Kyoto in One Day: Otagi Nenbutsuji & Nijo Castle — Guide Kaji

Title: What Does a Private Kyoto Day Tour Cover? A Licensed Guide's Report on Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, Adashino, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and Nijo Castle

The guests were visitors from Oceania. Because walking was slow, the tour finished about 30 minutes later than scheduled. Rain had been forecast for the afternoon, but fortunately it was still not raining when I saw them off at their hotel at 15:00.

First, we went to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple. The guests asked who had begun carving the more than 1,000 rakan statues and when, and they seemed very interested to learn that a head priest and sculptor named Kocho Nishimura had started the project. Although it is not very well known among Japanese people, it attracts many visitors from overseas. It is said to be "Japan's most famous hidden temple," located in a quiet mountainous area near Mount Atago. The guests were intrigued by the explanation that the "a" and "o" at the beginning of the words mean "to meet," and that "tago" and "tagi" describe "a mountain path that is narrow, winding, and uneven." They looked intently at the 1,200 stone rakan statues carved by worshippers within the grounds, noting how each one is different.

Next, we went to Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple. Its origin lies in Kobo Daishi gathering the remains of those who had been laid to rest in the surrounding area through wind burial and building a temple to hold memorial services for them. The guests were moved by the approximately 8,000 stone Buddhas and stone pagodas. They also took many photos in the bamboo grove located deep within the grounds.

On the way to the Keifuku train, we stopped by the Sagano Bamboo Grove.

Finally, we went to Nijo Castle. The Ninomaru Palace consists of five buildings. The first and second are for imperial envoys, the third for tozama daimyo, the fourth for fudai daimyo, and the fifth for the shogun, with 33 rooms and enough space for 800 tatami mats. The guests seemed very surprised by this explanation. They were also interested in the nightingale floors, the wall paintings of the Kano school, and the large nail covers, and asked many questions. In the Ninomaru Garden, they seemed interested in the story of the large pond and the stones shaped like turtles and cranes, which symbolize longevity.

I saw them off in front of their hotel and said goodbye.

Click here for more details: Kyoto Customized Private Tour in 1 Day 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.