Kyoto: Kyoto Handicraft Center — Guide AndyMurao
October, 2025
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
- 10:45 Pickup @ Hotel Elcient Kyoto Hachijoguchi
- 11:00‐11:40 Stroll around the Gion area (stop near Shirakawa for photos, then view Hanamikoji from the car)
- 12:00‐13:10 Lunch at Kyoto Gontaro Main Store (reservations not accepted)
- 13:30-13:50 Kyoto Handicraft Center
- 14:00-14:20 Stroll along the Philosopher's Path (get off near Ginkaku-ji, board on the south side after a short walk)
- 14:45‐14:30 Sightseeing at Sanjusangen-do
- 15:45 Drop-off @ in front of Kyoto Avanti
Title: Can You Do a Private Kyoto Day Trip from an Osaka Cruise Ship? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting Japan from North America, arriving at Osaka Port on a cruise ship. Because the location of the cruise ship's shuttle bus arrival point was unclear, I managed to pick up the group by coordinating over the phone with the shuttle guide. As requested, we strolled through the Gion area and along the Philosopher's Path. At Eikando there was a very long line at the entrance and it was raining, so we changed our destination to Sanjusangendo, which turned out to be the right choice, as everyone gazed intently at the thousand-armed Kannon statues. The driver was also very cooperative, which was a great help.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Hello! I am Andy Murao. I love this job as I can visit various destinations with the people from all over the world. I am always thinking that I could help you know more about Japan and understand the attractiveness of Japan.
I would like to provide a tour in accordance with your request and preference. Please let me know what you want to see, eat, experience, etc. and then I will propose a schedule based on them.
There is one point to note. I like walking very much, so I might be a guide who forces you to take long walks.
I look forward to attending you in Japan.
Best regards,
Andy Murao
Jul 13, 2026
webstere2025
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Excellent
Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our…
Jul 13, 2026
webstere2025
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Excellent
Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our itinerary. He was flexible with changes we requested. Andy was very informative during the tour. He also was willing to take our family’s pictures. We were able to stop and check out shops as we pleased along the way. He also accommodated lunch requests(as our daughter has food allergies).
One thing I wish we realized was that there is quite a bit of walking. We were fine but for people who are perhaps older or with young children you may want to consider taking a cab between different sites.
Jun 21, 2026
Catherine_D
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in Osaka
Andy was great . On time and patience…
Jun 21, 2026
Catherine_D
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in Osaka
Andy was great . On time and patience with our walking tour since we had a 14 yr old with
us. Very informative and picked us up and dropped us off our hotel. Thank you Andy for
showing us Osaka
Jun 6, 2026
eyeessess
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour!
Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide.…
Jun 6, 2026
eyeessess
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour!
Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide. He reached out to us with some ideas for our private tour. He worked with us as we made the tour perfectly suited to our needs. He met us on time. He navigated the crowds and the sites perfectly. He was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot. He even put together a nice photo collection of photos he emailed us after. Highly recommend.
Jun 5, 2026
Janice_W
Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
Great tour of Kyoto
It was a good tour…
Jun 5, 2026
Janice_W
Viator review: Kyoto 9hr Private Tour (Kobe Dep. ) with Licensed Guide
Great tour of Kyoto
It was a good tour & Andy looked after us well. He managed to change things to suite our
walking limitations & we had a good day.