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
- 10:00 Hotel Premier Kyoto Shijo Meet
- 10:50~12:00 Uji, Byodo-in
- 12:40~13:30 Fushimi Inari
- 14:00~14:30 Lunch break
- 15:00~15:40 Nanzen-ji
- 16:00 Disband at Nishiki Market
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 10:00 at Hotel Premier Kyoto Shijo Meet and ended at 16:00. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish. It included lunch break at 14:00.
Over the course of the day the route took in Uji, Byodo-in at 10:50, Fushimi Inari at 12:40 and Nanzen-ji at 15:00.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Karasuma Shijo to Kyoto by subway (220JPY); Kyoto to Uji by train (240JPY); Uji to Inari by train (240JPY); Fushimi Inari to Sanjo by train (220JPY); Sanjo to Keage by subway (220JPY); Keage to Karasuma Shijo by subway (260JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,400JPY per person.
What Is a Private Day Tour of Uji and Fushimi Inari Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide led a private tour for a group from North America visiting Japan for the first time. The weather was fine, with mild temperatures that were not too hot, making for a pleasant day. We first went to Byodo-in Temple in Uji. One of the guests, who loves Japanese tea, enjoyed selecting tea at a long-established tea shop, and the group was moved by the statue of Murasaki Shikibu near Uji Bridge and the scenery along the river. They were delighted by many things at Byodo-in, including the wisteria trellis in full bloom, the large azalea flowers, the Phoenix Hall reflected on the pond, and the enormous pine trees in the garden. At Fushimi Inari, it was crowded with visitors, but the group was impressed by the torii gates and buildings set against the backdrop of Mount Inari. There were a few minor troubles, such as a slight delay on the Keihan train due to an accident and a mobile transit card becoming unusable, but I believe the guests enjoyed themselves.
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 | Subway | Karasuma Shijo～Kyoto | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Kyoto～Uji | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Uji～Inari | 240JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Fushimi Inari～Sanjo | 220JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Sanjo～Keage | 220JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Keage～Karasuma Shijo | 260JPY |
| Total | 1,400JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hotel Premier Kyoto Shijo Meet at 10:00, and the tour finished at Nishiki Market at 16:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 10:00 to 16:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Uji, Byodo-in, Fushimi Inari and Nanzen-ji.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,400JPY per person across 6 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?
shige 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.
Hello, This is Shige. I was born and brought up in Osaka. I have been enjoying working as a tour guide since 2016 after retired from a manufacturing company in which I worked at the overseas department. So I experienced a lot of business with customers in Europe, Asia, Australia, and USA where my three years of living and working at the subsidiary company with my family was the most amazing experience of my life. Well, Japan has a long history including ancient remains, historic buildings and cultures at each period over 2000 years. I hope you will enjoy exploring Japan in this tour. I look forward to seeing you soon.
Shige.
May 23, 2026
Sarajean_s
Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A wonderful way to get acquainted with Kyoto
Shige was a…
May 23, 2026
Sarajean_s
Viator review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
A wonderful way to get acquainted with Kyoto
Shige was a wonderful guide. He helped us navigate the public transit system and provided
keen insight into Japanese cultural practices and the role of religion in modern day
Japan.10/10
May 21, 2026
828vickeyb
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Shige is a great tour guide for Kyoto
Shige was an excellent…
May 21, 2026
828vickeyb
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Shige is a great tour guide for Kyoto
Shige was an excellent tour guide. He was knowledgeable, kind and patient. He kept our tour
moving, but also make sure we rested when needed and we stayed hydrated.
Apr 12, 2026
Mariana_M
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Walking Tour with Shige
Shige was an amazing tour guide and companion…
Apr 12, 2026
Mariana_M
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Walking Tour with Shige
Shige was an amazing tour guide and companion during our time in Osaka. He explained everything clearly and made the experience both informative and enjoyable. He was very accommodating, always attentive to our needs, and incredibly polite and respectful. His subtle and thoughtful approach made us feel comfortable throughout the entire tour. Highly recommended!
Jul 4, 2025
Marcus_C
Osaka tour 2025
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful tour around Osaka. Our guide…
Jul 4, 2025
Marcus_C
Osaka tour 2025
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful tour around Osaka. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and shared lots of interesting information about the places we visited. He was also very friendly and approachable, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The length of the tour was just right for us—especially on such a hot day—and we still managed to find time to take some great photos.