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
- 09:00 Departure@Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto
- 09:30 Monkey Park Iwatayama
- 10:30 Kitayama Odaisugi
- 11:30 Rakusai Bamboo Path
- 12:40 Lunch
- 14:30 Dismissal＠Hotel The Mitsui
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 09:00 at @Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto and ended at 14:30. The day ran to 5 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch at 12:40.
Over the course of the day the route took in Monkey Park Iwatayama at 09:30, Kitayama Odaisugi at 10:30 and Rakusai Bamboo Path at 11:30.
Title: What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour to Arashiyama, Kitayama Cedar Village, and Bamboo Groves Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group from North America visiting Japan for the first time. The itinerary had been arranged based on the agency's request, and the guests' agreement had been confirmed well in advance, but a major change request came in the day before the tour. When I met the group on the day, we first headed to Arashiyama and I took them to the Monkey Park. They were delighted, as it was their first time seeing monkeys there. Afterward, since they wanted a place with abundant nature, we headed to the Kitayama cedar village, where I showed them the great Odaisugi cedar. They were amazed by this scenery they were seeing for the first time. Next, I took them to the bamboo grove in the Rakusai area. Larger in scale than Arashiyama and with almost no other visitors, this spot was also very well received. After that, they enjoyed some ramen, and we returned to the Hotel almost exactly on schedule.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Thanks for joining our tour. I’m Hiro Nakagawa, assigned to be your guide for this tour. I was eligible as a National Licensed Tour Guide in 2017. I have guided many tourists from overseas since then. Japan is a beautiful country with full of various attractions. Please enjoy your time in this country to the fullest. I will help you with that. What are you interested in this country? I will introduce this country’s long history, traditional culture, beautiful seasonal highlights, and delicious food to you. Please let me know your preferences. If it’s other than which I mentioned, I’m preparing it for you as much as possible. Let’s enjoy the trip together!
Jul 13, 2025
H2enjoy
Wonderful Day Trip to Mt. Koya from the Osaka Cruise Terminal
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure)…
Jul 13, 2025
H2enjoy
Wonderful Day Trip to Mt. Koya from the Osaka Cruise Terminal
Tripadvisor review: Mt. Koya Sacred Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Licensed Guide
Japan Guide Agency guide Hiro did an excellent job in escorting my wife and I for a day tour to Mt. Koya, from the Osaka Cruise Terminal. We enjoyed the sanctity of the Mt. Koya area, the peaceful shrines, and the forests of tall trees. Hiro had all the transportation well designed-out, and was able to get us back to the Osaka cruise terminal at the time I had requested. Very satisfied with his service.
Jun 20, 2025
zoranm709
Kyoto great tour experience.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was…
Jun 20, 2025
zoranm709
Kyoto great tour experience.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Enjoyed the sites we were taken. Hiro was very humble person. Under the extreme heat
conditions Hiro was very thoughtful & helpful. Thank you Hiro for today we appreciate your
time. Regards Markovski Family.
Jun 18, 2025
Adventurer310309
Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My wife…
Jun 18, 2025
Adventurer310309
Cool surprises on our Osaka and Kyoto tours with Hiro.
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 8hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My wife and I enjoyed not one by TWO full day tours with Hiro, one in Osaka and one in Kyoto. Hiro knows his stuff and passed along a lot of interesting history. In both cases he came prepared with detailed itineraries including public transit times to make sure we hit all the sites we most wanted to see. When rain became a factor in Kyoto, he adjusted our schedule to optimize for the weather – indoors during heaviest rain and outdoors when weather improved. In Kyoto, he warned us away from eating in one tourist area and instead found an amazing noodle shop for lunch, a completely unique experience. In Osaka, when we found one site he had chosen for us closed – the Museum of Housing & Life – he proposed another site that proved to be very nice. We went to the museum on our own the next day and found it fascinating and fun. He also took us to an outstanding okonomikayi place for lunch. Friendly, well-organized and accommodating, we really enjoyed our tours with Hiro.
May 26, 2025
SK G
Excellent tour
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable…
May 26, 2025
SK G
Excellent tour
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Mr. Hiro provided an excellent experience. Personable and professional, he accommodated all our expectations.
Highly recommended!
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