Kyoto Customized Half-Day Tour — Guide Satoko

Title: What's a Private Walking Tour of Kyoto's Nature and Backstreets Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

When I spoke with the guest beforehand about where they wanted to go, they said they wanted to enjoy nature rather than typical tourist spots, so I recommended a walk starting around the Keage Incline. Initially the guest had told me the hotel was one place, but the day before, the guest realized this was a mistake and let me know. They said, "It's a good thing you wrote that we would meet at that hotel. Actually, it's a different hotel." This guest had signed up on their own but had left everything to a travel agency, and seemed worried about whether the tour with me would be combined into a group with other people. Whether the agency's explanation was unclear or not, when I told them it was a private tour for them alone, they seemed relieved.

When I explained that Keage was within walking distance, they said they wanted to walk, so I decided to guide them along, pointing out spots on the way. Since the guest had wanted to join alone, they asked me many questions along the way, so I had to explain key points during our conversation. I got the impression they were the type who disliked moving through crowded town areas, but since it was early in the morning and not crowded, I suggested passing through Pontocho. When I explained the statues of the two travelers by Sanjo Ohashi Bridge at the exit, they were amazed, saying, "Walking all the way from Tokyo!" We also walked a little along the banks of the Kamo River, and they liked it, finding it a lovely place. I thought it might be good to recommend a riverside walk to guests who say they want to enjoy nature in the future.

Next, I asked whether they would like to stroll through another geisha area, and since they were very keen, we went from Sanjo Keihan Station via Yamato Oji to the Shinbashi area. Perhaps because it was still early, we came across two couples having their wedding photos taken. Since they were going to Fushimi Inari Taisha the next day, I explained Inari shrines at Tatsumi Shrine. They also enjoyed the beauty of the Shirakawa stream. I had planned to go straight toward the Chion-in Shinmon gate and continue along the Shirakawa, but they also wanted to stroll through Hanamikoji, so we headed there. I don't usually go so far as to enter the grounds of the Kaburenjo theater when guiding, but since the guest was alone, we went right up to the entrance, and I explained what the three buildings are used for.

By then we had drifted quite far from Keage, but since they also wanted to stroll through the grounds of Kennin-ji, I decided to show them the buildings a little. Coming out of Kennin-ji, since Yasaka Pagoda was visible, we went nearby, then passed Yasaka Shrine and came out at Maruyama Park. In Maruyama Park we headed toward the pond. Irises were blooming by the pond, and they said "So cute!" in Japanese. After strolling a little in Maruyama Park, I showed them the Sanmon gate of Chion-in. Quite overwhelmed by its grandeur, they wished to enter the temple. When I asked whether they wanted to take the men's slope or the women's slope, they chose the women's slope without hesitation, wished to view the main hall as well, and I explained why the main hall of the Jodo sect is so ornate. Next we went to the great bell tower, and when I told them that 17 people pull it and showed a photo of it actually being rung, they were very surprised.

Next, since they also wanted to stroll along the Shirakawa, we left Chion-in for a moment and returned to Higashioji Street. They liked this scenery too, but along the way there was a Japanese sweets shop with a banner advertising "Mitsuhide manju." As we happened to be talking about the sweets eaten at the Boys' Festival, I explained at the storefront, and they purchased kashiwa mochi. I had long been curious about "Mitsuhide manju" myself, so I bought a few for home. At this point we had 40 minutes left. We headed toward the Incline, which had originally been meant to be our starting point. At this point they were very pleased to have covered all the places they had wished to see.

I wanted them to see the azaleas at the Keage water purification plant a little, so we climbed to the top, and from Nejiri Manpo, one of my favorite spots, we headed toward the Suirokaku aqueduct at Nanzen-ji. In the past, not many people used to climb the Sanmon gate at Nanzen-ji, but quite a lot of people were seen doing so. The guest asked, "Was it always like this?" and I said, "Probably more people are seeking quiet spots now. We guides also need to find quieter places." In response, they said, "This is probably because of social media too." After climbing the aqueduct and seeing the actual flow of water, we decided to head back. When I asked what they would do next, they said they would eat lunch somewhere quiet and buy some souvenirs. I thought it would be hard to find a quiet place around there, but they said they would look for one themselves, so we parted ways.

Along the way I was also asked my opinion on what I thought about overtourism, and as someone else had also written in their report, I was strongly reminded that we guides should pioneer quieter spots. The photo was taken at Tatsumi Shrine.

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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!