Masa's "Kyoto Culture"

Kyoto Culture Liaison: Masa Fujiwara
Kyoto Culture Tours Reservation Request Form

Welcome to Masa Fujiwara's "Kyoto Culture Tours"

This is your chance to have an exclusive, privately-guided cultural insight into the historic capital of Kyoto. Masa Fujiwara is an experience cultural liaison who has worked with some of the top travel agencies in the United States, and he will take you places tourists never have the opportunity to visit. With his special cultural and artistic connections, you will get a first-hand look inside Kyoto's 2,000 year old culture. Masa will create a cultural activity catering to your personal wishes.

Masa will also provide you with practical information such as what to see, where to go, what to do, and where to dine for newcomers to Kyoto and Japan. Masa offers the ultimate "insider's knowledge" of Japan, and can help you with your travel plans and any special interests you have about Japan. Masa charges 40,000 yen per day plus entrace fees and transportation.

Please pay Masa directly in advance in Japanese Yen only

Here is a list of what Masa has to offer you:
Tour #1 -Traditional Architecture and Gardens
Tour #2 - Japanese Tea Ceremony
Tour #3 - Kyoto-style Cuisine
Tour #4 - Kyoto Arts and Crafts

Tour #1 -Traditional Architecture and Gardens
Masa Fujiwara can provide tours of Kyoto (and Nara) temples, shrines, and gardens. He can also take you to intimate Zen gardens, merchant houses, the Imperial Palace, and other special places of interest. Masa will make all arrangements in advance and will adjust the tour based on where are the best places to visit during the season you will be in Kyoto. He can also make appointments with Zen temple priests so you can learn first-hand the history of the temples and their gardens. This is a full day tour with a lunch break.

Tour #2 - Japanese Tea Ceremony
Take traditional Japanese tea ceremony and Japanese flower arrangement lessons at a historic Zen temple or a Kyoto teahouse. Tea ceremonies allow a person to slow down and completely focus on one thing (tea) and forget the worries and stresses of everyday live. The ceremoney can be short or long depending on the group size and the experience is to be felt and observed rather than a long detailed explaination. This is your opprotunity to experience the heart of Japanese culture.

Tour #3 - Kyoto-style Cuisine
On this unique tour Masa will teach you how to prepare a home cooked Japanese-style meal ora Japanese "kaiseki" meal (formal Japanese meal). This is your chance to see how food is prepared and served in Japan and to really see beyond what normal sightseeing will show you.

In the morning, Masa will take you to Kyoto's famed "Nishiki Market" where you will do your shopping. Masa will also explain about the various ingredience that are part of Japanese cooking. Once you have finished shopping Masa will take you to he home (which he designed and built) and show you how to prepare the meal. At about 2:00 pm you will be ready to have one of the best meals of your trip and you will know Japan that much better.

Tour #4 - Kyoto Arts and Crafts
With Masa's special artistic and cultural connections, you will visit some very special Kyoto potters and craft artisans in their traditional country farmhouses. You will be able to meet potters and craft artisans in their studios and workshops, and have the opportunity to watch artists do pottery, lacquer ware, paper-making, calligraphy, and bamboo crafts. You can even join in and make the pottery and crafts yourself. Masa can also set up a special tour to nearby Shigaraki and visit some Shigaraki potters. This tour is combined with a visit to the world famous Miho Museum. You will have the chance to purchase the arts and crafts directly from the potters and craft artisans too.

Kyoto Culture Reservation Request Form

Responsibility
These Cultural Liaison activities are operated with the member's understanding that Japanese Guest Houses acts only as an agent for the participants and such parties, firms, or corporations providing services herein. By promoting these activities, Japanese Guest Houses does not assume liability or costs for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity due to weather or any act or default of companies or persons engaged in providing these services. Japanese Guest Houses reserves the right to change or modify the itinerary as circumstances may require to expedite these activities and assure the safety of its members. Japanese Guest Houses has the right to decline, accept or retain any person as a member of these activities at any time. Registration is your agreement to these terms. Please pay Masa directly in advance in Japanese Yen only