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
- 9:00 Meet at the hotel
- 9:45 Nijo Castle
- 11:20 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- 12:30 Lunch at Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- 13:10 Sannenzaka, Hokan-ji Temple Five-Story Pagoda, Yasaka Koshindo
- 14:00 Yasaka Shrine
- 15:15 Drop off at Kyoto Station, guide ends
Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu-dera
The guests were visitors from Europe. Since I had once lived nearby, we hit it off talking about that. The plan was to start from Fushimi Inari, but as they had visited there the previous time, we changed course to Nijo Castle. I explained the castle and its palace, as well as the shogun and the emperor. They were surprised by the Japanese faith in which the emperor is regarded as a deity. They were also impressed by the magnificence. We visited Kiyomizu-dera, seeing the standing statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon, the veranda, and the Otowa Waterfall. They said that although they had already stayed in Japan for two weeks and seen various temples, this was the most interesting one. We toasted with Japanese beer at lunch. They said it was far better than beer back home! On our stroll from Sannenzaka, they purchased a few souvenirs. Finally, I saw them off at Kyoto Station, where their accommodation was, and the guided tour came to an end.
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 | Kyoto～Nijojo-mae | 260JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Nijojo-mae～Sanjo Keihan | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Sanjo (Kyoto Prefecture)～Kiyomizu-Gojo | 170JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Kyoto Kawaramachi～Karasuma | 170JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Shijo (Kyoto Municipal)～Kyoto | 220JPY |
| Total | 1,040JPY | ||
My name is Shuji, meaning “Excellent Manager” in English. I was born in Hiroshima 1952. I have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
After graduating Kyoto Univ. I joined Mitsubishi-UFJ Bank, Osaka Branch where I met my wife who was a master of Englsih, so I started studying English.
The bank allowed me to go to Columbia Graduate business school in New York and got MBA Degree there. I worked in London and Manchester Branch.
During staying in U.K., I was introduced by BBC and Financial Times News Paper about my achievement there. I was selected as a personal assistant and interpreter for the President of the Bank.
I made many business trips with him to overseas countries. I experienced as an interpreter for meeting late Henry Kissinger and the President of Citi. Corp.
I changed the job to ORIX corporation, there I was promoted to a Board Member. When the company had acquired Dutch company, I was a member as an accountant to check the Dutch company’s statements of accounts.
My hobbies are cooking, singing a song, playing tennis & golf, enjoy seeing arts especially opera & musical, travel. I am also busy with taking care of grandchildren. I passed Government Licensed Guide Exam. in 2016. After I retired in 2017, I started guide job as a part timer. So far, I accomplished guide job more than 500 times.
My area coverage is from Tokyo, Hakone, Kamakura, Mt. Fuji to Kyoto, Nara, Oaka, Hiroshima. I am also able to guide Tea Ceremony, Maiko/Geisha, Sushi Making, Calligraphy, Sumo, Samurai, etc. I can speak excellent English. My knowledge is very wide and deep about not only sightseeing places but Japanese History, Culture, Religion, Daily Life. I know many foreign countries and people. I love talking with all kinds of people including babies with interesting humor.
By the way, I look young for my age of 74.
Jul 16, 2026
salomons666
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto fun
Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge
Jul 15, 2026
P9099TXkennethr
Tripadvisor review: Hiroshima & Miyajima in 1 Day: Private Tour, Licensed Guide
A great day
A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.
Jun 28, 2026
A
Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached…
Jun 28, 2026
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Tripadvisor review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
AmyfromPlano
Shuji is the best! Once we booked this tour, he reached out immediately to make sure that we had a customized tour of what we wanted to see and do in Nara. The level of details in his emails was incredible! Not only did Shuji plan a great tour but he also went above and beyond by explaining the Japan rail system, the public transportation cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.) and even told us exactly what trains, times and gates to exit so that our meetup was seamless. Been on a lot of tours around the world and have never had this level of communication. Once we started our tour, Shuji was articulate, knowledgeable and so much fun! Nara is amazing and Shuji made it so much better – please request him!
Jun 22, 2026
yeseniag981
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Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was…
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yeseniag981
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 6hr Private Walking Tour with Government Licensed Guide
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Our tour guide Shuji was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and made sure we were able to see everything that we wanted while in Osaka. He even took my 5 year old into consideration and took us to the Pokémon store since he is a Pokémon fan. I would definitely recommend him as a tour guide.