Kyoto in One Day: Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Kimono Forest — Guide Satoko

Title: What's a Full-Day Private Kyoto Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama, and More

The guests were a group visiting from Oceania. As they had requested the itinerary above, we first traveled by bus to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Since they came from Oceania, our conversation moved from a major earthquake in their home region in 2011 to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, and I mentioned that just yesterday marked its 30th anniversary. As Shijo Street has many points of interest, I used photos I had on hand to explain kabuki and, with a photo of a geisha, to explain the entertainment districts. When we arrived at Kiyomizu-dera, the guests were moved, saying, "We've never seen such a huge temple." I had thought people of their age were not usually so impressed by temples, so I told them that hearing those words made me happy as well. They also enjoyed the beautiful view from above. We entered the main hall, and one of the guests was especially eager to try everything, taking on the challenge of lifting the 96 kg staff, ringing the keisu bell, and offering incense. Then we left Kiyomizu-dera and headed to Hokan-ji Temple via Sannenzaka. They climbed the five-story pagoda and were delighted to find the peephole on the second floor in particular. After that, we arrived at Yasaka Shrine via Yasaka Koshin-do and Nene-no-michi. They seemed to have visited Meiji Shrine in Tokyo but without really understanding it, so I explained the etiquette for worshipping at a shrine, and we actually washed our hands and paid our respects together. Then we walked to Hankyu Kawaramachi Station and traveled to Arashiyama. As they wanted to have lunch before going to the bamboo grove, I guided them to Kotokikichaya, which usually has good turnover. Everyone loved ramen, and all but one of the guests ordered the "Kotokiki ramen." One of the guests looked at the kamaboko fish cake in the ramen with curiosity, so I explained what it was made of and so on. They also sprinkled on the shichimi that was on the table. Then we moved from Kameyama Park to the bamboo grove. Most guests enjoy the scenery and taking photos, but this group observed the inside of the bamboo grove closely, and were particularly interested in the fact that the palm fibers surrounding the grove were also held in place by bamboo. When I asked if they wished to visit Tenryu-ji Temple, they said they did not, so I guided them to Nonomiya Shrine, and on the way to Kimono Forest at the end, one of the guests had cotton candy in front of Burari Arashiyama. Afterward, a long line formed behind them, so I remarked, "That's good advertising for the cotton candy shop." Then we arrived at Kimono Forest. Everyone seemed to like it very much. Finally, there is a pool of water with an explanation to the effect that "the dragon of Mount Atago descended here," and since the explanation also said "if you touch the water, your wish will come true," all but one of the guests actually did so, and I joined them. As we were discussing what to do next, at first they said they would stroll around Arashiyama and then return, so I had told them where the JR station was, but since the Randen tram was right in front of us, they said they would take the Randen back to their hotel, and there we concluded the tour. The attached image shows two of the guests offering incense in front of the main hall of Kiyomizu-dera.

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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!