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
- 9:00 Meet at Hotel grande reverie
- (Move by taxi)
- 9:20～10:20 Kinkaku-ji Temple
- (Move by taxi)
- 10:30～11:20 Hirano Shrine
- (Move by city bus)
- 11:50～13:00 Nijo Castle
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Kinkaku-ji Temple at 9:20, Hirano Shrine at 10:30 and Nijo Castle at 11:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kinugasa Kohmae／Kyoto City Bus to Nijojo-mae／Kyoto City Bus by bus (230JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 230JPY per person.
What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji, Hirano Shrine, and Nijo Castle
The guests were visitors from North America. They wished to visit Kinkaku-ji and Nijo Castle, ending the tour at Nijo Castle, so I suggested stopping at Hirano Shrine on the way from Kinkaku-ji to Nijo Castle. By using a taxi for the first leg of the trip, we were able to arrive at Kinkaku-ji early, so there were few people and we could enjoy it at a relaxed pace. Some of the guests also enjoyed shopping for charms and souvenirs. At the cherry blossom garden of Hirano Shrine as well, the guests were able to stroll leisurely without crowds. The rain of the previous days had cleared, and with pleasant weather the guests were very delighted by the cherry blossoms in full bloom. One of the guests seemed to enjoy photography and took many photos. At Nijo Castle, the guests viewed the Ninomaru Palace and the cherry blossoms of the Seiryu-en garden, and we parted ways in front of the rest area. After the tour ended, the guests planned to look at some more souvenirs.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Kinugasa Kohmae／Kyoto City Bus～Nijojo-mae／Kyoto City Bus | 230JPY |
| Total | 230JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Kinkaku-ji Temple, Hirano Shrine and Nijo Castle.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 230JPY per person across 1 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Mickey is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kyoto itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hello! I’m Miyuki Konishi. It’s my great pleasure to guide visitors from other countries and welcome you to Japan. I would be happy if you make great memories in Japan with my support. Precious memories become our life treasures. So, I’d love to help you make them.
I love Japanese culture, history, customs and so on. I know a lot about Kyoto and Nara. Additionally, I have a certificate as an English speaking guide for Himeji Castle and as a kimono instructor.
I’ll do my best to make your trip wonderful. Let’s enjoy exploring Japan together!
May 17, 2026
Barry_L
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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Mickey was great. We put together an…
May 17, 2026
Barry_L
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fun, Flexible, Friendly and Informative
Mickey was great. We put together an itinerary together and was flexible on making changes to accommodate our needs. She speaks English and is very informative. She has a fun personality and we would highly recommend her. We hope to show her around South Florida one day.
Apr 29, 2026
Dream20497216370
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We had a great time with Micky, our guide while visiting Kobe. She was very informative of
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kept the tour at our pace.. We highly recommend her.