Kyoto: Moxy Kyoto Nijo & Kinkaku-ji — 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

  • 10:00 Moxy Kyoto Nijo
  • 10:25-11:00 Fushimi Inari
  • 11:15-11:45 Sanjusangendo
  • 12:00-13:00 Lunch
  • 14:00-15:00 Arashiyama Monkey Park
  • 15:15-15:40 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path
  • 16:00-16:30 Kinkaku-ji
  • 17:00 Moxy Kyoto Nijo

Tour Itinerary in Detail

From there the group visited Moxy Kyoto Nijo at 10:00, Fushimi Inari at 10:25, Sanjusangendo at 11:15, Arashiyama Monkey Park at 14:00, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove Path at 15:15, Kinkaku-ji at 16:00 and Moxy Kyoto Nijo at 17:00.

Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour with Kids Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from Oceania, some of whom were school-aged, so I proposed an itinerary that included the Monkey Park. The route was as follows: Hotel → Fushimi Inari → Sanjusangendo → lunch (a Kyoto cuisine restaurant) → Arashiyama Monkey Park → the Bamboo Grove Path in Arashiyama → Kinkaku-ji → Hotel.

One of the younger guests showed signs of fatigue even while climbing the steps at Fushimi Inari in the morning and was quite fussy, so I was worried about whether the Monkey Park would be manageable. However, other members of the group said it was "the usual" and firmly encouraged them to keep standing and walking, so we completed the climb while taking plenty of breaks. In the end, the moment this guest saw the monkeys at the top, they suddenly cheered up and started running around energetically.

Another young guest, who was very bright, asked me many questions. These went beyond sightseeing spots, Japanese culture, and customs, touching on things that adults do not usually question, such as "Why is it forbidden to photograph the Buddhist statues in temples?", "Why are children in Japan so well-behaved?", and "Why isn't one Australian dollar equal to one yen?" Many of these were topics I had to think through carefully and organize in order to answer.

A big hit was the sukiyaki set for lunch. Everyone enjoyed the hands-on experience of cooking the hot pot themselves and savored the wagyu beef that seemed to melt in the mouth.

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 !

Request Booking

Jun 3, 2026
Nikki G
Wonderful experience with a great guide!
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Masaki was our guide through…

May 24, 2026
Pamela_C
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Perfect day in Kyoto with the best guide!…

May 4, 2026
TravelersHigh77
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Excellent English speaking guide for Kyoto
Masaki was s wonderful and patient…

Nov 29, 2025
vsairamkumar
Kyoto guided tour
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had great fun exploring Kyoto with Masaki San.…