Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour — Guide Kazu

What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Temples and Shrines

This time I guided a group visiting from North America who were experiencing Japan and Kyoto for the first time. They spoke very clear English, though of course their own conversations were in Spanish. Without deciding the itinerary in advance, I brought plenty of materials to the Hotel on the day and narrowed down the destinations while asking various questions, and that is how today's route came together. Almost every guest tells me they would like to include somewhere beautiful and quiet, so I always prepare several spots that fit such wishes in advance. What I find interesting each time is that what people feel is beautiful and moving really differs from guest to guest. Rather than the tranquil, elegant world of a moss garden, today's guests were moved by the large, deep-red main gate of a Zen temple, finding it wonderfully quiet and beautiful. The Senbon Torii of Fushimi Inari Taisha has an atmosphere beyond words, but there were simply too many people. They were also overwhelmed by the solemn stillness of the 1,002 standing statues of Kannon Bodhisattva at Sanjusangendo. Since one of the guests was vegetarian, we went to a vegan restaurant near Nishiki Market, but the other guest seemed to have wanted a regular meal, so I reflected and learned that I should have confirmed the details a little more carefully. Still, in the end they told me they were truly glad to have learned so many things today, and I was so happy to hear it. These words from the guests are what make me happiest of all.

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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