Kyoto: Hotel　Departure & JR Kyoto Station　Dismissal — Guide Kaji

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

The meeting point was arranged as a hotel in Kyoto, and I had shared this information with the driver as well. However, at 15:50 in August, a message came in via a messaging app saying, "The guests would like to check the meeting point since they will be coming from another city tomorrow. Is there an appropriate place?" I had heard that a hotel could be used as a meeting point even without staying there, so I informed them that we would meet at the Kyoto hotel as planned. I also contacted the driver, and it was a start filled with some anxiety about whether we would be able to meet up. Since they were not staying overnight, I confirmed the drop-off point as well before starting.

First, we went to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The guests were moved by the view of the Kyoto cityscape from the temple. They reacted with disbelief to the stories that the main hall was donated by Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1633, and that 234 people had jumped from the stage of Kiyomizu, of whom 200 survived.

Second, we visited Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion). The guests were interested to learn that the admission ticket is in the form of a talisman, which is said to ward off misfortune when placed at the entrance of a home. They were also moved by the beauty of Kinkaku-ji across the pond, and were interested to hear that it has been featured in many novels, including works by Yukio Mishima.

Third, we went to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. I explained how to purify the hands and mouth at the water pavilion before worship. I then guided them to the main hall and taught them the etiquette of two bows, two claps, making a wish, and one final bow. After passing through the thousand torii gates, you reach the "Oku-no-in." To the upper right of it is a stone called "Omokaru-ishi." First, you make a wish in front of the lantern, then lift the round stone placed on top of the lantern. The guests were interested in the story that if the stone feels lighter than expected, your wish will come true, and they tried hard to lift it.

Finally, we visited Tofuku-ji Temple. The "Sanmon" gate is located at the southernmost part of the grounds. The current gate was rebuilt around 1405 and is the oldest and largest Sanmon gate of a Zen temple in Japan. The guests admired its grandeur, and at the end, looking at the view of the Tsuten-kyo Bridge, they said they would like to come back again in November.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour by Car with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Kaji

I have been an English teacher since 1979. In 2024, I obtained the national qualification of Certified Guide Interpreter.
Currently, after retiring, I teach English as a part-time lecturer at a Hyogo Prefectural High School.
My hobbies are tennis, table tennis, traveling, studying English, and Japanese history.
I play tennis and table tennis twice a week. I love traveling because I can see beautiful scenery and learn about Japanese history.
I chose Kyoto and Nara prefectures as my guiding locations. Both were once the capitals of Japan.
Kyoto was the residence of emperors from 794 to 1868 and was a stage for Japanese history.
It has beautiful scenery, Japanese history, magnificent buildings and gardens, and delicious food.
I would like to share the charms of Japan with foreign tourists as much as possible.
I live in Amagasaki City, which is adjacent to Osaka. Kyoto is a little far from my home,
but I would like to leave home early in the morning and enjoy traveling with my guests.
Thank you for your consideration.