Kyoto: The microbus start — Guide Hideyoshi
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
- 11:00 pick you up at the lobby of your hotel
- (guest check out and carry the baggages to the bus)
- 11:35 The microbus start
- 11:45 arrive at Kodaiji parking
- walk on Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka and Kyomizu-zaka slope
- 12:00 Kiyomizu Temple
- 14:10 (leave)
- 14:40 Arashiyama
- ・Bamboo Forest
- ・Tenryuji Temple
- (we have snack)
- 16:00 (leave)
- 16:50 arrive at Shijo Kawaramachi intersection
- 17:00 at Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in pick you up at the lobby of your hotel at 11:00, The microbus start at 11:35, Kodaiji parking at 11:45, Kiyomizu Temple at 12:00, (leave) at 14:10, Arashiyama at 14:40, (leave) at 16:00, Shijo Kawaramachi intersection at 16:50 and at Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station at 17:00.
Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like With Luggage Transfer? A Licensed Guide's Report
At 11:00 I attempted to pick up the guests at their accommodation, but their check-out was not yet complete. The guests asked whether nine suitcases could be loaded onto the vehicle, as they would be moving to Osaka Umeda that evening. I confirmed by phone with the driver, who said it was fine, but the microbus could not stop directly in front of the accommodation. The guests said they would wait on Kawabata Street. In the end, the accommodation staff worked together to carry all nine suitcases to the bus, and the tour started at 9:35.
Because the tour started late, I adjusted the schedule with the guests. We decided not to visit Kinkaku-ji, and they said a light lunch would be fine.
At Kiyomizu-dera the guests bought a charm, ate ice cream on Kiyomizu-zaka, and purchased chopsticks.
In Arashiyama, some of the guests rested in the bus while the rest joined the tour. They enjoyed snacks such as pork buns, meatballs, and tempura.
The guests had already reserved assigned seats on the Hankyu Prime Car (17:35). I guided the guests to the platform at Hankyu Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, and the tour ended there.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Hello, I’m HIDEo YOSHIda. Please call me HIDEYOSHI, the same name as a famous shogun who unified Japan for the first time in 1590.
I was born in Kobe, worked in Osaka for nearly 40 years. I would like to introduce you Kansai region, including Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Wakayama.
In Kyoto, I can guide you Nijojo Castle, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkakuji Tempe (Golden Pavilion), Gion area, and Fushimi Inari Taisha.
In Osaka, I’ll show you Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Dotonbori, and Umeda Sky biilding. We have locall foods such as Kushikatau, Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki.
In Kobe, I’ll take you to former foreign residential area, Sannomiya Shopping Street, Chinese Market, and Arima Onsen.
In Nara, I’ll guide you Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, and Yakushiji Temple.
In Wakayama, I take you to Koyasan, the center of Esoteric Buddhism.
I enjoy guiding foreign tourists.
I can show you Japanese history, especially samurai period, and Shinto and Buddhism.
I’ve been looking forward to guiding you !!
Jun 1, 2026
Stephan_F
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great overview of the…
Great overview of the highlights of Kyoto with…
Jun 1, 2026
Stephan_F
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great overview of the…
Great overview of the highlights of Kyoto with an excellent guide. Just beware that the
different sites may be located at different ends of the city so you will spend time on trains.
Also, in the summer a parasol is probably a good idea as it can get hot.
May 28, 2025
terrym866
Kyoto guided tour was as promised. Very knowledgeable guide and driver .
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Kobe with…
May 28, 2025
terrym866
Kyoto guided tour was as promised. Very knowledgeable guide and driver .
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Kobe with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
Tour was as promised , well planned and executed. The guide was very knowledgeable and
friendly and went out of his way to make sure we were pleased.
Oct 17, 2024
katiya2017
Walking visit in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Government-Licensed Guide
We booked a full day walking…
Oct 17, 2024
katiya2017
Walking visit in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Government-Licensed Guide
We booked a full day walking tour excursion from Osaka to Kyoto from our cruise ship. Hideo Yoshida met us promptly and escorted us all day from Osaka to visit 4 of Kyotos most famous sites.
He proved to be a true Japanese gentleman, very polite , very knowledgeable and knew the train system well. We must have changed at least 10 trains and it would have been impossible to navigate this without him. Also we had our most delicious sushi and sashimi lunch in Japan in a restaurant he recommended.
Thank you Hideo for providing us a wonderful insight in Kyotos history.
Sep 29, 2024
Roy_M
Excellent tour of Kyoto
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a very good private tour with…
Sep 29, 2024
Roy_M
Excellent tour of Kyoto
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a very good private tour with Hide Yoshi – he made a good plan for us and whisked us around Kyoto to the key sites very efficiently. He had good knowledge about the places we visited and had prepared materials and photos to show us. He really helped us to get the maximum out of our time in Kyoto and is a really nice person. Also took us for an excellent lunch! Highly recommended.