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 Kyoto station pick up
  • 10:10-10:30 to Kiyomizu temple
  • 10:30-11:30 At Kiyomizu temple
  • 11:30-12:00 To Kinkakuji
  • 12:10-13:00 At Kinkakuji
  • 13:00-13:10 To Kitano Tenmangu
  • 13:15-13:40 At Kitano Tenmangu
  • 13:45-14:00 To Nijo Castle
  • 14:10+-15:00 At Nijo Castle
  • 15:05-15:20 To Kyoto station
  • 15:20-15:40 Buy the ticket for returning Tokyo.

What Can You See on a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guest was a person visiting from North America. The meeting at Kyoto Station did not go smoothly and took a little time, but we managed to meet with a loss of just over ten minutes. As arranged beforehand, we visited Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Nijo Castle. In addition, we stopped by Kitano Tenmangu along the way. Since there was still some time, I thought about guiding them to the Imperial Palace or Hongan-ji, but the guest said they would prefer to move up their schedule and return to Tokyo, so we headed to Kyoto Station early and tried to change the ticket. However, possibly due to a login issue, the time change could not be made, so the guest purchased a new ticket for an earlier time, and we ended the tour there. We had many topics in common, such as marathons, and it was an enjoyable tour.

Hi, every one. How have you been? I am JGA tour guide Kazu. It is my great pleasure that I can introduce myself here. I am already more than 70 years old, but I believe I am still young both mentally and physically. I like walking with my customers very much. I am from Tokyo, but now

I live in Kyoto traditional city and an old capital of Japan. I had worked at electric manufacturing company for more than 40 years. While I was working at that company, fortunately I had a lot of chances to visit many foreign countries.

I lived in Singapore, Malaysia, Poland and Mexico. Also I visited America, Britain, and other countries. Basically I used English to proceed my job there, however I always tried to speak local languages as much as possible. Through staying other countries, I found that there were great differences of the culture or the way of thinking between those countries and Japan. I though I had a valuable experience. After I retired from the company 5 years ago, I began to work as a tour guide although I got the National English tour guide license 7 years ago. Besides English I speak Spanish but I don’t have Spanish tour guide license yet. I belong to the comany JGA and worked around 10 days a month. So far I accompanied with mu customers more than 100 groups. All of my tour was good and lucky as I was always favored with gentle and kind customers.

My hobby is playing the guitar, dancing and learning foreign languages. I sometimes join the concert by playing the guitar, and it is fun for me. Though I like dancing, I can not dance well. I only enjoy dancing here in Japan.

About the tour in Japan, I usually take my tourists to the famous spots in Kyoto like Kinkakuji, Kiyomizu dera, Fushimi inari, Gion area,Nishiki market and Arashiyama area. In Arashiyama area we often visit Bamboo forest,Nonomiya shrine,Togetsukyou bridge and Kimono forest. I will cope with my customers demands as much as possible so that I try to visit any places up to your requests.

I welcome a lot for your coming to Japan. and if possible I would like to help you to visit various kind of spots in Japan especially in Kyoto. JGA is very flexible company so that I have a confidence that you will be satisfied with our attitude and hospitality. I am glad that many of my customers told that it was so nice to travel around Japan. We will and I will expect you come down to Japan any time and we are ready to help your memorable trip in Japan. I can not wait!

Sep 26, 2025
kaylah199
Amazing tour guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kazu was extraordinary! He planned a wonderful day for…

Jul 30, 2024
Venture826497
Great time in Kyoto!
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
My daughter and I had an amazing time…

Jul 8, 2024
233vickies
6 hour Kyoto tour with Kazu
Tripadvisor review: Private Kyoto Tour with Government-Licensed Guide and Vehicle (Max 7 persons)
We had…

Jun 21, 2024
Hoc_N
A fascinating experience in Kyoto we won’t forget
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
The most memorable parts…