Kyoto: Sightseeing ①: Nijo & Sightseeing ④: Fushimi Inari — Guide Nori

What's a Rainy-Day Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guest was a visitor from North America who came to Japan for a trip. During the self-introduction on the day, I learned that the guest was making the most of the visit by enjoying a short trip around Japan. In the pre-tour planning of destinations, the request was, "Since a private car is included, I would like to visit as many sightseeing spots as possible." After several exchanges, we decided to visit four places: Nijo Castle → Kinkaku-ji → Arashiyama (lunch) → Fushimi Inari.

Unfortunately, on the day, it was pouring rain from the morning, just as forecast. During the pre-departure briefing, I raised the question, "It will rain all day today. Would you like to change the destinations?" but the guest's wish was, "As long as we have rain gear, we'll be fine, so let's go as planned." In addition, there was a new request: "If there is time, I would like to visit Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka in Higashiyama."

Before departure, after consulting with the private car driver as well, we agreed that "we won't push ourselves, but if there is enough time, we'll also go to Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka." Once we actually set off, the rain continued throughout the tour, though its intensity varied. Nijo Castle involved indoor viewing, so there was no difficulty, but at Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama (the Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji, Togetsukyo Bridge), and Fushimi Inari, which are mainly outdoors, we ended up sightseeing while getting half wet even though we had umbrellas. Even under such poor conditions, the guest observed everything eagerly, listened to my explanations, and also asked questions.

In the end, thanks to saving a little time here and there, including during the lunch break, we had about an hour to spare, so we were able to visit Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, which had been the guest's additional request. The guest expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you for making my request come true," and we looked around with great interest at Yasaka Pagoda, the stone-paved paths, and more. However, at the very end, an unexpected accident occurred. Due to the long hours of rain, the surface of the stone pavement had become extremely slippery, and just as the guest was about to enter a certain shop, the guest slipped and fell, striking the left knee and the middle finger of the left hand hard, sustaining an injury with a little bleeding. Throughout the tour that day, I had been cautioning at each spot, "The surfaces of the stone pavement and steps have become slippery because of the rain, so please be very careful," yet the guest slipped at an unexpected moment, lost balance, and fell. Avoiding the crowd, we moved to the side of the road, and I asked, "Are you all right? How are the wounds and the pain?" The guest replied, "It hurts quite a bit, but I'm okay," and although walking seemed a little difficult, the guest was able to walk back to the car without needing help. In the car, I applied first aid with the sterile tissues, adhesive bandages, and so on that I always keep on hand. I also advised, "If the pain persists, please see a doctor near the Hotel," to which the guest replied, "I'll watch it for an hour or two, and if it swells up I'll go to a doctor, but it will probably be fine." I saw the guest off at the Hotel front desk, explained the situation to the Hotel staff, and asked for the necessary assistance. The "storefront" accident that happened at the very end of the Kyoto sightseeing, which had been enjoyed even under the difficult condition of rain, turned out to be a very unfortunate event. A few days later, I sent an email inquiring about the injury and wishing a speedy recovery, but as of now there has been no reply. I can only pray that the bruised left knee does not get worse.

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Tour Report by Nori

Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.