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. 9:00 Meet up @Hyatt Regency Kyoto
- 2. 9:30 @Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- 3. 11:15 @Yasaka Pagoda
- 4. 11:45 @Yasaka Shrine
- 5. 12:30 Lunch @Katsukura
- 6. 14:00 @Ginkaku-ji Temple
- 7. 15:30 Disband @Shinkyogoku Shopping Street
Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Kyoto's Higashiyama and Gion Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
We walked up Chawanzaka toward Kiyomizu-dera Temple, but the tour began with shopping time at a shop selling Japanese-style accessories. At this point, I sensed that the itinerary might take more time than expected, so I made sure to first cover the things I really wanted the guests to see and experience at Kiyomizu-dera. They wrote wishes on gomagi prayer sticks, struck the large ring, and made wishes at Otowa Waterfall, and were very delighted by these unusual experiences. Since the lunch reservation time was approaching, I wanted to walk briskly after the Yasaka Pagoda, but after saying they would take a quick look inside a coffee shop, the guests took quite a while to come out. They emerged quite pleased, cheerfully holding a cherry-blossom-flavored drink. We finally reached the Gion bus stop and just managed to make it in time for lunch. The guests really ate well and heartily, which was a pleasure to watch. After Ginkaku-ji Temple, since some of the guests wished to visit a museum and others wanted to go shopping, we headed to Sanjo by bus. I guided some of the guests to the ticket gate of the Keihan Railway and explained the route before saying goodbye. After that, I took the rest of the group to Shinkyogoku shopping street, explained how to get back to their accommodation, and we parted ways.
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 | Bus | Higashiyama-Shichijo～Gojozaka | 230JPY |
| Section 2 | Bus | Gion～Jodoji | 230JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Ginkakuji-michi～Sanjo Keihan | 230JPY |
| Total | 690JPY | ||
Hi! My name is YUKA. I’ve got the government license in 2018 and joined a half year traning to do the guide. But a half year later I started my carreer, Covid came. I should have given up guiding. During the Covid, I’ve read many books and made my own materials to explain Japanese culture, history, etc. I love guiding because the guests expand my horizon all the time and let me know their own country and culture, etc. It is really important for us all to know each other and respect each other to make this world peace. Thank you for coming to Japan! Let’s enjoy Japan together!
Jul 25, 2026
Ann W
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
One of the highlights of my trip, perfect for solo…
Jul 25, 2026
Ann W
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
One of the highlights of my trip, perfect for solo travelers!
My solo tour of Arashiyama with Yuka-san was easily one of the absolute highlights of my trip!
Her clever planning allowed us to beat the crowds completely.
Visiting Otagi Nenbutsu-ji and the moss gardens of Gio-ji was deeply moving, and the quiet atmosphere truly forced a moment of silence. Hearing the nightingales and frogs made it extra magical.
Yuka provided incredible guidance and care throughout the day.
I am returning home with a suitcase full of unforgettable stories!
Jul 14, 2026
Elizabeth W
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
Great tour
We had a great tour with…
Jul 14, 2026
Elizabeth W
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path Tour, Licensed Guide
Great tour
We had a great tour with Yuka. She customized the trip based on our interests and made everything easy
Jul 11, 2026
Dianna-fam
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Wonderful Tour, Wonderful Guide!
My teenage boys and I…
Jul 11, 2026
Dianna-fam
Tripadvisor review: Osaka Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Wonderful Tour, Wonderful Guide!
My teenage boys and I had a wonderful private walking tour of Osaka with our guide Yuka! After I booked the Japan Guide Agency tour through TripAdvisor, Yuka reached out to me directly about our itinerary. She was very accommodating and responsive during the planning stage, and was extremely flexible right up until the day of our tour with last minute changes. She was a wonderful tour guide and incorporated all the sights that we wanted to visit, with a lot of interesting history/facts provided along the way. She spoke very good English and was easy to understand. Would highly recommend this tour (and Yuka!) as a very efficient/immersive way to experience and explore Osaka.
Jul 1, 2026
Christian_L
Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto visite with Yuka : Wow !
Wow ! Yuka was…
Jul 1, 2026
Christian_L
Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto visite with Yuka : Wow !
Wow ! Yuka was an amazing guide and the visite was better than our expectations ! We gave learned a lot and the kids loved it !