Kyoto in One Day: @ Tenryu-ji Temple & @ Kinkaku-ji Temple — Guide Kaz

What Is a Two-Day Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America. Yesterday they had a Kyoto tour with a different guide, and today was their second consecutive day of touring Kyoto. It was their first visit to Japan, and they had traveled through Tokyo and Hakone before coming to Kyoto. They mentioned that afterward they would be heading to Hokkaido for about a week of skiing. When I arrived at the Hotel about 15 minutes before the meeting time, they were already in the lobby, so we were able to meet without any waiting. I gave a brief overview of today's itinerary, and we set off.

One of the guests was very tall, over two meters in height, and seemed to have some trouble with their knee, walking with a slight limp, so I made an effort to choose routes that would put as little strain on their legs as possible. Both of them appeared to be very interested in Japan, and throughout the day they found things that caught their attention and asked many questions. What was especially memorable was their great interest in roof tiles, as well as their interest in religion in Japan. Wherever we went, they listened very attentively to stories about Buddhism and the worship of the gods.

The weather was fine throughout the day, and the guests seemed very pleased. They both said the highlight was the unique rakan statues at Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple. Before exploring Kinkaku-ji, they said they were a little hungry, so at a stand near the temple they enjoyed roasted sweet potato, mitarashi dango, meat buns, karaage, and matcha soft-serve ice cream.

After exploring Kinkaku-ji, we took the bus to Kyoto Station, and from there we took a taxi to Rokkenbashi near the guests' Hotel, where we parted ways.

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

Tour Report by Kaz

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!