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
- 1.11: 30 Meet up @ Osaka Port Tempozan Terminal
- 2.13:10 @Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
- 3.14:00 @ Kinkaku-ji Temple
- 4.15:10 @Gion Shirakawa
- 5.15 : 30 @ Hanamikoji
- 6.16: 00 @Kiyomizu-michi (Shopping)
- 7. 17:40 @Kiyomizu-dera Temple Gate (Family Photo)
- 8.19: 15 Disband @Osaka Port Tempozan Terminal
Title: What's a Private Cruise Shore Excursion from Osaka Port to Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
When I arrived at the Osaka Port terminal, I saw that the cruise ship had docked at Osaka Port just before 11:00, and the guests were disembarking one after another. Since this tour was originally scheduled to start at 11:30, and I had let the guests know in advance that I would arrive at Osaka Port by 11:30, I notified them around 11:00 that I had already arrived at Osaka Port. The guests got ready and came down at 11:30, so we started the tour at 11:30.
As soon as the car departed, the conversation turned to the itinerary, and the guests said, "We have already seen plenty of temples, so we would like to cut one of Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, or Kiyomizu-dera, and spend more time in Gion and the Higashiyama district."
So we decided to remove the visit to Ginkaku-ji, which resulted in the itinerary above. It began to rain around Gion, but the driver had prepared umbrellas, which we borrowed. We did not stop for a lunch break, but instead visited a convenience store where the guests bought some light snacks.
At Kiyomizu-zaka, we got out of the car and walked along Kiyomizu-michi. Along the way, the guests looked into various shops, and at a shop near the temple gate they saw tin sake cups, ochoko, and tea canisters, which they liked and purchased in large quantity. After that, we headed toward the gate of Kiyomizu-dera. I thought they would go in and visit, but they did not go in for the visit and only took photos at the gate. We walked back down Kiyomizu-zaka, and the guests bought ceramic tanuki figures and a ceramic teapot. They were very satisfied to be able to do the shopping they had hoped for, and we returned to Osaka Port.
Click here for more details: Kyoto in 1 Day from Osaka: Private Car Tour, Licensed Guide
I am an experienced guide, who live in Osaka. I have been a Government-Licensed Guide in English since 2018. I have already guided a lot of tourists overseas in Kansai Area, that is, in the vicinity of my prefecture, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. I am especially good at guiding in Kansai Area with sufficient knowledge of history, culture and transportation. I have guided people ranging from a small group of one or two to a group of 20-50 people in a big bus, that is, a coach. I like delicious food, because Osaka is a city of Kuidaorre, which means that people in Osaka love to eat and never spend too much money on food. Therefore, as an Osakan, I will do my best to explore restaurants which serve most delicious foods in wherever I take to my guests.
Mar 31, 2026
Michael A
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Perfectly customized tour
Shoko San did an amazing job planning a…
Mar 31, 2026
Michael A
Tripadvisor review: Osaka 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Perfectly customized tour
Shoko San did an amazing job planning a customized tour of more quiet places for Osaka.
We visited a couple of temples and a beautiful Japanese garden. Shoko was very
knowledgeable and accommodating for us. Highly recommended.
Mar 29, 2026
judyl582
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Shoko was great
Shoko was an excellent guide. From the moment she…
Mar 29, 2026
judyl582
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 4hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Shoko was great
Shoko was an excellent guide. From the moment she was assigned to our tour (month prior) to the day of, her communication was clear and proactive. She tailored our day based on our interests and got us where we needed to be quickly and efficiently. She was also VERY knowledgable of the history of the sites we visited.
Oct 8, 2025
441gayh
World Heritage Kyoto places with the best guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Absolutely perfect! SHOKO was…
Oct 8, 2025
441gayh
World Heritage Kyoto places with the best guide
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
Absolutely perfect! SHOKO was the best person to take this tour with. She knew the history of the places we visited – we went to 4 of the world heritage listed places, by train, bus, tram, taxi – just a wonderful day and we will carry many happy memories. Thank you Shoko, you are a beautiful person.
Oct 3, 2025
Judi H
Introduction to Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful tour with Shoko.
She…
Oct 3, 2025
Judi H
Introduction to Kyoto
Tripadvisor review: Kyoto 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide
We had a wonderful tour with Shoko.
She was the same age as we were and we all had a lot of fun.
She had a lovely sense of humour and was very fit so we all worked hard to keep up and enjoy every moment.
She had been in touch with us prior to our arrival in Kyoto,and knew what we wanted to see, and she assisted us with the public transport as it was our first day to see this city.
We had a wonderful tour of Fushimi Inari Shrine where she helped us to make our way through the crowds and took some great photos.
She was up beat and enthusiastic, and could answer all of our many questions.
After taking us to three wonderful shrines and finding us a very cute little place to eat, she stayed with us until she was satisfied we could find our way home.
Shoko was a lovely guide and we left feeling like old friends.