Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private Tour — Guide Kazu

What Is a Private One-Day Kyoto Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visiting Japan for the first time, coming from Europe. They spent a few days in Tokyo, then enjoyed some days of skiing in Niseko, Hokkaido, before heading straight to Kyoto. On this occasion, I happened to guide them around Kyoto for two consecutive days. Hokkaido's snow has recently become quite famous among tourists as "JAPOW" for its excellent quality, so I asked them about it, and they were delighted to say that the snow quality had indeed been superb. The guests had a great deal of stamina and walked quickly — perhaps unsurprising for people who ski. I walk fast myself, but these guests were even faster. They listened to my explanations, asked questions, and looked intently at everything, without ever seeming rushed. Even so, despite it being an 8-hour tour, we visited an astonishing number of places. And at each spot I gave thorough explanations, yet we still covered so much ground that even I was surprised. At first the atmosphere was a little shy and awkward, but gradually they warmed up and grew more comfortable, and from the latter half of the tour they were smiling to the max and we enjoyed traveling together. For the final hour, we walked around Pontocho, Teramachi, Shinkyogoku, and Nishiki Market, discussing various recommendations for their dinner that evening as we strolled. When we parted, they thanked me warmly, and we said goodbye with a promise to meet again the next day.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Full-Day Private 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