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. 8:30 Meet the guests at the hotel
  • 2. 9:15 Guide through Nijo Castle
  • 3. 12:00 Guide through Nanzenji Temple
  • 4. 13:00 Guide through Eikando Temple
  • 5. 14:00 Philosopher's Path
  • 6. 14:30 Disband @ Ginkakuji Temple approach

What Is a Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle, Nanzen-ji, and Ginkaku-ji

The guests today were visitors from Europe. They had a strong interest in Japan, having read books about the country before their trip, and the questions they asked were consistently deep and thoughtful. For example, at Nijo Castle they were knowledgeable about the shogunate, the feudal lords, and the return of political power to the emperor, so our visit became an exchange of views and we took our time exploring. They also entered the museum and enthusiastically viewed the original fusuma paintings rather than the replicas. At Nanzen-ji, guiding was very rewarding as I explained the differences between Zen Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism, as well as the differences between Buddhism and Shinto. At Eikan-do, they enjoyed dango in the garden park, and when I told them the story of moon-viewing and dango they laughed and enjoyed the beautiful garden scenery. From Eikan-do we strolled along the Philosopher's Path toward Ginkaku-ji, and we parted ways in front of Ginkaku-ji. We were blessed with fine weather today, making it a perfect day for sightseeing.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayKyoto～Nijojo-mae260JPY
Section 2SubwayNijojo-mae～Keage260JPY
Total520JPY

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…