Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Kazu

What Is a Private Kyoto Temple and Shrine Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guest was a solo traveler from Europe. They mentioned being very busy with work but always able to take a proper break around the year-end and New Year holidays, which they use to travel around the world. When I asked how many countries Japan ranked among their travels, they said they weren't sure but probably somewhere around the 30th to 40th. They listened attentively to explanations about religious teachings and doctrines. They were very interested in Japan's blended religious culture of Buddhism and Shinto, and when I said that I feel Buddhism and Shinto in Japan are less like religion and more a part of daily life, they responded that Christian culture in Europe is quite similar, with many people not being practicing believers. European history spans several thousand years, whereas the history of Kyoto's temples and shrines ranges from a few hundred years up to about 1,500 years at most. So, unlike when I explain to visitors from North America, with European guests I often describe things as being "only" 800 years old. Today's guest laughed at this, but noted that since they are interested in learning about the national character rooted in religion from its history, they don't really mind the number of years. They were amazed by the 1,002 statues of Kannon at Sanjusangendo and asked many questions, such as why so many Buddhist statues are concentrated in one place, the meaning of the 1,002 figures, and the meaning of the number thirty-three. They were also deeply moved by the dry landscape garden. Although traveling alone this time, they shared that others in their life are involved in busy work, currently traveling around various African countries. There really are all sorts of people in the world, and it is truly fascinating. Talking about Japanese history and religion is of course interesting, but hearing various stories is equally fascinating. Attending to guests traveling solo often turns out like this.

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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