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 up @ Six Senses Kyoto
- 10:30-11:10 Ryoanji Temple sightseeing
- 11:25-11:50 Kinkakuji Temple sightseeing
- 12:00-12:40 Lunch @ Gontaro Kinkakuji branch
- 13:00-13:45 Tea ceremony experience Koto
- 14:10- 14:40 Bamboo Grove Path sightseeing
- 15:20-15:40 Nishiki Market stroll
- 16:00 Disband @ Six Senses Kyoto
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 10:00 at @ Six Senses Kyoto and ended at 16:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch @ Gontaro Kinkakuji branch at 12:00.
Over the course of the day the route took in Ryoanji Temple sightseeing at 10:30, Kinkakuji Temple sightseeing at 11:25, Bamboo Grove Path sightseeing at 14:10 and Nishiki Market stroll at 15:20.
What's a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Ryoanji, Kinkakuji, and Nishiki Market
I guided a private Kyoto tour for a group of guests from North America. At their request, we made an unplanned stop at Ryoanji Temple, where they enjoyed the beauty of the famous rock garden. Next, at Kinkakuji Temple, they were captivated by its magnificent golden radiance and took photographs enthusiastically. After that, they experienced a traditional tea ceremony at a venue near Kinkakuji, spending valuable time engaging with traditional Japanese culture. To conclude the trip, we strolled through Nishiki Market, where they purchased souvenirs such as chopsticks. The driver was also cooperative, which helped everything proceed smoothly.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Hello! I am Andy Murao. I love this job as I can visit various destinations with the people from all over the world. I am always thinking that I could help you know more about Japan and understand the attractiveness of Japan.
I would like to provide a tour in accordance with your request and preference. Please let me know what you want to see, eat, experience, etc. and then I will propose a schedule based on them.
There is one point to note. I like walking very much, so I might be a guide who forces you to take long walks.
I look forward to attending you in Japan.
Best regards,
Andy Murao
Jul 13, 2026
webstere2025
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Excellent
Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our…
Jul 13, 2026
webstere2025
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Excellent
Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our itinerary. He was flexible with changes we requested. Andy was very informative during the tour. He also was willing to take our family’s pictures. We were able to stop and check out shops as we pleased along the way. He also accommodated lunch requests(as our daughter has food allergies).
One thing I wish we realized was that there is quite a bit of walking. We were fine but for people who are perhaps older or with young children you may want to consider taking a cab between different sites.
Jun 21, 2026
Catherine_D
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in Osaka
Andy was great . On time and patience…
Jun 21, 2026
Catherine_D
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in Osaka
Andy was great . On time and patience with our walking tour since we had a 14 yr old with
us. Very informative and picked us up and dropped us off our hotel. Thank you Andy for
showing us Osaka
Jun 6, 2026
eyeessess
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour!
Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide.…
Jun 6, 2026
eyeessess
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour!
Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide. He reached out to us with some ideas for our private tour. He worked with us as we made the tour perfectly suited to our needs. He met us on time. He navigated the crowds and the sites perfectly. He was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot. He even put together a nice photo collection of photos he emailed us after. Highly recommend.
Jun 5, 2026
Janice_W
Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
Great tour of Kyoto
It was a good tour…
Jun 5, 2026
Janice_W
Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
Great tour of Kyoto
It was a good tour & Andy looked after us well. He managed to change things to suite our
walking limitations & we had a good day.