Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Kazu
September, 2025
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
- 12:30 Meet at hotel 13:20 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji 14:00 Adashino Nenbutsu-ji 15:00 Gio-ji 15:45 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove 16:10 Togetsukyo Bridge 17:20 Fushimi Inari 18:00 Tour ends
What Is a Private Afternoon Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari
The guests visited Japan from North America. They had been to Tokyo before. They walked at a brisk pace, which was very helpful. Since they arrived in Kyoto in the morning, the tour started in the afternoon. It was an extremely hot day. Even so, they walked energetically without any breaks over the long distance from Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple to the Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama. They occasionally glanced into souvenir shops but hardly bought anything. As it became evening, I chose Fushimi Inari as the final destination, since it has no closing time. Because it was evening, there were fewer people. They tried the Omokaru-ishi (lightweight stones). I had planned to see them off to their hotel, but they said, "We can get back on our own from here," so the tour ended 30 minutes early. We used a taxi from Arashiyama to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple. The photo was taken at Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple.
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 City Hall～Uzumasa Tenjingawa | 260JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Randen Tenjingawa～Arashiyama (Keifuku Line) | 250JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Saga-Arashiyama～Inari | 240JPY |
| Total | 750JPY | ||
I was born and grew up in Kyoto and now live near Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. I used to be a schoolteacher of English and welcome a lot of students from foreign countries. I really enjoyed showing them around Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, and Hiroshima. I have been a professional tour guide for about 8 years. I always try to let my guests learn Japanese traditional and modern culture. Since I was born in Kyoto, I know a lot about its culture and people. I myself enjoyed several sports, such as soccer, judo, and marathon when I was young. I’m much interested in baseball and sumo. My motto as a tour guide is to let my guests learn about our tradition and culture precisely and really enjoy themselves. I strongly hope you will enjoy the tour in Japan with me.
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep…
Jul 24, 2026
Trail65429092687
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Tour
Kazua Sumi is a very accomplished guide.He has deep knowledge about the history and culture of Japan. He is flexible and accommodates changes if you so desire. He is also very empathetic. I had a sprained back and he ensured we took elevators everywhere. You will be lucky if he is assigned as your guide .
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience…
Jul 23, 2026
489caelinp
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour with Licensed Guide
Kyoto Guided Tour
My friend and I had a great experience on the tour. We travelled all around Kyoto with our guide Kazuo Sumi. He is a sweet older gentleman who had a great depth of knowledge about each place we went to. We told him places we wanted to go and he made the itinerary for us. There is no one better to have as your guide!!
Jul 16, 2026
margaretsM7923ON
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide
Great way to see Kyoto
Wonderful tour and exceptional guide.
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided…
Jul 9, 2026
Sandra_B
Kazuo was great and…
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Kazuo was great and provided some excellent recommendations. There’s a lot of walking so make sure you are prepared.