Shall we tailor our tour together to make
the most of your "private" tour?
Take advantage of hiring a double licensed experienced Guide/Driver and a spacious mini van.
I'm a National Government licensed English tour guide and a private taxi driver.
I am specialized in private tour in English driving a spacious mini van.
I have become independent since 2018 after having experience for 17 years as one of the top guide drivers
in the biggest limousine service company in Kyoto. Please let me know what kind of sites you want to see
and what kind of experiences you want to have in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka.
About me, Kenji Nagaoka
I experienced several different jobs such as English teacher,
public relation staff, school manager and so on before becoming
a guide driver in MK Limousine Service co. in Kyoto.
As one of the leaders of English speaking drivers in the company, I was involved in planning education and evaluation of the other drivers.
And after completing framework making of those, I decided to become an independent guide driver which had been my dream!
I always really enjoy doing my own business because I always find my customers enjoying driving and walking around beautiful Kyoto with me.
I hope you will be one of them soon!
Services
Private tour with a minivan
My rate is 34650JPY for up to 4 hours, and 7700JPY per hour after the first 4 hours.
Some extra fee will be required for the tours outside of Kyoto.
Consumption tax and guiding fee are included. Admission fee, parking fee and toll are not included.
There are some more conditions. Please inquire for more information.
Walking Private Tour
If you don't need a car, I can provide walking private tour as well.
My rate is 30000JPY for 4 hours, 56000JPY for 8 hours. 6500JPY will be charged for every 1 hour extension.
Consumption tax is included.
Admission fee or others are not included.
Some extra fee will be required for tours outside of Kyoto.
There are some more conditions.
Please inquire for more information.
If you hire a tour guide and
a minivan separately ?
The price range of hiring a minivan in Kyoto for 4 hours is usually in between 25000JPY and 46000JPY.
The price range of walking guide for 4 hours is usually in between 18000JPY and 32000JPY.
The total price for a driver and a guide will be in between 43000JPY and 78000JPY.
Please compare with my "Private tour with minivan".
Recommendation
It is the buddhist temple which has the Golden Pavilion in the middle of scenic Japanese style garden. <the world heritage>
Founded in 1601 by the shogun Tokugawa,Ieyasu. Famous for "Nightingale floor". <the world heritage>
The most famous scenic place in Kyoto. You can try Rickshaw, train or boat there.
One of the most famous buddhist temple in Kyoto. It is surrounded by old town with many attractive shops. <the world heritage>
You can see the Rock Garden in this buddhist temple. There are some philosophical interpretation about it. <the world heritage>
You can walk through this beautiful bamboo forest. It is close to Arashiyama and old town Sagano.
It is over 1200 years old Shinto shrine. It is famous for 1000 orange torii gates.
It is the most famous geisha district which is still active with more than 200 geisha girls. You can see pretty old streets and buildings there.
This place is in the neighborhood of Kiyomizu-dera and Gion. The view in this area is preserved by government.
Sample Tours
East side 4 hours
Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine (1000 torii gates) ～ Sanjusangendo temple ～ Kiyomizudera temple ~ Yasaka pagoda and Sannenzaka street
West side 4 hours
Arashiyama bamboo forest and Tenryuji temple ～ Ryoanji temple (the rock garden) ～ Kinkakuji temple (the garden pavilion)
World Heritage 6 hours
Kiyomizudera temple ～ Nijo-jo (the shogun’s palace and castle) ～ lunch ～Kinkakuji temple (the golden pavilion) ～Ryoanji temple (the rock garden)
East Side 7 hours
Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine (1000 torii gates) ～ Sanjusangendo temple ～Kiyomizudera temple ~ lunch ～ Ginkakuji silver pavilion temple and Philosopher’s path
West Side 7 hours
Arashiyama bamboo forest and Tenryuji temple ~ *1(Arashiyama monkey park) ～Ryoanji temple (the rock garden) ～ lunch ~ Kinkakuji temple (the garden pavilion) ~ *2(Nijo-jo, the shogun’s palace and castle)
※ you can choose either *1 or *2.
Kyoto Highlights 8 hours
Arashiyama bamboo forest ～ Kinkakuji temple (the golden pavilion) ～ Ginkakuji silver pavilion temple and Philosopher's path ~ lunch ～ Gion geisha district ~ Kiyomizudera temple ~ Fushimi-inari Taisha shrine (1000 torii gates)
Featuring
“Fushimi Inari Sirine”
Famous for the tunell formed by numerous orange gates, which is called Thousands Gates. The actual number is more than ten thousand. We usually visit the main shrine and its inner shrine, walking through a part of the thousands gates.
“Sanjusangendo temple”
A Buddhist temple. Inside the 750 year-old building, you can see over one thousand wooden statues.
“Kiyomizudera temple”
The main hall is on the hillside of Mt. Otowa surrounded by beautiful nature. Famous for its splendid scenery from the mountain.
“Nijo-jo castle”
Built by Tokugawa Shogun in 1603. Famous for its beautiful garden, murals, wooden carvings, and so called "Nightingale floor".
“Ryoanji (the Rock Garden)”
You can see one of the most simple zen gardens here. The abstract garden provokes various imaginations.
“Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion)”
Originally built by a shogun in 1397. Second and third floor are covered with gold leaves. Present building was re-constructed in 1955.
“Otagi nenbutsuji temple”
You can see unique 1200 rakan statues carved by visitors.
Outside Kyoto City
“Uji and Wazuka”
Famous for Uji-Byodoin temple. The figure of the building is carved into 10 yen coins. Wazuka is known for beautiful tea plantations.
“Nara”
Famous for the Todaiji temple. The main hall is known as one of the largest wooden structures in the world. It enshrines a 15 meter tall bronze statue. The temple is in Nara park which is known as “Deer Park”.
“Amanohashidate and Ine”
Amanohashidate is one of “Three Views of Japan”. Ine is a small port. The harbor there is all surrounded by hundreds of traditional wooden boat houses.
“Osaka castle, Dotonbori street and Kuromon food market”
Osaka castle is one of Japan’s most famous landmarks. Dotonbori street is known for many showy unique signboards. Kuromon food market is in the walking distance from Dotonbori street. You can find and try many different local foods there.