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　11:30　Gather at Osaka Tempozan Cruise Terminal (by taxi to Shin-Osaka Station)
  • ②　13:00　Explanation of the itinerary at JR Kyoto Station, explanation about the history of Kyoto
  • ③　13:30　Meet up with the hired car
  • ④　14:00　Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • ⑤　15:20　Nijo Castle
  • ⑥　16:45　Nishiki Market
  • ⑦　17:30　Disband at the hotel (Hyatt Regency)

What's a Private Osaka and Kyoto Tour Like for Cruise Travelers? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group from North America, traveling through Japan and beyond by cruise. Their journey took them from Tokyo to Osaka and Kyoto. Today's guests were cheerful and full of jokes and laughter, though at times their private conversations were in French, so it was hard to follow what they were saying. Rather than seeking deep knowledge of history and culture, they seemed to want to experience many aspects of "Japan," so I talked about all sorts of topics. For example, Shohei Ohtani, the difference between snow in North America and snow in Hokkaido, maple syrup and autumn foliage, the difference between "san" and "sama," geisha, and more timely topics such as the upcoming Obon season in Japan, the Meiji Restoration (why the shogun returned power to the emperor), and the story of Seven-Eleven Japan nearly being acquired. They were also delighted by the Shinkansen. Tomorrow they plan to visit the Osaka Expo. I also mentioned that Japan's very first exposition took place about 150 years ago in Kyoto. They loved the word "ookini," and I jokingly advised them not to use it in Tokyo. They also enjoyed hearing about the differences in temperament between Osaka and Kyoto, even though both are in the Kansai region. In any case, I am glad if they were able to fully enjoy their trip.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Kazu

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

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Jul 29, 2026
James_G
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Great guide and very…
Great guide and very knowledgeable.…

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 12, 2026
cgalvez73
Fantastic tour guide
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Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

Jun 23, 2026
Winni_H
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Highly recommended when in Kyoto
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