Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari Taisha — Guide Kaz
August, 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.
Tour Itinerary
- 8:40 Meet @ Kyoto Station Central Gate
- 9:00-9:50 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 10:25-11:30 @ Gion
- 12:25-13:20 @ Kyoto Imperial Palace
- 14:00-14:30 @ Nanzen-ji Suirokaku Aqueduct
- 14:40 Disband @ Subway Tozai Line Higashiyama Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 8:40 at @ Kyoto Station Central Gate and ended at 14:40. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Fushimi Inari Taisha at 9:00, Gion at 10:25, Kyoto Imperial Palace at 12:25 and Nanzen-ji Suirokaku Aqueduct at 14:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kyoto Station to Inari Station by train (150JPY); Fushimi Inari Station to Gion-Shijo by train (220JPY); Shijo Keihan to Karasuma Imadegawa by bus (230JPY); Imadegawa Station to Keage Station by subway (260JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 860JPY per person.
Title: Can You Do a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Covering Fushimi Inari, Gion, and Nanzen-ji? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. One of the guests had been studying Japanese back home, and spoke Japanese when shopping and on similar occasions.
The guests had contacted me in advance to say they would arrive at Kyoto Station a little late, so our meeting time ended up being 10 minutes behind schedule.
Although the temperature was high, Fushimi Inari was relatively uncrowded and easy to walk around. While waiting for the train at Keihan Fushimi Inari Station, I was able to explain things such as the difference between maiko and geiko, which helped save time.
After arriving in Gion, as a measure against the heat, I recommended buying frozen bottled drinks, and the guests purchased them at a convenience store. We used a city bus from Gion to the Kyoto Imperial Palace. It took some time, but the guests said it made for a nice cooling-down break. Since there is almost no shade within the Kyoto Imperial Palace grounds either, I suggested buying ice cream and similar items before walking around.
Because the guests were staying at Ogoto Onsen on the shores of Lake Biwa, they were very moved when I told them that the water flowing through the Nanzen-ji aqueduct comes from Lake Biwa. When I explained the history behind the construction of the Lake Biwa Canal and what the water is used for, they listened with great interest.
At the guests' request, we parted ways at Higashiyama Station on the subway Tozai Line.
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 Station～Inari Station | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Fushimi Inari Station～Gion-Shijo | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Shijo Keihan～Karasuma Imadegawa | 230JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Imadegawa Station～Keage Station | 260JPY |
| Total | 860JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Kyoto Station Central Gate at 8:40, and the tour finished at @ Subway Tozai Line Higashiyama Station at 14:40.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 8:40 to 14:40.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Fushimi Inari Taisha, Gion, Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nanzen-ji Suirokaku Aqueduct.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 860JPY per person across 4 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.