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
- 8:08 Meet at Kyoto Station
- 8:40 Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 10:35 Nijo Castle
- 12:20 Lunch in Arashiyama
- 13:10 Tenryu-ji Temple
- 13:35 Bamboo Grove Path
- 13:50 Nonomiya Shrine
- 14:30 Escort to Kyoto Station and end of tour
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at Kyoto Station at 8:08, the group explored Kyoto until the tour ended at 14:30. The day ran to 6 hours and 22 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch in Arashiyama at 12:20.
The itinerary covered Fushimi Inari Taisha at 8:40, Nijo Castle at 10:35, Tenryu-ji Temple at 13:10, Bamboo Grove Path at 13:35 and Nonomiya Shrine at 13:50.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kyoto to Inari by train (150JPY); Fushimi Inari to Nijojo-mae by train (440JPY); Nijojo-mae to Arashiyama by train (510JPY); Saga-Arashiyama to Kyoto by train (240JPY). Across 4 sections the fare came to 1,340JPY per person.
Title: Can You Do a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Arriving by Shinkansen? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were a group visiting from North America. They traveled from Tokyo by Shinkansen, and I met them at Kyoto Station before heading straight to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. Walking through the rows of torii gates was of course a highlight, but the group also enjoyed the "Omokaru-ishi" stone and the "Nature Rising Pine" (Neagari no Matsu). At Nijo Castle, they were captivated by its splendor, which felt more like a palace than a fortress. When I explained how the main gate had been deliberately rebuilt from a two-story structure into a single-story one to welcome the Emperor, and how the gardens were beautifully arranged for the occasion, someone asked, "So the Emperor was greater than the Shogun!?" For lunch they enjoyed a yuba (tofu skin) cuisine meal, and afterward I guided them through the Tenryu-ji Temple garden, the Bamboo Grove path, and Nonomiya Shrine. Since they were returning to Tokyo, I saw them off at Kyoto Station, ending the tour.
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 | Kyoto～Inari | 150JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Fushimi Inari～Nijojo-mae | 440JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Nijojo-mae～Arashiyama | 510JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama～Kyoto | 240JPY |
| Total | 1,340JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Kyoto Station at 8:08, and the tour finished at Escort to Kyoto Station and end of tour at 14:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 22 minutes in total, from 8:08 to 14:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Fushimi Inari Taisha, Nijo Castle, Tenryu-ji Temple, Bamboo Grove Path and Nonomiya Shrine.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,340JPY per person across 4 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Shuji is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kyoto itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.
Jul 16, 2026
salomons666
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto fun
Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge
Jul 15, 2026
P9099TXkennethr
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
A great day
A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.
Jun 28, 2026
A
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached…
Jun 28, 2026
A
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached out immediately to make sure that we had a customized tour of what we wanted to see and do in Nara. The level of details in his emails was incredible! Not only did Shuji plan a great tour but he also went above and beyond by explaining the Japan rail system, the public transportation cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.) and even told us exactly what trains, times and gates to exit so that our meetup was seamless. Been on a lot of tours around the world and have never had this level of communication. Once we started our tour, Shuji was articulate, knowledgeable and so much fun! Nara is amazing and Shuji made it so much better – please request him!
Jun 22, 2026
yeseniag981
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Osaka Tour
Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was…
Jun 22, 2026
yeseniag981
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
Osaka Tour
Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and made sure we were able to see everything that we wanted while in Osaka. He even took my 5 year old into consideration and took us to the Pokémon store since he is a Pokémon fan. I would definitely recommend him as a tour guide.