Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine & Chawan-zaka ~ — Guide Anne

Title: What's a Private One-Day Kyoto Tour Like on a Rainy Day? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were a group visiting Japan from Europe. Before the tour, I checked their requests through a messaging app and finalized the itinerary. Since it rained in the morning, I changed the order and started the tour at Fushimi Inari Shrine. (Originally we had planned to begin at Kiyomizu-dera to avoid the crowds.) Perhaps because of the rain, Fushimi Inari was relatively empty, and we were able to take good photos at the Senbon Torii. After trying the "Omokaru-ishi" stone at the inner shrine, we turned back and the guests enjoyed grilled dango from a food stall. On the way to the station, they also bought matcha and ice cream.

In Gion, we took a small side street off Hanamikoji and managed to catch just the back view of a maiko. After visiting Kennin-ji Temple, one of the guests said, "That's enough temples," so after discussing it, we decided to skip Kodai-ji. The guests browsed various shops around the Yasaka Pagoda, visited Koshin-do, then walked back through Ishibei-koji and up to Ichinen-zaka. One of the guests really liked a tea strainer at a wire-craft shop on Ichinen-zaka and purchased it. They took photos at the Starbucks on Ninen-zaka and bought some potato snacks. As requested before the tour, they did not have a set lunch. At Kiyomizu-dera, they took many photos at the west gate but said they would not go inside for the main visit. Since they had not had lunch, one of the guests said they wanted to eat wagyu beef for dinner. They also said they were tired and wanted to return to the hotel. Although it was quite early, I walked them down Chawan-zaka and saw them off at their hotel on Gojo-zaka. (When we visited Kennin-ji, while I was taking off my shoes, the guests kindly purchased the admission ticket for me as well. I wondered what to do, but I thanked them for their kindness.)

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Tour Report by Anne

Hello, I am Atsuko Hori. My nickname is “Anne” because I’m a big fan of ” Anne of Green Gables”. I am cheerful, talkative and punctual. I’ve been doing guiding more than ten years mainly in Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. I am especially familiar with ” Geisha Districts”, where traditional Japanese dancers live. I graduated from the university of Education in Nara. I love kids. Actually I have three grandchildren. I like history, architecture and local foods. My motto is giving the best hospitality to my guests. I think we will have a good time during the tour. Would you like to join my tour?