Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour — Guide Kazu

Title: What Is a Private Kyoto History and Zen Garden Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from the Middle East. They mentioned that they live in a place with subtle geography, where a small canal connecting two seas divides the land, with one side belonging to Asia and the other to Europe. I knew it was a politically and religiously complex region, and hearing their stories confirmed just how complicated the area truly is. They came to Japan for travel and, after a brief look around Tokyo, headed to Kyoto. They planned to enjoy Kyoto for three days before flying back home from Tokyo. Since they were especially interested in history, they asked me to talk about Japanese history, and they also wished to see karesansui (dry landscape gardens), which shaped the itinerary for this tour. In the hotel lobby first thing in the morning, when I said, "Then let me begin with a brief overview of Kyoto's history," one of the guests leaned forward and listened intently, which I found both amusing and gratifying, and I spent the whole day explaining a wide range of topics. As part of their customs, they observe certain religious practices, and I was able to hear some fascinating stories. Since this was their first visit to Japan and Kyoto, they were delighted with every view we saw, finding each one wonderful. Whenever I took photos of the group, they were always so warm and affectionate with each other. The photo I uploaded is the only one where the surroundings were not crowded with people. I received a review from them right away today. Tomorrow they said they would like to watch a maiko perform Kyoto-style dance in Gion and have a meal at Nishiki Market. I hope they will enjoy their 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