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. 8:45 Meet @ Kyoto Station
  • 2. 9:15 Guide to Fushimi Inari Taisha
  • 3. 10:30 Guide to Kiyomizu-dera
  • 4. 12:30 Guide to Nishiki Market, then free time
  • 5. 13:45 Guide to the Imperial Palace
  • 6. 14:45 Disband @ Kyoto Station

What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Nishiki Market

I guided a group visiting from North America. Some of the guests had visited Kyoto once before, about seven years ago. Since the itinerary for the day had already been requested as Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, and Nishiki Market, we started right away with Fushimi Inari Taisha. I explained the fox statues, how to worship, and the relationship between Shinto and evil spirits, and we paid our respects at the main shrine. Along the Senbon Torii, our pace was slow due to the overflowing crowds of tourists and the rain, but the guests enjoyed power spots such as the "Omokaru Ishi" stone and the "Neagari no Matsu" pine tree. After Fushimi Inari Taisha, we moved on to Kiyomizu-dera, walking from the Yasaka Pagoda up the crowded Kiyomizu-zaka approach to reach the main hall. However, since some of the guests were tired, we decided not to enter the main hall and gave up on the worship hall. We walked down Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka, and after finishing our visit to Kiyomizu-dera, we headed to Nishiki Market. At the market, since they wanted to snack their way along in place of lunch, I gave them one hour of free time. Once they had enjoyed the market thoroughly, I recommended the Imperial Palace, which they toured quickly due to the limited time available. The guiding time ran out at the Imperial Palace, so we moved to Kyoto Station, where we parted ways.

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…