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

  • 9:30 Meet up @ KIZASHI THE SUITE
  • 9:45 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
  • 10:50 Nijo Castle
  • 12:10 Lunch
  • 13:35 Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • 14:20 Ryoan-ji Temple
  • 15:30 Disband @ KIZASHI THE SUITE

Tour Itinerary in Detail

The tour started at 9:30 at @ KIZASHI THE SUITE and ended at 15:30. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch at 12:10.

Over the course of the day the route took in Kiyomizu-dera Temple at 9:45, Nijo Castle at 10:50, Kinkaku-ji Temple at 13:35 and Ryoan-ji Temple at 14:20.

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

The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from North America. As it was their first day in Kyoto, they were quite excited. They had requested the highlights, so I arranged some of the most famous sights, and I believe they were satisfied with all of them. In particular, they had been looking forward to the rock garden at Ryoan-ji Temple, and we were able to spend plenty of time there. I took the guests to a restaurant that could accommodate their needs, and they were very satisfied with the quality of the food.

Thanks for joining our tour. I’m Hiro Nakagawa, assigned to be your guide for this tour. I was eligible as a National Licensed Tour Guide in 2017. I have guided many tourists from overseas since then. Japan is a beautiful country with full of various attractions. Please enjoy your time in this country to the fullest. I will help you with that. What are you interested in this country? I will introduce this country’s long history, traditional culture, beautiful seasonal highlights, and delicious food to you. Please let me know your preferences. If it’s other than which I mentioned, I’m preparing it for you as much as possible. Let’s enjoy the trip together!

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