Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Kazu

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. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • ①　10:00　Hotel meeting (Hotel Wing International Premium Kyoto Sanjo)
  • ②　11:00　Arashiyama (Heiseiin Temple・Bamboo Grove)
  • ③　11:45　Tenryu-ji Temple
  • ④　13:00　Travel by Randen (Keifuku Electric Railroad)
  • ⑤　13:45　Lunch (near Kinkaku-ji Temple)
  • ⑥　14:45　Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • ⑦　15:30　Return to hotel briefly, then head straight to JR Kyoto Station (Activate the ticket for Hiroshima)
  • ⑧　16:30　Disband at Gion

What's a Private Kyoto Tour Like in Summer? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting from Europe. It was their first time in Japan and Kyoto, and they struggled with the hot and humid weather. When I asked why they had chosen this particular season, they explained that this was the only time they could travel because of a summer break. They were traveling to Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and would fly home from Osaka. Originally I was supposed to take them to Gion, but they seemed very concerned about arranging their Shinkansen tickets to Hiroshima. When I offered to help them book the tickets instead of visiting Gion, one of the guests said please do, so we changed the plan on short notice. One of the guests loved Japanese manga, and I was amazed at how skilled they were at drawing anime illustrations.

This private Kyoto tour was arranged through [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/), one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides serving all 47 prefectures. [Japan Guide Agency](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is a winner of the Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best and is not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainSanjo Keihan～Nijo220JPY
Section 2TrainNijo～Saga-Arashiyama200JPY
Section 3TrainRanden Arashiyama～Uzumasa Koryuji250JPY
Total670JPY

Tour Report by Kazu

Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama

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Jul 29, 2026
James_G
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great guide and very…
Great guide and very knowledgeable.…

Jul 13, 2026
peterhR6472GA
Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A wonderful day with Kazu…

Jul 12, 2026
cgalvez73
Fantastic tour guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

Jun 23, 2026
Winni_H
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Highly recommended when in Kyoto
Our tour guide…