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.
Tour Itinerary
- 7:10 Meet @ Hotel Vischio Kyoto by Granvia
- 8:00-9:00 @ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- 9:45-10:30 @ Kinkaku-ji Temple
- 11:15-12:20 @ Nijo Castle
- 13:20 Disband @ Front of Fushimi Inari Taisha Main Gate
Tour Itinerary in Detail
This private tour of Kyoto began at 7:10, when the guide met the guests at @ Hotel Vischio Kyoto by Granvia, and finished at 13:20. The day ran to 6 hours and 10 minutes from start to finish.
From there the group visited Arashiyama Bamboo Grove at 8:00, Kinkaku-ji Temple at 9:45 and Nijo Castle at 11:15.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station by train (240JPY); Arashiyama Station to Kitano-Hakubaicho Station by train (250JPY); Kitano-Hakubaicho to Kinkakuji-michi by bus (230JPY); Kinkakuji-michi to Nijojo-mae by bus (230JPY); Nijojo-mae Station to Kyoto Station by subway (260JPY); Kyoto Station to Inari Station by train (150JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,360JPY per person.
Title: What's a Full-Day Private Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Nijo Castle
The guests were visitors from North America. They are now retired, and they enjoy dancing as a hobby, which they said was how they first met.
Since it was an early-morning tour, we started by strolling through the Arashiyama bamboo grove. To create some distance from other tourists who had arrived on the same train, we spent some time at Nonomiya Shrine before heading to the highlight spot of the bamboo grove. As a bonus, we also went up to the top of Kameyama Park and enjoyed the stunning view of the Hozugawa Gorge.
At Kinkaku-ji, under a clear blue sky, the irises were also in bloom and it was very beautiful, though it was a shame that the area around Ryumon Falls was under construction.
At Nijo Castle, although there were some group tourists, it was relatively uncrowded and easy to guide.
Afterward, the guests said they wanted to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha on their own, so I explained how to get there. However, they seemed quite anxious about it, so in the end I guided them all the way there and we parted at the main gate.
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 Station～Saga-Arashiyama Station | 240JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Arashiyama Station～Kitano-Hakubaicho Station | 250JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Kitano-Hakubaicho～Kinkakuji-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 4 | Bus | Kinkakuji-michi～Nijojo-mae | 230JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Nijojo-mae Station～Kyoto Station | 260JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Kyoto Station～Inari Station | 150JPY |
| Total | 1,360JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ Hotel Vischio Kyoto by Granvia at 7:10, and the tour finished at @ Front of Fushimi Inari Taisha Main Gate at 13:20.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours and 10 minutes in total, from 7:10 to 13:20.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji Temple and Nijo Castle.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,360JPY 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?
Kaz 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.
Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!
My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.
I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.
I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.
I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and a pleasure to be with.
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic Kyoto. He was flexible when we decided to modify our itinerary on the morning due to rain forecast the next day. Kaz’s English was great which meant he kept my teenage sons engaged with stories about shoguns and samurai battles. We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden and Silver pavilions. The highlight of the tour with Kaz was being shown around beautiful gardens to see cherry blossoms still blooming and views of the city. We highly recommend going on a tour with him.
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of of the historical aspects of the sites we visit, provided us great guidance on appropriate behavior at each site. He was energetic throughout the tour. More important he was more of a companion which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour…
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour guide! He spent 6 hours showing us around Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple and the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, spoke English well (lived in the US for 3 years), and took lots of photos for us. We are so glad we booked this tour.