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.
Tour Itinerary
- 09:00 HOTEL
- 09:30 Fushimiinari by Keihan train
- 11:00 Tofukuji by walking
- 12:30 Kiyomizudera (500) by taxi
- Yasaka-no-to
- Yasakakoshindo
- Lunch （Namaste Dhaulagiri）
- Yasakajinja
- Maruyama Park
- 14:30 Chion-in by walking
- 15:00 Gion Hanamikoji
- End of the tour
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Fushimiinari by Keihan train at 09:30, Tofukuji by walking at 11:00, Kiyomizudera (500) by taxi at 12:30, Chion-in by walking at 14:30 and Gion Hanamikoji at 15:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Gion-Shijo to Fushimiinari by train (240JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 240JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like in Autumn? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. We had plenty to talk about and the conversation flowed easily thanks to our shared interests. Today was cloudy, so I thought an umbrella would not be necessary, but in the end there was light rain for most of the day. At Tofuku-ji, which the guests had requested, we could not enter the main hall or the garden because a memorial service was being held, but we were able to cross the Engetsukyo Bridge deep within the grounds and also the Gaunkyo Bridge on the way back, so the guests could still appreciate the autumn foliage atmosphere. At the start of the tour we walked along Hanamikoji Street and I explained the Gion area, so toward the end we visited Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, and Chion-in, then returned to the entrance of Hanamikoji Street to conclude the tour.
A notable stop on the tour was Tofuku-ji Temple. Tofuku-ji is one of Kyoto's great Zen temples, founded in the 13th century, and is renowned as one of the city's most famous spots for autumn foliage. Its grounds feature several picturesque wooden bridges spanning a valley filled with maple trees, and in autumn the vivid red and orange leaves create a spectacular landscape that draws many visitors. The temple also preserves notable examples of classical Zen architecture and gardens, making it a rewarding destination throughout the year.
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 | Gion-Shijo～Fushimiinari | 240JPY |
| Total | 240JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Fushimiinari by Keihan train, Tofukuji by walking, Kiyomizudera (500) by taxi, Chion-in by walking and Gion Hanamikoji.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 240JPY 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?
Kazz 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.
I’m Ryoichi Kazuma and my nickname is “Kazz”. I live in Kyotanabe city next to Kyoto city. I want guests to enjoy Kyoto by seeing and experiencing not only from outside but also from inside. I offer various information from daily matters to traditional cultures. Most destinations in Kyoto are located on the eastern side or the western side. As I want to guide guests to as many destinations as possible, I make an efficient itinerary and recommend a taxi use to save time. Additionally, I take pictures at various spots and finally share the link to my storage. By doing so, guests can download their favorite pictures from my storage. Please enjoy Kyoto night and day!
Sep 25, 2026
Marvin_F
Kazz is an outstanding…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Kazz is an outstanding experiencedand friendly…
Sep 25, 2026
Marvin_F
Kazz is an outstanding…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Kazz is an outstanding experiencedand friendly tour guide. He took us to many interesting places during the six hours as well as off the tourist path to more interesting places. He thoroughly explained everything from a current and historical perspective. Outstanding tour.
Sep 21, 2026
Laura_K
Day in Kyoto with Kazz
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazz was an amazing…
Sep 21, 2026
Laura_K
Day in Kyoto with Kazz
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazz was an amazing guide! He was super knowledgeable and gave us really interesting info throughout all the stops. He’s also an amazing photographer!
Aug 27, 2026
M6034YWthomasm
Worth it
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
The day went by so quickly, a…
Aug 27, 2026
M6034YWthomasm
Worth it
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
The day went by so quickly, a true pleasure . Exceeded my expectations in knowledge and support of our questions.
Aug 10, 2026
Sez042
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Awesome experience
Tour guide Kazz was great. Very informative and showed…
Aug 10, 2026
Sez042
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Awesome experience
Tour guide Kazz was great. Very informative and showed us around which was great