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

  • 8:00 Meet at the hotel
  • Pass through Kenninji Temple, Gion Komachi Street, etc., and explain about maiko, geiko, and more.
  • 8:30 Yasaka Shrine
  • Guide through the northern part of Gion, including Gion Kiridoshi, Tatsumi Bridge, Shirakawa Street, etc.
  • 9:50 Nijo Castle
  • 11:10 Nishiki Market
  • 11:45 Lunch at Nishiki Market
  • 13:00 Ginkakuji Temple
  • 14:00 Escort to Gion-Shijo Station near the hotel and end the guide

Title: What Can You See on a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America. Since their hotel was located just south of Kennin-ji Temple, the tour began with a guided visit there, and they showed interest when I mentioned they could try a zazen meditation experience. I introduced the lives of the maiko and geiko of Gion. At Yasaka Shrine, they were delighted by the deities of beauty, wealth, and blades. At Nijo Castle, they marveled at the grandeur of the Ninomaru Palace! At Nishiki Market, we entered a food stall area and enjoyed sushi, tempura, raw oysters, gyoza, wagyu beef, and more. As they planned to visit Kinkaku-ji Temple the next day after seeing Ginkaku-ji Temple, I explained the contrast between the two sites, which they praised as easy to understand!

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1OtherSanjo Keihan~Nijojo-mae220JPY
Section 2OtherNijojo-mae~Shijo220JPY
Section 3OtherGion-Shijo~Demachiyanagi230JPY
Section 4OtherDemachiyanagi~Gion-Shijo230JPY
Total900JPY

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
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Amazing with our guide Shuji very kind and acknowledge

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A great day in the Company of mr. Shuji.

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