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
- 1. 7:00 Meet up @Hotel Osaka
- 2. 8:30 @Fushimi Inari Taisha
- 3. 10:30 @Arashiyama
- 4. 12:30 @Gion
- 5. 14:00 @Osaka Umeda
- 6. 14: 20 Dismissal @Lucua
Can You Do a Private One-Day Kyoto and Arashiyama Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests had requested, through both the guests and an agency, to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, Nijo Castle, Gion, and a particular sweets shop, so I had planned the itinerary accordingly. However, the guests responded with "What is that sweets shop?", which left me a little puzzled. Since it was also the day of the Gion Festival Yamaboko Junko procession, I suggested choosing between Nijo Castle and Kiyomizu-dera, and we decided on Kiyomizu-dera. But then, after Fushimi Inari Taisha, just as I had bought the tickets to take the Keihan train to Kiyomizu-Gojo, I noticed the sad expressions of some of the guests, who asked, "Aren't we going to the Bamboo Forest?" I made up my mind and said, "Let's skip Kiyomizu-dera and go to the Bamboo Forest!", making a major change to the course. After taking many photos at the bamboo grove and the Oi River, we headed to Gion. We happened to encounter the turning of the Naginata-boko float at Shijo-Kawaramachi, but perhaps because of the heat, the guests' reaction was muted, which was a little disappointing. Since we were unable to visit the character goods shop on Ninenzaka that some of the guests had wanted to see, I guided them to a Ghibli goods shop in Osaka afterward before we parted ways. I believe they enjoyed themselves.
Click here for more details: Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | Nakanoshima～Fushimi Inari | 490JPY |
| Section 2 | Train | Fushimi Inari～Sanjo | 220JPY |
| Section 3 | Train | Sanjo～Nijo | 220JPY |
| Section 4 | Train | Nijo～Saga-Arashiyama | 200JPY |
| Section 5 | Train | Arashiyama～Kyoto Kawaramachi | 240JPY |
| Section 6 | Train | Kyoto Kawaramachi～Osaka Umeda | 410JPY |
| Total | 1,780JPY | ||
Hi! My name is YUKA. I’ve got the government license in 2018 and joined a half year traning to do the guide. But a half year later I started my carreer, Covid came. I should have given up guiding. During the Covid, I’ve read many books and made my own materials to explain Japanese culture, history, etc. I love guiding because the guests expand my horizon all the time and let me know their own country and culture, etc. It is really important for us all to know each other and respect each other to make this world peace. Thank you for coming to Japan! Let’s enjoy Japan together!
Sep 29, 2026
duncans746
Yuka was great
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Yuka was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable,…
Sep 29, 2026
duncans746
Yuka was great
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Yuka was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. I had a fantastic day going around Kyoto with her.
Thank you Yuka!
Sep 23, 2026
navinderp2024
Great day in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We had a great tour…
Sep 23, 2026
navinderp2024
Great day in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
We had a great tour of Kyoto with Yuka. She mate us promptly at our hotel and customised a tour to get the most out of the day. We saw everything we wanted to see on the day and it was all very smooth and well planned.
Aug 9, 2026
piperl686
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Honeymoon Tour in Kyoto
We were so impressed by…
Aug 9, 2026
piperl686
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Honeymoon Tour in Kyoto
We were so impressed by our beautiful tour of Kyoto! Our tour guide Yuka made our day so special with her positive attitude, sweet disposition, and countless fun and interesting facts about Japan. She went out of her way to make sure we saw everything we wanted to see, and even lent me Yen to buy a special gift for my mother when I was short a few coins. We cannot recommend her enough to make your trip to Japan memorable and worthwhile!
Aug 5, 2026
Anita_M
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great day of sightseeing in Kyoto
Yuka was a…
Aug 5, 2026
Anita_M
Viator review: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
Great day of sightseeing in Kyoto
Yuka was a lovely and knowledgeable guide who took great care of us on our recent one day trip to beautiful Kyoto. She met us coming off the Shinkansen and gave us options about how to spend the day wisely. We are so thankful for her thoughtful insights into Japanese traditions and culture, highly recommend doing a guided tour with her as it was very memorable.