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
- 9:30 Guest arrives at Kyoto Station from Osaka 9:40 Meet the guest 9:45 Tour starts 10:00 Fushimi Inari 11:55 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 12:30 Short break (lunch)
- 13:30 Kinkaku-ji 15:15 Kiyomizu-dera 16:25 Tour ends
What's a Private Kyoto Tour from Osaka Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guides can lead private tours of Kyoto for guests traveling from Osaka. The group came to Japan from North America and are currently based in North America. Some of the guests work at a family-run company, and others are studying at a university. The group had a strong interest in Eastern culture rather than Western culture, and there were a great many questions about the Japanese language. At the university, there are about 30 people studying Japanese, along with three instructors, while another member of the group had studied Japanese independently. The guests were staying at a hotel in the Shinsaibashi area of Osaka and came to Kyoto Station by Shinkansen. The forecast called for rain, but fortunately we were able to finish the tour without much rain. Although we ran considerably over time, I was able to guide them all the way to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The photo was taken at the bamboo grove in Arashiyama.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep knowledge about the history and culture of Japan. He is flexible and accommodates changes if you so desire. He is also very empathetic. I had a sprained back and he ensured we took elevators everywhere. You will be lucky if he is assigned as your guide .
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience…
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience on the tour. We travelled all around Kyoto with our guide Kazuo Sumi. He is a sweet older gentleman who had a great depth of knowledge about each place we went to. We told him places we wanted to go and he made the itinerary for us. There is no one better to have as your guide!!
Jul 16, 2026
margaretsM7923ON
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Great way to see Kyoto
Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided…
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided some excellent recommendations. There’s a lot of walking so make sure you are prepared.