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

  • ①9:00 Hotel
  • ②9:10〜10:00 Murin-an
  • ③10:10〜10:50 Blue Bottle Coffee (breakfast)
  • ④10:50〜11:20 Nanzen-ji Temple・Suirokaku Aqueduct
  • ⑤11:40〜12:00 Ginkaku-ji Temple
  • ⑥12:20〜12:30 Senbon Shakado
  • ⑦12:50〜13:30 Ryoan-ji Temple
  • ⑧13:30 Ninna-ji Temple (from the car window)
  • ⑨13:40 Nijo Castle (from the car window)
  • ⑩13:50〜14:05 Nishi Hongan-ji Temple
  • 11. 14:15〜14:30 To-ji Temple
  • 12. 14:50 Hotel

What Can You See on a Private 6-Hour Kyoto Tour Focused on Gardens and World Heritage Sites? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. They wished to visit as many Japanese gardens and World Heritage sites as possible. Since walking, including stairs, was difficult for one of the guests, they were able to visit Murin-an and Ryoan-ji together, while at the other sightseeing spots the guests waited in the car. As much as possible, I arranged the route to pass in front of World Heritage sites so they could take photos or view them from the car window. They had also booked another tour with a vehicle for a different day, planning to visit sites such as Tenryu-ji and Kiyomizu-dera. It seemed they had mistakenly assumed the one-day course would allow about 8 hours, and when we met in the morning they mentioned that 6 hours felt too short. However, in the end they seemed to become tired, and although they had said they wanted to go shopping and have a meal at the end of the itinerary, they instead asked to return to the Hotel a bit early. I saw them off safely, and the tour concluded.

Hello! I am Osamu Kitagawa , National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter(English). Please call me SAM.
I love Japanese culture, history, and visiting historical places, scenic spots, and fashionable spots as well. I can guide you all over Japan as I have ever visited all prefectures in Japan. I have a global experience in international banking business including residing in Hong Kong and Jakarta. So I’m able to have daily conversations in Indonesian language, too. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon!

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