Kyoto in One Day: Arashiyama & Fushimi Inari — Guide Naoki
November, 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
- 8:30 Hotel Kyoto station meet-up
- 9:20 Arashiyama
- 11:00 Nijo Castle
- 12:30 Nishiki Market
- 13:40 Fushimi Inari
- 14:30 Disband at Fushimi Inari
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The tour started at 8:30 at Hotel Kyoto station meet-up and ended at 14:30. The day ran to 6 hours from start to finish.
Over the course of the day the route took in Arashiyama at 9:20, Nijo Castle at 11:00, Nishiki Market at 12:30 and Fushimi Inari at 13:40.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kyoto to Shijo (Kyoto Municipal) by subway (220JPY); Karasuma to Arashiyama (Hankyu Line) by train (240JPY); Arashiyama (Keifuku Line) to Uzumasa-Tenjingawa by train (230JPY); Uzumasa-Tenjingawa to Nijojo-mae by subway (260JPY); Nijojo-mae to Shijo (Kyoto Municipal) by train (220JPY); Gion-Shijo to Fushimi Inari by train (240JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,410JPY per person.
What Is a 6-Hour Private Walking Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. There had been some concern beforehand about whether the full 6-hour walking tour could be completed, and while touring Nijo Castle, some of the guests began to tire, so after leaving the Ninomaru Palace we skipped the garden stroll and headed to Nishiki Market. As soon as they saw the food, they regained their energy, and after enjoying street food at three shops, we proceeded to Fushimi Inari Shrine as planned. We took two short breaks along the way and completed the planned itinerary. One of the guests was interested in the history of Kyoto and asked many questions. Everyone did very well with all the walking. From Fushimi Inari, the guests caught a taxi and returned to their Hotel.
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～Shijo (Kyoto Municipal) | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Karasuma～Arashiyama (Hankyu Line) | 240JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Arashiyama (Keifuku Line)～Uzumasa-Tenjingawa | 230JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Uzumasa-Tenjingawa～Nijojo-mae | 260JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Nijojo-mae～Shijo (Kyoto Municipal) | 220JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Gion-Shijo～Fushimi Inari | 240JPY |
| Total | 1,410JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Hotel Kyoto station meet-up at 8:30, and the tour finished at Fushimi Inari at 14:30.
How long does the tour last?
About 6 hours in total, from 8:30 to 14:30.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Arashiyama, Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market and Fushimi Inari.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,410JPY 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?
Naoki 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.
I am Naoki Nakatani. I live in Osaka.
I started tour guide from 2023 after 40 years
work experience in Japanese manufacturing company. I am currently teaching Japanese as volunteer staff to foreign residents who live in my community. I have 11 and half years work experience in overseas office and I had interacted with people of foreign countries for a long time enjoying business and friendship with them. My guide experience is still short but I will provide my best service to the guests. I am in a position to prepare the itinerary if guests request and to send any information for the guest to make plan before visit to Japan.
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Choose Naoki – you will have a great day!!
Naoki is an excellent guide. His communication with us before our trip was outstanding. I sent him a very long list of things we were interested in, and he carefully helped us understand what was in each area and what we could realistically accomplish in a day.
Naoki even navigated a couple of bus rides for us—which turned out to be a lot of fun! He is highly knowledgeable while still making everything engaging, which made him perfect for first-time visitors to Japan.
We had a lovely day and were able to see many of the things we were most interested in, thanks to Naoki’s thoughtful guidance. He clearly put a great deal of effort into planning our day.
We highly recommend Naoki if you are looking for an easygoing guide who puts genuine care into tailoring your experience to your interests.
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Naoki was very kind and knowledgeable He knew the best highlights of osaka castle and
even got us in by skipping lines