Kyoto: @ Tenryu-ji Temple & @ Nijo Castle — Guide Kaz
November, 2024
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
- 9:15 Meet @ Minamiza Theater front
- 10:10-11:00 @ Tenryu-ji Temple
- 11:00-11:30 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- 11:50-12:15 Cafe break @ Rickshaw Cafe
- 13:00-13:50 @ Kinkaku-ji Temple
- 14:20-15:15 @ Nijo Castle
- 15:20 Disband @ Nijo Castle front taxi stand
Title: What's a Private Kyoto Tour of Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Nijo Castle Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group of three visiting from North America. Before the meeting, the guests sent a message by email saying they would be about 15 minutes late, and they actually arrived around 9:15. The tour was planned to focus mainly on Arashiyama, but among their requested destinations, I explained that Saiho-ji (the Moss Temple) requires advance reservations, so they decided to skip it. I also explained that Iwatayama Monkey Park requires about a 20-minute climb up the mountain, so they decided against that as well. In the end, in Arashiyama we visited Tenryu-ji and the bamboo grove, and since they said they would instead like to visit Kinkaku-ji and Nijo Castle, we went there.
Despite the rain the previous night, the autumn leaves had not fallen, and Tenryu-ji and Arashiyama were at the peak of the fall colors. As a result, there seemed to be more tourists than usual, but it was extremely beautiful and the guests were delighted.
At Kinkaku-ji, we were treated to a blue sky, and the autumn leaves here were beautiful as well. The guests sampled the wasabi peanuts from Mamemasa and purchased about three bags.
After finishing at Nijo Castle, it was time to conclude the tour, so I took the guests to the taxi stand and we parted ways there.
Click here for more details: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sagano Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Gion-Shijo Station～Sanjo Station | 170JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Sanjo-Keihan Station～Uzumasa-Tenjingawa Station | 260JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Randen-Tenjingawa Station～Arashiyama Station | 250JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama Station～Enmachi Station | 190JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Nishinokyo-Enmachi～Kinkakuji-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 6 | Bus | Kinkakuji-michi～Nijojo-mae | 230JPY |
| Total | 1,330JPY | ||
Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!
My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.
I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.
I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.
I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and a pleasure to be with.
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic Kyoto. He was flexible when we decided to modify our itinerary on the morning due to rain forecast the next day. Kaz’s English was great which meant he kept my teenage sons engaged with stories about shoguns and samurai battles. We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden and Silver pavilions. The highlight of the tour with Kaz was being shown around beautiful gardens to see cherry blossoms still blooming and views of the city. We highly recommend going on a tour with him.
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of of the historical aspects of the sites we visit, provided us great guidance on appropriate behavior at each site. He was energetic throughout the tour. More important he was more of a companion which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour…
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour guide! He spent 6 hours showing us around Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple and the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, spoke English well (lived in the US for 3 years), and took lots of photos for us. We are so glad we booked this tour.