Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Kazu

November, 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 10:00　Meet at Hotel Kyoto Kawaramachi Jokanji
  • ② 10:15　Explanation about Kyoto, explanation of the cemetery at Jokanji temple in front of the hotel
  • ③ 11:00　Nijo Castle
  • ④ 13:00　Daisen-in (dry landscape garden and tea room)
  • ⑤ 14:30　Hoshun-in (bonsai garden)
  • ⑥ 15:00　Strolling around Sanjo and Teramachi Street・Lunch
  • ⑦ 16:00　Disband at Teramachi

Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Culture Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

Body: The guests were visitors from Africa who work in hospitality, so their assessment of accommodations was quite discerning. Some of the guests had a deep interest in Japanese history and culture, and asked a wide range of questions — starting with Japanese graves, then moving on to religion, history (such as the difference between shoguns and emperors), customs (such as Obon and Onmyodo), bonsai, the tea ceremony (which we experienced at Daisen-in), the Gion geisha district, kimono, and traditional crafts. It was quite demanding to answer them all, but I was impressed by how attentively they listened to my explanations. Others in the group simply seemed to enjoy traveling together, not particularly focused on listening to me or on looking at any one thing, but always smiling, cracking jokes, and very easygoing. Everyone enjoys travel in their own way, and I would be delighted if they enjoyed Kyoto on a day with wonderful weather.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Kazu

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

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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 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 12, 2026
cgalvez73
Fantastic tour guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…

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…