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. 11:00 Meet at the hotel
  • 2. 11:30 Tour Nijo Castle
  • 3. 13:45 Tea break at Starbucks inside Sanjo Keihan Station
  • 4. 14:30 Tour the Gion area (Tatsumi Shrine, Hanamikoji) and Yasaka Shrine
  • 5. 15:30 Tour Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka
  • 6. 16:45 Tour Kiyomizu-dera grounds and the "Yasaka Pagoda," then take a taxi to Kyoto Station
  • 7. 17:00 Disband at Kyoto Station

Title: What Is a Rainy-Day Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle, Gion, and Kiyomizu-dera

Body:

It rained throughout the day, but I was able to enjoyably guide a group visiting from North America.

At Nijo Castle, I explained the relationship between the shogun and the emperor, as well as the difference between outer feudal lords and direct retainer lords, while guiding the group through each room of the Ninomaru Palace. When I explained the difficult topic of the restoration of imperial rule as clearly as possible using the example of the Capitol and the White House, the group seemed to understand it well.

From Nijo Castle we moved on to Gion. During a tea break before entering Gion, I explained the difference between maiko and geiko and the demanding life of a maiko, and then guided the group to Tatsumi Shrine and Hanamikoji Street. Among the group, one of the guests was very curious, and most of the many questions came from that person. Another of the guests enjoyed photography and had many photos taken by another of the guests.

At this point the rain grew heavy and moving around became difficult, but we managed to make our way from Gion to Yasaka Shrine, and after paying our respects we passed through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka. By the time we reached the area in front of the grounds of Kiyomizu-dera, one of the guests finally decided to stop, so at the group's request we did not enter the temple. We took commemorative photos at the Yasaka Pagoda, returned to Kyoto Station by taxi, and parted ways there.

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

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayGojo (Kyoto Municipal)～Nijojo-mae220JPY
Section 2SubwayNijojo-mae～Sanjo Keihan220JPY
Section 3TrainSanjo Keihan～Gion-Shijo180JPY
Total620JPY

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…