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
- 9:00 Meet up @ MIMARU Kyoto Shinmachi Sanjo
- 9:30–10:30 Sightseeing at Ginkakuji Temple, stroll along the Philosopher's Path
- 11:00-12:00 Sightseeing at Yasaka Shrine and Kodaiji Temple
- 12:15-13:30 Lunch @ Ishibei Koji Mamecha
- 13:40-15:30 Sightseeing at Yasaka Pagoda, Kiyomizu Temple
- 16:15 Disband @ Cafe SAGAN
- *For transportation, guests arrange a jumbo taxi directly via the Uber app
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 9:00 at @ MIMARU Kyoto Shinmachi Sanjo and ended at 16:15. The day ran to 7 hours and 15 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch @ Ishibei Koji Mamecha at 12:15.
Over the course of the day the route took in Ginkakuji Temple, stroll along the Philosopher's Path at 9:30, Yasaka Shrine and Kodaiji Temple at 11:00 and Yasaka Pagoda, Kiyomizu Temple at 13:40.
What Is a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Ginkaku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera
The guests were a close-knit group visiting from Oceania. We traveled to Ginkaku-ji by taxi. Although it was hot, the weather was fine, and they were captivated by the calm atmosphere of Ginkaku-ji. After sightseeing at Yasaka Shrine and Kodai-ji, we had lunch at a restaurant near Kodai-ji. It was a kaiseki course, and the guests happily ate it up, saying "Yummy!" After lunch, despite the heat, we walked to see Yasaka Pagoda, Ninenzaka, and Kiyomizu-dera. Having spent about three weeks in Oceania myself in the past, we enjoyed lively conversation sharing stories from that experience.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Hello! I am Andy Murao. I love this job as I can visit various destinations with the people from all over the world. I am always thinking that I could help you know more about Japan and understand the attractiveness of Japan.
I would like to provide a tour in accordance with your request and preference. Please let me know what you want to see, eat, experience, etc. and then I will propose a schedule based on them.
There is one point to note. I like walking very much, so I might be a guide who forces you to take long walks.
I look forward to attending you in Japan.
Best regards,
Andy Murao
Sep 20, 2026
Bobby_B
A great Kyoto guide.
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Andy was very nice and…
Sep 20, 2026
Bobby_B
A great Kyoto guide.
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Andy was very nice and knowledgeable. He helped customize the tour to our needs. He helped us find a local Udon restaurant for lunch. There is so much to see in Kyoto, it’s important to have a guide to move across town to different venues. We highly recommend him.
Jul 13, 2026
webstere2025
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Excellent
Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our…
Jul 13, 2026
webstere2025
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Excellent
Andy(Atsushi) was great and communicated with us beforehand about our itinerary. He was flexible with changes we requested. Andy was very informative during the tour. He also was willing to take our family’s pictures. We were able to stop and check out shops as we pleased along the way. He also accommodated lunch requests(as our daughter has food allergies).
One thing I wish we realized was that there is quite a bit of walking. We were fine but for people who are perhaps older or with young children you may want to consider taking a cab between different sites.
Jun 21, 2026
Catherine_D
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in Osaka
Andy was great . On time and patience…
Jun 21, 2026
Catherine_D
Viator review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
First time in Osaka
Andy was great . On time and patience with our walking tour since we had a 14 yr old with
us. Very informative and picked us up and dropped us off our hotel. Thank you Andy for
showing us Osaka
Jun 6, 2026
eyeessess
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour!
Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide.…
Jun 6, 2026
eyeessess
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Early Morning Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great tour!
Andy Murao was an amazing and wonderful tour guide. He reached out to us with some ideas for our private tour. He worked with us as we made the tour perfectly suited to our needs. He met us on time. He navigated the crowds and the sites perfectly. He was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot. He even put together a nice photo collection of photos he emailed us after. Highly recommend.