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. 9:30 Guide to Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • 3. 12:00 Stroll through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Kameyama Park
  • 4. 13:00 Tea break @ Cafe Fuchiku
  • 4. 14:00 Guide to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
  • 5. 15:00 Dismiss @ Kyoto Station

What Is a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji, the Bamboo Grove, and Fushimi Inari

I met the guests from Oceania at the Hotel on time, confirmed the day's itinerary, and started the tour. The guests had long dreamed of traveling to Japan and were looking forward to sightseeing in Kyoto. First, we traveled by subway and bus to Kinkaku-ji, where I gave them a tour. At Kinkaku-ji, they were amazed by the golden Shariden pavilion, and at the same time could not hide their surprise when I explained that it had once burned down. While telling them about Yoshimitsu and the history of how the residence changed into the Shariden, I explained the "Ryumon Waterfall," the White Snake Mound, and the tea ceremony at the Sekkatei arbor, and then finished Kinkaku-ji. Next, I had planned to visit Ryoan-ji, but the guests suddenly decided to skip it and asked to go to the bamboo grove instead, so we transferred by bus to Nonomiya. The bamboo grove had been a requested destination, and they took many photos there. From the bamboo grove, we passed through Kameyama Park and traveled from Saga-Arashiyama Station to Fushimi Inari Taisha. They had also very much wanted to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha and were delighted. When the scheduled end time arrived at Fushimi Inari Taisha, we traveled by train to Kyoto Station, where we parted ways. They kindly thanked me, saying they had learned a lot about Japanese culture and had a wonderful time.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayKyoto～Kitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station) / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
Section 2BusKitaoji Bus Terminal (Subway Kitaoji Station) / Kyoto City Bus～Kinkakuji-michi / Kyoto City Bus230JPY
Section 3BusRyoanji-mae / Kyoto City Bus～Nonomiya / Kyoto City Bus460JPY
Section 4TrainSaga-Arashiyama～Inari240JPY
Section 5TrainInari～Kyoto150JPY
Total1,310JPY

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.

Request Booking

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…