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.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:30 Meet @ JR Nijo Station
- 10:50-12:00 @ Kurama-dera Temple
- 12:00-13:00 @ Kurama-Kifune Mountain Trail
- 13:00-14:15 @ Kifune Shrine
- 14:50-15:30 @ Shimogamo Shrine
- 15:30 Dismissal @ Kawai Shrine
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:30 at @ JR Nijo Station and ended at 15:30. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Kurama-dera Temple at 10:50, Kurama-Kifune Mountain Trail at 12:00, Kifune Shrine at 13:00 and Shimogamo Shrine at 14:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Nijo to Sanjo Keihan by subway (220JPY); Sanjo (Kyoto Prefecture) to Demachiyanagi by train (240JPY); Demachiyanagi to Kurama by train (470JPY); Fugenden to Tahoto Pagoda (200JPY); Kifuneguchi to Demachiyanagi by train (470JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 1,600JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private Kurama and Kifune Hiking Tour in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America, together with one member of the group living in Kazaoka, and they had visited Japan many times before. Since one member of the group understood only Japanese, there were several occasions where I first explained in English and then repeated the explanation in Japanese for that person. One of the guests spoke very quickly and talked a great deal, often chatting with other tourists they met for the first time during the tour, so it was sometimes difficult to find the right timing to give explanations at each site.
At Kurama-dera, we used the cable car for the ascent.
From Kurama to Kifune, we walked along the mountain trail. Along the way, the gap between those at the front and those at the back grew large, so I moved back and forth between them to make sure no one got separated. In the end, the mountain hike alone took about an hour.
At Kifune Shrine, the guests worshipped at the main hall, and afterward some of the guests did the water fortune-telling, so I translated the contents for them.
At Shimogamo Shrine, the guests seemed interested in the story of the shrine's founding and its connection to the Imperial family.
During the tour, I explained the proper way to purify oneself at the water basin at Kurama-dera, and it was memorable that from then on some of the guests kept wanting to perform the purification ritual at every water basin.
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 | Subway | Nijo～Sanjo Keihan | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Sanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)～Demachiyanagi | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Demachiyanagi～Kurama | 470JPY |
| Section 4 | Other | Fugenden～Tahoto Pagoda | 200JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Kifuneguchi～Demachiyanagi | 470JPY |
| Total | 1,600JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ JR Nijo Station at 9:30, and the tour finished at @ Kawai Shrine at 15:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 9:30 to 15:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Kurama-dera Temple, Kurama-Kifune Mountain Trail, Kifune Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,600JPY per person across 5 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?
Kaz 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.
Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!
My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.
I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.
I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.
I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and a pleasure to be with.
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic Kyoto. He was flexible when we decided to modify our itinerary on the morning due to rain forecast the next day. Kaz’s English was great which meant he kept my teenage sons engaged with stories about shoguns and samurai battles. We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden and Silver pavilions. The highlight of the tour with Kaz was being shown around beautiful gardens to see cherry blossoms still blooming and views of the city. We highly recommend going on a tour with him.
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of of the historical aspects of the sites we visit, provided us great guidance on appropriate behavior at each site. He was energetic throughout the tour. More important he was more of a companion which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour…
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour guide! He spent 6 hours showing us around Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple and the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, spoke English well (lived in the US for 3 years), and took lots of photos for us. We are so glad we booked this tour.