Kyoto in One Day: Fushimi Inari & Kyoto Station — Guide Ichiro
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
- 10:00 Depart Kyoto Station
- 10:30-11:30 Fushimi Inari
- 12:00-13:15 Kiyomizu-dera
- 13:15-14:00 Lunch
- 14:30-15:30 Nijo Castle
- 16:00 Arrive Kyoto Station
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Fushimi Inari at 10:30, Kiyomizu-dera at 12:00, Nijo Castle at 14:30 and Kyoto Station at 16:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kyoto Station to Inari Station by train (150JPY); Inari to Tofukuji by train (150JPY); Tofukuji to Gojozaka by bus (230JPY); Kiyomizu-michi to Sanjo by bus (230JPY); Sanjo Keihan to Nijojo-mae by train (220JPY); Nijojo-mae to Kyoto by subway (260JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,240JPY per person.
What Does a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Nijo Castle
The guests were a group visiting from North America. Since they were staying at a hotel in Osaka, we arranged to meet at Kyoto Station. The course was the classic itinerary of Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, and Nijo Castle. None of the guests were particularly strong walkers, but they managed to make it up the long slope from Gojozaka to Kiyomizu-dera. Because the area around Kiyomizu-dera was very crowded, we chose a sushi restaurant near Sanjo for lunch (it is on the way to Nijo Castle). As expected, we were seated without waiting, the food came out quickly, and it was well received in taste, which made for a good experience.
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 | Inari～Tofukuji | 150JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Tofukuji～Gojozaka | 230JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Kiyomizu-michi～Sanjo | 230JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Sanjo Keihan～Nijojo-mae | 220JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Nijojo-mae～Kyoto | 260JPY |
| Total | 1,240JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Nijo Castle and Kyoto Station.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,240JPY 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.