Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour — Guide Kazu
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
- 7:00 Meet at Kyoto Station 7:30 Fushimi Inari 9:10 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 10:30 Kinkaku-ji 12:10 Higashiyama Area 12:35 Lunch 13:15 Higashiyama Area (Ninenzaka・Yasaka Pagoda) 13:45 Gion Area 14:20 Sanjusangendo 15:10 Tour Ends
Can You Do a Private Full-Day Kyoto Tour Starting Early Morning? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. Although we started at the early hour of 7:00, we were able to meet almost on time and begin the tour. The guests walked quickly, which helped keep us on schedule. By around 7:30, Fushimi Inari Shrine was already quite crowded. For lunch we went to a reasonably priced soba restaurant near Kodaiji Temple, but it was full and we had to wait about 20 minutes. As it was the autumn foliage season, there were not only visitors from overseas but also Japanese travelers and school excursion students. The guests waited patiently. In Gion, the inconsiderate behavior of some overseas tourists was again noticeable. Today I saw a group in rental kimono dancing and filming videos in front of a private residence. It was so inappropriate that I asked a security guard to give them a warning. Photos were taken at Kinkakuji Temple.
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Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Kyoto～Inari | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Inari～Enmachi | 200JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Enmachi～Kinkakuji-michi | 1,100JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Kinkakuji-michi～Kitaoji Bus Terminal | 0JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Kitaoji～Higashiyama | 0JPY |
| Section 6 | Bus | Higashiyama-sanjo～Higashiyama-yasui | 0JPY |
| Section 7 | Bus | Gion～Sanjusangendo-mae | 0JPY |
| Total | 1,450JPY | ||
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.