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

  • 10:00 pick you up in the lobby of your hotel "Hotel Osaka"
  • (we take subway, JR train)
  • 11:20 Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
  • 11:40 Tenryuji Temple
  • 12:10 (leave)
  • 13:00 Nishiki Food Market
  • (lunch)
  • 14:20 (taxi)
  • 14:30 Gion district
  • 15:00 Yasui Shrine
  • 15:10 (taxi)
  • 15:40 Fushimi Inari Taisha
  • 16:30 (taxi)
  • 18:00 return to your hotel

What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like for Cruise Passengers? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America, arriving today at the Port of Osaka aboard a cruise ship. Since the cruise ship stayed overnight at the Port of Osaka, the guests moved to a hotel to stay the night, and the tour started from the hotel.

At Tenryu-ji Temple, the autumn foliage was finally beginning to change color.

For lunch, the guests had wanted sashimi the day before and beef today, so we went to a restaurant near Nishiki Market and had beef, along with okonomiyaki and yakisoba.

The guests wanted to buy matcha utensils, so they purchased them at Nishiki Market.

Since one of the guests had trouble with their knee, we used the elevator at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine to reach the Thousand Torii Gates. Everyone felt that Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine was truly wonderful.

We set out planning to arrive earlier than 18:00, but there was an accident along the way causing traffic congestion, and in the end we arrived exactly at 18:00.

Hello, I’m HIDEo YOSHIda. Please call me HIDEYOSHI, the same name as a famous shogun who unified Japan for the first time in 1590.
I was born in Kobe, worked in Osaka for nearly 40 years. I would like to introduce you Kansai region, including Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Wakayama.
In Kyoto, I can guide you Nijojo Castle, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Kinkakuji Tempe (Golden Pavilion), Gion area, and Fushimi Inari Taisha.
In Osaka, I’ll show you Osaka Castle, Shinsekai, Dotonbori, and Umeda Sky biilding. We have locall foods such as Kushikatau, Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki.
In Kobe, I’ll take you to former foreign residential area, Sannomiya Shopping Street, Chinese Market, and Arima Onsen.
In Nara, I’ll guide you Todaiji Temple, Kofukuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, and Yakushiji Temple.
In Wakayama, I take you to Koyasan, the center of Esoteric Buddhism.
I enjoy guiding foreign tourists.
I can show you Japanese history, especially samurai period, and Shinto and Buddhism.
I’ve been looking forward to guiding you !!

Jun 1, 2026
Stephan_F
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Great overview of the…
Great overview of the highlights of Kyoto with…

May 28, 2025
terrym866
Kyoto guided tour was as promised. Very knowledgeable guide and driver .
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full Day Tour from Kobe with…

Oct 17, 2024
katiya2017
Walking visit in Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour (Osaka departure) with Government-Licensed Guide
We booked a full day walking…

Sep 29, 2024
Roy_M
Excellent tour of Kyoto
Viator review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a very good private tour with…