
- ⑤ 15:00 Stroll along the Philosopher's Path
- ⑥ 15:20 Honen-in
- ⑦ 15:50 Return again to the Philosopher's Path
- ⑧ 16:00 Stroll around the Sanmon Gate of Nanzen-ji. Photography, etc.
- ⑨ 16:30 Stroll around Gion (from Tatsumi Bridge and Shinbashi-dori through Hanamikoji-dori to Kaburenjo Theater, etc.)
- ⑩ 17:00 Yasui Konpiragu Shrine
- ⑪ 17:30 Disband at Yasaka Pagoda
What's a Private Full-Day Kyoto Tour Like for First-Time Visitors? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. They had spent a few days in Tokyo before coming to Kyoto, and planned to stroll around Kyoto for one more day before heading to Osaka and Nara. They told me that they did not necessarily want to visit the most popular spots, as long as they could feel that they had truly experienced Kyoto, and asked me to plan the entire tour in that spirit, so I decided on the itinerary myself. Basically, I proposed a route with few crowds, where they could take their time looking around and listen carefully to the stories. Since we started late, the latter half of the day centered on walking and exploring. Today as well, I did my best to share the places I really wanted them to know about. They were very pleased, and in the evening I received a thank-you email from them. I felt glad that I had explained everything wholeheartedly, and I felt that we had truly connected. This is one of the things I love about this job.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama
Jul 29, 2026
James_G
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great guide and very…
Great guide and very knowledgeable.…
Jul 29, 2026
James_G
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great guide and very…
Great guide and very knowledgeable. Spoke perfect English and made the day fun and educational. Was able to adjust the tour based on my needs.
Jul 13, 2026
peterhR6472GA
Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A wonderful day with Kazu…
Jul 13, 2026
peterhR6472GA
Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A wonderful day with Kazu san in Kyoto. From the moment that the tour was booked, his communication with email about planning the day was exceptional.
Kazu gave detailed explanations about the areas we visited and we appreciated all that he had to offer at each of our stops.
We thoroughly enjoyed our day with him.
Jul 12, 2026
cgalvez73
Fantastic tour guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…
Jul 12, 2026
cgalvez73
Fantastic tour guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu. By the end of the day, we felt like we had made a new friend.
Kazu helped us arrange the best day with our short time in Kyoto. He brought us to some “hidden gems” and gave us thorough explanations on history and culture.
I would highly recommend this tour.
Jun 23, 2026
Winni_H
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Highly recommended when in Kyoto
Our tour guide…
Jun 23, 2026
Winni_H
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Highly recommended when in Kyoto
Our tour guide Kazu was very knowledgeable in terms of the history and explaining many of
the wonderful ancient sites around Kyoto. Definitely a must! Otherwise, I think it would be
difficult to tourists to understand on their own.