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
- AM 11:00 Tour starts from Hotel Granvia
- Transport: Bus from Gojozaka, then taxi to near Kiyomizu-dera
- AM 11:30-12:30 Visit Kiyomizu-dera
- Transport: On foot, from Sannenzaka and Yasaka Pagoda to Kiyomizu-michi
- Transport: Bus & train to Fushimi Inari
- PM 13:15-14:00 Visit Fushimi Inari
- Transport: Train to Kyoto Station
- PM 14:20-15:00 Lunch at an okonomiyaki restaurant inside Kyoto Station
- Guide to the central exit for the Shinkansen, and the tour ends
Title: What's a Private Day Trip from Tokyo to Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari
The guests were visitors from Oceania who were taking a day trip from Tokyo to Kyoto before boarding a cruise ship departing from Yokohama. They had requested visits to Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari Shrine. During the tour, since walking up slopes proved difficult for one of the guests, I arranged an itinerary that minimized physical strain as much as possible. At Kiyomizu-dera, we managed this by taking a taxi up to the far end of Chawanzaka slope, and the guests enjoyed a panoramic view of Kyoto city. At Fushimi Inari Shrine, one of the guests rested partway along the shrine grounds while the other visited the Senbon Torii and the bamboo grove. Before catching the shinkansen back to Tokyo at Kyoto Station, we had lunch at an okonomiyaki restaurant, where the guests enjoyed trying okonomiyaki for the first time.
This tour was arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Bus | Kyoto Station Front／Kyoto City Bus～Gojozaka／Kyoto City Bus | 230JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Kiyomizu-michi／Kyoto City Bus～Shichijo Keihan-mae／Kyoto City Bus | 230JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Shichijo～Fushimi Inari | 180JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Inari～Kyoto | 150JPY |
| Total | 790JPY | ||
Hello , My name is Hideharu Yoshino . Just call me” Yoshi” .
I have been involved with many foreign Business partners through my business life for 38 years ,
Based on my work experience , I would like to try my best to make you comfortale and Happy fruitful times during your stay in Japan .
Not only giving you basic tourist information about famous sightseeing spot , also I would enjoy to give you the back ground inofrmation in my word.
” Once in a lifetime encounter ” Let’s enjoy with me Miracle time to be picked up from 6 billion in somewhere Japan!
Jul 25, 2026
Ann W
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Incredible tour, one of the highlights of my…
Jul 25, 2026
Ann W
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Incredible tour, one of the highlights of my trip!
Booking a private tour with Hideharu (Yoshi) Yoshino was easily one of the absolute highlights of my trip.
Yoshi-san customized the day perfectly to my interests, accommodating a last-minute hotel change and timing our morning perfectly so we could see the spectacular Gion Matsuri parade without the heavy crowds.
We explored Ginkaku-ji, Nanzen-ji, and the traditional streets of Gion at a wonderful, relaxed pace.
The tour was fascinating and packed with interesting details that allowed me to truly understand Kyoto’s rich history.
Highly recommended!
Jul 18, 2026
Geert73
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A Well-Organized and Informative Tour of Kanazawa
We, a…
Jul 18, 2026
Geert73
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A Well-Organized and Informative Tour of Kanazawa
We, a family of 5, had a very enjoyable 6-hour private tour of Kanazawa with Hideharu Yoshino from Japan Guide Agency.
Communication before the tour was excellent and made it very easy to plan the day. Yoshi’s English was excellent, which made communication throughout the tour very smooth. He provided very clear and interesting explanations, giving us a better understanding of the history and culture of the places we visited.
During the tour we explored Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen Garden, and the Geisha and Samurai districts.
It was a well-organized and informative tour. Highly recommended.
Jul 15, 2026
G5010ZVmelodys
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Local Food & Tea Culture Tour with Licensed Guide
Number one guide for personalised touring of Kanazawa
Our…
Jul 15, 2026
G5010ZVmelodys
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Local Food & Tea Culture Tour with Licensed Guide
Number one guide for personalised touring of Kanazawa
Our tea and culture day in Kanazawa with our guide Hideharu Yoshino was amazing! Yoshi is very fluent in English and a great companion to walk around with as he knows so much about the history and culture of Kanazawa and Japan. He also knew the best place to grab lunch and helped us pick what was good local fish, curry or tea to try. Plus he made sure we felt comfortable and never out of place wherever we went. I would recommend him for anyone who likes to know more about what they are seeing or what they can do in the area. Yoshi is great!
Jul 11, 2026
rikkes490
Tripadvisor review: Kanazawa Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Rigtig god guidet tur
Rigtig god oplevelse og gode forklaringer
とても良いガイドツアーでした。
とても良い体験でした。説明も分かりやすく、とても良かったです。