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Hiroshima Private Tour - Akikokubuji-Temple
Akikokubuji-Temple
Hiroshima Private Tour - Akikokubuji-Temple
Akikokubuji-Temple
Hiroshima Private Tour -
Hiroshima Private Tour -
Hiroshima Private Tour -

"ZAZEN"-Zen meditation and Sake-tasting in Saijo, Higashihiroshima

Unique Experience
Hiroshima Tour Guide - Keiko K.

Joined 2024

Keiko K.
5.00 / 5
(35 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Hiroshima
English, German, Japanese (Native)
4 hours
Private tour (only you and Keiko K.)
Up to 3 people

Tired of the crowds in central Hiroshima? Escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a peaceful day in Higashihiroshima.


Higashihiroshima, famous for its Sake Brewery, originally developed around Aki Kokubunji Temple, established along the old Saigoku-kaido.


How about experiencing Zen meditation (ZAZEN) at this prestigious temple, surrounded by serenity and tradition?

After the session, we’ll visit a Sake-Brewery Street (Sakagura-Dori) and taste different types of Sake produced in Saijo.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

10:00 AM

Meeting Point

JR Saijo Station

- at the exit of the ticket gates

10:10 AM

Akikokubunji-Temple

Aki Kokubunji is an ancient temple founded in the 8th century as part of a system of provincial temples across Japan. It played an important role in the history of the Hiroshima region. They offer some traditional activities such as Zazen (zen-meditation), Goma(fire) ritual experience, Shabutsu (Buddhist image tracing experience) and Scented sachet-making experience. How about participating in one of those unique activities?

11:40 AM

Saijo Sake-Brewery Street

Step into the heart of Japan’s sake culture in Saijo. Stroll along the historic Sake Brewery Street (Sakagura-dori), lined with traditional white-walled storehouses and towering red brick chimneys.

Let me take you to this picturesque district, where you’ll learn how sake is made and enjoy tastings at seven different breweries.

Ending Point

JR Saijo Station

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

-Guiding fee

-Guide's transportation from home to the meet-up place and backward

What‘s not included

-Admission fee: Sankeien-garden (JPY350p.p)

*Please cover the admission fee for the guide

-Activities at Akukokubuji-Temple (JPY2000~3000p.p: it depends on your choice)


Note: This tours requires a minimum of 2 participants to operate. For solo travelers, please kindly cover my activity fees so I can join you as a participant.

Tour Important Information

*Guests can choose their preferred activities among Zazen, Goma (fire) ritual experience, Buddhist image tracing experience, and Scented sachet-making experience.

*Before booking, please let me know your preferred tour date. I would like to ask the temple of their availability and vacant spots in advance.

This tour is NOT available in August.

Important message from the supplier

Weekdays are basically available.

Weekends are also available upon request, though, family matters are prioritized.

Cancellation Policy

  • Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
  • 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
  • No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Hiroshima Tour Guide - Keiko K.

Joined 2024

Keiko K.
5.00 / 5
(35 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Keiko K.

Hello, welcome to my profile! I'm Keiko (Kay). As a national certified guide deeply passionate about the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of this area, I am eager to share these experiences with you. With over 16 years of experience living abroad, mostly in Europe, I've had the privilege of immersing myself in diverse cultures and meeting incredible people from around the world. I'm sociable, outgoing and love making new connections wherever I go.


I'm also very active, enjoying sports like badminton, biking, jogging, and dancing, especially zumba and salsa. On top of that, I've been playing the piano for over *xx years, a passion that brings balance to my life. (The reason XX is simply because I hesitate to disclose my age...)


Health and nutrition are important to me, as is the same to everyone, and I love exploring new ways to stay healthy and enjoy good food!


Our itinerary will take us through some of the most iconic landmarks, as well as a few hidden gems that only locals know about. Whether you’re interested in exploring ancient architecture, indulging in the local cuisine, or learning about the fascinating history that has shaped this place, I am here to tailor the tour to your interests.


Would I be a good fit for your company here in Hiroshima?


Warm regards,

Keiko(Kay)

Reviews

A great history lesson and exploration of Hiroshima’s Best Landmarks

Keiko was extremely knowledgable of everything related to the area. She even highlighted lesser known information that even locals typically do not know. The tour itself was a very thorough exploration of Hiroshima Highlight landmarks that are a must see. Keiko was also very flexible and kind. I recommend Keiko’s tour to anybody looking for a tour of Hiroshima’s rich history.

Jose B.

Keiko K.

Thank you very much for your warm review. The time I spent with your intelligent and kind-hearted son was truly meaningful for me as well. I will never forget the gentle tears he showed at the Peace Memorial Museum. Thank you for empathizing so deeply with the feelings of the people of Hiroshima. Thank you so much!! Kind regards, Keiko (Kay)

UNESCO World Heritage Tour in Hiroshima

Keiko is the consummate tour guide, looking after your every need while under her care. From getting picked up on the platform, as we exited our Shinkansen train to finally getting us back to our train station at the end of our day. As I said, our tour started with Keiko picking us up on the train platform as we exited our Shinkansen train from Kyoto. Before we even got to Hiroshima, Keiko had been in contact with us to help us book our train from Kyoto and discuss our itinerary So off we went to our first stop, the UNESCO World Heritage Site on Miyajima Island, a subway ride followed by a Ferry ride. Keiko briefed us on history of the sites we would see on the island as we travelled there. Once on the island, she provided a very thorough and detailed history of the various shrines and temples as we walked among them. We were very impressed with Keiko’s knowledge of the subject matter and the passion with which she shared it. After we completed this part of the tour, we stopped for lunch, the best seats in the restaurant were waiting for us. We got all the info on, Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki, as our lunch was prepared right in front of us. It was delicious, we preferred it to the Osaka style we had tried a few days earlier. Then we were off to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. We were very moved by Keiko’s presentation of the consequences of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. We discussed numerous aspects of what happened on that day and the days, weeks, months and years after. Despite these discussions, we were overwhelmed by the visit to the Museum which painted a much more complete and shocking picture. After that very somber experience, Keiko returned us to the train station. She made sure we knew where to catch our train and gave us a detailed rundown of the dining scene at the Hiroshima train station. Keiko was the most interesting and knowledgeable guide we have ever had and she made sure we completely looked after.

Debbie K.

Keiko K.

Thank you very much for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and detailed review. I sincerely appreciate it, especially after your long journey home. Meeting both of you was truly a pleasure for me as well. You will remain very memorable guests from Canada. I was especially grateful for how sincerely you listened to the explanations about shrines and temples, and it was a rare and valuable experience for me as a guide to have such open and enjoyable conversations about history with your husband, who has an impressively deep knowledge of the subject. I hope you will find another opportunity to visit Hiroshima — and Japan — again someday. Beyond the famous Golden Route, there is still so much beautiful nature and many hidden places to discover. I will be looking forward to welcoming you back someday!  Hugs, Kay (Keiko)

Want to Personalize?

$220/ per group

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