GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
GoWithGuide
GoWithGuideFind your perfect tour guide at GoWithGuide. Relax and cherish unforgettable tours with loved ones. Create personalized tours for a truly memorable trip!
Kyoto Private Tour - Golden Temple, or Kinkaku-ji Temple.
Golden Temple, or Kinkaku-ji Temple.
Kyoto Private Tour - Murin-an, you would be able to reduce frustration over a cup of green tea.
Murin-an, you would be able to reduce frustration over a cup of green tea.
Kyoto Private Tour - Nijo Jinya House, it's nicknamed Ninja-house because of many tricks.
Nijo Jinya House, it's nicknamed Ninja-house because of many tricks.
Kyoto Private Tour - It's open to your imagination at Ryoan-ji temple.
It's open to your imagination at Ryoan-ji temple.
Kyoto Private Tour - It represents the values of "Wabi-Sabi" at Ginkaku-ji temple.
It represents the values of "Wabi-Sabi" at Ginkaku-ji temple.
Kyoto Private Tour - Japanese garden consists of moss plant, rocks, and sand, which makes you calm down.
Japanese garden consists of moss plant, rocks, and sand, which makes you calm down.
Kyoto Private Tour - You can look down from the observation platform of Kyoto Tower.
You can look down from the observation platform of Kyoto Tower.
Kyoto Private Tour - There are lots of traditional town houses, or Machine in Kyoto.
There are lots of traditional town houses, or Machine in Kyoto.
Kyoto Private Tour - How about doing some meditation at the Japanese-stle room at Nanzen-ji temple?
How about doing some meditation at the Japanese-stle room at Nanzen-ji temple?
Kyoto Private Tour - Nijo castle. You can experience SAMURAI warrior's life style there.
Nijo castle. You can experience SAMURAI warrior's life style there.
Kyoto Private Tour - Nijo Castle is the finest architecture and artwork of Edo period.
Nijo Castle is the finest architecture and artwork of Edo period.
Kyoto Private Tour - Would you like to cross at the Kamo river?
Would you like to cross at the Kamo river?
Kyoto Private Tour - You might be able to come across Maiko or Geisya at the Gion disrict.
You might be able to come across Maiko or Geisya at the Gion disrict.
Kyoto Private Tour - Please don't jump off the stage of Kiyomizu temple!
Please don't jump off the stage of Kiyomizu temple!
Kyoto Private Tour - Tohfuku-ji temple's gate is one of the oldest and biggest in Kyoto.
Tohfuku-ji temple's gate is one of the oldest and biggest in Kyoto.
Kyoto Private Tour - Let's walk through thousands of Torii Gate in Fushi Inari Shrine!
Let's walk through thousands of Torii Gate in Fushi Inari Shrine!

Let's enjoy your Half-day Kyoto Tour!

Highlights
Kyoto Tour Guide - Tohru S.

Joined 2019

Tohru S.
4.67 / 5
(12 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Kyoto
English, Japanese (Native)
5 hours
Private tour (only you and Tohru S.)
Up to 6 people

Half-day Kyoto Tour would be personalized according to your interests and preferences. If you don't like the busy sightseeing spots, I'm happy to suggest the suitable itinerary for you on your requests. Let's enjoy your own tour to experience a wider variety of cultures in Kyoto!

The meeting time would be flexible based on your schedule, for example, 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM (or 1:00 PM) would be available.

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I would appreciate it if you could visit my page on Facebook by my name "Tohru Shimagaki".

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

09:00 AM

Meeting Point

HOTEL GRANVIA KYOTO’s Lobby on the Second Floor near JR Kyoto Station Central Gate

- HOTEL GRANVIA KYOTO is located at the North of JR Kyoto Station.

08:20 AM

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Let's walk trough thousands of tori gate in Fushimi Inari Shrine. You will be taken into a mysterious world!

10:00 AM

Kinkakuji-temple, or Golden Pavilion

Let's take a lot of pictures with Golden Pavilion and post your pictures on SNS!

12:00 PM

Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama

Let's take a deep breathe in Bamboo Forest! You can reduce your frustration of school, company and home.

Ending Point

JR Central Entrance of Kyoto station

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

Guide fee, Hotel pick-up within Kyoto-city

What‘s not included

Lunch, Entrance fee (about 500 JPY/place), Transportation fare

Tour Important Information

Available time varies daily.

Please complete your bookings 4days before the tour day.

This tour is not covered by insurance, so please participate in this tour at your own risk.

Please note that we use public transportation for this tour.

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What can you expect for this tour?

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This tour is for those who want to go around Kyoto within half a day, or 5 hours. We will use the public transport like bus, subway and train.

Your itinerary can be customized according to your preference and interest.

