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
- 8:00 Meet up @ Mercure Kyoto Station
- 8:20-9:20 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 10:00-10:40 @ Gion Hanamikoji
- 10:40-10:55 @ Yasui Konpira-gu
- 11:00-11:30 @ Maeda Coffee
- 11:50-12:40 @ Kiyomizu-dera
- 13:00-13:30 @ Sanjusangendo
- 14:00 Disperse @ Mercure Kyoto Station
What Does a Private Day Tour of Kyoto Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Gion, and Kiyomizu-dera
The guests were a group visiting from South America. They had arrived in Japan via Osaka and were on their fifth day in the country. They mentioned that they had come to Kyoto the day before.
To avoid the daytime crowds, we started the tour at Fushimi Inari Taisha. Here, three of the guests dedicated white fox ema plaques, and one drew an omikuji fortune. I translated the content of the omikuji into English and explained it.
In Gion, we strolled around the Shirakawa Tatsumi Bridge area and then headed to Hanamikoji Street. Following that route, we went to Yasui Konpiragu Shrine, and when I explained the stone for cutting and forming bonds, three of the guests experienced crawling through the stone hole. One of the guests seemed tired from walking and took a rest within the shrine grounds. Out of consideration for that guest, I suggested taking a short break at a cafe, and everyone agreed, so we stopped by a coffee shop near Kodaiji.
After that, we passed through the Yasaka Pagoda, Ninenzaka, and Sannenzaka on our way to Kiyomizu-dera. Kiyomizu-dera was as crowded as ever, but everyone enjoyed themselves, including lining up at the Otowa Waterfall. At Sanjusangendo, the guests were initially moved by the thousand statues of the thousand-armed Kannon, though they viewed them at a fairly quick pace.
After that, I saw the guests off at their hotel, and the tour concluded.
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 | Bus | Shichijo Horikawa / Kyoto City Bus～Kyoto Station-mae / Kyoto City Bus | 230JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Kyoto～Inari | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Fushimi Inari～Gion-Shijo | 240JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Gojo-zaka / Kyoto City Bus～Higashiyama-Shichijo / Kyoto City Bus | 230JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae / Kyoto City Bus～Shichijo Horikawa / Kyoto City Bus | 230JPY |
| Total | 1,080JPY | ||
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.