Kyoto: Travel to Gion by private car — Guide Nori

Two-Day Private Kyoto Tour Report: What Can a Licensed Guide Cover in Kyoto in Two Days?

The guests this time were a group visiting Japan from North America on a trip, and I guided them for two consecutive days. However, one member of the group had caught a cold and spent both days resting at the Hotel. As a result, sightseeing on both days was done with the group.

Prior consultations, such as considering which places to visit, were carried out with a staff member at a local travel agency. That staff member had handled many trips to Japan, and in response to the guests' wish to "cover the major highlights of Kyoto in two days," proposed the following: (1) central Kyoto to Higashiyama (Day 1: Nijo Castle, Gion, Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari), and (2) northwestern Kyoto (Day 2: Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Arashiyama). Based on this proposal, I created a detailed itinerary, obtained the guests' approval through the staff member, and finalized it.

On the first day (May), the temperature was high from the morning, with clear, summer-like weather, but with the help of a private vehicle for transportation, the guests did their best and thoroughly enjoyed the sightseeing. In particular, some of the guests had a strong interest in Japanese history, especially the era of samurai governance, so I put extra effort into the explanations at Nijo Castle. Also, given the season, as we walked through areas surrounded by fresh greenery everywhere we went, they repeatedly said, "Japan's nature is wonderful." For lunch, I had made a reservation at a Kyoto cuisine restaurant in Gion, so we were able to dine smoothly without any waiting time. Japanese food seemed to suit the guests' tastes very well. Even in the heat, they were able to enjoy a fulfilling sightseeing experience.

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

Tour Report by Nori

Hi, everyone! I’m Norifumi Kamon, a government registered guide interpreter. Please call me “Nori”, or “Kamon-san”.
Let me introdece myself. I was born on April 17th in 1952 in Miyazaki prefecture in Kyushu island. I used to be an English teacher of Osaka Prefectural high school. When I retired from a teacher ten years ago, I decided to get a professional guide license. I wanted to play a role of the bridge between Japanese people and the people from all over the world as a second life of mine. After two years efforts, I finally got the guide license. Since then, I have guided several handreds of foreign people mainly in Kyoto and Nara for about five years except Corona Pandemic period. Almost all the tourists were deeply impressed by the beauty of nature, traditoin, culture, and art of Japan. I can surely help you enjoy and be satisfied with the sightseeing in Japan. And I’m looking forward to seeing you soon.