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
- 8:30 DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Station
- Meet with guests
- Travel by taxi
- 8:45 Arrive at Kiyomizu-dera, guided tour
- Around 10:15 Depart Kiyomizu-dera, head to Sannenzaka
- Around 10:30 Arrive at Sannenzaka and Yasaka Pagoda
- Around 10:50 Arrive at Gion, guided tour
- Around 11:15 Walk along Shijo Street browsing shops
- Around 11:40 Arrive at Pontocho, guided tour
- Around 12:00 Arrive at Nishiki Market
- 13:00 Depart Nishiki Market
- 13:30 Arrive at Nijo Castle, guided tour
- 14:30 Tour ends at Nijo Castle
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at Nishiki Market at 13:00, the group explored Kyoto until the tour ended at 14:30. The day ran to 1 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish.
The itinerary covered DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Station at 8:30, Kiyomizu-dera, guided tour at 8:45 and Nijo Castle, guided tour at 13:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Shijo (Kyoto Municipal) to Nijojo-mae by subway (220JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 220JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kiyomizu-dera, Nishiki Market, and Nijo Castle
The guests visited Japan from Oceania, and I guided a one-day tour of Kyoto. At Kiyomizu-dera Temple, they enjoyed the experience of drinking water from the Otowa Waterfall and receiving a goshuin (temple seal stamp). One of the guests was very interested in Japanese history and had many questions, such as about the Japanese emperor and when prime ministers began to be chosen. After Kiyomizu-dera, we stopped at a yatsuhashi shop along the approach, where they sampled matcha-flavored sweets. They also enjoyed taking photos at the Yasaka Pagoda and in Gion. On Shijo Street, they purchased small candies at a candy shop, where there was a live candy-making demonstration that they watched with great interest.
They especially enjoyed Nishiki Market, where they bought Kobe beef and yakitori for lunch at a yakitori shop. They also wished to buy a knife from a well-known cutlery store, so I took them there. For dessert, they purchased strawberry chocolate at a shop in Nishiki Market. They said they could spend a whole day at Nishiki Market. One of the guests loved wagyu and stopped at every shop selling it. Another preferred yakitori and bought that instead. After Nishiki Market, we took the subway to Nijo Castle, where they were very interested in the story of the return of political power to the emperor and the reasons the castle was built. The tour concluded at Nijo Castle when the scheduled time came to an end.
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 | Shijo (Kyoto Municipal)～Nijojo-mae | 220JPY |
| Total | 220JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Nishiki Market at 13:00, and the tour finished at Tour ends at Nijo Castle at 14:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 1 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 13:00 to 14:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Station, Kiyomizu-dera, guided tour and Nijo Castle, guided tour.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 220JPY per person across 1 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?
Mako 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 Mako. I’m from Nara and live in Kobe city in Japan right now. I used to live in mountainous area in Nara.
Nara is famous for deer. There is no sea in Nara. On the other hands, Kobe is one of famous port cities in Japan and famous for Kobe beef and night views.
My favorite food is Yatsuhashi. It is one of famous sweets in Kyoto city. When I was a University student, I used to be a volunteer guide at Kiyomizu temple in Kyoto. There are many shops which sells yatsuhashi in Kyoto.
I like traveling. I have been to Canada, South Korea, France, Australia and the United States.
I studied English in South Florida University when I was a university student. I stayed for about 1 year. During stay in the U.S, I visited Las Vegas, New York, Boston, Miami, and so on. After that I worked at the travel company in Japan. Then I got the license of tour guide in 2014. I started to work as a tour guide in 2015. I usually visit Kyoto, Nara ,Osaka and Kobe with my guests. I’m very looking forward to meeting you!
Apr 29, 2026
K Q
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Excellent Tour. Highly Recommend. Guide Mako was fantastic.
Our guide, Mako,…
Apr 29, 2026
K Q
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Excellent Tour. Highly Recommend. Guide Mako was fantastic.
Our guide, Mako, was so fantastic. We had told her what we were interested in doing and she planned a perfect day. Her knowledge of the historical sites is extensive and interesting.
She is very friendly and fun. She was also considerate to go at our pace.
Would highly recommend seeing the Castle and the Golden Temple.
Apr 14, 2026
A2440DSamandao
Tripadvisor review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Best Day in Kyoto with Mako
Mako was…
Apr 14, 2026
A2440DSamandao
Tripadvisor review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Best Day in Kyoto with Mako
Mako was such an amazing tour guide, we had the absolute best day with her. We were able to squeeze in so many sights and with the private car it was such a breeze. Highly recommend this customized private tour (and Mako if she is available, definitely request her)!!
Oct 3, 2025
uppervalley1
Must do in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
The private tour of Kyoto and its temples…
Oct 3, 2025
uppervalley1
Must do in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
The private tour of Kyoto and its temples was fantastic. Saw more in the half day than what
we would have in 2 days. Mako was fantastic letting us know the history behind all the
areas. This made the experience all the better. 100% recommend
Nov 24, 2024
Alison_R
Excellent Kyoto tour!
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Absolutely incredible experience with Mako as our guide. She…
Nov 24, 2024
Alison_R
Excellent Kyoto tour!
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Absolutely incredible experience with Mako as our guide. She is knowledgeable and organized, and I felt like in another life we could have been friends. She made us feel so welcome and had a lot of interesting information to share during our tour. She took great pictures on our behalf! We absolutely recommend a tour with Mako.