Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Kazu
February, 2026
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
- 8:50 Hotel meet-up 9:20 Sanjusangendo 10:30 Kiyomizu-dera Temple 11:30 Lunch (Japanese cuisine) 12:10 Sannei-zaka, Yasaka Pagoda, Ninen-zaka, Ishibei-koji 13:00 Yasaka Shrine
- 13:20 Gion (Hanamikoji, Tatsumi Shrine, Shirakawa) 14:10 Nijo Castle 15:00 Tour ends
Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
This tour was a substitute assignment, as the guide originally assigned had fallen ill. There was no communication at all from the agency involved in between, so both the guests and I approached the day with some concern. However, there turned out to be nothing to worry about. When I arrived at the Hotel, the guests were waiting on a bench at the entrance. They were both friendly and easygoing, which was a great relief. The guests were visiting Japan for the first time from Oceania. They had no trouble walking and no dietary restrictions, so they were easy guests to guide. Although the tour took place with some wind and occasional light rain, they enjoyed it energetically. The previous guide's itinerary covered the Higashiyama area plus Nijo Castle, which involved quite a lot of walking, but I found it to be an interesting course. We took a taxi from Sanjusangendo to Kiyomizu-dera. The photo was taken at an eatery along the approach to Kiyomizu-dera.
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 | Bus | Higashiyama Sanjo (Subway Higashiyama Station)／Kyoto City Bus～Higashiyama Shichijo／Kyoto City Bus | 230JPY |
| Section 2 | Subway | Higashiyama (Kyoto Prefecture)～Nijojo-mae | 220JPY |
| Total | 450JPY | ||
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.