Kyoto: Togetsukyo Bridge & Rakushisha→Kyorai's Grave — Guide Satoko

Title: What Is a Private 6-Hour Walking Tour of Arashiyama and Sagano in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

I had originally planned to pick up the guests at the Hotel at 9:30. However, since the guests were already in Kyoto and felt that traveling by train during the busy New Year period would be difficult, on December they contacted me asking to move the meeting time earlier. I offered that we could instead meet at JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, since a hotel pickup would waste a lot of travel time. They replied at 9:30 that they would "take a taxi to JR Saga-Arashiyama Station," and I directed them to the less crowded North Exit. However, just before 9:30, they contacted me saying, "We are at the entrance to the Sogenchi Garden of Tenryuji Temple. The taxi driver told us this was the north taxi stand." I told them I would head over and asked them to wait there. Thinking they were at the garden entrance, I went there, but I could not find anyone matching them. I called and asked, "Could you be at the North Gate?" Since they were not quite sure, they said, "I think so." I explained the situation to a staff member at Tenryuji Temple and made my way through the garden to the North Gate. But they were not there either, so I called again and asked what was around them, and they sent me a photo. It turned out that what they called the "entrance" was actually the large signboard next to the Chokushimon Gate, so I headed there. When I asked, it seemed they had confused JR Saga-Arashiyama Station with the Randen Arashiyama Station. Although I had clearly said "JR," I learned that in such cases it might be better to explain, "not the Randen, not the Hankyu, but the JR," and also that having them quickly send a photo of their surroundings would be more efficient.

Once we regrouped, I guided them across Togetsukyo Bridge as planned, and they were moved by the beauty of the surrounding scenery. The guests asked many enthusiastic questions. We then headed to Tenryuji Temple, and I guided them through from the garden. They were impressed by the beauty of the karesansui (dry landscape) garden at the Ohojo, and also by the beauty of the Sogenchi Garden. We continued to the Hyakkaen garden, where they tried very hard to toss a coin into the basin in front of the frog figurine near the Fureai Kannon. They were the first among all the guests I have ever guided to try so eagerly to place a coin here, so I took a photo for them.

Next, we strolled through the bamboo grove and headed from the front of Okochi Sanso toward Jojakkoji Temple. Along the way there was a lotus pond, but unfortunately the lotuses had withered, so I showed them a photo I had taken in the summer. Jojakkoji Temple was also uncrowded, and they liked its lovely atmosphere. I showed them up to the Tahoto pagoda, and they were moved that the pagoda remains just as it was from the Edo period. From our earlier communication, it seemed they did not particularly enjoy walking (although it was a 6-hour tour, they had said "half-day," and when I explained that a "half-day" meant four hours, they responded along the lines of, "Four hours of walking is plenty."), so I suspected they might not want to climb any higher from here. When I asked, they said "this is enough," so we went back down.

After that, we had planned to stop by Rakushisha, but unfortunately it was closed. Instead, I showed them the grave of Kyorai. On reflection, I realized I also had a photo of this from the past, so I could have explained it while showing them that. Since we had completed the itinerary we had discussed in advance, I asked how they would like to proceed. They said, "We'd like to go to Nagatsuji Street and have lunch. It's fine to part ways there," so we chatted along the way to Nagatsuji Street, where I guided them to my recommended soba restaurant, "Iwao," and said goodbye.

There was a bit of a mishap at the start, but the guests were all very kind, and I too had a wonderful time.

When we were discussing the itinerary in advance, they sent me something like an itinerary sheet they had received from a travel agency. After a tour with your company is confirmed, I always ask the guests where they would like to go. It seemed that for this Sagano tour, the places to visit had already been decided, so the guests seemed to wonder why the guide was asking such questions. This time I planned the itinerary according to that sheet, but I imagine the approach differs depending on your partners. If such an itinerary sheet exists, it would be helpful if there were a way for the guide to know about it in advance.

Click here for more details: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sagano Tour with Licensed 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!