Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car — Guide Kazu
August, 2025
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 Hotel Kyoto
- ② 11:05 Itinerary explanation & explanation about the history of Kyoto
- ③ 11:50 Zuiho-in (Daitoku-ji)
- ④ 12:45 Obai-in (Daitoku-ji)
- ⑤ 14:00 Lunch break
- ⑥ 15:40 Nijo Castle
- ⑦ 17:00 Return to the hotel and disband
What Is a Private Kyoto Tour of Zen Gardens and Temples Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting from Europe. This was their first trip to Japan, and they planned to stay for several weeks. Based on their wishes, we chose destinations that included quiet gardens and dry landscape (karesansui) gardens they wanted to see first, as well as popular historic spots they hoped to visit. As the day naturally unfolded, I spent a great deal of time explaining Zen Buddhism, karesansui gardens, Nyorai and Bosatsu, Jizo, and the concept of wabi-sabi. Obai-in is a temple with a very beautiful garden, and I think the group was astonished by the breathtakingly beautiful and serene atmosphere of that garden. The garden also has a small shrine and torii gate, so we talked a great deal about the relationship between Shinto and Buddhism (shinbutsu-shugo). I always ask my guests about various things, and today they taught me about Napolitan spaghetti. For lunch, one of the guests wanted to eat gyoza, so we went to a gyoza restaurant, but since we had talked so much about spaghetti, in my heart I found myself wishing I could eat spaghetti too. They were a very cheerful group, and I truly enjoyed spending the day together with them. Today I was greatly helped by the driver. Thanks to their support, we were able to travel around Kyoto in a lively and enjoyable way. I am very grateful.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car 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.