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
- 09:45 The Thousand Kyoto
- 10:10 Fushimiinari
- 11:30 Kiyomizudera (500)
- Lunch（Kura Sushi Kinkakuji branch）
- 13:50 Kinkakuji (500)
- 14:50 Bamboo Grove
- 15:30 Teramachi Shopping Arcade
- 16:00 End of the tour
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered The Thousand Kyoto at 09:45, Fushimiinari at 10:10, Kiyomizudera (500) at 11:30, Kinkakuji (500) at 13:50, Bamboo Grove at 14:50 and Teramachi Shopping Arcade at 15:30.
Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Arashiyama
The guests were a group visiting from North America. It was again very hot with strong sunshine today. We first went to Fushimi Inari Shrine, but at the next stop, Kiyomizu-dera, some of the guests gave up and rested at the main hall, while the rest of the group and I skipped the Koyasu Pagoda, passed through the inner sanctuary and Otowa Waterfall, and reunited at the entrance. I guided them to shops selling small items made from kimono fabric, Kiyomizu ware, and yatsuhashi, but only one person in the group bought a single piece of raw yatsuhashi. Since it was hot I recommended soft serve ice cream, but they did not have any. For lunch they said they wanted sushi, so we went to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant near Kinkaku-ji, and they were very pleased. After that we saw Kinkaku-ji and went to the bamboo grove in Sagano. We skipped the Tenryu-ji garden and visited only the bamboo grove, while some of the guests waited in a taxi. Finally I took them to the Teramachi shopping arcade, which was out of the blazing sun (because of the Gion Festival we entered from Oike rather than Shijo Street), guided them to various shops, and ended the tour there. They were using parasols, but this unusual heat seemed to have worn them out.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
I’m Ryoichi Kazuma and my nickname is “Kazz”. I live in Kyotanabe city next to Kyoto city. I want guests to enjoy Kyoto by seeing and experiencing not only from outside but also from inside. I offer various information from daily matters to traditional cultures. Most destinations in Kyoto are located on the eastern side or the western side. As I want to guide guests to as many destinations as possible, I make an efficient itinerary and recommend a taxi use to save time. Additionally, I take pictures at various spots and finally share the link to my storage. By doing so, guests can download their favorite pictures from my storage. Please enjoy Kyoto night and day!
Jul 14, 2026
T6871WWricharde
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kazz gave a great one on one 8 hour custom tour…
Jul 14, 2026
T6871WWricharde
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kazz gave a great one on one 8 hour custom tour of Kyoto
Ryoich Kazuma (Kazz) was an amazing guide! He picked me up at my hotel and expertly guided me around Kyoto, showing me a custom set of sites. His background revealed interesting facts about the sites and related Japanese culture. He photographed moments for me and later shared all the pictures, allowing me to enjoy the sites rather than focusing on taking all my own pictures. He prepared an itinerary in advance and gave me useful information about how much local currency would be needed as well as estimated admission and transportation costs. Basically have 15000 yen ready and use a Suica card and everything is easy! We had a lovely lunch around midday as well. I highly recommend the tour and can’t say enough good things about Kazz! Love every moment!!
Jun 5, 2026
mateoe216
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Would book again
The tour with Kazuma-san was absolutely great. As someone…
Jun 5, 2026
mateoe216
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Would book again
The tour with Kazuma-san was absolutely great. As someone who has never taken a private tour before, I was unsure what to expect. Kazuma-san met us at our hotel, was very friendly and knowledgeable. His English is also good. As me and my mother took more time than planned at the different sites we visited, Kazuma-san was able to provide us with interesting explanations and history facts throughout it all, even smells of local flora, and he took photos for us even after the alloted 4 hours were over and we were on our way back. One highlight for me was a high end porcelain shop near kiyomizudera.
I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to get a feel for Kyoto’s temples and history.
May 27, 2026
Leah_D
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Absolutely recommend!
I definitely recommend seeing some of the sights with a…
May 27, 2026
Leah_D
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Absolutely recommend!
I definitely recommend seeing some of the sights with a guide, we learned so many things we would’ve been clueless about had we done some of the temples and castles on our own. Kazz was a wonderful guide and took pictures of us with his nice camera everywhere we went, so we had a little photo album of our day at the end of it! We had so much fun and are extremely glad we did this. Thank you so much!!
May 26, 2026
sheilacL3330KS
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enthusiastic and knowledgable guide. Much appreciated
Kazz was an excellent guide…
May 26, 2026
sheilacL3330KS
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enthusiastic and knowledgable guide. Much appreciated
Kazz was an excellent guide – very enthusiastic about everything and happy to explain not only the meaning of the ‘golden pavilion’ but also the different properties of bamboo, and the meanings of anything pertinent he noticed in various shops He also took multiple photographs which he sent to us via email .