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
- 9:00 Meet @ The Thousand Kyoto
- 9:55-10:50 @ Tenryu-ji Temple
- 11:00-11:10 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- 11:20-12:10 @ Kinkaku-ji Temple
- 12:50-13:45 @ Nishiki Market
- 14:15 Disband @ In front of the Shinkansen platform at Kyoto Station
Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Before a Cruise Departure Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests continued from the previous day. The morning was cloudy with a bit of light snow.
Today the guests were in a calm and pleasant mood when we met. Since they mentioned they would like to catch a bullet train departing Kyoto around 14:00 to make it in time for their cruise ship's departure, I kept that schedule in mind throughout the tour.
Inside Tenryu-ji Temple, where footwear is not allowed, the guests mentioned that their feet felt cold, so I made sure to move through the site as quickly as possible. At the Sogenchi Garden, the guests listened with great interest as I explained the stone arrangement based on the motif of a dragon climbing a waterfall, and the borrowed scenery (shakkei) technique used in the garden. After strolling through the bamboo grove, we took a taxi to Kinkaku-ji Temple.
At Nishiki Market, the guests said they wanted to eat noodles, so they enjoyed udon at a local shop. Afterward, we caught a taxi, saw the guests off to their hotel, and I also guided them to the bullet train platform at Kyoto Station before parting ways.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Kyoto Station～Saga-Arashiyama Station | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Kinkakuji-michi～Nishioji-Shijo | 230JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Sai Station～Kawaramachi Station | 170JPY |
| Total | 640JPY | ||
Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!
My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.
I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.
I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.
I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and a pleasure to be with.
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic Kyoto. He was flexible when we decided to modify our itinerary on the morning due to rain forecast the next day. Kaz’s English was great which meant he kept my teenage sons engaged with stories about shoguns and samurai battles. We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden and Silver pavilions. The highlight of the tour with Kaz was being shown around beautiful gardens to see cherry blossoms still blooming and views of the city. We highly recommend going on a tour with him.
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of of the historical aspects of the sites we visit, provided us great guidance on appropriate behavior at each site. He was energetic throughout the tour. More important he was more of a companion which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour…
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour guide! He spent 6 hours showing us around Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple and the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, spoke English well (lived in the US for 3 years), and took lots of photos for us. We are so glad we booked this tour.