Sample Itinerary 1 :

・Kyoto station -> Fushimi Inari Shrine -> Uji Byodo-in Temple -> Golden Temple -> Kyoto station

Sample Itinerary 2

・Kyoto station -> Bamboo Forest in Arashiyama -> Golden Temple ->-> Fushimi Inari Shrine -> Kyoto station

Sample Itinerary 3 :

・Kyoto station -> Nijo Castle -> Nishiki Food Market -> Kiyomizu Temple -> Kyoto station

Cancellation Policy

  • Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
  • 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
  • No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Kyoto Tour Guide - Tohru S.

Joined 2019

Tohru S.
4.67 / 5
(12 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Tohru S.

Welcome to Kyoto! My name's Tohru. Please call me Toh-ru or Toh-ru-san. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. I was born and grew up in Kyoto, so I'm very familiar with many sightseeing spots and attractions in Kyoto. If you would like to enjoy walking around Kyoto in YUKATA or KIMONO, I'll be happy to prepare it for you in advance.

Kyoto is a fascinating and picturesque city visited by lots of foreign tourists every year. I can offer you unique experiences in this beautiful city, which can include visits to traditional Japanese gardens, ancient temples and shrines designated as world heritage sites, authentic Japanese cultural experiences such as exploring the traditional townhouse called MACHIYA, the food market called NISHIKI, shopping arcades and fantastic museums. With a flexible approach, I can help you personalize your agenda.

When you have a chance to visit Kyoto, please contact me anytime and anywhere!

I'll be looking forward to seeing you and spending wonderful time with you.

See you soon!

Certified as

- National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter

- Itinerary Control Manager

- Kyoto Expert Certification 2nd grade

Reviews

E

Edilberto M.

5 / 5
May 19, 2025

Let's enjoy your One-day Kyoto Tour!

Kyoto
7 hours

“Ancient Temples and Hidden Gardens. ”

Strolling through Kyoto with our guide, Mr.Tohru passion for Kyoto’s history—pointing out subtleties in architecture or the zen of a rock garden—makes every step vivid. Mr.Tohru’s knack for timing avoids tourist crowds, letting us soak in the city’s soul. It’s less of a tour and more of a dance through time. An incredible experience, one highly recommended.

Edilberto M.

Tohru S.

Dear Edilberto-san, Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I truly appreciate for your cheerful personality. Moreover, you were so open-minded and friendly that I could spend a great time with you in Kyoto. I hope you will have a great day in Japan. Best wishes!

K

Kathryn Y.

4 / 5
Nov 24, 2024

Let's enjoy your Half-day Kyoto Tour!

Kyoto
5 hours

“Lots to see in Kyoto!”

Tohru is very pleasant and mindful individual throughout this tour. Although it's only a half-day tour, Tohru thoughtfully pre-planned 3 attractions starting out with Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle/gardens, and finale at Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama District. He is excellent in navigating to all these destinations via the subway, which could get pretty complicated, but he knew the best ways to get around the busy areas to avoid the crowds, which made us feel at ease on a Monday commuter crowd. We had hoped for a bit better communication in English, at times challenging, but he did his best to get us to these destinations packed in a half day....if we did this on our own...we probably wouldn't have seen half the site attractions we visited. He led us to a great Soba restaurant, Soba Tatsuichi, which we thoroughly enjoyed whether it was hot or cold soba noodles with a dipping sauce. Our ending highlight was walking (27k steps that day!!!)thru the streets after strolling thru the lush Bamboo Forest. We certainly ended our tour with our vanilla softee ice cream (pic attached) and trying out a Japanese donut that Tohru recommended was delicious! Overall, Tohru is insightful, respectful, and a professional guide, and hope he can accept this feedback to improve communication with his English speaking clients as I am sure he is knowledgeable about the local culture historical sites. Thanks Tohru, for a very delightful tour of Kyoto!!!

Kathryn Y.

Tohru S.

Dear Kathryn-san, Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I truly appreciate for your cheerful personality. Moreover, you were so open-minded and friendly that I could spend a great time with your family in Kyoto. Hope you will have a great day in Japan. Best wishes!

A

Adam U.

5 / 5
Oct 18, 2024

Let's enjoy your Half-day Kyoto Tour!

Kyoto
5 hours

“Half day private tour of Kyoto for four people”

Tohru San chose three sites that represents Kyoto. All three were accessible via train around the city. In order of preference my favorite was 1. Bambo Grove in Arashiyama 2. Golden Pavilion Temple 3. Fushimi Inari Shrine Overall a nice time.

Adam U.

Tohru S.

Dear Adam-san, Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I truly appreciate for your cheerful personality. Moreover, you were so open-minded and friendly that I could spend a great time with your family in Kyoto. Hope you will have a great day in Japan. Best wishes!

Want to Personalize?

$192/ per group

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