Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Kazu
February, 2025
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
- 8:00 Meet at hotel 8:40 Fushimi Inari 10:15 Kinkaku-ji 11:40 Ginkaku-ji 12:20 Lunch 13:20 Higashiyama area (Yasaka Pagoda, Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka, Yasaka Shrine) 14:15 Drop off at hotel and end tour
What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Ginkaku-ji
The guests visited Japan from North America. Just before arriving at the hotel, I received a message with a request: since they would be joining another tour in the Gion area in the evening, they wanted to go somewhere else instead. After discussing options, we decided to visit Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion). Deciding on lunch took some time due to their food preferences. We went into a restaurant along the approach to Ginkaku-ji and ordered rice bowls. One had an oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl), and the other ordered a tempura rice bowl without vegetables. I was relieved when the restaurant staff said they could prepare it without vegetables. Although it was a very cold day with a high of only 5 degrees, fortunately there was not much wind, so it did not feel as cold as expected. I noticed that the bamboo fence in the inner part of the Ginkaku-ji garden was quite worn, which did not look very attractive. I wondered when it would be repaired. The photo was taken at Ginkaku-ji.
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Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Sanjo～Fushimi Inari | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Inari～Enmachi | 200JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Enmachi～Kinkakuji-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Kinkakuji-michi～Ginkakuji-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Ginkakuji-michi～Higashiyama Sanjo | 230JPY |
| Section 6 | Bus | Higashiyama Sanjo～Kiyomizu-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 7 | Other | Gion～Kawaramachi Nijo Chapter Kyoto Portfolio guest stay hotel | 0JPY |
| Total | 1,340JPY | ||
I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep knowledge about the history and culture of Japan. He is flexible and accommodates changes if you so desire. He is also very empathetic. I had a sprained back and he ensured we took elevators everywhere. You will be lucky if he is assigned as your guide .
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience…
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience on the tour. We travelled all around Kyoto with our guide Kazuo Sumi. He is a sweet older gentleman who had a great depth of knowledge about each place we went to. We told him places we wanted to go and he made the itinerary for us. There is no one better to have as your guide!!
Jul 16, 2026
margaretsM7923ON
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Great way to see Kyoto
Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided…
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided some excellent recommendations. There’s a lot of walking so make sure you are prepared.