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 pick you up at Kujo Station
- (take subway)
- 10:20 Nijo Castle
- 11:10 (take subway)
- 12:00 Arashiyama
- (we have lunch)
- 12:40 TenryujTemple
- 13:10 Bombo forest
- Nonomiya Shrine
- 14:15 Saga-Arashiyama Sta.
- 14:55 Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 15:50 Fushimiinari Sta.
- 16:00 Gionshijo Sta.
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered pick you up at Kujo Station at 10:00, Nijo Castle at 10:20, (take subway) at 11:10, Arashiyama at 12:00, TenryujTemple at 12:40, Bombo forest at 13:10, Saga-Arashiyama Sta. at 14:15, Fushimi Inari Taisha at 14:55, Fushimiinari Sta. at 15:50 and Gionshijo Sta. at 16:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kujo (Kyoto) to Nijojo-mae by train (260JPY); Nijojo-mae to Uzumasa Tenjingawa by train (260JPY); Randen Tenjingawa to Arashiyama (Keifuku Line) by train (250JPY); Saga-Arashiyama to Inari by train (240JPY); Fushimi Inari to Gion-Shijo by train (240JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 1,250JPY per person.
What's a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama, Nijo Castle, and Fushimi Inari
[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide picked up the group from North America at Kujo Station. One of the guests was visiting Japan for the third time, while the others were visiting for the first time.
It was very hot, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees. For lunch in Arashiyama, we enjoyed rice bowls and udon set meals.
At Nijo Castle, there were many questions about the emperor and shoguns, which I answered.
When I introduced the lotus flowers in the lotus garden at Tenryu-ji Temple, one of the guests was already very knowledgeable about them.
At Tenryu-ji Temple, I introduced the dry landscape garden, the pond garden, and the bamboo grove, and the guests listened attentively.
I introduced the Daruma depicted on a hanging scroll at Tenryu-ji Temple, and when I showed the Daruma souvenirs at Fushimi Inari, the guests remembered it.
At the end of the tour, the guests wanted to have dinner around Gion, so I guided them to Gion-Shijo, where the tour concluded.
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 | Kujo (Kyoto)～Nijojo-mae | 260JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Nijojo-mae～Uzumasa Tenjingawa | 260JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Randen Tenjingawa～Arashiyama (Keifuku Line) | 250JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama～Inari | 240JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Fushimi Inari～Gion-Shijo | 240JPY |
| Total | 1,250JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited pick you up at Kujo Station, Nijo Castle, (take subway), Arashiyama, TenryujTemple, Bombo forest, Saga-Arashiyama Sta., Fushimi Inari Taisha, Fushimiinari Sta. and Gionshijo Sta..
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,250JPY 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?
Hideyoshi 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 HIDEo YOSHIda. Please call me HIDEYOSHI, the same name as a famous shogun who unified Japan for the first time in 1590.
I was born in Kobe, worked in Osaka for nearly 40 years. I would like to introduce you Kansai region, including Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Wakayama.
In Kyoto, I can guide you Nijojo Castle, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkakuji Tempe (Golden Pavilion), Gion area, and Fushimi Inari Taisha.
In Osaka, I’ll show you Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Dotonbori, and Umeda Sky biilding. We have locall foods such as Kushikatau, Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki.
In Kobe, I’ll take you to former foreign residential area, Sannomiya Shopping Street, Chinese Market, and Arima Onsen.
In Nara, I’ll guide you Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, and Yakushiji Temple.
In Wakayama, I take you to Koyasan, the center of Esoteric Buddhism.
I enjoy guiding foreign tourists.
I can show you Japanese history, especially samurai period, and Shinto and Buddhism.
I’ve been looking forward to guiding you !!
Jun 1, 2026
Stephan_F
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great overview of the…
Great overview of the highlights of Kyoto with…
Jun 1, 2026
Stephan_F
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great overview of the…
Great overview of the highlights of Kyoto with an excellent guide. Just beware that the
different sites may be located at different ends of the city so you will spend time on trains.
Also, in the summer a parasol is probably a good idea as it can get hot.
May 28, 2025
terrym866
Kyoto guided tour was as promised. Very knowledgeable guide and driver .
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Kobe with…
May 28, 2025
terrym866
Kyoto guided tour was as promised. Very knowledgeable guide and driver .
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Kobe with Licensed Guide and Vehicle
Tour was as promised , well planned and executed. The guide was very knowledgeable and
friendly and went out of his way to make sure we were pleased.
Oct 17, 2024
katiya2017
Walking visit in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Government-Licensed Guide
We booked a full day walking…
Oct 17, 2024
katiya2017
Walking visit in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Government-Licensed Guide
We booked a full day walking tour excursion from Osaka to Kyoto from our cruise ship. Hideo Yoshida met us promptly and escorted us all day from Osaka to visit 4 of Kyotos most famous sites.
He proved to be a true Japanese gentleman, very polite , very knowledgeable and knew the train system well. We must have changed at least 10 trains and it would have been impossible to navigate this without him. Also we had our most delicious sushi and sashimi lunch in Japan in a restaurant he recommended.
Thank you Hideo for providing us a wonderful insight in Kyotos history.
Sep 29, 2024
Roy_M
Excellent tour of Kyoto
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a very good private tour with…
Sep 29, 2024
Roy_M
Excellent tour of Kyoto
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a very good private tour with Hide Yoshi – he made a good plan for us and whisked us around Kyoto to the key sites very efficiently. He had good knowledge about the places we visited and had prepared materials and photos to show us. He really helped us to get the maximum out of our time in Kyoto and is a really nice person. Also took us for an excellent lunch! Highly recommended.