Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car — Guide Keiko

Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Taxi Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Arashiyama, Nijo Castle, and a Day Trip Toward Himeji

For today's itinerary, I had been asked more than a month in advance to propose some plans, so I offered four different itineraries. Last night the guests chose the itinerary above, and I guided them today. I had the taxi driver take us to the front of the Torokko Arashiyama Station, and while I guided the bamboo grove and the Sogenchi Garden at Tenryu-ji Temple, the driver waited at the Tenryu-ji parking lot. For lunch, the guests requested traditional Japanese food, but since Gontaro near Kinkaku-ji is closed on Wednesdays, we went to Washoku Sato instead. When I mentioned that this restaurant is a chain, the guests said that chain restaurants are not tasty, but added that this was the case in their home region, and we had lunch at Washoku Sato. Not only was it the first time the guests had eaten chawanmushi, but they had also never seen it before, so they first asked what it was. When I told them it was Japanese food, they said they had never seen it, and after tasting it they found it delicious and liked it. After the meal, their impression of Washoku Sato was that it was delicious, and they explained that the chain restaurants they found unappetizing were the ones back home. While I was guiding them at Nijo Castle, the guests said they wanted to get out of the taxi (end the tour) at Kyoto Station. When I asked why, they said they wanted to go to Himeji Castle. I told them that the last admission to Himeji Castle is until 16:00, but they still wanted to go. I helped them purchase non-reserved-seat limited express tickets so they could catch the 15:43 Shinkansen Hikari departing from Kyoto Station, and the tour ended there. The taxi driver said that although we went a little over time, there was no need to pay an extension fee. I have just received a message via a messaging app from the guests saying that they were able to enter Himeji Castle (they made it in time for the 4 o'clock admission).

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Tour Report by Keiko

I am Keiko Ibuki, Goverment-Licensed Guide. I passed National Guide examination and registered in 2015. I started guiding job in 2016. I mainly guide Kansai area, especially Kyoto. From 2016 to 2019, I guided visitors from overseas about 50 days. In 2023, I guided visitors from overseas about 50 days. I passed 2nd grade of Kyoto Tourism and Culture examination in 2020. I passed National Examination for Certified Travel Supervisors in 1997. I can tailor my guided tour to meet your requirements. I would like to make your visit to Japan enjoyable and memorable.