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
- 7:15-8:10 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 8:45-10:00 @ Sagano Arashiyama
- 10:30-11:30 @ Nijo Castle
- 11:45-12:45 @ Kyoto Imperial Palace Garden
- 13:00 Dismissal @ Toraya Karyo Kyoto Ichijo Store
Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, and Kyoto Imperial Palace
The guests were a group visiting from North America. To avoid crowds as much as possible, we began with a stroll around Fushimi Inari. Since the guests were students, I mentioned that the auxiliary shrine, Higashimaru Shrine, is dedicated to the deity of academics, and the whole group offered their prayers there. At Nonomiya Shrine in Arashiyama, which is known for blessings related to safe childbirth and children, one of the guests dedicated an ema votive plaque and received a goshuin stamp. Originally, the plan was to explore Nijo Castle and then Gion, but since the guests had already visited Gion on a separate tour the previous day, they said they would rather go to the Kyoto Imperial Palace. So we changed our plans on the spot and headed to the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The Konoe cherry blossoms at Kyoto Gyoen were in full bloom, which delighted the guests greatly, but unfortunately the Kyoto Imperial Palace itself was closed, and we were unable to view the interior. Even though it was a sudden change, it was a painful mistake to have taken them there without checking the viewing status, and I deeply regret it. After strolling through Kyoto Gyoen, the guests asked me to recommend a tea house where they could drink matcha, so I guided them to a nearby traditional Japanese confectionery tea room, Toraya Karyo Kyoto Ichijo, and we parted ways there.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Gojo (Kyoto Municipal)～Kyoto | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Kyoto～Inari | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Inari～Sagano Arashiyama | 240JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Sagano Arashiyama～Nijo | 200JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Nijo～Nijojo-mae | 220JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Nijojo-mae～Imadegawa | 220JPY |
| Total | 1,250JPY | ||
Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!
My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.
I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.
I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.
I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and a pleasure to be with.
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic Kyoto. He was flexible when we decided to modify our itinerary on the morning due to rain forecast the next day. Kaz’s English was great which meant he kept my teenage sons engaged with stories about shoguns and samurai battles. We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden and Silver pavilions. The highlight of the tour with Kaz was being shown around beautiful gardens to see cherry blossoms still blooming and views of the city. We highly recommend going on a tour with him.
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of of the historical aspects of the sites we visit, provided us great guidance on appropriate behavior at each site. He was energetic throughout the tour. More important he was more of a companion which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour…
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour guide! He spent 6 hours showing us around Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple and the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, spoke English well (lived in the US for 3 years), and took lots of photos for us. We are so glad we booked this tour.