Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car — Guide Toshi

October, 2024

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

  • 1. 9:00 Meet at the hotel
  • 2. 9:30 Guided tour of Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • 3. 10:30 Guided tour of Ryoan-ji Temple
  • 4. 11:30 Guided tour of the Arashiyama area (Togetsukyo Bridge, Kameyama Park)
  • 5. 12:00 Guided tour of the bamboo grove
  • 6. 12:30 Guided tour of Tenryu-ji Temple
  • 7. 13:00 Guided tour of Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
  • 8. 13:30 Guided tour of Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
  • 9. 14:30 Disband @ Nishiki Market

Title: What Can You See on a Rainy Private Day Tour of Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama? A Licensed Guide's Report

Today was hit by heavy rain all day, which made guiding at the sites very challenging. Since the guests had already toured the Higashiyama area the previous day, [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide discussed the plan with the guests, who were visitors from North America, and we decided to visit the remaining sights in the following order: Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Tenryu-ji, and others. Unfortunately, Kinkaku-ji was so crowded with school excursion students that it was almost impossible to move around. The next stop, Ryoan-ji, was relatively empty, so I was able to leisurely explain the teachings of Zen and the rock garden. In Arashiyama, we walked from the Togetsukyo Bridge through Kameyama Park and into the bamboo grove, where the guests could enjoy the bamboo tunnel. After that, we entered Tenryu-ji from the bamboo grove and enjoyed the beautiful garden, where the autumn foliage was just beginning to turn. After Tenryu-ji, I decided to guide the guests to Nenbutsu-ji, which has recently become popular among international travelers. Here they took many photos of the stone Buddha statues with their curious expressions, and they liked Nenbutsu-ji very much, saying they would definitely like to visit again in a different season. Finally, the guests expressed a wish to eat gyoza, so I took them to Nishiki Market, introduced them to a gyoza restaurant, and we parted ways there.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Toshi

After a rather long teaching experience at Japanese college, I converted my career about 6 years ago into working as a tour guide for the tourists visiting Japan.
As my career overseas, I’ve been in the UN and the Japanese Embassy, all in the USA, totaling more than 6 years.
And then I had made a big change in my career from a diplomat to an academic researcher. For that career to achieve, I studied abroad and won a doctorate degree in linguistics from Indiana University and landed a teaching position at college in Japan.
With all these interesting and exciting experiences I’ve made myself ready to enrich your tour and make it both enjoyable and worthwhile.

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Apr 26, 2026
39ferdinandr
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Exceptional and entertaining
Great tour better the tour guide Toshi.

Apr 9, 2026
X1429XKclaudiam
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Sehr zu empfehlen
Wir haben als Familie diese 6-stundige Tour durch Kyoto…

Jun 28, 2025
WilliamAlfonso_R
Toshi is a very eloquent, knowledgeable, and diligent tour guide.
Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi was…

May 30, 2025
Z
ZevP5
Best Tour Guide!
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshi was the best guide!! He was so…