Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Anne
March, 2025
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
- 10:00 am Hotel meet
- 10:25 From Higashiyama Station via Shirakawa ~ Furukawa Shopping Street ~ Ippon Bashi ~ Chion-in Temple Gate
- 11:10 Maruyama Park ~ Gion ~ Hanamikoji ~ Cacao 365
- 12:40 Jonangu Shrine Shinen Garden ~ Worship
- 13:57 Kyoto Station Tour ends (Customers head to Nishiki Market)
What Is a 4-Hour Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Gion and Jonangu
The guests were visitors from Europe. In our conversation beforehand, they said they wanted to walk through hidden places that tourists don't usually visit but locals do, as well as a Geisha town or Gion. Considering the 4-hour timeframe, we made a plan to stroll along the Shirakawa area and the shopping streets, stop by Gion, and finally visit Jonangu Shrine. Along the Shirakawa, the willow trees had not yet come into leaf, which was a bit disappointing as a guide, but the guests still enjoyed spots such as the Ippon-bashi bridge.
At Jonangu Shrine, the weeping plum blossoms and camellias were about 80 to 90 percent in bloom, and apart from the crowds it was a dreamlike scene, which they truly appreciated. Since we took a break at a chocolate shop in Gion along the way, they skipped lunch and planned to go to Nishiki Market after the tour. We were lucky to have such fine weather.
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 | Karasuma Oike Station～Higashiyama Station | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Gion-Shijo～Tanbabashi | 280JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Tanbabashi Station～Takeda Station | 180JPY |
| Total | 680JPY | ||
Hello, I am Atsuko Hori. My nickname is “Anne” because I’m a big fan of ” Anne of Green Gables”. I am cheerful, talkative and punctual. I’ve been doing guiding more than ten years mainly in Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. I am especially familiar with ” Geisha Districts”, where traditional Japanese dancers live. I graduated from the university of Education in Nara. I love kids. Actually I have three grandchildren. I like history, architecture and local foods. My motto is giving the best hospitality to my guests. I think we will have a good time during the tour. Would you like to join my tour?
Sep 13, 2024
connormA415PD
Memorable Tour of Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our tour guide Anne was lovely & very…
Sep 13, 2024
connormA415PD
Memorable Tour of Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our tour guide Anne was lovely & very informative. She was very knowledgeable about each place we stopped and made each stop efficient but never felt rushed. The driver was great and the van was always nice and cool. We would definitely recommend Anne & the Japan Guide Agency for a tour of Kyoto.
Jul 3, 2024
Cosmopolitan691874
Private Kyoto Tour
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our family had an amazing time with Anne in…
Jul 3, 2024
Cosmopolitan691874
Private Kyoto Tour
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Our family had an amazing time with Anne in Kyoto. Anne is prompt, flexible, and accommodating. As soon as our tour was booked Anne reached out to me and we began communicating via email. Anne provided us an agenda months before our trip. When we arrived in Kyoto I was able to text Anne and we adjusted our schedule to meet our needs. Anne met us at our hotel and off we went on our tour. Anne was very knowledgeable about the sites and the history of Kyoto. During the day she found out we wanted to visit a place not on our agenda and she was able to squeeze it in to our very packed day.
May 31, 2024
Clare_A
Once in a lifetime experience
Viator review: Kyoto Gion Tour Maiko or Geisha Dinner Included
Great tour with Ann who was…
May 31, 2024
Clare_A
Once in a lifetime experience
Viator review: Kyoto Gion Tour Maiko or Geisha Dinner Included
Great tour with Ann who was friendly and really knowledgeable. Loved the experience with
Maya the Maliki we met she was lovely, and sooo friendly and we learned so much about
the geisha culture. Meal was great too