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
- 8:30 Hotel
- 9:00-10:15 Fushimi Inari
- 10:45-11:45 Sanjusangendo
- 12:15-13:30 Kiyomizu-dera
- 13:30-14:00 Higashiyama area (including Daiunin Gion-kaku)
- 14:30 Arrive at hotel
- Hotel: Higashiyama Shikikaboku (in front of Subway Higashiyama Station)
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in Fushimi Inari at 9:00, Sanjusangendo at 10:45, Kiyomizu-dera at 12:15 and Higashiyama area (including Daiunin Gion-kaku) at 13:30.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Higashiyama to Sanjo by subway (220JPY); Keihan Sanjo to Keihan Fushimi Inari by train (220JPY); Keihan Fushimi Inari to Keihan Shichijo by train (170JPY); Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae to Gojozaka by bus (230JPY); Keihan Gion-shijo to Keihan Sanjo by train (170JPY); Sanjo Keihan to Higashiyama by subway (220JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,230JPY per person.
Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour of Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Higashiyama? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. They came to Japan for a trip and enjoyed the day at ease. The itinerary was an efficient one focused on the southeastern part of the Kyoto basin: Fushimi Inari, then Sanjusangendo, then Kiyomizu-dera, and finally the Higashiyama area. [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guides lead private one-day tours of Kyoto covering exactly these kinds of sights.
The highlight was the last stop, Daiunin Gion-kaku. As I walked ahead explaining, "This place is only open to the public for a few weeks once every several years," it turned out that it was actually open for a special viewing at that very moment. It was the first opening in six years, running for about two and a half months from mid-July to the end of September. Although it was not part of the original plan, I persuaded the guests by saying, "I strongly recommend visiting this," and we went inside.
The exterior is a distinctive structure shaped like one of the floats of the Gion Festival, and inside, the walls along the entire staircase are covered with a wide variety of murals (drawing on Indian mythology), leaving an overwhelming impression. The view looking down over Higashiyama from the top floor was also excellent, and I highly recommend it.
[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. 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. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Subway | Higashiyama～Sanjo | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Keihan Sanjo～Keihan Fushimi Inari | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Keihan Fushimi Inari～Keihan Shichijo | 170JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae～Gojozaka | 230JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Keihan Gion-shijo～Keihan Sanjo | 170JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Sanjo Keihan～Higashiyama | 220JPY |
| Total | 1,230JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Fushimi Inari, Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama area (including Daiunin Gion-kaku).
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,230JPY per person across 6 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?
Ichiro 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 Ichiro F. I’m a government-certified English guide. I guide in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Kobe. Since I started in March 2023, I’ve already led over 130 tours.
(I am 64 years old, live in a city that is the western neighbor of Osaka City, married, and have one daughter who is 30 years old. My favorite pastimes are reading books and going to a gym. )
In September 2019, I retired from an IT company after working there for 37 years, because I turned 60. At that time, I wanted to start something new. I had never lived outside of Japan or used English in my previous job. But, I had been learning English on my own for almost 50 years. I also love reading about Japanese history and culture. That’s why being a guide for English-speaking visitors is perfect for me.
I got my government license in February 2020, but then COVID-19 happened, and Japan closed its borders. I had to wait three years to start working. But, that time was good for preparing. I learned more about Japan and traveled around Kyoto and other places.
I finally started guiding in March 2023 and really enjoy it. Japan, especially Kyoto, has many historical places. Japan has four seasons, and I can experience the changes by walking outside with my clients. The more I guide, the more I know about it. Now, I guide about 15 days a month.
Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Kobe each have their own history and places that amaze foreign visitors. I’m confident I can give you the best experience while visiting Japan. Please feel free to ask what I can offer you.