Kyoto: Hyatt Regency Kyoto & Fushimi Inari — Guide Masaki

September, 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

  • 8:30 Hyatt Regency Kyoto
  • 9:15-9:35 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
  • 10:00-10:30 Nijo Castle
  • 11:00-11:30 Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • 11:40-12:40 Lunch (Egao Gohan coco Hana)
  • 12:50-13:10 Ryoan-ji Temple
  • 13:50-14:10 Fushimi Inari
  • 14:30 Hyatt Regency Kyoto

Tour Itinerary in Detail

Over the course of the day the route took in Hyatt Regency Kyoto at 8:30, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at 9:15, Nijo Castle at 10:00, Kinkaku-ji Temple at 11:00, Ryoan-ji Temple at 12:50, Fushimi Inari at 13:50 and Hyatt Regency Kyoto at 14:30.

# What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like for an International Family? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Kyoto, having joined together for a trip to Japan. The day before, they had visited Nara, and late that night I received a message saying they were very tired and, due to the extreme heat, could not walk even short distances. I quickly proposed an itinerary that included two museums, but the reply was that they did not want to visit museums. In the end, the route was Hotel → the Bamboo Grove path in Arashiyama → Nijo Castle → Kinkaku-ji → lunch → Ryoan-ji → Fushimi Inari → Hotel, and apart from the Arashiyama bamboo grove, we took shortcut courses everywhere.

The guests did not seem very interested in guide explanations at the sightseeing spots (giving off an atmosphere of "never mind that, let's move on quickly"), but along the way, in the car, and during meals, they asked many questions. Most were about Japanese society, the economy, and daily life — for example, the state of Kyoto's public transportation, real estate prices, the average annual income and minimum wage in Japan, which industries are competitive, which foods are produced domestically, and what everyday meals are like. Some of their questions were quite probing. For instance, when I explained that a typical Japanese breakfast comes with miso soup and is eaten with chopsticks, they asked fundamental questions such as "Why do Japanese people slurp miso soup?" and "Why do Japanese people use chopsticks?" As a guide, I found this very stimulating.

For lunch, I took the guests to "Egao Gohan coco Hana-na," and they were satisfied.

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

Tour Report by Masaki

My name is Masaki Kitagawa, a male in the middle of 50s living in Kyoto with my wife, son and three cats. While working for a local energy company on weekdays, I’ve been a tour guide on weekends since 2019 and enjoy interacting with people coming from different worlds. It is my great pleasure to help you make your excursion time-efficient and pleasant even during the high seasons in Kyoto. Considering your interests, preferences and priorities, I want to design and make your journey fruitful one. I’m thrilled to be contacted from you. Let’s explore Kyoto !

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