Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Hiro

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)10:10 Meet (Hotel Kyoto), then take the subway to Nanzen-ji Temple
  • 2)10:40～11:50 Nanzen-ji Temple, then take the subway and bus to Yasaka Pagoda and Sannenzaka
  • 3)12:40～13:30 Lunch, then walk to Kiyomizu-dera Temple
  • 4)13:40～14:50 Kiyomizu-dera Temple, then to Ninenzaka, Ghibli Shop, and Yasaka Shrine
  • 5)14:50～15:20 Ninenzaka, Ghibli Shop, Yasaka Shrine, then Gion and Shirakawa area
  • 6)15:20～16:00 Gion (Hanamikoji, Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater, etc.), Shirakawa area
  • 7)16:10 Farewell on the platform of Gion-Shijo Station

Title: What's a Private Full-Day Walking Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nanzenji, Kiyomizudera, and Gion

I was waiting at the Hotel in Kyoto for the meeting, but when the guest had not appeared by the 9:30 meeting time, I sent a message. I received word that the guest was at a different hotel, but since the first destination was Nanzenji Temple, and the meeting Hotel was conveniently located for reaching Nanzenji, I let the guest know I would wait there. The guest arrived by taxi around 10:10. When I asked whether the hotel had been changed, the guest explained that they were staying at hotels of the same chain outside Kyoto, so they had also chosen a hotel of that chain in Kyoto, and apologized for the wait. We took the subway to Nanzenji. On the way, I used an English map to explain today's destinations. At Nanzenji, the guest seemed to enjoy the large Sanmon gate, the quiet atmosphere of the temple grounds, the garden, and the Suirokaku aqueduct, and I took many photos. On the way to Kiyomizudera, there was a fragrance shop, so I asked if they wanted to stop by, and since they did, they bought a favorite perfume. As it was past 12:30 before heading to Kiyomizudera, I asked what they would like to eat, and since they had not yet had tempura, we went to a restaurant serving tempura, where they had a tempura udon set meal and others. They said it was delicious. At Kiyomizudera, they seemed to enjoy the scenery. On the way to Gion, since the guest liked Ghibli animation, we stopped by a Ghibli shop, then went to Yasaka Shrine and Gion. At Yasaka Shrine, I taught the proper way to worship at a shrine and they made their prayer, and they also tried the "beauty water," which brought lots of laughter. Next we went to the Shirakawa area. They seemed to enjoy the atmosphere of this historic preservation district. By this time it was 16:00, so the tour concluded here. When I asked what they would like to do next, they said they wanted to go to Studio NIN, so I showed them the way on the map, went to the nearest station at Gion-Shijo, saw them onto the train, and parted ways here. At the end, they again apologized for the wait.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwaySanjo Keihan～Keage220JPY
Section 2SubwayKeage～Higashiyama (Kyoto Prefecture)220JPY
Section 3BusHigashiyama-Sanjo (Subway Higashiyama Station)／Kyoto City Bus～Kiyomizu-michi／Kyoto City Bus230JPY
Total670JPY

Tour Report by Hiro

Nice to meet you.
My name is Hiroki Muramoto, please call me Hiro.
Hiro in Japanese means large or big. Although I’m neither large nor big, you can call me Hiro. How are you doing ?
I lived in a city nearby Kobe city. Do you know Kobe ? Kobe is famous for Kobe beef and pearl. If you have not yet had Kobe beef, you should taste the authentic Kobe beef. It is very satisfying taste. But I have recently moved to a city in Kyoto prefecture, so I can be in Kyoto city in about one hour. By the way, I am a family of four. I have a son and a daughter. My son now works in Tokyo. I sometimes go to Tokyo to see him. Tokyo is a huge city, but too crowded, so it seems not to suit me. I seem to be better suited to a small city than a big one. Where do you live in ? How many families do you have ? If you like, please tell me about them. I worked in the quality assurance department of a pharmaceutical company and visited the factories of foreign affiliated companies, so I became interested in foreign cultures and obtained a qualification as an interpreter guide in 2015.

I have been a guide for about eight years. During that time, I have guided in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Kochi and so on, although I could do little guiding work between 2020 and 2022 due to COVID-19. However, since last year, my guiding work has been back! So, I am happy to be able to meet different people again. My hobby is travelling, but sadly, I am not in a position to travel abroad easily at the moment due to the very weak yen, and I hope to travel abroad again when the situation eases a bit more.
How many countries have you been to so far ? Which countries have you liked so far? Another hobby is watching sports – baseball and football. Do you like the baseball ? Do you know Otani, Japanese baseball player ? He has joined Dodgers in Los Angeles this year. I look forward to another successful year for Otani.

By the way, what interests you in Japan? Food, history, scenery ? As far as tourist attractions are concerned, famous places are too crowded. If you like, I also would like to show you some less crowded places. Are you interested in experiencing something ? If you want to experience something, I can suggest an experience plan for you. If so, please contact me as early as possible. As for food, what kind of food do you like? There are many kinds of delicious food. Of course, you can get good food in fine restaurants, but you can also get good food in downtown restaurants. If you like alcohol, why don’t you try Japanese sake? It can range from light and fragrant to rich in flavor, so you’re sure to find a Japanese sake you like.

My motto is “Be content with life.” However, I find myself complaining all the time. If you like, please tell me your motto. I want to treat all guests who visit Japan with the spirit of “Treasure every encounter” and guide them so that they can enjoy themselves and have good memories of Japan.
You only live once (YOLO). So, I also want to enjoy it with you.

I look forward to meeting you.
Best regard.

Request Booking

Nov 27, 2024
Julianne_A
Book it
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
This was a wonderful experience with our guide Hiro. He…