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
- 09:00 Hotel Kyoto Premier Sanjo
- 09:15 Sanjo Sta. → Demachi Yanagi Sta. by Keihan train
- 09:30 Demachi Yanagi Sta.
- 10:01 Kurama Sta. by Eizan Dentetsu train
- 10:05 Kurama Dera temple (500) by walking in the mountain
- 10:45 Main Hall (Cable car is used for both going up and down)
- 11:50 Kurama Sta. by walking
- 12:05 Kibuneguchi Sta. by Eizan train
- 12:15 Kibune Jinja shrine by bus
- 12:50 Kibuneguchi Sta. by Eizan train
- Demachiyanagi → Ginshijo by Keihan train
- 13:40 Lunch(Gion Chinmin
- 15:00 Gion Kagai Art Museum
- 15:45 Kenninji (800) temple
- 17:00 End of the tour
What Is a Private Kurama, Kifune, and Gion Walking Tour in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
In our pre-tour email discussions about desired destinations, the guests mentioned wanting to visit Kurama-dera Temple and Kifune Shrine, which is a relatively unusual request. I had been there several times personally but had never guided guests there, so I did a preliminary survey to confirm the travel times involved, and asked them to come dressed appropriately for trekking. Later I received a request to extend the tour by two hours, so I added destinations and got their approval for the itinerary.
When we met at the Hotel, one of the guests was carrying a walking stick and seemed to have some difficulty walking. We arrived at Kurama without trouble, took the cable car up to the main hall, and were about to continue over the mountain toward Kifune when one of the guests said they would wait there. So I reworked the itinerary, returned to Kurama Station, took the Eizan train to Kibuneguchi, and visited Kifune Shrine.
The guests were visiting from Europe and were very calm and cultured people. They had joined a Gion night tour the previous day, and since they were interested in maiko and geiko, I showed them the location of the Gion Corner and the recently opened Gion Hanamachi Art Museum. They wanted to go right away, so I changed the plan, we entered the museum, and additionally watched a geiko dance performance. On the way back from Kennin-ji Temple, I guided them through the back streets of Gion Kobu to Ryokujuan Shimizu, a konpeito confectionery shop, which they were delighted with, and they bought some konpeito as souvenirs. They told me it was an excellent tour. (I am writing this text to cover the two-hour extension as well.)
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 | Sanjo～Demachiyanagi | 230JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Demachiyanagi～Kurama | 470JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Down～Up | 200JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Up～Down | 200JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Kurama～Kibuneguchi | 220JPY |
| Section 6 | Bus | Kibuneguchi～Kibune | 400JPY |
| Section 7 | Train | Kibuneguchi～Demachiyanagi | 470JPY |
| Section 8 | Train | Demachiyanagi～Gion-Shijo | 230JPY |
| Total | 2,420JPY | ||
I’m Ryoichi Kazuma and my nickname is “Kazz”. I live in Kyotanabe city next to Kyoto city. I want guests to enjoy Kyoto by seeing and experiencing not only from outside but also from inside. I offer various information from daily matters to traditional cultures. Most destinations in Kyoto are located on the eastern side or the western side. As I want to guide guests to as many destinations as possible, I make an efficient itinerary and recommend a taxi use to save time. Additionally, I take pictures at various spots and finally share the link to my storage. By doing so, guests can download their favorite pictures from my storage. Please enjoy Kyoto night and day!
Jul 14, 2026
T6871WWricharde
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kazz gave a great one on one 8 hour custom tour…
Jul 14, 2026
T6871WWricharde
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kazz gave a great one on one 8 hour custom tour of Kyoto
Ryoich Kazuma (Kazz) was an amazing guide! He picked me up at my hotel and expertly guided me around Kyoto, showing me a custom set of sites. His background revealed interesting facts about the sites and related Japanese culture. He photographed moments for me and later shared all the pictures, allowing me to enjoy the sites rather than focusing on taking all my own pictures. He prepared an itinerary in advance and gave me useful information about how much local currency would be needed as well as estimated admission and transportation costs. Basically have 15000 yen ready and use a Suica card and everything is easy! We had a lovely lunch around midday as well. I highly recommend the tour and can’t say enough good things about Kazz! Love every moment!!
Jun 5, 2026
mateoe216
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Would book again
The tour with Kazuma-san was absolutely great. As someone…
Jun 5, 2026
mateoe216
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Would book again
The tour with Kazuma-san was absolutely great. As someone who has never taken a private tour before, I was unsure what to expect. Kazuma-san met us at our hotel, was very friendly and knowledgeable. His English is also good. As me and my mother took more time than planned at the different sites we visited, Kazuma-san was able to provide us with interesting explanations and history facts throughout it all, even smells of local flora, and he took photos for us even after the alloted 4 hours were over and we were on our way back. One highlight for me was a high end porcelain shop near kiyomizudera.
I’d recommend this to anyone who wants to get a feel for Kyoto’s temples and history.
May 27, 2026
Leah_D
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Absolutely recommend!
I definitely recommend seeing some of the sights with a…
May 27, 2026
Leah_D
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Absolutely recommend!
I definitely recommend seeing some of the sights with a guide, we learned so many things we would’ve been clueless about had we done some of the temples and castles on our own. Kazz was a wonderful guide and took pictures of us with his nice camera everywhere we went, so we had a little photo album of our day at the end of it! We had so much fun and are extremely glad we did this. Thank you so much!!
May 26, 2026
sheilacL3330KS
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enthusiastic and knowledgable guide. Much appreciated
Kazz was an excellent guide…
May 26, 2026
sheilacL3330KS
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Very enthusiastic and knowledgable guide. Much appreciated
Kazz was an excellent guide – very enthusiastic about everything and happy to explain not only the meaning of the ‘golden pavilion’ but also the different properties of bamboo, and the meanings of anything pertinent he noticed in various shops He also took multiple photographs which he sent to us via email .