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 Meet in front of Nijo Castle
- 10:05 Itinerary explanation and explanation of Kyoto's history
- 10:30 Nijo Castle
- 11:45 Kinkaku-ji Temple
- 13:00 Daisen-in Temple
- 14:15 Lunch break (in front of Ginkaku-ji Temple)
- 15:00 Stroll along the Philosopher's Path
- 15:20 Honen-in Temple
- 16:15 Disband in front of Nanzen-ji Sanmon Gate
Title: What's a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America on their first trip to Japan. They had already gained some knowledge from a tour in Tokyo and asked thoughtful questions about things they had been wondering about. For example, they asked what the difference is between the teachings of Zen Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism, the meaning of the five-story pagoda, why the Golden Pavilion is a three-tiered structure, and they had long been curious about the Jizo statues found around the city. The next day they planned to head to Osaka, so I enthusiastically recommended trying okonomiyaki. Since arriving in Japan, they had already enjoyed plenty of fine food, including kaiseki cuisine at high-end ryokan and traditional restaurants, so today we had a simple lunch of egg rice bowl and konoha-don at a small udon shop. Over lunch, we talked about kaiseki cuisine, Japanese dialects, and the character of people from the Kansai region, and in turn I got to hear a variety of perspectives about dialects in North America and, tied to the history of baseball teams, various views and ways of thinking. It was truly fascinating to hear stories from a perspective rooted in the region.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama
Jul 29, 2026
James_G
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great guide and very…
Great guide and very knowledgeable.…
Jul 29, 2026
James_G
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great guide and very…
Great guide and very knowledgeable. Spoke perfect English and made the day fun and educational. Was able to adjust the tour based on my needs.
Jul 13, 2026
peterhR6472GA
Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A wonderful day with Kazu…
Jul 13, 2026
peterhR6472GA
Kyoto highlights with Kazu.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
A wonderful day with Kazu san in Kyoto. From the moment that the tour was booked, his communication with email about planning the day was exceptional.
Kazu gave detailed explanations about the areas we visited and we appreciated all that he had to offer at each of our stops.
We thoroughly enjoyed our day with him.
Jul 12, 2026
cgalvez73
Fantastic tour guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu.…
Jul 12, 2026
cgalvez73
Fantastic tour guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Our guide in Kyoto was Kazu. By the end of the day, we felt like we had made a new friend.
Kazu helped us arrange the best day with our short time in Kyoto. He brought us to some “hidden gems” and gave us thorough explanations on history and culture.
I would highly recommend this tour.
Jun 23, 2026
Winni_H
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Highly recommended when in Kyoto
Our tour guide…
Jun 23, 2026
Winni_H
Viator review: Private Kyoto Tour with Licensed Guide & Vehicle (Max 15 persons)
Highly recommended when in Kyoto
Our tour guide Kazu was very knowledgeable in terms of the history and explaining many of
the wonderful ancient sites around Kyoto. Definitely a must! Otherwise, I think it would be
difficult to tourists to understand on their own.