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
- ① 10:00 Meet at the hotel (Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion)
- ② 11:00 Daisen-in (dry landscape garden)
- ③ 12:00 Hoshun-in (bonsai garden)
- ④ 13:00 Nijo Castle
- ⑤ 14:20 Lunch at Nishiki Market
- ⑥ 15:00 Strolling and shopping at Nishiki Market and Teramachi Street
- ⑦ 15:45 Strolling in Gion (watching a maiko's dance at the Gion Hanamachi Art Museum)
- ⑦ 16:20 Disband in Gion
Title: What Can You See on a Rainy-Day Private Kyoto Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. The overseas travel agency was quite relaxed and there was no advance planning at all, so on the morning of the tour we discussed the destinations together at the Hotel. Since it was pouring rain from early in the morning, we took that into account, and because the guests were interested in the tea ceremony, dry landscape gardens, geisha and maiko culture, and the history of the shogun, the itinerary was decided quickly. The conversation was very enjoyable. According to the guests, much of their home region is a land of mountains and lakes with a lot of rain, and there people would call you uncool for walking around with an umbrella. So they were absolutely delighted that in Japan they could walk around holding an umbrella in the rain, saying that was the coolest and most enjoyable thing of all, cheerfully making the most of it. Even after the rain stopped in the afternoon, they always put up an umbrella when taking photos, thoroughly enjoying the heavy rain of the day. It was a delightful group to guide. There were no expenses advanced.
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.