Kyoto: @ Fushimi Inari Taisha & @ Kyoto Imperial Palace — Guide Kaz

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

Tour Report by Kaz

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!