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
- 8:30 Start at Fushimi Inari →Keihan Fusimi Inari
- 8:50 Kiyomizu Gojo by Keihan Line
- 8:50 20 min. walk through Gojo-zaka and Kiyomizu-zaka
- 9:10-10:00 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- 10:20 Taxi to Ginkaku-ji Temple
- 10:35 Ginkaku-ji Temple
- 11:30 Philosopher’s Pass Walk 50min.
- 12:50 ~ 13:50 Nanzen-ji Temple
- Sammon Gate (¥600)
- Hojo including dry landscape garden
- 14:30 Heian Jingu
Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Kyoto's Higashiyama District Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
I guided a group visiting from the Middle East. We talked about various aspects of culture and daily life in their region as we walked. Although it was their first visit to Japan, they had studied Japanese culture and history quite thoroughly before arriving, and they listened to my explanations very attentively. Since they could visit the standard tourist sites on their own, they wanted to explore the Higashiyama area, so I guided them to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Ginkaku-ji Temple, the Philosopher's Path, and Nanzen-ji Temple. Explaining concepts such as Zen and wabi-sabi was challenging, but I believe they understood them to a reasonable degree. At the end, they said they were going to visit a handicraft center, so we parted ways in front of Heian Shrine.
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 | Train | Fushimi Inari～Kiyomizu Gojo | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Keage～Higashiyama (Kyoto) | 220JPY |
| Total | 460JPY | ||
Hello. I’m YUASA Katsura. Call me just K(Kei). I have been a national government licensed guide interpreter since 2024. I am also teaching English at a university in Nara, so I’m good at explaining even complicated things plainly so that everyone can understand. I hope you will choose me if you would like to learn about Japanese history and traditional culture. I can not only guide you to major tourist sites such as Golden Pavillion in Kyoto and the Great Buddha in Nara but also introduce you hidden gems in Kyoto and Nara. I’m fascinated with charms of these ancient cities. Let’s make your travel to Japan enjoyable and memorable together.
Jul 29, 2026
Charlotte_C
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kei was a wonderful guide…
Kei was a wonderful…
Jul 29, 2026
Charlotte_C
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kei was a wonderful guide…
Kei was a wonderful guide for our day in Kyoto. Extremely communicative before the tour and was so knowledgeable during each stop we had.
May 23, 2026
allenk947
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Instagram Highlights Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Thoughtful tour with excellent support and service
The experience and…
May 23, 2026
allenk947
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Instagram Highlights Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Thoughtful tour with excellent support and service
The experience and tour were excellent allowing us to customize according to our desires. The customer service was very flexible and accommodated a late change in reservation due to an error in booking. The guide, Kei, was thoughtful in taking us to the shrines and temples and explaining the history and cultural significance of each. This was a very positive cultural experience and I would recommend it to you.
Mar 11, 2026
K
ketchbaw
Great Guide excellent Tour recommend
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Instagram Highlights Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Excellent Guide fun Tour…
Mar 11, 2026
K
ketchbaw
Great Guide excellent Tour recommend
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Instagram Highlights Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Excellent Guide fun Tour was able to see a lot of of the highlights of Kyoto
May 1, 2026
C3857WLstevenk
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour
My wife and I had a 4hr private tour with…
May 1, 2026
C3857WLstevenk
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour
My wife and I had a 4hr private tour with Yuasa Katsura (Kei) as our guide. Kie was
knowledgeable, informative, friendly and funny! He helped us to better understand
Japanese history and the significance of the places he showed us.