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
- 8:00 Meet @ 572-21 Komatsucho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, (airbnb)
- 8:30-9:20 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
- 10:00-10:50 @ Sanjusangendo
- 11:20-12:20 @ Nijo Castle
- 12:50-13:50 Lunch @ Kura Sushi Plus-type Store Kyoto
- 14:20-14:40 @ Nanzenji Temple
- 14:50 Dismissal @ South Entrance of the Philosopher's Path
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 8:00 at @ 572-21 Komatsucho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, (airbnb) and ended at 14:50. The day ran to 6 hours and 50 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Kura Sushi Plus-type Store Kyoto at 12:50.
Over the course of the day the route took in Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine at 8:30, Sanjusangendo at 10:00, Nijo Castle at 11:20 and Nanzenji Temple at 14:20.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kiyomizu-Gojo Station to Fushimi-Inari Station by train (220JPY); Fushimi-Inari Station to Shichijo Station by train (170JPY); Shichijo Station to Sanjo Station by train (170JPY); Sanjo Keihan Station to Nijojo-mae Station by subway (220JPY); Nijojo-mae Station to Shiyakusho-mae Station by subway (220JPY); Shiyakusho-mae Station to Keage Station by subway (220JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,220JPY per person.
Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like in Autumn? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. During our pre-tour correspondence, there was a request to change the meeting time to 8:00, so we met at 8:00. (I apologize that, due to the short notice, I was unable to submit the change form to [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) in time.) They seemed to feel the cold rather easily and were dressed warmly.
Because we started the tour early, Fushimi Inari Taisha was not very crowded, which pleased the guests. They mentioned that they do not have autumn foliage where they live, so they enjoyed looking at the colored leaves within the grounds and taking photos. One of the guests bought and enjoyed some xiaolongbao at a food stall near the exit of the grounds.
At Sanjusangendo, the group became interested in the screen at the back of the hall that allows visitors to search for each individual Buddhist statue, and they spent some time enjoying searching through it.
Since I had heard beforehand that the guests had made a reservation at a soba restaurant along the Philosopher's Path for 16:00, I had assumed they would not have lunch, but when they said they wanted to have lunch along the way, we decided to eat after strolling through Nijo Castle. One of the guests wanted to eat sushi, while another wanted to eat something other than sushi, so I took them to a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant in Kyoto with an extensive menu. Since the guests had wanted to experience conveyor-belt sushi, they were very pleased.
Finally, we headed to Nanzenji, where the guests fully enjoyed the autumn foliage, after which I guided them to the southern entrance of the Philosopher's Path and we parted ways there.
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 | Kiyomizu-Gojo Station～Fushimi-Inari Station | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Fushimi-Inari Station～Shichijo Station | 170JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Shichijo Station～Sanjo Station | 170JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Sanjo Keihan Station～Nijojo-mae Station | 220JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Nijojo-mae Station～Shiyakusho-mae Station | 220JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Shiyakusho-mae Station～Keage Station | 220JPY |
| Total | 1,220JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ 572-21 Komatsucho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, (airbnb) at 8:00, and the tour finished at @ South Entrance of the Philosopher's Path at 14:50.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 50 minutes in total, from 8:00 to 14:50.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Sanjusangendo, Nijo Castle and Nanzenji Temple.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,220JPY 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?
Kaz 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.
Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!
My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.
I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.
I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.
I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and a pleasure to be with.
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic Kyoto. He was flexible when we decided to modify our itinerary on the morning due to rain forecast the next day. Kaz’s English was great which meant he kept my teenage sons engaged with stories about shoguns and samurai battles. We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden and Silver pavilions. The highlight of the tour with Kaz was being shown around beautiful gardens to see cherry blossoms still blooming and views of the city. We highly recommend going on a tour with him.
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of of the historical aspects of the sites we visit, provided us great guidance on appropriate behavior at each site. He was energetic throughout the tour. More important he was more of a companion which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour…
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour guide! He spent 6 hours showing us around Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple and the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, spoke English well (lived in the US for 3 years), and took lots of photos for us. We are so glad we booked this tour.