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
- 10:50 シックスセンシズ京都で集合
- 11:00 タクシー
- 11:15 二条城
- 12:00 タクシー
- 12:15 金閣寺
- 13:05 タクシー
- 13:15 龍安寺
- 14:00 タクシー
- 14:35 シックスセンシズホテル
- 14:40 タクシー
- 14:55 京都駅でツアー終了
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in シックスセンシズ京都で集合 at 10:50, タクシー at 11:00, 二条城 at 11:15, タクシー at 12:00, 金閣寺 at 12:15, タクシー at 13:05, 龍安寺 at 13:15, タクシー at 14:00, シックスセンシズホテル at 14:35, タクシー at 14:40 and 京都駅でツアー終了 at 14:55.
What Can You See on a Private Kyoto Day Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report
Today's guests were visitors from North America. Since they had to depart from Kyoto to Tokyo by Shinkansen after the tour, careful time management was essential.
They requested to visit Nijo Castle and Kinkaku-ji, so we used a taxi to move smoothly between sites. After that, I suggested several possible destinations, and since they wanted to see a rock garden, I took them to Ryoan-ji.
The guests were extremely curious, and they asked me a rapid series of questions while we toured the sites. The balance of power between the shogun and the emperor, and the differences between Shinto and Buddhism, are topics I am often asked about, and these guests were also very interested in them.
After returning from Ryoan-ji to the Hotel and picking up their luggage, I accompanied them to the Hachijo exit of Kyoto Station, saw them safely through the Shinkansen ticket gates, and the tour came to an end.
When we first met, I was surprised to suddenly be asked, "Can you speak English?" It seems that in another region they had been paired with a guide with whom they could not communicate very well, so they had been a little cautious. They said they had a great time talking about many things, and they kindly told me that if they come to Kyoto again, they would like to request me as their guide, which was very much appreciated.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
“He was easy to talk to, friendly, and knowledgeable and even made sure we successfully navigated the public transit back to our hotel. If we are ever back in Kyoto, we’d love to book a tour with him again! ”
“At every side we got an indepth explanation to any minor detail and every question we asked was answered and explained really well. It felt like a relaxing and wholesome walk through Kyoto even while it was pouring rain. We can absolutely recommend choosing Nabet!”
“Nabet’s English is just perfect, he knows the way around sights, little streets and hidden secrets, he is very authentic…just a perfect tour!”
Here are just a few of the many kind reviews I’ve received from the more than 100 groups I’ve guided through Kyoto and other cities.
I’m deeply thankful for the chance to connect with my guests and contribute to a memorable tour experience!
+Current Occupation+
• Associate Professor specially appointed for Entrepreneurship Education and University-Based Startup Support
• Management Consultant for SMEs and startups
• Government-Licensed Interpreter Guide
+Hobbies+
Travel, music, sake, ice hockey, squash, watching soccer
May 29, 2026
Tamara M
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto bei Nacht – faszinierende Einblicke in Kultur und Spiritualität
Ich…
May 29, 2026
Tamara M
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto bei Nacht – faszinierende Einblicke in Kultur und Spiritualität
Ich habe eine wundervolle private Tour mit Nabet am Abend gehabt. Wir waren unter anderem im Viertel der Geiko und Maiko sowie am Fushimi-Inari Schrein. Ich habe viel über die Stadt Kyoto erfahren sowie die Religionen des Shinotismus und des Buddhismus. Nabet hatte viel Wissen und hat es mit Freude geteilt. Eine wirklich tolle Tour und ein schönes Erlebnis!
「夜の京都 — 文化と精神性への魅力的な洞察」
夕方にNabetと素晴らしいプライベートツアーを楽しみました。私たちは主に、芸妓や舞妓のいる地区や、伏見稲荷神社にも行きました。京都という街について、そして神道や仏教といった宗教について多くを学ぶことができました。ナベトは豊富な知識を持っていて、それを喜んで共有してくれました。本当に素晴らしいツアーで、良い体験でした。
Oct 21, 2025
Jana_C
4-hour private tour with Nabet was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Viator review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing experience…
Oct 21, 2025
Jana_C
4-hour private tour with Nabet was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Viator review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had an amazing experience with Nabet as our tour guide! He was extremely knowledgeable and took the time to answer all of our questions thoughtfully. From the beginning, he was on time, organized, and made sure to ask which locations we wanted to visit so he could tailor the tour to our interests since we were only in Kyoto for a day.
Nabet was also very friendly, engaging, and easy to talk to, which made the experience even more enjoyable. We learned so much throughout the tour thanks to his clear explanations and insights. Everything ran smoothly and right on schedule.
He gave us the best recommendation for dinner after the tour as well.
We highly recommend Nabet as he’s a fantastic guide who made our day truly memorable!
Oct 16, 2025
987kayeh
Knowledgeable guide who was will to respond to our multiple questions
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Thankyou…
Oct 16, 2025
987kayeh
Knowledgeable guide who was will to respond to our multiple questions
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Thankyou Nabet for a very interesting tour. Your historical knowledge of Japan and its culture added extra benefits to our tour. We appreciated visiting a temple with less people to appreciate the significance of significance of the environment to enable us to ask many questions.
Thank you for sharing our day in Kyoto.
Kaye and Doug
Oct 16, 2025
janiec555
Significant sites in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Nabet is an excellent guide. He explained Japanese…
Oct 16, 2025
janiec555
Significant sites in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Nabet is an excellent guide. He explained Japanese history and customs clearly and comprehensively, including pointing out behaviour considered disrespectfu.
He was energetic and enthusiastic despite the humidity, long walks up hills and steps and crowded conditions, and was very patient dealing with the public transport ticketing systems. I recommend him wholeheartedly.