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
- 9:45 Meet at Kyoto Station Shinkansen Exit 10:05 Fushimi Inari 11:30 Sanjusangendo 12;50 Lunch (Shijo Kiyamachi Sushi Restaurant) 13:30 Pontocho Walk
- 14:20 Nijo Castle 15:50 Kinkaku-ji 17:00 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 18:00 Tour ends at Kyoto Station
Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America. They were staying in the Namba area of Osaka and traveled by Shinkansen to Kyoto Station in the morning. Today was another extremely hot day in Kyoto, so it turned into a tour where everyone was sweating and wiping their brows throughout. I guided them around each site while making use of shade as much as possible, and the guests listened to my explanations with considerable interest. Because of the heat, we inevitably fell behind schedule. After discussing it, we decided to use taxis from Sanjusangendo to the lunch venue, and from Kinkaku-ji to Arashiyama, which saved a great deal of time and allowed us to finish sightseeing at all the planned destinations as scheduled. After Arashiyama, I saw the guests off at Kyoto Station, ending the tour. The photo was taken at the lunch restaurant, including myself.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Kyoto～Inari | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Inari～Tofukuji | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Tofukuji～Higashiyama Shichijo | 230JPY |
| Section 4 | Other | Higashiyama Shichijo～Shijo Kiyamachi | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Sanjo Keihan～Nijojo-mae | 220JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Nijojo-mae～Nishioji Oike | 220JPY |
| Section 7 | Bus | Nishioji Oike～Kinkakuji-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 8 | Other | Kinkaku-ji～Arashiyama Nonomiya-mae | 0JPY |
| Section 9 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama～Kyoto | 240JPY |
| Total | 1,440JPY | ||
I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep knowledge about the history and culture of Japan. He is flexible and accommodates changes if you so desire. He is also very empathetic. I had a sprained back and he ensured we took elevators everywhere. You will be lucky if he is assigned as your guide .
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience…
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience on the tour. We travelled all around Kyoto with our guide Kazuo Sumi. He is a sweet older gentleman who had a great depth of knowledge about each place we went to. We told him places we wanted to go and he made the itinerary for us. There is no one better to have as your guide!!
Jul 16, 2026
margaretsM7923ON
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Great way to see Kyoto
Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided…
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided some excellent recommendations. There’s a lot of walking so make sure you are prepared.