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
- 8:58 Meet at Osaka Port Terminal
- 10:25 Fushimi Inari
- 12:00 Lunch
- 12:50 Kinkaku-ji
- 14:00 Nijo Castle
- 15.15 Higashiyama Area
- 15:40 Gion
- 16:03 Board Keihan train heading to Osaka Port
- 17:25 Arrive at Osaka Port and end tour
Tour Itinerary in Detail
The itinerary covered Fushimi Inari at 10:25, Kinkaku-ji at 12:50, Nijo Castle at 14:00, Gion at 15:40, Board Keihan train heading to Osaka Port at 16:03 and Osaka Port and end tour at 17:25.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: Osaka Port to Yodoyabashi (290JPY); Yodoyabashi to Fushimi Inari (480JPY); Inari to Enmachi (200JPY); Enmachi to Kinkakuji-michi (230JPY); Kinkakuji-michi to Nishioji Oike (230JPY); Nishioji Oike to Nijojo-mae by subway (220JPY); Nijojo-mae to Higashiyama (220JPY); Higashiyama Sanjo to Kiyomizu-michi (230JPY); Gion-Shijo to Yodoyabashi (490JPY); Yodoyabashi to Osaka Port (290JPY). Across 10 sections the fare came to 2,880JPY per person.
Title: What Can You See on a Private Kyoto Tour from Osaka's Tempozan? A Licensed Guide's Report
The guests were visitors from North America. This was the first visit to Japan for some of the guests. We were blessed with good weather, which made for a comfortable tour. The guests walked energetically throughout the day. Thanks to that, although it became a rather brisk-paced tour and we ran slightly over the scheduled time, we were able to visit all of the planned destinations. Getting from Tempozan to the destinations in central Kyoto inevitably takes about an hour and twenty minutes. Because of this, I was reminded that it is better not to be too ambitious and try to cover too many places. The photo was taken at a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant where we had lunch.
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 | Other | Osaka Port～Yodoyabashi | 290JPY |
| Section 2 | Other | Yodoyabashi～Fushimi Inari | 480JPY |
| Section 3 | Other | Inari～Enmachi | 200JPY |
| Section 4 | Other | Enmachi～Kinkakuji-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 5 | Other | Kinkakuji-michi～Nishioji Oike | 230JPY |
| Section 6 | Subway | Nishioji Oike～Nijojo-mae | 220JPY |
| Section 7 | Other | Nijojo-mae～Higashiyama | 220JPY |
| Section 8 | Other | Higashiyama Sanjo～Kiyomizu-michi | 230JPY |
| Section 9 | Other | Gion-Shijo～Yodoyabashi | 490JPY |
| Section 10 | Other | Yodoyabashi～Osaka Port | 290JPY |
| Total | 2,880JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle, Gion, Board Keihan train heading to Osaka Port and Osaka Port and end tour.
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 2,880JPY per person across 10 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?
Kazu 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.
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.