Arashiyama Bamboo Forest & Sagano Tour — Guide Kazu

May, 2025

This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • ①　09:30　Meet at HOTEL THE MITSUI
  • ②　09:35　Itinerary explanation & explanation of Kyoto's history
  • ③　10:00　Arashiyama, Oku-Saga, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
  • ④　11:00　Matcha break at Toriimoto, Hiranoya
  • ⑤　11:45　Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple
  • ⑥　13:00　Lunch
  • ⑦　14:00　Bamboo Grove ~ Tenryu-ji Temple ~ Togetsukyo Bridge
  • ⑧　16:00　Disband at Kawaramachi Sanjo, Rokkaku-dori

What Is a Private Walking Tour of Okusaga and Arashiyama Temples in Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America, and this was their first trip to Japan, arriving in Kyoto after Tokyo and Hakone. Today's itinerary was entirely based on the guests' own requests. The route descended through Okusaga, visiting historic temples one by one, allowing for a relaxed stroll through relatively uncrowded areas where we could focus on various stories of history and religion. At Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, we discussed Kyoto's most powerful fire deity of Atago Shrine, along with the 1,200 rakan stone statues and Kannon Bosatsu. At Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple, we covered historic events such as the Sento Kuyo memorial service, as well as Obon, Sai no Kawara, and Jizo Bosatsu. It was a wonderful course full of important folkloric and religious cultural elements handed down from ancient times, and I explained everything enthusiastically while the guests listened attentively. We also enjoyed traditional sweets and matcha at a teahouse with 400 years of history, while discussing wabi-sabi and kaiseki cuisine. Today the guests took the time to learn deeply about our country's unique culture. At the same time, I was able to hear various perspectives on immigration and current political affairs, which was very educational for me as well.

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

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

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