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
- 9:30 Hotel meet-up 10:15 Fushimi Inari 11:50 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 12:30 Short break (lunch) 13:45 Kinkaku-ji 15:35 Escort back to hotel, tour ends
Title: What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like for International Guests? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests visited Japan from North America. There was some difference in walking pace within the group, and one of the guests tended to walk ahead most of the time. Because they had told me in advance, "We walk well," I had planned to visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple at the end of the tour. However, when we left Kinkaku-ji Temple, only about one hour of tour time remained, and given both the schedule and how things were going, climbing the slopes and stairs at Kiyomizu-dera seemed unlikely to work out. After discussing it with the guests, we decided to skip Kiyomizu-dera and head back to the hotel. On the train, one of the guests dozed off frequently, perhaps due to jet lag, and since we had been walking in the rain since morning, I felt this was a wise decision. The photo was taken at the bamboo grove in Arashiyama. Perhaps because the sightseeing season had begun, the number of domestic tourists had noticeably increased everywhere.
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 | Kiyomizu-Gojo～Fushimi Inari | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Inari～Saga-Arashiyama | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Randen Arashiyama～Kitano-Hakubaicho | 250JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Kitano-Hakubaicho～Kinkakuji-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Kinkakuji-michi～Nishioji-Oike | 230JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Nishioji-Oike～Sanjo-Keihan | 260JPY |
| Section 7 | Train | Sanjo～Kiyomizu-Gojo | 170JPY |
| Total | 1,600JPY | ||
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.