Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide shige
November, 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
- 13:00 Eizan Electric Railway, Demachiyanagi Station, Meeting
- 13:50~15:00 Kurama-dera, Niomon Gate, Cable Car, Main Hall Kondo
- 15:30~16:00 Kifune Shrine, Main Shrine
- 16:15~17:00 Disband at Demachiyanagi Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 13:00 at Eizan Electric Railway, Demachiyanagi Station, Meeting and ended at 16:15. The day ran to 3 hours and 15 minutes from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Kurama-dera, Niomon Gate, Cable Car, Main Hall Kondo at 13:50 and Kifune Shrine, Main Shrine at 15:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Demachiyanagi to Kurama by train (470JPY); Kurama to Kibuneguchi by train (220JPY); Kibuneguchi to Demachiyanagi by train (470JPY). Across 3 sections the fare came to 1,160JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Autumn Tour of Kurama and Kifune in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America, and they arrived about 15 minutes after the scheduled meeting time. One of them was wearing a rental kimono but had on sneakers, so we set off with peace of mind. The weather was fine, and they were impressed by the autumn foliage along the Eizan Railway. In Kurama, they were moved by the giant tengu statue in front of the station and the autumn leaves around the Niomon Gate of Kurama-dera Temple. We climbed up to the main hall, the Kondo, discussed Sonten, the principal deity of Mount Kurama, and they experienced the power spot. They also took many photos. In Kifune, the autumn foliage along the Kifune River and around the main shrine was wonderful, and they were deeply impressed, taking many photos. They were concerned about needing to return to Gion by 5:30 to return the rental kimono, but after we parted, they contacted me via a messaging app to say they had returned it safely.
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 | Demachiyanagi～Kurama | 470JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Kurama～Kibuneguchi | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Kibuneguchi～Demachiyanagi | 470JPY |
| Total | 1,160JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Eizan Electric Railway, Demachiyanagi Station, Meeting at 13:00, and the tour finished at Demachiyanagi Station at 16:15.
How long does the tour last?
About 3 hours and 15 minutes in total, from 13:00 to 16:15.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Kurama-dera, Niomon Gate, Cable Car, Main Hall Kondo and Kifune Shrine, Main Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,160JPY per person across 3 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
shige is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kyoto itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hello, This is Shige. I was born and brought up in Osaka. I have been enjoying working as a tour guide since 2016 after retired from a manufacturing company in which I worked at the overseas department. So I experienced a lot of business with customers in Europe, Asia, Australia, and USA where my three years of living and working at the subsidiary company with my family was the most amazing experience of my life. Well, Japan has a long history including ancient remains, historic buildings and cultures at each period over 2000 years. I hope you will enjoy exploring Japan in this tour. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Shige.
May 23, 2026
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A wonderful way to get acquainted with Kyoto
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A wonderful way to get acquainted with Kyoto
Shige was a wonderful guide. He helped us navigate the public transit system and provided
keen insight into Japanese cultural practices and the role of religion in modern day
Japan.10/10
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Shige is a great tour guide for Kyoto
Shige was an excellent…
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828vickeyb
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Shige is a great tour guide for Kyoto
Shige was an excellent tour guide. He was knowledgeable, kind and patient. He kept our tour
moving, but also make sure we rested when needed and we stayed hydrated.
Apr 12, 2026
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Shige was an amazing tour guide and companion during our time in Osaka. He explained everything clearly and made the experience both informative and enjoyable. He was very accommodating, always attentive to our needs, and incredibly polite and respectful. His subtle and thoughtful approach made us feel comfortable throughout the entire tour. Highly recommended!
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We had a wonderful tour around Osaka. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and shared lots of interesting information about the places we visited. He was also very friendly and approachable, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The length of the tour was just right for us—especially on such a hot day—and we still managed to find time to take some great photos.