Kyoto: @ Sanjusangendo & Arashiyama Monkey Park — Guide Kaz

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

The guests were a group visiting from Europe. When they came down to the front around 9:10, it was pouring rain outside. Since all of the originally planned sites were outdoor locations, I recommended visiting Sanjusangendo, which is mainly indoor, and we headed there. The group seemed deeply moved by the overwhelming statues of the Kannon Bodhisattva, and on behalf of the group they offered a single candle. While strolling through the hall, some of the guests bombarded me with questions about the objects held in the hands of the Thousand-Armed Kannon.

By the time we left Sanjusangendo, the rain had eased to a light drizzle, so we set off toward Fushimi Inari Taisha. However, since the guests really wanted to have matcha, we stopped by a traditional confectionery shop. After arriving at Fushimi Inari, one of the guests became suddenly upset right after getting out of the car and began crying and fussing. The reason seemed to be a reluctance to use an umbrella, though since the group was speaking in their own language, I could not be entirely sure of the cause. After that, the mood alternated between good and bad, and we finished Fushimi Inari.

At the Arashiyama bamboo grove, the mood turned cheerful. One of the guests held a stuffed panda toy up close to the bamboo, pretending to feed the bamboo to it, and enjoyed the moment. Afterward the guests said they wanted to have lunch, and since everyone had different preferences, I guided them to a family restaurant with a wide variety of menu options.

At the Arashiyama Monkey Park, the guests were quite excited, and the moment of feeding the monkeys was the highlight.

Afterward, I took the guests back to their hotel by hired car and we parted ways.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Kaz

Hi, thank you very much for choosing the JGA tour!

My name is Kazuhiro Yoshida, please call me “Kaz”.

I am an English-speaking National Licensed Tour Guide in Japan, and have been guiding mainly in Kyoto and other Kansai areas since April 2023. I have guided over 1,000 tours in total so far, and I am on my way to becoming one of the best English-speaking tour guides in Japan.

I have a great passion to show people from all over the world, the deep histories and cultures of Japan, the country I truly love.
I am focused to take you out on a tour that will become one of the best highlights of your entire trip.

I am glad to have an opportunity to be your guide, and I hope that we can explore many hidden gems of Japan together!