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.

Tour Itinerary

  • 1. 7:00 Meet up @Matsushimaya
  • 2. 7:30 @Kiyomizu-dera Temple
  • 3. 8:10 @Starbucks
  • 4. 9:10 @Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
  • 5. 11:30 @Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • 6. 13:10 Disband @Nishiki Market

What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group, some of whom live in Asia and others who came from North America. They were very cheerful people who laughed heartily even at my silly jokes, and I enjoyed myself as well. Each of the guests asked all sorts of questions. As we headed from Kiyomizu-zaka toward Kiyomizu-dera, I mentioned Starbucks, and some of the guests who had joined the tour without eating breakfast were getting a bit grumpy, so they said they really wanted to visit Starbucks. Inside, there were no seats available and there was a line to order, but they said it wasn't much of a wait and joined the queue. Although it wasn't part of the planned itinerary, the guests already knew about this Starbucks, and they were very pleased when I took them there. They said they plan to come to the Kansai region again in the future, and that they would like me to guide them then as well.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1BusHigashiyama Sanjo~Kiyomizu-michi230JPY
Section 2TrainKiyomizu-Gojo~Fushimi Inari220JPY
Section 3TrainInari~Enmachi200JPY
Section 4BusEnmachi~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
Section 5BusKinkakuji-michi~Kitaoji Bus Terminal230JPY
Section 6SubwayKitaoji~Shijo260JPY
Total1,370JPY

Hi! My name is YUKA. I’ve got the government license in 2018 and joined a half year traning to do the guide. But a half year later I started my carreer, Covid came. I should have given up guiding. During the Covid, I’ve read many books and made my own materials to explain Japanese culture, history, etc. I love guiding because the guests expand my horizon all the time and let me know their own country and culture, etc. It is really important for us all to know each other and respect each other to make this world peace. Thank you for coming to Japan! Let’s enjoy Japan together!

Sep 29, 2026
duncans746
Yuka was great
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