Kyoto in Half a Day: Nijo Castle — Guide Satoko

Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto History and Kimono Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

Before the tour, I discussed the meeting point and destinations with the travel agency. The guests were coming from Yokohama by Shinkansen, and I was asked to wait on the Shinkansen platform. As for destinations, they wanted to experience Kyoto's history anywhere suitable, and finally wished to stop by a kimono shop, so I planned Kyoto Imperial Palace → Nijo Castle → kimono shop, and asked the agency to purchase the Nijo Castle tickets in advance.

Picking up guests on the Shinkansen platform was a first for me, and when the guests did not come off from the car number I had been told, I started to panic. Then the guests spotted me from the platform of a car slightly ahead and came over. That was a relief. Assuming the destinations were already understood, I took them to the subway station and we boarded the train bound for Kokusaikaikan. As we talked, I noticed they had written down the places they wanted to visit on a piece of paper, listing "Yasaka Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion." I wondered whether I should have chosen these kinds of places as destinations. Since the Nijo Castle ticket had already been purchased, that could not be helped, but I proposed visiting Yasaka Shrine and Gion, which they had wished for, instead of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and changed course toward Nijojo-mae. At times like this, IC cards are very convenient. Since the guests were of advanced age, I made a point of using elevators as much as possible and walking slowly. Also, since there would not be enough time to go all the way to the main keep, I explained that we would visit only the Ninomaru Palace and its gardens. However, it turned out that they had mistakenly believed the tour included the admission fee, and it became clear that the tickets had not been purchased in advance, so they purchased tickets at the entrance as usual. (I believe the travel agency had also contacted them, but one of the guests said they had become confused because there was too much information. Given their age, such things can happen.)

The Nijo Castle tour proceeded pleasantly. One of the guests had a sense of humor, and when I explained the nightingale floors, they walked on tiptoe. When the Ninomaru Palace tour finished, one of the guests said they wanted to use the restroom. Passing in front of the kitchen, I guided them to the restroom. During that time, I showed the other guest to a rest area to sit and wait. I also went to the restroom during that time, and when I returned, they said, "If we cannot walk around while drinking coffee, we would like to take a coffee break here," so we moved to the café space. They were delighted, saying that they had come to Kyoto in a rush that morning without even time for coffee, and could finally relax. One of the guests wanted to buy souvenirs, and while I chatted with the other guest and waited, that guest stood up saying, "I should not let too much money be spent," so I accompanied them. Then we returned to the Ninomaru Garden once more and left Nijo Castle. As we left Nijo Castle, they asked me to recommend restaurants around Kyoto Station, so I decided to see them to Kyoto Station and end the tour there.

We walked from Minamiza toward Hanamikoji. Next we moved to Gion. When explaining kabuki, there happened to be a poster of a performer's onnagata (female role) beside a poster of an event featuring that performer as a man, so I talked about how beautiful onnagata roles can be. Then we strolled along Hanamikoji. I explained the tea houses and such, entered the grounds of the Kaburenjo theater, gave them a leaflet for the Gion Geiko Museum, walked around the Yasaka Nyokoba, and entered Yasaka Shrine through the west gate. They were interested in the fact that, besides the main hall, there were small auxiliary shrines. After they prayed at the main hall, we headed to the bus stop from the south gate.

Arriving at Kyoto Station, I decided to guide them to restaurants while also showing them the Shinkansen entrance. When I guided them to the central gate, the line was extremely long, so I decided to guide them to the Hachijo gate. I explained that there were restaurants along the Hachijo gate, and we said our goodbyes. In the end, in a Western style, I hugged the guests as we parted. I hope they were able to have their lunch safely and boarded the Shinkansen. The photo was taken at the south gate of Yasaka Shrine.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide

Tour Report by Satoko

I am a 53-year-old woman, living in Kyoto for nearly 40 years. I got the license in 2001. Since then, I worked as an interpreter or a translator in several companies, secretary at universities, and now work for a company on weekdays at the international dept.I do guiding job only weekend now. I started full swing guiding career after COVID-19 pandemic. I have gotten good review from many of my guests. I love my hometown, Kyoto which has a lot of interesting and historical sites to see. Particularly, I am native to Arashiyama which is famous for bamboo forest. So, I know a lot of places where you can relax yourself around this area. Other than that, Kyoto has many attractive sites which surely interest you.Also, I like meeting many people from different cultural background. I am very happy if I learn about your culture as well. Let’s enjoy exploring around Kyoto!