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 Hotel meet 8:45 Fushimi Inari 10:25 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 11:10 Short break 12:15 Kinkaku-ji 13:45 Gion 14:15 Tour ends
Title: What's a Private Kyoto Cherry Blossom Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests came from Oceania. They listened carefully to my instructions throughout the tour. When I talked about a Japanese folktale in Arashiyama, I was a little surprised that they knew the Japanese title "Kaguya-hime." The location of their accommodation was inconvenient; it had originally been a motel near the Kyoto Minami interchange that had been renovated into a hotel, but the service was far below the level of an ordinary hotel, and they would not even arrange a taxi. The biggest challenge was figuring out how to get to our first destination. We waited for a taxi on Shinborikawa-dori near the hotel, but it was hard to find one, and only after about 15 minutes did we finally catch one, and the tour began. It was windy but the weather was fine, and the cherry blossoms were blooming beautifully in many places. Perhaps because it was cherry blossom season, tour groups from various countries were noticeable. The photo was taken during a break at a bakery shop in Arashiyama.
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 | Other | Jonangu East Exit (near the hotel)～Keihan Fujinomori Station | 0JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Fujinomori～Fushimi Inari | 170JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Inari～Saga-Arashiyama | 240JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama～Enmachi | 180JPY |
| Section 5 | Bus | Enmachi～Kinkaku-ji-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 6 | Bus | Kinkaku-ji-michi～Nishioji-Oike | 230JPY |
| Section 7 | Subway | Nishioji-Oike～Higashiyama | 260JPY |
| Section 8 | Bus | Higashiyama-Sanjo～Gion | 230JPY |
| Total | 1,540JPY | ||
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.