Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Kazu

Can You Do a Private Kyoto Walking Tour Around Higashiyama and Gion? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America, and this was their first trip to Japan, so the destinations were chosen in response to their requests. This afternoon it became very hot and humid, and the guests grew quite exhausted. We had planned to visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple as well, but after climbing Sannenzaka and Kiyomizuzaka and arriving at the top, they ran out of stamina, so we parted ways a little ahead of schedule. Originally from South America, the guests observed with great surprise the differences between their homeland, North America, and the way Japanese society works, and their observations were very memorable. At the same time, they asked with genuine interest about basic yet difficult-to-grasp topics for visitors, such as how Japanese people balance their faith given the coexistence of Shinto and Buddhism (shinbutsu-shugo).

As additional information, I recently went to preview the Gion Kagai Art Museum, which opened in May inside the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo along Hanamikoji Street. For an admission fee of 1,600 yen, the course through the museum includes displays of kimono, hairpins, and other items used by geiko and maiko, panel explanations, a garden stroll, and the chance to step onto the actual stage of the "Miyako Odori" to experience its atmosphere. In the afternoon only, at 13:30, 14:20, 15:00, and 16:00, you can also watch an approximately 10-minute dance performance by geiko and maiko for an additional 1,500 yen. For a further 2,000 yen, there is also a photo session with the geiko and maiko after the performance mentioned above. It could work as one option for a Gion stroll, but since one would want the guests to see the live performance, the afternoon would be necessary time-wise, requiring at least around 60 minutes, and the cost comes to over 3,000 yen per person. Guides accompanying guests can enter for free, but they reportedly cannot watch the performance.

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Tour Report by Kazu

Hello, this is Kazu Akiyama, your tour guide. Nice to meet you and welcome to Japan. Thank you for joining me on the tour. Now I am a retired salaried worker, living in Osaka. I have been very much interested in not only learning Japanese history, culture, religion myself, but also talking about them (sometimes going off topics) in English with tourists from all over the world as well. I am so excited being with you as your guide on coming day! I am very much looking forward to you enjoying with me visiting the must-see places and some of the hidden gems. See you soon. Thank you – Kazu Akiyama