Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Yoshi
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.
Tour Itinerary
- PM15:35 Start from Hotel
- Transport by train to Fushimi Inari
- PM 16:15-17:00 Visit Fushimi Inari, up to Okusha
- Transport by TAXI to Kiyomizu-dera
- PM 17:20-18:00 Visit Kiyomizu-dera
- Transport on foot: Sannenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda, from Gion to Pontocho, shopping along the way
- PM 19:10 Tour ends at Pontocho with the guest's consent
Title: What's an Afternoon Private Walking Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
Although the assigned meeting point was one hotel near Kawaramachi Oike, the local travel agency's documents listed a different hotel near Nijo Castle, and the guests had gathered there. Their actual accommodation, however, was yet another hotel near Nishi Hongan-ji. This became clear through communication right before the tour started. Since the hotels were relatively close, I quickly moved from the first hotel to meet them, and everything worked out fine.
The guests were visiting from North America, and their native language was Spanish. Because the tour started at 15:30, I had informed them in advance that we would use a taxi to travel from Fushimi Inari to Kiyomizu-dera, and we managed to arrive at Kiyomizu-dera before its closing time, so they enjoyed the visit.
After walking through Sannenzaka, the Yasaka Pagoda, and Gion, the guests enjoyed some shopping in nighttime Kyoto. I then guided them along Pontocho, and with the guests' agreement, the tour ended at 19:10.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Kyoto City Hall Front～Nijo Castle Front | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Nijo Castle Front～Sanjo Keihan | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Sanjo Keihan～Fushimi Inari | 240JPY |
| Total | 680JPY | ||
Hello , My name is Hideharu Yoshino . Just call me” Yoshi” .
I have been involved with many foreign Business partners through my business life for 38 years ,
Based on my work experience , I would like to try my best to make you comfortale and Happy fruitful times during your stay in Japan .
Not only giving you basic tourist information about famous sightseeing spot , also I would enjoy to give you the back ground inofrmation in my word.
” Once in a lifetime encounter ” Let’s enjoy with me Miracle time to be picked up from 6 billion in somewhere Japan!
Sep 29, 2026
matthewsY2654UC
Highly recommended!
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Yoshi is an exceptional guide where he took us…
Sep 29, 2026
matthewsY2654UC
Highly recommended!
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Yoshi is an exceptional guide where he took us to the best market stalls at the fish market where every food we indulged in (including the sea snails and eel liver) were superb. The walking tour of the tea houses (Geisha district) and knowledge of the history of both the precinct and greater Japan was first class. Yoshi is also a kind and caring person and made conversation very easy, including when we wanted to dig into the country’s cultural values and lifestyle
Sep 28, 2026
751juergend
Perfect day in Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Yoshi was the perfect guide, very…
Sep 28, 2026
751juergend
Perfect day in Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Yoshi was the perfect guide, very knowledgable and very friendly. He is an excellent role model tour guide. We can only recommend him. Thank you so much Yoshi!
Sep 27, 2026
karen_f
YOSHI san was incredible!
Viator review: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
YOSHI met us at our…
Sep 27, 2026
karen_f
YOSHI san was incredible!
Viator review: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
YOSHI met us at our hotel and was very friendly and helpful. We walked around the city and he took us to view several different spots including samurai living quarters, geisha houses, the beautiful garden built by Maeda san. Yoshi was knowledgeable about the entire city and it’s treasured history. He inspired me to do some reading on Maeda san, a leader who played a huge part in the development of the city. Yoshi was an excellent guide, and even provided a LOT of recommendations and useful information for after our tour. We would definitely recommend YOSHI san! Note: you will need a IC card to board some of the city buses.
Sep 19, 2026
Plumb72
A morning in Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
We had a fab tour with Yoshi…
Sep 19, 2026
Plumb72
A morning in Kanazawa
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
We had a fab tour with Yoshi our guide, we visited the tea district then the gardens and castle which were my favourite. Yoshi was very informative , explaining the history and mechanisms of the castle was built and the water system. He was also very helpful with explaining the bus service.