Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car — Guide Yuka
December, 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. 8:30 Meet up @Onyado Nono
- 2. 9:15 @Kifune Shrine
- 3. 11:00 @Kurama-dera Temple
- 4. 12: 15 Lunch @Sanzen-in Temple
- 5. 13:00 Sanzen-in Temple
- 6. 14:30 @Ginkaku-ji Temple
- 7. 15: 40 @Nanzen-ji Temple
- 8. 16:30 Disband @JR Kyoto Station

Title: What Is a Private Autumn Foliage Tour in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visiting Japan for the second time, and this time they wanted to enjoy the autumn foliage. Since they were taking an evening bullet train to Kanazawa, they requested a two-hour extension, and as the driver's schedule allowed it, the tour was extended. The guests had requested Kifune Shrine, Kurama-dera Temple, Ginkaku-ji Temple, and Nanzen-ji Temple, but the driver kindly offered to take them to Sanzen-in Temple as well. We were also able to have lunch at Sanzen-in, and the guests were delighted, saying, "I had no idea such a wonderful place existed." There was also a tea service, and they loved the matcha drink so much that they were moved, saying it was the most delicious they had ever had, and they purchased some. At Ginkaku-ji Temple, they were able to buy the Nambu ironware wind chime they had been hoping for, and they were very satisfied. They thoroughly enjoyed the autumn foliage at every place we visited, and with tears in their eyes, they repeatedly said, "It was truly a wonderful day." At the time of parting, I checked whether anything had been left behind in the taxi (including the seat pockets!), but while waiting on the platform for the return JR train, I received a distressed call from the guests saying, "My wallet is missing!" I immediately had the driver check again, and it was found in the seat pocket, so both the driver and I returned to the drop-off location. The guests apologized many times, but I was simply glad it was found. I reflected that I must check more thoroughly in the future.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Other | Kurama-dera Cable Car Station~Kurama-dera Entrance | 200JPY |
| Section 2 | Other | Kurama-dera Entrance~Kurama-dera Cable Car Station | 200JPY |
| Total | 400JPY | ||
Hi! My name is YUKA. I’ve got the government license in 2018 and joined a half year traning to do the guide. But a half year later I started my carreer, Covid came. I should have given up guiding. During the Covid, I’ve read many books and made my own materials to explain Japanese culture, history, etc. I love guiding because the guests expand my horizon all the time and let me know their own country and culture, etc. It is really important for us all to know each other and respect each other to make this world peace. Thank you for coming to Japan! Let’s enjoy Japan together!
Jul 25, 2026
Ann W
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
One of the highlights of my trip, perfect for solo…
Jul 25, 2026
Ann W
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
One of the highlights of my trip, perfect for solo travelers!
My solo tour of Arashiyama with Yuka-san was easily one of the absolute highlights of my trip!
Her clever planning allowed us to beat the crowds completely.
Visiting Otagi Nenbutsu-ji and the moss gardens of Gio-ji was deeply moving, and the quiet atmosphere truly forced a moment of silence. Hearing the nightingales and frogs made it extra magical.
Yuka provided incredible guidance and care throughout the day.
I am returning home with a suitcase full of unforgettable stories!
Jul 14, 2026
Elizabeth W
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
Great tour
We had a great tour with…
Jul 14, 2026
Elizabeth W
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
Great tour
We had a great tour with Yuka. She customized the trip based on our interests and made everything easy
Jul 11, 2026
Dianna-fam
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Wonderful Tour, Wonderful Guide!
My teenage boys and I…
Jul 11, 2026
Dianna-fam
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Wonderful Tour, Wonderful Guide!
My teenage boys and I had a wonderful private walking tour of Osaka with our guide Yuka! After I booked the Japan Guide Agency tour through TripAdvisor, Yuka reached out to me directly about our itinerary. She was very accommodating and responsive during the planning stage, and was extremely flexible right up until the day of our tour with last minute changes. She was a wonderful tour guide and incorporated all the sights that we wanted to visit, with a lot of interesting history/facts provided along the way. She spoke very good English and was easy to understand. Would highly recommend this tour (and Yuka!) as a very efficient/immersive way to experience and explore Osaka.
Jul 1, 2026
Christian_L
Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto visite with Yuka : Wow !
Wow ! Yuka was…
Jul 1, 2026
Christian_L
Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto visite with Yuka : Wow !
Wow ! Yuka was an amazing guide and the visite was better than our expectations ! We gave learned a lot and the kids loved it !
