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

  • Hotel pick up 9:30
  • To Arashiyama 9:30-10:10 (By subway and JR)
  • At Arashiyama(Bamboo forest,Monkey park) 10:10-11:30
  • To Kinkakuji 11:30-12:10 (by bus twice)
  • At Kinkakuji 12:10-12:50
  • Return to the hotel station 12:50-13:40(by bus and subway)

Title: Can You Do a Private Kyoto Day Tour Covering Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from Europe. The group moved at a brisk pace and were all very good walkers, so we were able to cover Arashiyama and also make our way to Kinkaku-ji. Since they planned to visit Fushimi Inari the following day, I explained how to get there. One of the guests mentioned having stayed in Japan for a few weeks during a past Olympic event, as a member of the support staff rather than as an athlete. I have attached a photo of the monkey park, and since I was also asked to be in a photo together, I have included that one as well.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwaySanjo Keihan~Nijo220JPY
Section 2TrainNijo~Saga-Arashiyama200JPY
Section 3BusArashiyama Park~Nishioji Shijo230JPY
Section 4BusNishioji Shijo~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
Section 5BusKinkakuji-michi~Kitaoji230JPY
Section 6SubwayKitaoji~Sanjo Keihan260JPY
Total1,370JPY

Hi, every one. How have you been? I am JGA tour guide Kazu. It is my great pleasure that I can introduce myself here. I am already more than 70 years old, but I believe I am still young both mentally and physically. I like walking with my customers very much. I am from Tokyo, but now

I live in Kyoto traditional city and an old capital of Japan. I had worked at electric manufacturing company for more than 40 years. While I was working at that company, fortunately I had a lot of chances to visit many foreign countries.

I lived in Singapore, Malaysia, Poland and Mexico. Also I visited America, Britain, and other countries. Basically I used English to proceed my job there, however I always tried to speak local languages as much as possible. Through staying other countries, I found that there were great differences of the culture or the way of thinking between those countries and Japan. I though I had a valuable experience. After I retired from the company 5 years ago, I began to work as a tour guide although I got the National English tour guide license 7 years ago. Besides English I speak Spanish but I don’t have Spanish tour guide license yet. I belong to the comany JGA and worked around 10 days a month. So far I accompanied with mu customers more than 100 groups. All of my tour was good and lucky as I was always favored with gentle and kind customers.

My hobby is playing the guitar, dancing and learning foreign languages. I sometimes join the concert by playing the guitar, and it is fun for me. Though I like dancing, I can not dance well. I only enjoy dancing here in Japan.

About the tour in Japan, I usually take my tourists to the famous spots in Kyoto like Kinkakuji, Kiyomizu dera, Fushimi inari, Gion area,Nishiki market and Arashiyama area. In Arashiyama area we often visit Bamboo forest,Nonomiya shrine,Togetsukyou bridge and Kimono forest. I will cope with my customers demands as much as possible so that I try to visit any places up to your requests.

I welcome a lot for your coming to Japan. and if possible I would like to help you to visit various kind of spots in Japan especially in Kyoto. JGA is very flexible company so that I have a confidence that you will be satisfied with our attitude and hospitality. I am glad that many of my customers told that it was so nice to travel around Japan. We will and I will expect you come down to Japan any time and we are ready to help your memorable trip in Japan. I can not wait!

Sep 26, 2025
kaylah199
Amazing tour guide
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Venture826497
Great time in Kyoto!
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Jul 8, 2024
233vickies
6 hour Kyoto tour with Kazu
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We had…

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Hoc_N
A fascinating experience in Kyoto we won’t forget
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