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
- 17:00 Hotel Emion Kyoto
- 16:30. Gion Hayakawa
- 20:45 End
Tour Itinerary in Detail
From there the group visited Hotel Emion Kyoto at 17:00 and Gion Hayakawa at 16:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Umekoji-Kyotonishi to Kyoto by train (150JPY); Kyoto to Shijo (Kyoto Municipal) by train (220JPY); Karasuma to Kyoto-kawaramachi by train (170JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 540JPY per person.
What Is a Private Kyoto Maiko Dinner Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America, and since it was a very cold day, they preferred to travel by taxi. As we could not find a six-seater taxi, we went by train and arrived just in time at 6:25 pm, where the proprietress welcomed us. The guests were satisfied with the meal and told me that although they had tried many foods since arriving in Japan, they had come to love Japanese cuisine even more. They watched the maiko's dance with great interest and recorded a video, kindly assuring me that they would not post it online. They also enjoyed playing games with the maiko. At first there was quite a VIP atmosphere, but once we started talking, they were very approachable and easy to converse with, and we were able to spend a truly enjoyable time together.
Click here for more details: Gion Tour & Maiko or Geisha Dinner with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Umekoji-Kyotonishi～Kyoto | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Kyoto～Shijo (Kyoto Municipal) | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Karasuma～Kyoto-kawaramachi | 170JPY |
| Total | 540JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Hotel Emion Kyoto and Gion Hayakawa.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 540JPY 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?
Harumi 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 Harumi, and I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in Japan. I have been actively involved in volunteer activities for many years, sharing my passion for Japanese culture and history. As a kimono dressing instructor, I can provide hands-on kimono experiences and guide tours. Additionally, I have extensive knowledge of sumo wrestling, making my tours ideal for those interested in this fascinating sport. I am also well-versed in Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings (Jūdenken) and can introduce historical townscapes dating back to the Edo period. If you are interested, I would be happy to show you around the sake brewing process in the Nada region.
Jul 11, 2026
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Highly recommended if looking for a comfortable tour of kyoto. Our guide and driver were amazing. The guide was very knowledgeable and explained everything with great details as we toured around.
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This was amazing – truly memory making. Harumi is…
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This was amazing – truly memory making. Harumi is an incredible guide – she personalised our tour according to our interests, we laughed, we learned and she created memories – Thank you (one of the best).
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Harumi was a fantastic guide – very friendly and very knowledgeable. Even weeks before the tour, her communication was outstanding, asking me what we would be interested in seeing, ages and interests of the members in our party, and laying out a thoughtful and perfect itinerary for our day. Her knowledge made our visit to Himeji Castle way more interesting and engaging than if we had just gone by ourselves. We would definitely book again!
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Harumi is an amazing guide. Knows everything about the sites she takes you to. She is excellent with kids and even brought them oregami and treats. The heat was a bit oppressive and we were so glad we paid for the driver with a large and clean air conditioned van. Harumi, the guide, was a true professional. She devised a very good itinerary and was also flexible when the kids were hungry, etc. Would highly recommend.