Kyoto: Hotel Kyoto Sanjo & Kyoto Station — Guide Masaki
November, 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
- 9:45 Hotel Kyoto Sanjo
- 10:30-10:45 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path
- 11:15-12:45 Lunch (Katsukura, seated around 11:45)
- 12:55-13:15 Ginkaku-ji Temple
- 13:40-14:50 Walk from Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, Kiyomizu-dera Temple to the west side of the Gojozaka intersection
- 15:10-15:30 Nishiki Market Walk
- 15:45 Kyoto Station
Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like in Autumn? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera, and Nishiki Market
This was a private tour in Kyoto for a group visiting from North America, joined by another member of the group who is currently studying at a university in Tokyo. The itinerary was: Hotel → Bamboo Grove path in Arashiyama → lunch (a tonkatsu restaurant near Ginkaku-ji) → Ginkaku-ji → Ninen-zaka, Sannen-zaka, and Kiyomizu-dera → Nishiki Market → Kyoto Station. Originally, after Arashiyama the plan was to see Kinkaku-ji and have lunch in Gion (shabu-shabu or sukiyaki), but the day before, the group requested a change from Kinkaku-ji, which they had already visited the previous year, to another sightseeing spot, along with a request for tonkatsu for lunch, resulting in the itinerary above.
During the tour, we were met with heavy traffic and large crowds in Kyoto during the autumn foliage season. At the tonkatsu restaurant for lunch, the reservation seats were fully booked, so I scheduled an early lunch and we arrived just after 11:00, but there were already two groups waiting. It took 30 minutes to be seated, but the guests waited calmly with pleasant expressions throughout. After visiting Kiyomizu-dera, to avoid traffic, I arranged to meet the vehicle not at a nearby parking lot but on the road west of the Gojo-zaka intersection, an unusual arrangement that required walking a somewhat long distance. The guests kindly cooperated and were pleased to have avoided the heavy congestion. They were very gentle and easygoing, which was a great help.
The highlight of the day was the tonkatsu they had strongly requested. They also ordered crab cream croquettes, shrimp cutlets, and chawanmushi, and enjoyed everything looking very happy. When I explained that the restaurant's sauce is an original recipe made with Saikyo miso, they ended up purchasing a bottle of the sauce that was displayed next to the register at the end.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
My name is Masaki Kitagawa, a male in the middle of 50s living in Kyoto with my wife, son and three cats. While working for a local energy company on weekdays, I’ve been a tour guide on weekends since 2019 and enjoy interacting with people coming from different worlds. It is my great pleasure to help you make your excursion time-efficient and pleasant even during the high seasons in Kyoto. Considering your interests, preferences and priorities, I want to design and make your journey fruitful one. I’m thrilled to be contacted from you. Let’s explore Kyoto !
Jun 3, 2026
Nikki G
Wonderful experience with a great guide!
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Masaki was our guide through…
Jun 3, 2026
Nikki G
Wonderful experience with a great guide!
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Masaki was our guide through Kyoto the day after we arrived. It was a wonderful experience, learning both about the culture and the hidden gems. He shared the details of each temple that he took us to, as well as took us through streets that showed the different styles of the Japanese culture the best part was that he was very communicative prior to and after our tour. He was so on top of everything that he made reservations at a specific restaurant during our tour, based on our interests, so that we do not waste time. It was an area that we would not be able to find on our own, obviously. He also changed some of the areas we were going to tour, based on our sons interest. That was actually the best part for our son, as he was able to experience archery.
The best part is that Masaki is so kind and considerate that there was a typhoon coming through Tokyo during our stay. He knew we were going to be traveling there after Kyoto and he made sure to update us with the train schedules and the storm details. We could not have asked for a better guide through Kyoto. I wish we could utilize his expertise in Tokyo…
May 24, 2026
Pamela_C
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Perfect day in Kyoto with the best guide!…
May 24, 2026
Pamela_C
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Perfect day in Kyoto with the best guide!
Absolutely perfect for getting the most out of a single day in Kyoto. Masaki-san is an excellent tour guide. He communicated well by WhatsApp to set up our plans so we could see everything we wanted. He kindly adjusted our start time after our travel plans were delayed. He figured out the best way to adjust our tour when we spent too long admiring a few places! And he took us to the most amazing local type place for lunch. Overall it was beyond our expectations and we truly are grateful and thankful to Masaki-San for our truly perfect day!
May 4, 2026
TravelersHigh77
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Excellent English speaking guide for Kyoto
Masaki was s wonderful and patient…
May 4, 2026
TravelersHigh77
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Excellent English speaking guide for Kyoto
Masaki was s wonderful and patient guide for our first visit to Kyoto. He explained the significance of the castle and temples we visited, pointing out parts he felt were most interesting. He also went out of his way to help us figure out our bullet train tickets for our return.
Nov 29, 2025
vsairamkumar
Kyoto guided tour
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had great fun exploring Kyoto with Masaki San.…
Nov 29, 2025
vsairamkumar
Kyoto guided tour
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had great fun exploring Kyoto with Masaki San. Masaki San helped us plan the itinerary
and customized it for us. We had a good mix of temples and sights and shopping. Kyoto has
amazing history and sights and temples. We will definitely be back to spend more time.