Wakayama in Half a Day: Stay at Garan — Guide Yuki

May, 2024

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

  • 11:10　Meeting　In front of Reihokan (The meeting was scheduled for 10:30, but the customers were late and
  • the parking lot at Kongobuji became full, so while keeping in contact by email, we moved to and met in front of Reihokan where the car could be parked)
  • 11:20~12:20　Stay at Garan
  • 12:20~13:00　Stay at Kongobuji
  • 13:10~14:00　Lunch (Tsunohama)
  • 14:10~14:20　Stay at Daimon
  • 14:25~14:35　Moved by car to Okunoin, Nakanohashi
  • 14:35~16:15　Stay at Okunoin
  • 16:15~16:20　Moved by car to Senjuinbashi
  • 16:30　Dismissal　The customers buy souvenirs at Juzuya Shirobei

Tour Itinerary in Detail

The tour started at 11:10 at 　In front of Reihokan (The meeting was scheduled for 10:30, but the customers were late and and ended at 16:30. The day ran to 5 hours and 20 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch (Tsunohama) at 13:10.

Over the course of the day the route took in Stay at Garan at 11:20, Stay at Kongobuji at 12:20, Stay at Daimon at 14:10, Moved by car to Okunoin, Nakanohashi at 14:25, Stay at Okunoin at 14:35 and Moved by car to Senjuinbashi at 16:15.

What Is a Private Guided Tour of Koyasan (Mount Koya) Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests came for sightseeing at Koyasan (Mount Koya). They arrived a little late for the meeting, and since it was a busy Saturday with many tourists, the Kongobuji Temple parking lot became full around 11:00. We exchanged emails and arranged for them to park at the Reihokan Museum about one kilometer away, so I moved there and we started the tour from the Garan complex. After visiting Kongobuji Temple, the parking lot was still full, so we walked to a restaurant. After visiting the Daimon Gate, we returned to the Reihokan Museum parking lot and moved to the Nakanohashi parking area within Okunoin. The group was very interested in Koyasan and had researched information on their own, so they listened attentively to my explanations. One of the guests was collecting goshuin temple stamps and received them at both Kongobuji Temple and Okunoin. The guests were eager to see as much as possible at Koyasan, and even after the late start and excluding meal time, I guided them for four hours without charging any extension fee as a courtesy.

Click here for more details: Mt. Koya Sacred Sites Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Yuki

Hi! I’m an official English guide in Wakayama prefecture. I’m also a national guide as well. I’d like to expand my guide area to help tourists.
The town of Osaka offers a different atmosphere than Tokyo. I like both exciting Osaka and nature-filled Wakayama Prefecture.
If you stay in Osaka for 3 days, you can go to Koyasan for one day, or even for a day trip, so I recommend sightseeing at Koyasan.
If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the big city, the nature of Koyasan will relax you.
I will introduce you to the unique culture, history and must-see sights.

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