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
- 10:10 Start the guide with a stroll along Ninenzaka.
- Hokanji Temple's five-story pagoda, Yasaka Koshindo.
- 10:40 Yasaka Shrine
- 11:00 Gion, Hanamikoji
- 11:40 Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 12:30 Lunch
- 13:40 Nijo Castle
- 15:00 Kyoto Imperial Palace
- 15:50 Return to the hotel by taxi, end of the guide
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Start the guide with a stroll along Ninenzaka. at 10:10, Yasaka Shrine at 10:40, Gion, Hanamikoji at 11:00, Fushimi Inari Taisha at 11:40, Nijo Castle at 13:40 and Kyoto Imperial Palace at 15:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Gion-Shijo to Fushimi Inari by train (220JPY); Fushimi Inari to Sanjo (Kyoto Prefecture) by train (220JPY); Sanjo Keihan to Nijojo-mae by subway (220JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 660JPY per person.
Title: What's a Full-Day Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. The tour started at 10:00 with the temperature already at 32°C. We began strolling from Ninenzaka next to the Hotel, and I guided them around the five-story pagoda of Hokan-ji Temple and Yasaka Koshin-do. The guests listened attentively to my explanations and responded well, which made guiding them a pleasure. At Yasaka Shrine, I explained the deities of beauty, courage, and marital harmony, and they were very interested. In Gion, I introduced maiko and geiko, and they were amazed by their professionalism. At Fushimi Inari Taisha, they experienced walking through the rows of torii gates, the Omokaru-ishi stone, and the Negari-no-matsu pine, and they were delighted. They also tasted kitsune udon and inari sushi and said, "This is really good!" At Nijo Castle and the Kyoto Imperial Palace, I explained the shogun and the emperor. Many international visitors tend to believe that the shogun ranked higher than the emperor (laughs). [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
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 | Gion-Shijo～Fushimi Inari | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Fushimi Inari～Sanjo (Kyoto Prefecture) | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Sanjo Keihan～Nijojo-mae | 220JPY |
| Total | 660JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Start the guide with a stroll along Ninenzaka., Yasaka Shrine, Gion, Hanamikoji, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 660JPY 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?
Shuji 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.
My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.
Sep 16, 2026
Nusret_K
See the best of Tokyo for a few hours
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide…
Sep 16, 2026
Nusret_K
See the best of Tokyo for a few hours
Viator review: Tokyo Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great experience tour with professional tour guide very educate and well speaking English he show us for seven hours the best of Tokyo city you have to see mr. shj.yokoyama thank you so much
Jul 16, 2026
salomons666
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto fun
Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge
Jul 15, 2026
P9099TXkennethr
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
A great day
A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.
Jun 28, 2026
A
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached…
Jun 28, 2026
A
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached out immediately to make sure that we had a customized tour of what we wanted to see and do in Nara. The level of details in his emails was incredible! Not only did Shuji plan a great tour but he also went above and beyond by explaining the Japan rail system, the public transportation cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.) and even told us exactly what trains, times and gates to exit so that our meetup was seamless. Been on a lot of tours around the world and have never had this level of communication. Once we started our tour, Shuji was articulate, knowledgeable and so much fun! Nara is amazing and Shuji made it so much better – please request him!