Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Toshi

October, 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. 9:00 : Meet with guests at the hotel
  • 2. 9:30: Guide to Nanzen-ji Temple
  • 3. 11:00: Guide to Eikan-do Temple
  • 4. 12:30: Guide to Ginkaku-ji Temple
  • 5. 14:00: Guide to Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • 5. 15:00: Dismiss @ Shinkyogoku

Even though the weather was not ideal that day, using a taxi allowed for a smooth private guided tour of Kyoto. The guests were returning visitors from North America, and I believe they enjoyed the tour visiting sightseeing spots they had not yet been to. For one of the guests it was a first visit, and although they were quiet, they seemed to enjoy capturing photos with their camera. In particular, the garden at Eikando appeared to be a favorite. At Ginkaku-ji, which is like a moss temple, they took their time admiring the moss-covered garden, and at Kinkaku-ji they slowly gazed at the golden Shariden pavilion. They mentioned having visited Kinkaku-ji before, but said that sightseeing without a guide and sightseeing with a guide were completely different, and that they enjoyed this visit very much, thanking me warmly and saying how glad they were.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Toshi

After a rather long teaching experience at Japanese college, I converted my career about 6 years ago into working as a tour guide for the tourists visiting Japan.
As my career overseas, I’ve been in the UN and the Japanese Embassy, all in the USA, totaling more than 6 years.
And then I had made a big change in my career from a diplomat to an academic researcher. For that career to achieve, I studied abroad and won a doctorate degree in linguistics from Indiana University and landed a teaching position at college in Japan.
With all these interesting and exciting experiences I’ve made myself ready to enrich your tour and make it both enjoyable and worthwhile.

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Apr 26, 2026
39ferdinandr
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Exceptional and entertaining
Great tour better the tour guide Toshi.

Apr 9, 2026
X1429XKclaudiam
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Sehr zu empfehlen
Wir haben als Familie diese 6-stundige Tour durch Kyoto…

Jun 28, 2025
WilliamAlfonso_R
Toshi is a very eloquent, knowledgeable, and diligent tour guide.
Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi was…

May 30, 2025
Z
ZevP5
Best Tour Guide!
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshi was the best guide!! He was so…