Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Kazu
September, 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 09:00 The Chapter Kyoto Meet up
- ② 09:10 Brief explanation about the history of Kyoto
- ③ 09:40 Kikuno Daimyojin
- ④ 10:15 Kinkakuji Temple
- ⑤ 11:30 Ryoanji Temple
- ⑥ 12:45 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- ⑦ 13:10 Lunch
- ⑧ 13:40 Stroll through Tenryuji Temple Garden
- ⑨ 14:10 Okochi Sanso Villa
- ⑩ 14:50 Heiseiin (Jizo Bodhisattva and Sai no Kawara)
- ⑪ 15:20 Disband at JR Nijo Station
Can You Do a Private Day Tour of Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America, traveling in Japan before some of their commitments, and they wished to see Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. It was the first time in Japan and in Kyoto for the group. Throughout the tour, they listened attentively to my explanations from beginning to end, without interrupting or peppering me with questions, laughing at the moments that called for it. As an aside, Kikuno Daimyojin, which was the first stop on today's itinerary, is a shrine famous among Kyoto locals as the ultimate place for severing bad ties. It stands right in the middle of town, near Kyoto City Hall, but the power of the deity enshrined here is said to be very strong. While one can gain something by praying here, gaining something also means losing something, so it is said that one should not visit casually.
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 | Saga-Arashiyama～Nijo | 200JPY |
| Total | 200JPY | ||
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
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 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. Spoke perfect English and made the day fun and educational. Was able to adjust the tour based on my needs.
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 13, 2026
peterhR6472GA
Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A wonderful day with Kazu san in Kyoto. From the moment that the tour was booked, his communication with email about planning the day was exceptional.
Kazu gave detailed explanations about the areas we visited and we appreciated all that he had to offer at each of our stops.
We thoroughly enjoyed our day with him.
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.…
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. By the end of the day, we felt like we had made a new friend.
Kazu helped us arrange the best day with our short time in Kyoto. He brought us to some “hidden gems” and gave us thorough explanations on history and culture.
I would highly recommend this tour.
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…
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 Kazu was very knowledgeable in terms of the history and explaining many of
the wonderful ancient sites around Kyoto. Definitely a must! Otherwise, I think it would be
difficult to tourists to understand on their own.