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
- 10:00 Meet @ The Westin Miyako Kyoto
- 10:40-11:20 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 11:40-12:20 @ Kiyomizu-dera
- 12:20-12:45 @ Ninen-zaka & Sannen-zaka
- 13:20-14:00 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji
- 14:10-14:45 Lunch @ Arashiyama Yoshimura
- 15:00-15:30 @ Kinkaku-ji
- 16:00 Dismissal @ The Westin Miyako Kyoto
Can You Do a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Covering Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama, and Kinkaku-ji? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. Since none of them had eaten breakfast, we first stopped at a convenience store where they bought bread and drinks to enjoy in the car. At Fushimi Inari, the guests tried the Omokaru-ishi (lifting stone) and passed under the Negari-no-matsu pine. After exploring Kiyomizu-dera, they bought shaved ice and salted pickled cucumbers at shops along the approach and enjoyed eating while strolling. At the Starbucks on Ninenzaka, they enjoyed looking around inside the store. They did not seem to care much for the slightly dark stories, such as the tale that people once actually jumped from the Kiyomizu stage, or the legend that if you fall on Sannenzaka you will lose your life within three years.
Considering how to allocate the remaining time, I decided to combine the Arashiyama bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji temple, and for Tenryu-ji in particular we simply passed through the garden. Due to seating availability, the guests ended up having lunch on their own at a restaurant in Arashiyama. Given the time and the heat, I gave most of the explanation about Kinkaku-ji in the car, and within the temple grounds the guests mainly enjoyed taking photos.
After exploring Kinkaku-ji, they were unsure whether to be dropped off at Nishiki Market or to return to the Hotel, but since it looked like it was about to rain, they chose to return to the Hotel. I saw the guests off at the Hotel and we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!
My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.
I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.
I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.
I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and a pleasure to be with.
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic Kyoto. He was flexible when we decided to modify our itinerary on the morning due to rain forecast the next day. Kaz’s English was great which meant he kept my teenage sons engaged with stories about shoguns and samurai battles. We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden and Silver pavilions. The highlight of the tour with Kaz was being shown around beautiful gardens to see cherry blossoms still blooming and views of the city. We highly recommend going on a tour with him.
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of of the historical aspects of the sites we visit, provided us great guidance on appropriate behavior at each site. He was energetic throughout the tour. More important he was more of a companion which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour…
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour guide! He spent 6 hours showing us around Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple and the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, spoke English well (lived in the US for 3 years), and took lots of photos for us. We are so glad we booked this tour.