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
- 09:00 HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO
- 09:30 Kiyomizudera (500)
- 11:00 Fushimiinari (0)
- 12:30 Kinkakuji (500)
- Lunch（CoCo Ichibanya）
- 14:30 Bamboo Grove
- Arashiyama area by walking
- 15:00 HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO
- End of the tour
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO at 09:00, Kiyomizudera (500) at 09:30, Fushimiinari (0) at 11:00, Kinkakuji (500) at 12:30, Bamboo Grove at 14:30 and HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO at 15:00.
What Does a Private Kyoto Day Tour Look Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, and Kinkaku-ji
The guests were visitors from North America. After Kiyomizu-dera, I took them to a Kiyomizu-yaki pottery shop, where they purchased a pair of tea cups and a Japanese-style painting on a shikishi board for about 100,000 yen. At Fushimi Inari, they bought two torii-shaped ema plaques, dedicating one as a prayer for improvement in the performing arts and planning to use the other as a Christmas tree ornament. At Kinkaku-ji, they tried a sample and enjoyed the peanut snacks from Mamemasa so much that they bought some. For lunch, I had suggested my usual options of a family restaurant or conveyor-belt sushi, but they said they wanted to eat Japanese curry, so we went to the CoCo Ichibanya in Hanazono on the way to the bamboo grove. CoCo Ichibanya is my favorite curry chain, so I knew all about the rice portions and spice levels, which made everything smooth. The guests told me they sometimes buy Japanese Golden Curry and make it at home as well. They seemed to really enjoy the tonkatsu curry. The final stop was scheduled to be Teramachi shopping street, but since they had already done a lot of shopping, I took them back to their hotel and ended the tour there.
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 .