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
- 9:10 Meet at the hotel
- 10:10 Arashiyama, Togetsukyo Bridge
- 10:30 Tenryu-ji Temple and its garden
- 11:20 Lunch in Arashiyama
- 12:15 Nonomiya Shrine
- 12:40 Bamboo Grove Path, Okochi Sanso Villa
- 12:55 Mikami Shrine
- 13:15 Jojakko-ji Temple
- 13:50 Rakushisha
- 14:40 End of tour at Kyoto Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at hotel at 9:10, the group explored Kyoto until the tour ended at 14:40. The day ran to 5 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch in Arashiyama at 11:20.
The itinerary covered Arashiyama, Togetsukyo Bridge at 10:10, Tenryu-ji Temple and its garden at 10:30, Nonomiya Shrine at 12:15, Bamboo Grove Path, Okochi Sanso Villa at 12:40, Mikami Shrine at 12:55, Jojakko-ji Temple at 13:15 and Rakushisha at 13:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kyoto to Saga-Arashiyama by train (240JPY); Saga-Arashiyama to Kyoto by train (240JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 480JPY per person.
What Is a Private Day Tour of Arashiyama in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests visited from Oceania. They were spending three days in Kyoto, and today's tour focused on the Arashiyama area. The tour started at Togetsukyo Bridge. At Tenryu-ji Temple, I talked about Zen, including the Daruma figures, and the guests mentioned they wanted to buy one to take home for family. In the garden, they took their time enjoying the view while seated on chairs. For lunch, they enjoyed a tofu-based meal, including yudofu (hot tofu), yuba, and sesame tofu, saying, "This is delicious." At Nonomiya Shrine, I spoke about the Kojiki and the imperial family, and they purchased a traffic safety charm to bring home. From the Bamboo Grove path, we went to Mikami Shrine, which enshrines the deity of hair, where one of the guests said they wished they had visited it sooner. At Jojakko-ji Temple, we climbed the stairs up to the observation deck above the Tahoto pagoda and enjoyed the scenery.
Click here for more details: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sagano Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Kyoto～Saga-Arashiyama | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama～Kyoto | 240JPY |
| Total | 480JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at hotel at 9:10, and the tour finished at of tour at Kyoto Station at 14:40.
How long does the tour last?
About 5 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 9:10 to 14:40.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Arashiyama, Togetsukyo Bridge, Tenryu-ji Temple and its garden, Nonomiya Shrine, Bamboo Grove Path, Okochi Sanso Villa, Mikami Shrine, Jojakko-ji Temple and Rakushisha.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 480JPY per person across 2 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?
Shuji 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.
My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.
Jul 16, 2026
salomons666
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Kyoto fun
Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge
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P9099TXkennethr
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A great day
A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.
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AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached…
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AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached out immediately to make sure that we had a customized tour of what we wanted to see and do in Nara. The level of details in his emails was incredible! Not only did Shuji plan a great tour but he also went above and beyond by explaining the Japan rail system, the public transportation cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.) and even told us exactly what trains, times and gates to exit so that our meetup was seamless. Been on a lot of tours around the world and have never had this level of communication. Once we started our tour, Shuji was articulate, knowledgeable and so much fun! Nara is amazing and Shuji made it so much better – please request him!
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Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was…
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Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and made sure we were able to see everything that we wanted while in Osaka. He even took my 5 year old into consideration and took us to the Pokémon store since he is a Pokémon fan. I would definitely recommend him as a tour guide.