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 up @ Genji Kyoto
- 8:50-10:10 @ Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- 10:15-10:35 @ Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka
- 10:50-11:45 @ Kyoto Imperial Palace
- 12:00-12:40 @ Kinkaku-ji Temple
- 13:10-13:50 Cool-down break @ eX cafe
- 14:00-14:30 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- 15:00 Disband @ Genji Kyoto
Title: What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour with a Hired Car Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from Europe. Their native language was of course German, but everyone was so fluent in English that they used it even when talking among themselves.
This tour was arranged through a travel agency. The agency had requested Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple as one of the destinations, but unfortunately the tour date fell on a Wednesday, the temple's closing day, so it was closed. I explained this to the guests, and after receiving their understanding, we began the tour.
One of the guests had a DSLR camera and was very keen on taking photographs, so the tour proceeded at a relaxed pace, waiting until they had finished taking pictures before moving on.
While walking through the Kyoto Imperial Palace grounds, one of the guests said they wanted to sit down because of the heat, but unfortunately there was little shade and no place to sit within the grounds, so they had to endure until we finished the walk. When I lent them an umbrella for shade, they were very pleased.
To avoid the heat, I gave the general explanation of Kinkaku-ji from inside the hired car.
After that, the guests said they did not want lunch but wanted to be taken somewhere they could have shaved ice or something cold, so I guided them to "eX cafe" in Arashiyama.
By the time we finished walking through the Arashiyama bamboo grove, it was 14:30, the scheduled end time of the tour. After the guests agreed that taking them back to their accommodation would incur an additional charge for the hired car, I saw them off at their accommodation and we parted ways.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!
My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.
I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.
I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.
I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and a pleasure to be with.
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic Kyoto. He was flexible when we decided to modify our itinerary on the morning due to rain forecast the next day. Kaz’s English was great which meant he kept my teenage sons engaged with stories about shoguns and samurai battles. We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden and Silver pavilions. The highlight of the tour with Kaz was being shown around beautiful gardens to see cherry blossoms still blooming and views of the city. We highly recommend going on a tour with him.
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of of the historical aspects of the sites we visit, provided us great guidance on appropriate behavior at each site. He was energetic throughout the tour. More important he was more of a companion which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour…
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour guide! He spent 6 hours showing us around Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple and the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, spoke English well (lived in the US for 3 years), and took lots of photos for us. We are so glad we booked this tour.