Kyoto: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Arashiyama — Guide Mizu

February, 2025

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

  • 8:30 meet at Kyoto Sanjo
  • 8:50-9:30 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
  • 9:50-10:50 Sanjusangendo
  • 11:30-12-30 Ginkaku-ji Temple
  • 13:10-14:00 Lunch (Arashiyama area)
  • 14:20-14:50 Arashiyama
  • 15:20 Tour ends at the hotel

Tour Itinerary in Detail

The tour started at 8:30 at Kyoto Sanjo and ended at 15:20. The day ran to 6 hours and 50 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch (Arashiyama area) at 13:10.

Over the course of the day the route took in Kiyomizu-dera Temple at 8:50, Sanjusangendo at 9:50, 12-30 Ginkaku-ji Temple at 11:30 and Arashiyama at 14:20.

What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjusangendo, and Arashiyama

The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. Some of the guests were fond of Japan and were visiting for the third time, while the others were visiting for the first time.

At Kiyomizu-dera, only some of the guests entered, so I gave a compact tour focused on the main stage.

At Sanjusangendo, all of the guests visited and were overwhelmed by the Kannon Bodhisattva statues. Their visit coincided with a Setsubun ritual service, and they listened solemnly.

At Ginkaku-ji, the guests enjoyed the Philosopher's Path and the moss garden.

At lunchtime, the guests requested an extension, so I guided them to the bamboo grove and an observation deck before returning to the hotel.

*This was a tour with a vehicle, and the driver was cooperative. However, at the end of lunch, I could not reach the driver by phone for about 15 minutes, which meant the guests had to wait. Since the guests had eaten lunch quickly to save time, this was quite awkward. The reason the call did not connect was that the driver was in a meeting about a guided tour on a different day. While the guests waited, I explained that this time would not be included in the extension fee and gave an explanation about the history of Arashiyama.

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

Tour Report by Mizu

Hello, my name is Mizuho Yoshikawa. Please call me Mizu and my name means rice and water in Japanese.
I’ve been a tour guide more than 200 times since the spring of 2023 in Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Wakayama and Kochi. My tour is always original and new, depending on the guest’s preferences, encounters, seasons and weather.
In Kyoto, one of my tours is to climb Mt. Kurama. It is about 1 hour from the city of Kyoto by train, it is a very quiet and beautiful mountain.
In Osaka, which is called the kitchen of Japan, I am also in charge of food tour.
In Nara, in addition to the Great Budda Hall, I guide guests to the temple with a really great view and Japanese wine, sake tasting.
Every city has a unique charming point.
The motto of my guiding is ” Ichigo Ichie” Once in a lifetime or seize the day. I learn this concept that the moment will never be the same again through tea ceremonies.
I like a tea ceremony that is part of the traditional Japanese culture and embodies the spirit of “omotenashi” or hospitality. Through the tea ceremony, we can feel the spirit of “omotenashi” that has been passed down to us from ancient times.
And I like to travel abroad and domestically, and I have been to 13 overseas countries and most of the prefectures in Japan. Traveling always gives me a new perspective, which is exciting and thrilling. Nowadays, we can learn a lot from the Internet, but traveling teaches us that it is important to have direct experience. When I travel, I feel that my five senses are infinitely expanded, and through my tour, I help all guests to have the same feeling in Japan.
I was born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is next to Tokyo Prefecture in eastern Japan. When I was little, I could see Mount Fuji from my backyard. There was also a rice field nearby, and I grew up listening to the croaking of frogs. Listening to the frogs and seeing the mountains made me feel very calm.
I moved to the city of Kobe, one of the Kansai areas in western Japan, which includes Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and so on. I’m not from the Kansai area of western Japan, but I think that makes me sensitive to the differences between that area and the Kanto area, Tokyo, where I grew up.
Speaking of Kobe, you might be thinking of Kobe beef. Of course you do. There are also other sake breweries in Nada in Kobe. You can also go from Kobe city to Himeji Castle, also known as the White Egret Castle, which was the first in Japan to be listed as a World Heritage Site in 1993.
Let’s meet and enjoy Japan together!

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