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
- 10:00 Meet near JR Kyoto Station
- 10:05 Explanation of the itinerary and a brief overview of Kyoto's history
- 10:30 Nijo Castle
- 11:40 Lunch around the Sanjo area
- 12:30 Pontocho ~ Tatsumi Bridge・Shinbashi
- 13:15 Chugen-ji Temple
- 13:30 Stroll through central Gion (Hanamikoji Street)
- 14:00 Yasui Konpira Shrine
- 14:30 Yasaka Pagoda
- 15:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
- 16:30 Disband at JR Inari Station
Title: What's a Private Tokyo Tour with a Licensed Guide Like? A Guide's Report on Japanese Religion and Cuisine
The guests were a group visiting from North America. Some of the guests had visited Japan a long time ago, but for the rest this was their first trip to Japan.
I explained many things, but what interested them most was how Japanese people relate to religion. For example, they eagerly asked about what Shinto and Buddhism are as presences in Japan, what the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism means, and how visiting a shrine differs from visiting a temple, showing deep curiosity about the essence of how people engage with these religions. I also explained about Obon and visiting family graves, and they listened very attentively. The younger members of the group were growing up so wonderfully and were truly delightful. Today they tried okonomiyaki and yakisoba for the first time. They also listened intently as I described kaiseki cuisine and the traditional style of one soup and three side dishes.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama
Jul 29, 2026
James_G
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great guide and very…
Great guide and very knowledgeable.…
Jul 29, 2026
James_G
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great guide and very…
Great guide and very knowledgeable. Spoke perfect English and made the day fun and educational. Was able to adjust the tour based on my needs.
Jul 13, 2026
peterhR6472GA
Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A wonderful day with Kazu…
Jul 13, 2026
peterhR6472GA
Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A wonderful day with Kazu san in Kyoto. From the moment that the tour was booked, his communication with email about planning the day was exceptional.
Kazu gave detailed explanations about the areas we visited and we appreciated all that he had to offer at each of our stops.
We thoroughly enjoyed our day with him.
Jul 12, 2026
cgalvez73
Fantastic tour guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…
Jul 12, 2026
cgalvez73
Fantastic tour guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu. By the end of the day, we felt like we had made a new friend.
Kazu helped us arrange the best day with our short time in Kyoto. He brought us to some “hidden gems” and gave us thorough explanations on history and culture.
I would highly recommend this tour.
Jun 23, 2026
Winni_H
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Highly recommended when in Kyoto
Our tour guide…
Jun 23, 2026
Winni_H
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Highly recommended when in Kyoto
Our tour guide Kazu was very knowledgeable in terms of the history and explaining many of
the wonderful ancient sites around Kyoto. Definitely a must! Otherwise, I think it would be
difficult to tourists to understand on their own.