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

  • 8:50 Meet at the hotel
  • 9:50 Ninna-ji Temple, cherry blossom viewing, also visit the flower festival ceremony
  • 10:50 Ryoan-ji Temple, viewing the dry landscape garden and cherry blossoms
  • 12:10 Lunch at Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • 12:45 Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • 13:50 Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
  • 14:20 Stroll around Kamishichiken, encountered a maiko❗️
  • 15:10 Escort to Kyoto City Hall subway station where the hotel is located, and the guide tour ends

Title: What Can You See on a Private Kyoto Day Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report on Ninna-ji, Ryoan-ji, and Kinkaku-ji

The guest was an avid international traveler visiting Japan, which they mentioned was the 90th country they had visited. 😲 They wanted to see Ninna-ji, a temple with connections to the imperial family. The Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and the famous Omuro cherry blossoms were just beginning to open. By good fortune, we were able to witness a "Flower Festival" ceremony. At Ryoan-ji, we relaxed by sitting on the floor and enjoying the dry landscape garden. Before visiting Kinkaku-ji, we had lunch and savored Kyoto-style udon with yuba. Kinkaku-ji was beautiful, shining against the blue sky. 😄 At Kitano Tenmangu, I explained the differences between Buddhism and Shinto, the connection with the ox, and the deity of learning. While guiding through "Kamishichiken," the nearby district of maiko, we very rarely happened to encounter a maiko heading out. The guest was absolutely delighted.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1TrainKyoto Shiyakusho-mae~Omuro Ninna-ji510JPY
Section 2BusOmuro~Ryoanji-mae230JPY
Section 3BusRyoanji-mae~Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
Section 4BusKinkakuji-michi~Kitano-Hakubaicho230JPY
Section 5BusKitano-Hakubaicho~Karasuma-Imadegawa230JPY
Section 6SubwayImadegawa~Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae260JPY
Total1,690JPY

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
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A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.

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