Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Kazu

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09:30 Meeting point at Hotel

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A private one-day tour of Kyoto was arranged for a group visiting from Oceania. After spending a few days in Tokyo, the guests continued to Kyoto. Since there were no specific requests about where to go during our email exchanges beforehand, I prepared four written plans organized by area and proposed them to the guests. Explaining various options on the spot, asking about their interests, and deciding together on where to visit turned out to be quite enjoyable. As the guests were interested in history, we decided to visit Nijo Castle and the Kyoto Imperial Palace. At the end, I added Kenninji Temple, which is located right next to their accommodation. The guests were pleased because they could return to the hotel immediately after the tour. As there was not enough time for lunch, we bought sandwiches at a convenience store and ate them on a park bench within the grounds of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and during that time we had a long and lively conversation. Starting from the topic of how the same convenience store chain stocks quite different products in Japan compared to Oceania, I also heard about the history of Anzac biscuits, which were sent during the First World War from Oceania to family members serving overseas, and apparently such biscuits are still sold at convenience stores there. Talking about Japan also means listening to stories about the guests' own country, which is fascinating. At Kenninji Temple, an admission fee is now required for guides as well, so a separate receipt is attached.

[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) is one of Japan's largest networks of government-licensed, English-speaking private tour guides, serving all 47 prefectures. Winner of Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Best of the Best. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

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