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
- 9:00 Meet @ Kyoto Station
- 9:20 Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 11:15 Tenryu-ji Temple
- 12:00 Bamboo Grove
- 12:30 Lunch
- 13:20 Togetsukyo Bridge
- (By taxi)
- 14:00 Gion
- (By taxi)
- 15:00 Dismissal @ Kyoto Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:00 at @ Kyoto Station and ended at 15:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch at 12:30.
Over the course of the day the route took in Fushimi Inari Taisha at 9:20, Tenryu-ji Temple at 11:15, Bamboo Grove at 12:00, Togetsukyo Bridge at 13:20 and Gion at 14:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kyoto to Inari by train (150JPY); Inari to Saga-Arashiyama by train (240JPY). Across 2 sections the fare came to 390JPY per person.
What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like for Cruise Ship Passengers Arriving at Osaka Port? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. They were traveling by cruise ship and arriving from Osaka Port, so I provided transfer directions to Kyoto Station in advance. At Kyoto Station, I also gave them guidance about their return train. The original plan was to end the tour in Gion so they could explore the area on their own afterward, but since their time to return to the ship became earlier than initially expected, at the guests' request we skipped Kiyomizu-dera and I guided them around Gion instead. All of the guests were very friendly, and we shared some common topics, so we were able to talk a great deal. They seemed interested in Zen, and at Tenryu-ji they asked many questions. They were also moved by the bamboo grove. For lunch they enjoyed a wagyu sukiyaki rice bowl and were very pleased with it. After lunch, I took them to Togetsukyo Bridge and from there we headed to Gion by taxi. The area around Gion Shirakawa had few people, so we were able to walk at a leisurely pace. After parting at Kyoto Station, they mentioned they wanted to do a little shopping, so I informed them of their return train time. I was a bit worried about whether they would make it back to the cruise ship in time, but they kindly contacted me to let me know they had returned safely, which was a great relief.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Kyoto～Inari | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Inari～Saga-Arashiyama | 240JPY |
| Total | 390JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Kyoto Station at 9:00, and the tour finished at @ Kyoto Station at 15:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 9:00 to 15:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Fushimi Inari Taisha, Tenryu-ji Temple, Bamboo Grove, Togetsukyo Bridge and Gion.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 390JPY per person across 2 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Mickey is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kyoto itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hello! I’m Miyuki Konishi. It’s my great pleasure to guide visitors from other countries and welcome you to Japan. I would be happy if you make great memories in Japan with my support. Precious memories become our life treasures. So, I’d love to help you make them.
I love Japanese culture, history, customs and so on. I know a lot about Kyoto and Nara. Additionally, I have a certificate as an English speaking guide for Himeji Castle and as a kimono instructor.
I’ll do my best to make your trip wonderful. Let’s enjoy exploring Japan together!
May 17, 2026
Barry_L
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
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Mickey was great. We put together an…
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Barry_L
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Fun, Flexible, Friendly and Informative
Mickey was great. We put together an itinerary together and was flexible on making changes to accommodate our needs. She speaks English and is very informative. She has a fun personality and we would highly recommend her. We hope to show her around South Florida one day.
Apr 29, 2026
Dream20497216370
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Great experience in Kobe
We had a great time with Micky, our guide while visiting Kobe. She was very informative of
the history of the city, helpful and accommodating to our needs. We didn’t feel rushed and
kept the tour at our pace.. We highly recommend her.