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
- 08:30 Meet at the hotel lobby
- 09:30 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
- 10:30 Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
- 11:00 Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Temple
- 12:30 Tour ends at Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Kyoto began at 08:30, when the guide met the guests at hotel lobby, and finished at 12:30. The day ran to 4 hours from start to finish.
From there the group visited Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple at 09:30, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple at 10:30 and Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Temple at 11:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kyoto to Saga-Arashiyama by train (240JPY); Saga-Arashiyama to Kyoto by train (240JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 480JPY per person.
What's a Private Walking Tour of Arashiyama in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private one-day walking tour of the Arashiyama area in Kyoto for a guest visiting from North America. The guest wished to explore the quieter parts of Arashiyama and stayed an extra day in Kyoto for this purpose, resulting in an itinerary that walked from Otagi Nenbutsu-ji to Tenryu-ji.
At Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, the guest was very fond of the rakan statues and spent a long time taking photographs of them. At Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, where photography is permitted only in limited areas, the guest took beautiful photographs of the bamboo grove.
Afterward, we passed through the Bamboo Grove Path and visited Tenryu-ji, where azaleas and other flowers were in full bloom, and the guest took many photographs of the flowers.
On the train during the return journey, we chatted about the guest's hometown, and the tour ended in a warm and pleasant atmosphere throughout.
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～Saga-Arashiyama | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama～Kyoto | 240JPY |
| Total | 480JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at hotel lobby at 08:30, and the tour finished at Tour ends at Kyoto Station Hachijo Exit at 12:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 4 hours in total, from 08:30 to 12:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple and Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Temple.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 480JPY per person across 2 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?
Umi 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! My name is Umi. I was born and raised in Kyoto, and I still live here today.
I have always loved traveling. When I visit another country, I enjoy learning about its history, culture, and way of life from local people. Talking with locals helps me understand a place much better than simply visiting famous sights. That’s why I became a tour guide.
Through my tours, I hope to help visitors gain a deeper understanding of Japan. In addition to its beauty and traditions, I am also happy to talk about modern life in Japan. My goal is for my guests to leave Japan with wonderful memories and a deeper appreciation of the country.
I’m looking forward to meeting you!
Jun 29, 2026
U3009CHlaurad
Kyoto 4 Hour walking Tour
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Umi was a great tour guide, very…
Jun 29, 2026
U3009CHlaurad
Kyoto 4 Hour walking Tour
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Umi was a great tour guide, very friendly, personable and was very insightful! We had a wonderful morning exploring Kyoto and seeing some of the great historical castles, palaces, shrines and temples. Umi also showed us around the famous Nishiki markets, and shared with us some great hidden local restaurants! Would definitely recommend booking this tour, and would definitely recommend Umi as a tour guide!
May 9, 2026
Adventurer745194
Lovely intro to Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a lovely morning guided by Umi.…
May 9, 2026
Adventurer745194
Lovely intro to Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a lovely morning guided by Umi. We appreciated her thoughtful help in planning the tour and she was extremely flexible and responsible to our questions and interests. She was a pleasure to work with and be with and we were grateful that she introduced us to Kyoto most graciously.
Apr 30, 2026
jonathangG3501FZ
4 hour private tour in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Umi was a lovely tour guide…
Apr 30, 2026
jonathangG3501FZ
4 hour private tour in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Umi was a lovely tour guide for a half day private tour around Kyoto. She worked with us in
advance on the itinerary to match our interests and was very informative and gracious
during the tour itself. I highly recommend her!
Apr 27, 2026
Jennifer_S
Wonderful, thoughtful guide
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Umi was absolutely wonderful. She…
Apr 27, 2026
Jennifer_S
Wonderful, thoughtful guide
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Umi was absolutely wonderful. She worked with us on a customized plan that included adapting for a member of our family that uses a wheelchair. The sites she recommended were perfect and gave us a nice touch of Kyoto. We particularly loved the final temple and the experience we had there. The lunch spot we ended up choosing was an excellent Japanese meal. She was extremely knowledgable about the sites, Kyoto in general, Japan’s history, and more. You could tell she loves what she does.