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 Meet at Kyoto Station
  • 9:10 Kinkaku-ji
  • 10:00 Ryoan-ji
  • 11:00 Randen Arashiyama – Kimono Forest > River > Tenryu-ji > Bamboo Grove
  • 12:40 Lunch at Kaiseki Cafe Kaeru-kichi Akichi
  • 14:00 Fushimi Inari Taisha
  • 15:00 End at the entrance of Sannenzaka

Can You Do a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Starting from Kyoto Station? A Licensed Guide's Report

Today I guided the group visiting from North America, who were staying in the Shinagawa area. They had come from Tokyo early in the morning and were scheduled to return by the 6:30 Shinkansen in the evening.

We started at Kinkaku-ji, then visited Ryoan-ji and Arashiyama, followed by Fushimi Inari, and finally took a taxi to end the tour at 3:00 in front of a shichimi shop on Kiyomizu-zaka. Some of the guests had come to Japan many times, but it was their first visit to the Kansai region, and for others it was their very first trip to Japan. Since they had started so early in the morning and had not eaten anything, we began with breakfast at a fast-food restaurant. The itinerary was already quite packed, so my takeaway for future tours that meet at Kyoto Station is that I should tell the guests in advance to bring food onto the Shinkansen and eat beforehand. Still, we were blessed with good weather and moved through the itinerary smoothly, and I believe the guests enjoyed the day.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainKyoto~Kitaoji260JPY
Section 2TrainSaga-Arashiyama~Tofukuji240JPY
Section 3TrainTofukuji~Fushimi Inari170JPY
Total670JPY

Bye bye smart phone!! Let’s enjoy Japan without bothering to check up your phone all the time with not AI but a local guide like me. Hi, my name is Mimmy. You may think this sounds like a kitten’s name.
I use this nickname because it sounds cute and easy to remember. However,
I actually look rounded, a middle aged woman more like a yellow character of M&Mchocolate, which reminds you of my name easily when you see me.
I was born in Osaka, went to school in Kobe, went to work in Kyoto and married but still live in Osaka. I am a local, native Osakan. My 3 children are all grown up and live separately except one son. Now I live with one son and a husband in suburbs of the Osaka city.
I like travelling, walking around the town and anything new.
I got my guide license in 2017 and started guiding after that. I wasn’t able to work during Covid period but start guiding in 2022 again. I guide Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe and have experienced more than100 tours including bus tours.
I would like to tell you about the itineraries I usually have in each area.
In Osaka, we usually go to Osaka castle, Shinsekai and Dotonbori Namba area.
I think most important part you should see is Dotonbori Namba in Osaka.
This place is vibrant , energetic, full of 3D signs and different from any other place in Japan.
In Kyoto, we cannot see all famous sightseeing spots in one day.
It will be better to visit each area respectively. I recommend guests who come to Kyoto first time to visit East area, Kiyomizu Temple>Sannenzaka>Ninenzaka>Ishibeikouji>Yasaka shrine> Gion area. This area has an atmosphere of traditional old Kyoto. The most Kyoto like places which suit Kimono. You can rent Kimono in a lot of places around here.
The second place I recommend you is West area: Golden temple and Arashiyama area where Bamboo forest , Tenryuji temple, mountains and a river. There are several nice gardens in this area. If you want to enjoy the nature quietly, you
should come here when it is not crowded (Winter is the most quiet)
In Nara which used to be a capital even older than Kyoto, we visit Todaiji Temple where a huge Buddha is sitting inside of one of the largest wooden hall and you can play with deer everywhere in Nara. Naramachi: a small town in this area is a local place where small interesting shops are.
In Kobe, a port city, you can visit Japanese Sake breweries, Herb garden and the top of Mt.Rokko for viewing Kobe city. A small China town is there, too.

Now I bet you want to leave home to explore somewhere else you do not know.
Not only going to somewhere else, we can help you to do several experiences: making tea, making Japanese sweet, making Takoyaki(food), wearing Kimono, making food samples, attending a tea ceremony, throwing Shriken like Ninja, Using bow and arrow like Samurai, , , ,
I am very happy indeed if I can help you find things impressive enough and have once in a life time experience during our tour.
I am looking forward to sharing a good time with you.

Mar 24, 2025
Jennie_N
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Amazing time in Osaka with Mimmy
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Great choice if you have limited time in Kyoto
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