Kyoto: Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple & Gion — Guide Makiko

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

  • 9:00 Hotel Meet
  • 9:30 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
  • 10:15 Bamboo Grove・Arashiyama (from the car window)
  • 11:15 Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • 12:00 Lunch @ Nishio Yatsuhashi
  • 14:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
  • 15:00 Gion
  • 15:30 End at Hotel

Tour Itinerary in Detail

The tour started at 9:00 at Hotel Meet and ended at 15:30. The day ran to 6 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Nishio Yatsuhashi at 12:00.

Over the course of the day the route took in Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple at 9:30, Bamboo Grove・Arashiyama (from the car window) at 10:15, Kinkaku-ji Temple at 11:15, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine at 14:00 and Gion at 15:00.

What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan for the first time from North America. We toured based on their requested locations plus Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, and they were very pleased with the route. For lunch we went to a pleasant restaurant with a view of a Japanese garden, and I believe they were satisfied with the meal as well (noodles, tempura, and so on). I had originally included Nijo Castle in the route, but after arriving I learned that the Ninomaru Palace was closed for viewing that day (until recently it had also been open on Tuesdays). The guests said, "We'll come tomorrow, so it's fine," but it reminded me of the importance of checking in advance. Fushimi Inari, which had not been part of the original plan, was not very crowded, and they seemed satisfied. At the end, at Gion (Shirakawa), the guests kindly suggested taking a group photo together with the driver as well. They said that people in Japan are kind and the city is clean, so I would be happy if this tour also became a good memory of Japan for them. Thank you very much for all your support throughout 2024.

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

Tour Report by Makiko

Hi, I’m Makiko originally from Kobe.
I have graduated from high school and University in the U.S., and working as an English Tour Guide in Japan since in my 20s.
I want my guests to experience the beauty of Japan in Kansai region.
Also, I’m a Sado, tea ceremony instructor , so ask me anything about tea ceremony, and other traditional Japanese culture.
Especially, I would like to take you where you can find peace in your mind through my tour, my recommended places in Kyoto are Fushimi Inari and Nanzenji Temple.
I’m very much looking forward to meeting you!

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Mar 21, 2025
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Highly recommend this tour!
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Wonderful experience
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Both Makiko (our guide) and our driver were incredibly kind,…