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

  • 9:15 Meet at hotel 9:45 Kyoto Imperial Palace 11:30 Lunch 12:20 Kinkaku-ji 13:50 Fushimi Inari 15:15 Drop off at hotel, tour ends

Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like for Older Guests? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America. They walked energetically throughout the day. When I asked how they stayed so healthy, they said one reason was being active — always staying positive and engaged — and the other was luck, explaining that they were naturally strong and blessed with good health. It was a meaningful remark. I moved our meeting time 15 minutes earlier so we could make it in time for the special gagaku performance at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, but although the gagaku music and dance were solemn, the movements were slow and the music monotonous, so the guests seemed to lose interest partway through. I too felt it lacked impact. Kinkaku-ji happened to be relatively uncrowded as it was around lunchtime. At Fushimi Inari, the guests seemed interested in the white fox votive tablets and the "omokaru-ishi" wishing stones. Although they were energetic, they understandably grew tired in the latter half, so we canceled the planned visit to Sanjo Shopping Street near the hotel and headed to the hotel instead. The photo was taken at Kinkaku-ji.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1OtherNijojo-mae~Imadegawa220JPY
Section 2OtherImadegawa~Wara Tenjin230JPY
Section 3OtherKinkakuji-michi~Enmachi230JPY
Section 4TrainEnmachi~Inari200JPY
Section 5TrainInari~Kyoto150JPY
Section 6OtherKyoto~Nijojo-mae260JPY
Total1,290JPY

I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.

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