Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Kazu

Title: What Is a Half-Day Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from Europe on their first trip to Japan. They planned to travel from Tokyo directly to Kyoto, then to Hiroshima, and back to Tokyo to wander around the outskirts of the city. The guests showed great interest in history, culture, and many other topics, and listened intently to a variety of stories. The attached photo was taken atop the Sanmon gate of Nanzen-ji Temple, where a pleasant breeze kept blowing and it was very comfortable. We ended up talking there for quite a while, mainly about religion. When I explained that this is a very famous spot in Japan due to the kabuki play "Sanmon Gosan no Kiri" and Ishikawa Goemon's famous line "What a magnificent view," they understood, even if not fully, that it was a renowned place. The guests also shared differences between European cultures and told me about differences in ways of thinking between people in the Scandinavian countries and other European nations. Having traveled to various countries in Asia in the past, when I asked which country was the best, the answer came immediately: "Japan by far!" Apparently Saudi Arabia was quite good as well. When I asked which city in Japan was the favorite, after a little thought the quiet reply was Kyoto. When I said, "Ah, so it's Tokyo then," it brought a laugh. It was a half-day tour in scorching 37-degree heat, so it was tough, but I hope the guests had an enjoyable time.

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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