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 Meeting
- 8:00-9:00 @ Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 9:45-10:50 @ Nijo Castle
- 11:20-12:20 @ Kyoto Imperial Palace
- 13:00 Dismissal @ In front of Kyoto Pokemon Center
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Meeting at Meeting at 7:30, the group explored Kyoto until the tour ended at 13:00. The day ran to 5 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish.
The itinerary covered Fushimi Inari Taisha at 8:00, Nijo Castle at 9:45 and Kyoto Imperial Palace at 11:20.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Kiyomizu-Gojo Station to Fushimi Inari Station by train (220JPY); Fushimi Inari Station to Sanjo Station by train (220JPY); Keihan Sanjo Station to Nijojo-mae Station by subway (220JPY); Nijojo-mae to Imadegawa Station by subway (220JPY); Imadegawa Station to Shijo Station by subway (220JPY). Across 5 sections the fare came to 1,100JPY per person.
What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Fushimi Inari, Nijo Castle, and Kyoto Imperial Palace
The guests were a group visiting from North America. We decided to head to Fushimi Inari Taisha before it got crowded. Thanks to this, it was not too crowded, and the guests were happy to take photos freely at their own pace. They were a group that loved taking photos of all kinds — commemorative shots and scenery alike. One of the guests was collecting goshuin (shrine stamps), but the notebook they were using was an A6-sized memo pad rather than a proper goshuin book. When we checked at the goshuin counter, they were told that the stamp could only be written in a goshuin book, so unfortunately they were unable to receive the goshuin in front of the main hall. At Fushimi Inari, they purchased two torii-shaped ema as souvenirs and took more commemorative photos holding them.
Nijo Castle was also not very crowded, so I was able to guide them at a relaxed pace. When I talked about the Battle of Sekigahara, they asked what happened to Ishida Mitsunari, who was defeated. When I explained that he was beheaded along the Kamo River, one of the guests, who had jogged along the Kamo River the day before, seemed a little unsettled.
From around 11:00, the temperature rose sharply, and it was quite hot while we walked around the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Since there is not much shade at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, I made an effort to keep the tour there brief.
After exploring the Kyoto Imperial Palace, they asked me to take them to the area around Nishiki Market rather than returning to the hotel, and one of the guests also asked to be shown to the Pokémon Center. So I took them by subway to Shijo Station and first guided them to the Pokémon Center. When I then tried to guide them to Nishiki Market, they said they would make their way there on their own, so we parted ways in front of the building housing the Pokémon Center.
The tour ran significantly over time, but the guests paid the additional fee for the extension.
Click here for more details: Kyoto Early Morning Customized Tour with Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Kiyomizu-Gojo Station～Fushimi Inari Station | 220JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Fushimi Inari Station～Sanjo Station | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Subway | Keihan Sanjo Station～Nijojo-mae Station | 220JPY |
| Section 4 | Subway | Nijojo-mae～Imadegawa Station | 220JPY |
| Section 5 | Subway | Imadegawa Station～Shijo Station | 220JPY |
| Total | 1,100JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this Kyoto tour start and finish?
The guide met the guests at Meeting at 7:30, and the tour finished at @ In front of Kyoto Pokemon Center at 13:00.
How long does the tour last?
About 5 hours and 30 minutes in total, from 7:30 to 13:00.
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Fushimi Inari Taisha, Nijo Castle and Kyoto Imperial Palace.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 1,100JPY per person across 5 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.