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
- 09:30 Kyoto Station
- 10:30 Jojakko-ji Temple
- 11:30 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- 11:30 Tenryu-ji Temple
- 12:30 Lunch
- 14:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 15:30 Kyoto Station (Tour Ends)
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Kyoto Station at 09:30, Jojakko-ji Temple at 10:30, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at 11:30, Tenryu-ji Temple at 11:30 and Fushimi Inari Taisha at 14:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kyoto to Saga-Arashiyama by train (240JPY); Saga-Arashiyama to Inari by train (240JPY); Inari to Kyoto by train (150JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 630JPY per person.
What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari
I guided guests from North America. On the way to our first stop, Jojakko-ji Temple, they shared stories about the places they had previously visited in Tokyo and Nagano. As they love nature, they were especially fond of Nagano. At Jojakko-ji Temple, they marveled at the beauty of the autumn leaves and the moss, and they enjoyed the sansho kelp sold on the temple grounds so much that they purchased some. At the bamboo grove, they were surprised by the crowds but still enjoyed it, and then we moved on to Tenryu-ji Temple. Tenryu-ji was also crowded, but they were deeply moved by the beauty of the garden. They also watched a craftsman tending to the pine trees for a while, admiring the meticulous attention to detail in the work. Over lunch, they told me that they had been researching and looking forward to this trip to Japan for a year, and shared plans to travel around Japan by cruise ship with friends. They also gave me advice for my own future overseas travels. In the afternoon, we visited Fushimi Inari, and then concluded the tour at Kyoto Station. As they themselves noted, they were very active and delightful guests. A notable stop on the tour was Fushimi Inari Shrine. Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Kyoto's most famous Shinto shrines, dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice and prosperity. It is renowned for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form winding paths up the sacred Mount Inari, offering visitors a memorable and atmospheric walk through the forested hillside.
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 | Kyoto～Saga-Arashiyama | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama～Inari | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Inari～Kyoto | 150JPY |
| Total | 630JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Kyoto Station, Jojakko-ji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 630JPY per person across 3 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?
Umi 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.
Hello! My name is Umi. I was born and raised in Kyoto, and I still live here today.
I have always loved traveling. When I visit another country, I enjoy learning about its history, culture, and way of life from local people. Talking with locals helps me understand a place much better than simply visiting famous sights. That’s why I became a tour guide.
Through my tours, I hope to help visitors gain a deeper understanding of Japan. In addition to its beauty and traditions, I am also happy to talk about modern life in Japan. My goal is for my guests to leave Japan with wonderful memories and a deeper appreciation of the country.
I’m looking forward to meeting you!
Jun 29, 2026
U3009CHlaurad
Kyoto 4 Hour walking Tour
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Umi was a great tour guide, very…
Jun 29, 2026
U3009CHlaurad
Kyoto 4 Hour walking Tour
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Umi was a great tour guide, very friendly, personable and was very insightful! We had a wonderful morning exploring Kyoto and seeing some of the great historical castles, palaces, shrines and temples. Umi also showed us around the famous Nishiki markets, and shared with us some great hidden local restaurants! Would definitely recommend booking this tour, and would definitely recommend Umi as a tour guide!
May 9, 2026
Adventurer745194
Lovely intro to Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a lovely morning guided by Umi.…
May 9, 2026
Adventurer745194
Lovely intro to Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a lovely morning guided by Umi. We appreciated her thoughtful help in planning the tour and she was extremely flexible and responsible to our questions and interests. She was a pleasure to work with and be with and we were grateful that she introduced us to Kyoto most graciously.
Apr 30, 2026
jonathangG3501FZ
4 hour private tour in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Umi was a lovely tour guide…
Apr 30, 2026
jonathangG3501FZ
4 hour private tour in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Umi was a lovely tour guide for a half day private tour around Kyoto. She worked with us in
advance on the itinerary to match our interests and was very informative and gracious
during the tour itself. I highly recommend her!
Apr 27, 2026
Jennifer_S
Wonderful, thoughtful guide
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Umi was absolutely wonderful. She…
Apr 27, 2026
Jennifer_S
Wonderful, thoughtful guide
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Umi was absolutely wonderful. She worked with us on a customized plan that included adapting for a member of our family that uses a wheelchair. The sites she recommended were perfect and gave us a nice touch of Kyoto. We particularly loved the final temple and the experience we had there. The lunch spot we ended up choosing was an excellent Japanese meal. She was extremely knowledgable about the sites, Kyoto in general, Japan’s history, and more. You could tell she loves what she does.