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
- 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!
Sep 29, 2026
duncans746
Yuka was great
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Yuka was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable,…
Sep 29, 2026
duncans746
Yuka was great
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Yuka was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. I had a fantastic day going around Kyoto with her.
Thank you Yuka!
Sep 23, 2026
navinderp2024
Great day in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We had a great tour…
Sep 23, 2026
navinderp2024
Great day in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We had a great tour of Kyoto with Yuka. She mate us promptly at our hotel and customised a tour to get the most out of the day. We saw everything we wanted to see on the day and it was all very smooth and well planned.
Aug 9, 2026
piperl686
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Honeymoon Tour in Kyoto
We were so impressed by…
Aug 9, 2026
piperl686
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Honeymoon Tour in Kyoto
We were so impressed by our beautiful tour of Kyoto! Our tour guide Yuka made our day so special with her positive attitude, sweet disposition, and countless fun and interesting facts about Japan. She went out of her way to make sure we saw everything we wanted to see, and even lent me Yen to buy a special gift for my mother when I was short a few coins. We cannot recommend her enough to make your trip to Japan memorable and worthwhile!
Aug 5, 2026
Anita_M
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great day of sightseeing in Kyoto
Yuka was a…
Aug 5, 2026
Anita_M
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great day of sightseeing in Kyoto
Yuka was a lovely and knowledgeable guide who took great care of us on our recent one day trip to beautiful Kyoto. She met us coming off the Shinkansen and gave us options about how to spend the day wisely. We are so thankful for her thoughtful insights into Japanese traditions and culture, highly recommend doing a guided tour with her as it was very memorable.