Private tour in Kyoto Shogo K

Discover Kyoto - Full Day Private Tour

5.0

(6) reviews

-
Hours icon 7 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 7 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Shogo K.

4.9

Guide rating

44

Reviews

Tours delivered

2 hrs

Avg. response time

Welcome to Japan! I'm Shogo K. Nice to meet you. I'm a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English. "Shogo?" Looks a little bit hard to pronounce. So if you are interested in Samurai or Busho, you can call me "Shogun". (rather hen-pecked in my family, though. :) Just a little information about myself. I was born and grew up in Himeji, world-famous for its Castle. I also used to live in Kyoto for 4 years and 2 years in the US both in my 20s. I have lived in Kobe with my family for over 30 years. So I'm very much familiar with Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji all in western Japan. One of my hobbies has long been to go trekking over high mountains like the Japan Alps in central Japan, soak in local hot springs in the mountains, and enjoy local dishes & sake chatting with local people. I've also enjoyed exploring overseas like in the US, the UK, Mongolia, Mexico, and New Zealand. It was really great fun. Through explorations, I think I've been learned to see what the tourists need and how they want to be treated while staying in Japan! I'd like to show you whole-heartedly the beautiful and historic spots of Japan, including again Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Himeji, Kobe, spiritual Koyasan (Mount Koya), Hiroshima, Nagano Prefecture in central Japan, and more. It's always my great pleasure showing you around Japan, and helping you feel and explore the very spots Japanese. I hope you will have an ENJOYABLE and MEMORABLE trip in Japan. I'm here to help you. I'll see you over time. Thank you very much, as always. :) Earlier today, October 11, 2022, the government lifted the number of international tourists, 50k max per day. And a tourist visa for a short term is not required any more. In addition to that, private tours are permitted. So looks like our moment has come!! I'll see you soon. Thank you as always. National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (Cert. #EN01076) Obtained M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Kansas I don't have a commercial driver's license. So I do my tours, using public transportation such as bus, train, subway and taxi, plus walking depending on the tour you book.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Shogo K.

Overview of your Kyoto tour

Kyoto has its history of over 1, 200 years with a variety of cultural attractions. During this tour, we will visit must-see places in whole Kyoto such as (1) Nijo Castle: Built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603. The last shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu announced the return of the shogunate government's power to the emperor in 1867. (2) Kinkakuji Temple: So-called Golden Pavilion. Built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu as a villa in 1397 and used as a Zen Buddhist temple. (3) Nishiki Market: So-called "the Kitchen of Kyoto". Over 130 businesses are lined up along the arcade. You can drop in stands if you can't "survive" any longer after walking. (4) Fushimi Inari Shrine: The head shrine of Japan's 30, 000 Inari Shrines or the god of good harvest. This is where over a thousand vermillion shrine gates are lined up. (5) Gion: One of Japan's most exclusive/traditional entertainment districts. If we are lucky enough, we'll see Maiko. let me cross my fingers. :) You will see and feel the essence of Kyoto through this tour.

Recent Reviews

Stuart D.United States
April 2025

Shogo was prompt, conscientious and very informative. He navigated us through the public transportation system including a bullet train from Kobe to Kyoto seamlessly. I would not hesitate to recommend for anyone arriving by cruise ship.

Christina R.United Kingdom
October 2024

Our full day tour of Kyoto was absolutely fantastic. Shoto our guide took us to some amazing temples and shrines allowing time to absorb the scenery and experience. Shoto was very informative -we learnt a lot about Japan in the Old days but also lots of current information about Japanese culture today . Shoto went out of his way to accommodate us and our tour overran because he ensured we got to a restaurant that we were looking for as I have some dietary issues . I would highly recommend Shoto for a tour .Thankyou Shoto for being so welcoming kind and considerate

Richard B.United States
June 2024

Wonderful!!

Tina H.United States
March 2024

Shogo was a wonderful guide and created fun experiences. He did everything I had asked for and more. We tried various foods, saw Maikos and Geikos, monkeys, a famous bridge, walked through a bamboo grove and shrines. Everywhere we went Shogo explained the area as we went letting us move at our pace. We will ask him to be our guide on our next visit to this area.

Scott S.United States
February 2023

Shogo is an exceptional guide! He worked with us before our arrival to fine-tune the itinerary, showed us many amazing sites in Kyoto, and he was very flexible in meeting our pace during the tour day (and he is great at getting wonderful photos to help remember the trip!). I was grateful for his guidance around the city, and his willingness to discuss life in Japan and to answer questions about modern-day Kyoto as well as about the shrines and temples we visited.

Stefanie P.United States
September 2022

Excellent!!! Shogo was a wonderful resource, spoke English very well and was so informed! We spent a full day together and couldnt imagine how much we would see! Thank you

Your Kyoto tour itinerary

Firstly, let's meet at the lobby of your hotel in Kyoto, or the "information" of JR Kyoto Station, 2nd floor. Next, let's hit the road. Here's my estimated itinerary. 9:00 a. m. Meet 9:30 a. m. Nijojo Castle 11:00 a. m. Kinkakuji Temple 12:30 p. m. Lunch at Nishiki Market 14:30 p. m. Fushimi Inari Shrine 16:00 p. m. Gion 17:00 p. m. See-off at your hotel or a convenient place Finally let me see you off at your hotel in Kyoto or at your convenient place. We can arrange the above itinerary based on your needs and interests. Please note that our itinerary is subject to change due to traffic congestion or weather. Also I advise you to buy your own travel insurance in advance to cover any damages.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Public Transportation / Category: Subway

I'm not a driver. Let's use public transportation + walking.

What's included
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Other: This tour is designed and priced to meet you in Kyoto. If you need me to meet you somewhere else, say, at Kobe Cruise Port, additional fees for my transportation fee (to and from Kyoto, 2,500 JPY, about 23 USD) will be charged by a customized tour. So please let me know in advance for a Customized Tour that will be appropriately priced to meet you at your covenient place.
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Tickets
Private Transportation
Tastings
Private Transportation With Driver
Equipment
Classes Workshop
Accommodation
Services
Meeting location

Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan

Your hotel in Kyoto

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
History
Architecture
Religious Sites
Food And Drink
Tour reference number
794220
Languages
English
Japanese
Activity level
Light
Accessibility
Wheelchair Accessible

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Kyoto best suited for?

This private tour in Kyoto is perfect for travellers interested in exploring the rich history and cultural attractions of the city. You'll visit iconic sites like Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, and Fushimi Inari Shrine. It's also suitable for those who want to connect with a local guide, Shogo K., for deeper insights into Kyoto's heritage.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Kyoto be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

What happens if a site is closed, crowded, or the weather changes?

What languages is this tour offered in?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 7 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 7 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Last-Minute Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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