Kyoto in Half a Day: Sanjusangen-do Temple — Guide Satoko

Title: What's a Private One-Day Cultural and Historical Tour of Kyoto Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests were visitors from North America. They had told me they would be arriving in Kyoto from Osaka by Shinkansen, so I designated "the Shinkansen Central Transfer Gate" as our meeting point and sent them a photo in advance. I waited at the meeting point, but they did not arrive. Thinking they might have mistaken it for "the Shinkansen Central Exit," I contacted them via a messaging app. They said "yes," and sent a photo of where they currently were, but it was clearly the "Karasuma Central Gate." Since they appeared to have already exited the station from the Karasuma Central Gate, I decided to head there. Because they had sent me a photo beforehand, I was able to recognize them right away, which was fortunate. It seemed they had not taken the Shinkansen but had come by a local line instead. Once again, meeting up at Kyoto Station did not go smoothly. As a result, the actual tour start time became 10:50. I realized that meeting at Kyoto Station requires a bit more planning.

As for our destination, the guests had said, "We'd like to visit somewhere where we can experience Kyoto's culture and history, and finish in Gion." I had originally been thinking of "Toji Temple, then Kenninji Temple," but since I felt bad about asking the guests to go all the way back to the Kintetsu line, I proposed Sanjusangendo, a relatively old Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect that is comparatively close to Kyoto Station.

At Sanjusangendo, the guests were overwhelmed by the thousand Buddhist statues. Since there was a specially installed staircase allowing visitors to view the statues from a higher vantage point, I had them climb up. This was their first Buddhist temple in Japan, but they seemed to have visited shrines before, so there was a question about the difference between shrines and Buddhist temples. I explained, "Shrines belong to Shinto, and temples belong to Buddhism. However, Japan has a concept of the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, and there is a shrine here as well."

On the back side of Sanjusangendo, various forms of Buddhist statues are displayed, and since their forms differed from the thousand-armed Kannon seen in the front, one of the guests found it very curious. So I explained that there are four types of Buddhist figures: "Nyorai, Bosatsu, Myoo, and Ten." Since they had visited Osaka Castle the day before, I made a point of explaining the Taiko Wall built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who constructed Osaka Castle. Although it was not in the original plan, since they had been to Osaka Castle, I suggested a stroll to Toyokuni Shrine, which enshrines Toyotomi Hideyoshi. When I explained that a person is enshrined there, one of the guests seemed puzzled. So I explained that while natural objects were originally worshipped as deities, historical great figures are sometimes deified as well. When I asked if they would like to try praying, they said they would like to learn how, so I taught them. Unfortunately they did not have a coin with a hole in it, so I had them make an offering of 100 yen for both, counted as 50 yen plus 50 yen.

Then we moved on. Since I certainly could not take newly-joined guests past a "severing-ties" shrine, we got off the bus at Kiyomizu-michi, walked along Yasaka-dori, and entered through the west gate. When I introduced the Yasaka Pagoda, they said they would come back to take photos after the tour ended.

First there was a signboard depicting the dragon painting of the Dharma Hall, which they showed interest in. Once inside, they were moved by the Wind God and Thunder God screens and the beauty of the rock garden. When I told them they could enter the tatami room of the abbot's quarters, they happily went in, and one of the guests said, "We stayed in a tatami room at a ryokan in Hakone and loved the tatami very much." Then we went to the Dharma Hall. Both of them seemed to like the Twin Dragons painting, and one of them in particular was enthusiastically taking photos. One of the guests found it curious that the main image was different from the Buddhist figure seen at Sanjusangendo. I explained, "The main image of Kenninji is Shaka Nyorai, the founder of Buddhism. In the era when Sanjusangendo was built, the idea spread that Shaka Nyorai alone could not save people, and the thousand statues of the thousand-armed Kannon express the founder's wish that people might somehow be saved."

Finally they tasted matcha, liked it, and purchased some. They received a 50-yen coin in change, and were delighted, saying, "Now we can make an offering at the shrine." Then we passed through Hanamikoji and out to Shijo-dori. Since the previous night's dinner had been too much and breakfast had been light, they seemed very hungry, and asked where would be a good place to have lunch. I recommended "a venerable soba restaurant next to Minamiza," and since I was heading in the same direction, I decided to accompany them while guiding them to souvenir shops and the like.

The guests had not done much advance study of Japanese history or religion, but for that very reason I felt their questions were refreshing to me. When we parted, they thanked me and said, "If you ever come to visit, feel free to contact us!" The photo was taken in the garden of Sanjusangendo.

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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!