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
- 10:30 Crowne Plaza – ANA Kyoto
- 10:50 Kinkakuji (500) by taxi
- 11:30 Ryoanji (600) by taxi
- 12:30 Gioji (300) by taxi
- 13:00 Bamboo path by walking
- 13:10 Tenryuji Garden (500) by walking
- 13:40 Arashiyama Togetsu-kyo bridge by walking
- 14:20 Kiyomizudera (500) by taxi
- 15:30 End of the tour
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Crowne Plaza – ANA Kyoto at 10:30, Kinkakuji (500) by taxi at 10:50, Ryoanji (600) by taxi at 11:30, Gioji (300) by taxi at 12:30, Bamboo path by walking at 13:00, Tenryuji Garden (500) by walking at 13:10, Arashiyama Togetsu-kyo bridge by walking at 13:40 and Kiyomizudera (500) by taxi at 14:20.
Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, and Kiyomizu-dera
The guests were a group visiting from South America. Throughout the tour, one of the guests was frequently on a messaging app and tended to walk ahead quickly, so it was a challenge to catch up at each point to give explanations. They did not wish to take photos, did not look at souvenirs, and did not want to shop. Since our first stop at Kinkaku-ji finished very quickly, I added Ryoan-ji to the itinerary. Upon arriving at Ryoan-ji, one of the guests said that taking off shoes would be too much of a burden, but since visiting Ryoan-ji without removing shoes is not really possible, I asked them to please take off their shoes just for this one place. As they said they were not hungry, we skipped lunch and headed to Kiyomizu-dera, but upon seeing the large crowds, they said they did not want to go inside. I explained that although it looks crowded outside, it is not as bad once you are inside, and encouraged them to buy tickets and enter. They did not enter the pottery shops along the approach either. When I suggested guiding them from Sannen-zaka past the Yasaka Pagoda to Gion, one of the guests said they were already tired and wished to end here, so I guided them to the taxi stand at Kiyomizu-dera and the tour concluded. It felt like a somewhat unsatisfying tour.
Click here for more details: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sagano Tour with Licensed Guide
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!
Jul 14, 2026
T6871WWricharde
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kazz gave a great one on one 8 hour custom tour…
Jul 14, 2026
T6871WWricharde
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kazz gave a great one on one 8 hour custom tour of Kyoto
Ryoich Kazuma (Kazz) was an amazing guide! He picked me up at my hotel and expertly guided me around Kyoto, showing me a custom set of sites. His background revealed interesting facts about the sites and related Japanese culture. He photographed moments for me and later shared all the pictures, allowing me to enjoy the sites rather than focusing on taking all my own pictures. He prepared an itinerary in advance and gave me useful information about how much local currency would be needed as well as estimated admission and transportation costs. Basically have 15000 yen ready and use a Suica card and everything is easy! We had a lovely lunch around midday as well. I highly recommend the tour and can’t say enough good things about Kazz! Love every moment!!
Jun 5, 2026
mateoe216
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Would book again
The tour with Kazuma-san was absolutely great. As someone…
Jun 5, 2026
mateoe216
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Would book again
The tour with Kazuma-san was absolutely great. As someone who has never taken a private tour before, I was unsure what to expect. Kazuma-san met us at our hotel, was very friendly and knowledgeable. His English is also good. As me and my mother took more time than planned at the different sites we visited, Kazuma-san was able to provide us with interesting explanations and history facts throughout it all, even smells of local flora, and he took photos for us even after the alloted 4 hours were over and we were on our way back. One highlight for me was a high end porcelain shop near kiyomizudera.
I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to get a feel for Kyoto’s temples and history.
May 27, 2026
Leah_D
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Absolutely recommend!
I definitely recommend seeing some of the sights with a…
May 27, 2026
Leah_D
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Absolutely recommend!
I definitely recommend seeing some of the sights with a guide, we learned so many things we would’ve been clueless about had we done some of the temples and castles on our own. Kazz was a wonderful guide and took pictures of us with his nice camera everywhere we went, so we had a little photo album of our day at the end of it! We had so much fun and are extremely glad we did this. Thank you so much!!
May 26, 2026
sheilacL3330KS
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enthusiastic and knowledgable guide. Much appreciated
Kazz was an excellent guide…
May 26, 2026
sheilacL3330KS
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enthusiastic and knowledgable guide. Much appreciated
Kazz was an excellent guide – very enthusiastic about everything and happy to explain not only the meaning of the ‘golden pavilion’ but also the different properties of bamboo, and the meanings of anything pertinent he noticed in various shops He also took multiple photographs which he sent to us via email .