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
- 09:00 Meeting point: The Deshutani Kyoto
- 09:10 Travel to Kinkaku-ji by private car
- 09:30 Sightseeing ①: Tour of Kinkaku-ji
- 10:25 Travel to Ryoan-ji by private car
- 10:35 Sightseeing ②: Tour of Ryoan-ji
- 11:25 Travel to Arashiyama by private car
- 11:45 Sightseeing ③: Tour and stroll through the Bamboo Grove Path
- 12:15 Sightseeing ④: Tour of Tenryu-ji and Japanese Garden
- 12:30 Lunch and break (within Tenryu-ji grounds, vegetarian cuisine "Shigetsu")
- 13:20 Sightseeing ⑤: Tour and appreciation of Tenryu-ji Dharma Hall "Cloud Dragon Painting"
- 13:40 Return to hotel by private car
- 14:30 Arrival at hotel, end of guided tour, dismissal
What's a Private Day Tour of Northwest Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, and Arashiyama
The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America, and this was the second day of their tour (please refer to the previous report). Unfortunately, one member of the group had not recovered and was unable to join on this day as well.
The itinerary covered northwest Kyoto (Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, and Arashiyama), and thanks to a private vehicle, we were able to enjoy a comfortable tour. The weather was cloudier than the previous day, and while it felt a little humid, it was not bothersome. This time Arashiyama was included among the destinations, and the guests seemed to fully enjoy the "green season of Japan," surrounded by the bamboo grove and fresh greenery. For lunch, I had reserved the Buddhist vegetarian cuisine restaurant directly managed by Tenryu-ji Temple, where we could savor authentic shojin cuisine at a leisurely pace. The guests praised it highly, saying, "We are not what you would call vegetarians, but the shojin cuisine is delicious."
It was an enjoyable two-day tour with a wonderful group.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.
Apr 9, 2026
Ron_W
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We saw so much in the…
We saw so much in the…
Apr 9, 2026
Ron_W
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We saw so much in the…
We saw so much in the time we had. Nori explained the history of all places we visited. He
was so passionate about everything, we were very lucky to have him as tour guide.
Mar 24, 2026
zackn719
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
We did our private tour with…
Mar 24, 2026
zackn719
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Knowledgeable guide and a great tour
We did our private tour with Kamon-San, and he was a great guide to show off the sites and features of Nara! He got their early, and had a detailed and interesting schedule planned for us, including several of the local shrines and temples, allowing us to also enjoy the deer throughout our tour.
He also took us to a nice local restaurant where we were able to enjoy some of the best soba and catsu curry we had all trip! Kamon-san’s insights and trivia were definitely one of the top highlights from our entire trip to Japan! We would strongly recommend not just Nara but this guided tour to anyone who wants to appreciate more than just the deer!
Oct 20, 2025
66speech
Highlights of Kyoto.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with…
Oct 20, 2025
66speech
Highlights of Kyoto.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great experience with Nori. Nori exceeded our expectations with his knowledge of Kyoto history and culture. Well paced tour, covered Imperial Palace, temples, shrines, Bamboo Grove and Arashiyama. Helpful with navigating rail system. Very worth while. Nori earns highest rating possible.
Oct 16, 2025
Michael_H
Thoroughly enjoyed the…
Viator review: Osaka Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Thoroughly enjoyed the day out…
Oct 16, 2025
Michael_H
Thoroughly enjoyed the…
Viator review: Osaka Off the Beaten Path 6hr Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Thoroughly enjoyed the day out with our guide Nori. Without him we would have been
literally lost & seen nowhere near the amount of sites. Nori guidance was top notch.