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
- 7:30 Meet @ The Westin Miyako Kyoto
- 8:05-8:50 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 9:15-10:00 @ Kiyomizu-dera
- 11:00-11:45 @ Nanzen-ji
- 12:40-13:30 @ Kinkaku-ji
- 13:30 Disband @ Near the Kinkaku-ji entrance/exit
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at @ The Westin Miyako Kyoto at 7:30, the group explored Kyoto until the tour ended at 13:30. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish.
The itinerary covered Fushimi Inari Taisha at 8:05, Kiyomizu-dera at 9:15, Nanzen-ji at 11:00 and Kinkaku-ji at 12:40.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Keage to Sanjo Keihan (Highway by subway (220JPY); Sanjo (Kyoto) to Fushimi Inari by train (240JPY); Kiyomizu-michi by bus (230JPY); Higashiyama (Kyoto) to Keage by subway (220JPY); Keage to Nishioji Oike by subway (260JPY); Nishioji Oike by bus (230JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,400JPY per person.
Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Nanzen-ji, and Kinkaku-ji
The guests were a group visiting from North America. They had originally planned to travel to Vietnam, but while in Seoul they were informed that their entire schedule in Vietnam had been canceled due to a typhoon, so they decided to come to Japan instead. This was their ninth day in Japan, and they had already traveled from Tokyo to Hakone to Kyoto. One of the guests had a DSLR camera and took many photographs.
Fushimi Inari was relatively uncrowded, which made it easy to guide. They experienced both the Omokaru-ishi (lightness-heaviness stone) and the Neagari-no-matsu (raised-root pine).
We took a taxi from Fushimi Inari to Kiyomizu-dera, entering from the Seikan-ji area behind the temple. At the Otowa Waterfall, the guests drank the water. On the approach to Kiyomizu-dera, they purchased a box of nama-yatsuhashi.
At Nanzen-ji, rather than the Hojo Garden, I guided them through Tenju-an, one of the sub-temples. The autumn foliage was at its peak, and they were very delighted. After strolling through Kinkaku-ji, at the guests' request, we parted ways near the entrance of Kinkaku-ji.
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 | Keage～Sanjo Keihan (Highway/Connecting Bus) | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Sanjo (Kyoto)～Fushimi Inari | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Bus | Kiyomizu-michi / Kyoto City Bus～Higashiyama Sanjo (Subway Higashiyama Station) / Kyoto City Bus | 230JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Higashiyama (Kyoto)～Keage | 220JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Keage～Nishioji Oike | 260JPY |
| Section 6 | Bus | Nishioji Oike / Kyoto City Bus～Kinkaku-ji-michi / Kyoto City Bus | 230JPY |
| Total | 1,400JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at @ The Westin Miyako Kyoto at 7:30, and the tour finished at @ Near the Kinkaku-ji entrance/exit at 13:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 7:30 to 13:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, Nanzen-ji and Kinkaku-ji.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,400JPY per person across 6 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Kaz is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Kyoto itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!
My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.
I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.
I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.
I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and…
May 19, 2026
498stephenq
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
An enjoyable visit
Really enjoyed our visit with Kaz. Friendly, informative, and a pleasure to be with.
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic…
Apr 11, 2026
V5131MFjodieh
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kyoto morning tour with Kaz
Kaz (Kazuhiro) guided my family in historic Kyoto. He was flexible when we decided to modify our itinerary on the morning due to rain forecast the next day. Kaz’s English was great which meant he kept my teenage sons engaged with stories about shoguns and samurai battles. We visited the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Golden and Silver pavilions. The highlight of the tour with Kaz was being shown around beautiful gardens to see cherry blossoms still blooming and views of the city. We highly recommend going on a tour with him.
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of…
Oct 14, 2025
Scenic61154406959
Great Historical Perspective
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Yoshida was excellent, he had a great knowledge of of the historical aspects of the sites we visit, provided us great guidance on appropriate behavior at each site. He was energetic throughout the tour. More important he was more of a companion which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour…
Sep 29, 2025
Jea L
Excellent Tour of Kyoto with Kaz
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Kaz was an excellent tour guide! He spent 6 hours showing us around Kyoto including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-Ji Temple and the bamboo forest. He was very knowledgeable, spoke English well (lived in the US for 3 years), and took lots of photos for us. We are so glad we booked this tour.