Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car — Guide Toshi

August, 2024

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

  • 1. 9:30 Meet up @ Kyoto Station
  • 2. 10.00 Fushimi Inari Taisha guided tour
  • 3. 11:00 Kiyomizu-dera guided tour
  • 4. 12:30 Lunch @ Higaki Saryo
  • 5. 14:00 Nishiki Market
  • 6. 15:30 Disperse @ Teramachi

What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Nishiki Market

The guests were a group visiting from North America. They were very polite and cheerful, and I first guided them to Fushimi Inari Taisha, explaining Shinto, and then to Kiyomizu-dera, where I explained Buddhism as we toured each site. They had a strong interest in Japanese culture and listened attentively to my explanations, which made for an enjoyable guiding experience for me. Unfortunately, the Kyoto Imperial Palace was closed that day, so I could not meet the guests' wishes to visit it, but we had lunch at a nearby restaurant and enjoyed casual conversation about Japanese cuisine and more. After lunch, since there was a sudden shower and they wished to go shopping, I guided them to Nishiki Market. They seemed to really enjoy the market, starting a sake tasting comparison and losing track of time as they enjoyed shopping. However, the scheduled time to part ways soon arrived, and when I asked what they would like to do next, the guests said they wanted to enjoy the market and shopping a little longer, so we parted ways in the Teramachi area.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Toshi

After a rather long teaching experience at Japanese college, I converted my career about 6 years ago into working as a tour guide for the tourists visiting Japan.
As my career overseas, I’ve been in the UN and the Japanese Embassy, all in the USA, totaling more than 6 years.
And then I had made a big change in my career from a diplomat to an academic researcher. For that career to achieve, I studied abroad and won a doctorate degree in linguistics from Indiana University and landed a teaching position at college in Japan.
With all these interesting and exciting experiences I’ve made myself ready to enrich your tour and make it both enjoyable and worthwhile.

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Apr 26, 2026
39ferdinandr
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Exceptional and entertaining
Great tour better the tour guide Toshi.

Apr 9, 2026
X1429XKclaudiam
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Sehr zu empfehlen
Wir haben als Familie diese 6-stundige Tour durch Kyoto…

Jun 28, 2025
WilliamAlfonso_R
Toshi is a very eloquent, knowledgeable, and diligent tour guide.
Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Toshi was…

May 30, 2025
Z
ZevP5
Best Tour Guide!
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshi was the best guide!! He was so…