Kyoto in One Day: Nijo & Daitoku-ji Temple / Obai-in — Guide Kazu

Title: What Is a Private Kyoto Day Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report from [Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/)

The guests were visitors from North America, on their first sightseeing trip to Japan and Kyoto. They run a beverage business and mentioned that they had already entered some Asian and Oceanian markets, but had not yet fully entered the Japanese market, and that they hoped to secure sales channels in Japan in the future. When we met at 11:00, the tour began abruptly with, "Could you tell me a little about the products in that vending machine over there?" During my earlier career I had worked in the quality control and quality assurance division of a company that manufactured and sold glass bottles, so I was familiar with many aspects of the industry, and I gradually found it fascinating myself. When one of the guests asked about the historical significance of Kyoto and I began to explain, the other became restless and said, "Actually, let's first go to that convenience store next door — please explain the drinks displayed there one by one, since I can't read Japanese." In the end, the tour started at a convenience store, and after visiting Nijo Castle and a temple, we spent a long time doing market research at a supermarket, where they bought snacks and drinks and we headed toward Gion while snacking. I believe they were checking out matcha lattes. This was roughly how it went, and although I have guided many tours around Kyoto, this was the first tour of its kind and it felt refreshing. As we parted, they laughed heartily and said, "When you come to America, let me know, and I'll show you around the American supermarkets." They said they planned to have dinner in Pontocho and then return straight to their hotel in Tokyo today. Since they had come from Tokyo on the first bullet train of the morning, I wondered what the hotel in front of Kyoto Station listed as the meeting point actually was — it seemed they had simply set a convenient meeting point. They were a very interesting group.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

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