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
- 8:00 Hotel Meet 8:45 Nanzen-ji Temple (Sanmon Gate, Suirokaku Aqueduct, Hojo Garden) 10:10 Higashiyama Area (Yasaka Pagoda, Ninenzaka, Ishibei-koji Alley, Yasaka Shrine) 11:35 Gion
- 12:05 Lunch (Shijo Kawaramachi, Sushi Restaurant) 13:30 Kinkaku-ji Temple 14:25 Tour ends at Kinkaku-ji Temple bus stop
Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Visiting Nanzenji and Kinkakuji Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests visited Japan from North America. Since some of the group understood only Spanish, others interpreted from English into Spanish for them. Nanzenji Temple was quiet in the early morning, with few people around, and had a calm, pleasant atmosphere. The video presentation inside the temple had been revised from an earlier version. There are also many aqueducts in North America, and among the photos I was shown, some were even more impressive than the one at Nanzenji. At Kinkakuji Temple, the restoration work on the Sekkatei teahouse had been completed and its interior was open to the public. By the time we finished the guided tour of Kinkakuji, six hours had already passed. Considering some of the group, I thought it might be better to return to the Hotel, but the guests decided to go to Ryoanji Temple, so I guided them to the bus stop, and the tour for the day came to an end. The photo was taken near the Yasaka Pagoda.
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～Keage | 260JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Keage～Higashiyama | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Higashiyama-sanjo～Kiyomizu-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Shijo Kawaramachi～Saiin | 170JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Saiin～Kinkaku-ji-michi | 230JPY |
| Total | 1,110JPY | ||
I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep knowledge about the history and culture of Japan. He is flexible and accommodates changes if you so desire. He is also very empathetic. I had a sprained back and he ensured we took elevators everywhere. You will be lucky if he is assigned as your guide .
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience…
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience on the tour. We travelled all around Kyoto with our guide Kazuo Sumi. He is a sweet older gentleman who had a great depth of knowledge about each place we went to. We told him places we wanted to go and he made the itinerary for us. There is no one better to have as your guide!!
Jul 16, 2026
margaretsM7923ON
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Great way to see Kyoto
Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided…
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided some excellent recommendations. There’s a lot of walking so make sure you are prepared.