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

  • 09:00 Meet up Osaka Port
  • 10;15 to 10:30 Arashiyama
  • 10:40 to 11:30 Tenryu-ji Temple
  • 11:30 to 12:00 Sagano Bamboo Grove
  • 12:45 to 13:30 Kinkaku-ji Temple
  • 14:00 to 14:45 Ginkaku-ji Temple
  • 15:15 to 15:45 Gion
  • 17:00 Dismissal Subway Hommachi Station

Tour Itinerary in Detail

The tour started at 09:00 at Osaka Port and ended at 17:00. The day ran to 8 hours from start to finish.

Over the course of the day the route took in Tenryu-ji Temple at 10:40, Sagano Bamboo Grove at 11:30, Kinkaku-ji Temple at 12:45, Ginkaku-ji Temple at 14:00 and Gion at 15:15.

Travel between the sites was by public transport: Osaka Metro Osakako Station to Osaka Metro Umeda Station by subway (290JPY); Hankyu Railway Umeda Station to Hankyu Railway Arashiyama Station by train (410JPY); JR Saga-Arashiyama Station to JR Emmachi Station by train (190JPY); City Bus Nishinokyo Emmachi to City Bus Kinkakuji-michi by bus (230JPY); Keihan Railway Gion-Shijo to Keihan Railway Yodoyabashi by train (430JPY); Osaka Metro Yodoyabashi Station to Osaka Metro Hommachi Station by subway (220JPY). Across 6 sections the fare came to 1,770JPY per person.

What Happens If a Guest Loses Their Phone on a Private Kyoto Tour? A Licensed Guide's Report

Today, a guest experienced the trouble of losing their phone at Kinkaku-ji. After finishing the visit to Kinkaku-ji, we discovered the phone was missing while taking a taxi on the way to Ginkaku-ji. We returned to Kinkaku-ji and searched the places where it might have been lost. It appeared to have been dropped in the restroom. It had been turned in to the lost-and-found section and was safely returned. I am grateful to the person who turned it in. Today's group arrived by cruise ship, and there was a request to add friends they had met on board to this tour, but I politely declined.

Transportation cost per person

No.TransportationRouteFare
Section 1SubwayOsaka Metro Osakako Station~Osaka Metro Umeda Station290JPY
Section 2TrainHankyu Railway Umeda Station~Hankyu Railway Arashiyama Station410JPY
Section 3TrainJR Saga-Arashiyama Station~JR Emmachi Station190JPY
Section 4BusCity Bus Nishinokyo Emmachi~City Bus Kinkakuji-michi230JPY
Section 5TrainKeihan Railway Gion-Shijo~Keihan Railway Yodoyabashi430JPY
Section 6SubwayOsaka Metro Yodoyabashi Station~Osaka Metro Hommachi Station220JPY
Total1,770JPY

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does this Osaka tour start and finish?

The guide met the guests at Osaka Port at 09:00, and the tour finished at Subway Hommachi Station at 17:00.

How long does the tour last?

About 8 hours in total, from 09:00 to 17:00.

Which places does this itinerary cover?

This tour visited Tenryu-ji Temple, Sagano Bamboo Grove, Kinkaku-ji Temple, Ginkaku-ji Temple and Gion.

How much did transport cost on this tour?

Public transport came to 1,770JPY 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?

Haru 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 Osaka itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.

Personal data
Born in : May 1st, 1957
Hobby : Visiting scenic places,
historic spots, Japanese
gardens and old townscape
Former career : Worked for electric
company and engaged in
international sales for
about 40 years.
Travel history in the former career :
Visited about 20 countries about 200 times

Career as guide interpreter
Acquisition of guide license : 2016
Career of guide : 8 years
Genre of my specialty :
Japanese historic structures such as
temple, shrine, castle and garden.
Area of guide : Kyoto, Nara, Osaka &
Himeji

Let’s enjoy Japan with me !!

Dec 30, 2024
shannono1010
Haru is a Rock Star
Viator review: Nara 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Haru was a fantastic guide. He explained…

Dec 29, 2024
Ali O
Amazing!
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Haru was amazing on our tour of Nara. He was…

Dec 4, 2024
D5658ZEjohnr
Trip to some of the Kyoto sites on our visit to Japan.
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with…

Dec 3, 2024
Charlie_Jane00
Kyoto Tour
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Haru was a well organised and very informative guide. He…