I was so thrilled that we found Brian and were able to take multiple tours with him (four days in total) throughout our stay in Kyoto. My husband and I are both artists with a deep interest in sacred art and architecture, and we wanted to better understand the religious ideas that gave rise to the extraordinary temples and shrines in and around Kyoto. Brian was a font of knowledge, helping us understand the histories and dynamics of each place we visited, including the fascinating relationship between Buddhist and Shinto practices, the contrasting beliefs of the various Buddhist sects, and the interplay of religion and politics throughout Japanese history. At every turn, Brian’s commentary provided insights that deepened what we saw and experienced. Not only was he a wonderful and patient teacher, but he was also generous, funny, and genuinely a joy to spend time with. He made our visit to Kyoto unforgettable, and we will never forget him. If what you are after is simple sightseeing and photo opportunities, Brian’s tours might not be for you. But if you are interested in understanding the religious concepts and practices that have shaped Japanese history, art, and culture, I cannot recommend him highly enough. Each tour with Brian was wonderful and deserving of recognition in its own right, so please forgive me for posting versions of this review multiple times. I honestly can’t recommend one tour over another because they were all exceptional. I do, however, strongly recommend discussing your interests and preferences with Brian beforehand, as we did, so he can thoughtfully tailor the experience to your personal interests.
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Private tour in Kyoto Brian V
Living Buddhism Private Tour
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3 hours
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3 hours
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Brian V.
5.0
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It is fair to say that I am not your typical tour guide. Among other things, this is evidenced by my current position as a Senior Research Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies located in Oxford, UK. Since 2005, however, I have conducted my research on Buddhism in Kyoto, the heartland of Japanese Buddhism. In addition, I am a fully ordained priest in the Sōtō Zen sect of Buddhism, having entered the priesthood in 1965. Thus, I am what is known in Buddhist circles as a "scholar-priest. " Inasmuch as I am not the typical tour guide, I will be frank in stating that I am not seeking to guide the typical "sight-seeing" visitor to Kyoto and environs. Instead, I seek to guide "sight-learners, " i. e. visitors who are interested in receiving the most complete introduction possible to the history, doctrine and iconography of the Buddhist temples and Shintō shrines we visit. I particularly welcome questions, for this ensures that I am talking about things of interest to visitors. I especially like to guide visitors who have just arrived in Kyoto in order to provide them with the basic knowledge necessary to more fully appreciate the many temples and shrines they are likely to visit during their stay. At the same time, I welcome those visitors who may be feeling "templed out" (and bored) as a result of having visited so many temples and shrines that they all start to "look alike. " In reality, each of the temples and shrines has a unique doctrinal and historical background that, when properly understood, brings it 'to life', greatly enriching the visitor's experience. Kyoto's temples and shrines, like Japanese history itself, are anything but boring! If you are someone who wants to understand the doctrines, history and iconography of the temples, shrines and other sights you visit in Kyoto and environs, I look forward to guiding you during your visit. Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies, Temple University, June 1996. Additionally, I have had the pleasure of guiding students and travellers to Buddhist and Shinto-related sites in the Kyoto area since 2005. I specialize in providing both the associated doctrinal content and historical background of the sites we visit. I currently serve as a non-resident Senior Research Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies. I am the author of several books including "Zen at War," "Zen War Stories," and "Zen Terror" as well as many academic book chapters and popular articles on religious, historical and current topics. None
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An opportunity for you to become a Buddhist pilgrim in Kyoto
Overview of your Kyoto tour
Visitors to Kyoto quickly realize how crowded the city's famous temples are. This tour is unique in offering the opportunity to visit a major, yet quiet, Buddhist temple complex, popularly known as Higashi Honganji, located within easy walking distance of Kyoto Station. As a twenty-five year resident of Japan and an American-born Buddhist priest and scholar, I will introduce you to the fascinating history of this temple together with the history, doctrines and iconography of the True Pure Land (Shin) sect of Buddhism with which it is affiliated. You will learn, for example, why the True Pure Land sect strongly opposes the practice of all forms of meditation. Instead, this sect places its faith exclusively in the original vow said to have been made by Amida Buddha. Higashi Honganji temple has no entrance fee since it remains what it has been for more than four centuries, a place of pilgrimage for practicing Buddhists from throughout Japan. Note: If you are 1 or 2 persons, please contact me for a new quote.
Recent Reviews
I could not have found a more knowledgeable guide to Kyoto’s religious and political history than Brian Victoria. We spent a delightful day together in wonderful discussion among beautiful sites.
I needed an informative guided tour. Because I also guide travellers as my job, and his tour completely satisfied my necessity. He introduced me to interesting historical stories about religions and gardens in the East and the west. His knowledge is so deep, so I was happy to talk with him. He is a wonderful guide. Arigato! Brain-san
Your Kyoto tour itinerary
On arrival at Higashi Honganji, we first go to the temple's reception center where seated on comfortable benches, I will give you a general introduction to the temple and its history. This is followed by a visit to the adjacent temple gallery that features an explanation of the life and teachings of the sect's 13th-century founder, Shinran (1173-1263). From there we visit the temple's two major worship halls, the first of which is said to be the largest wooden building in the world. Following our visit to Higashi Honganji, the tour moves a short walking distance to Shōsei-en, a large, temple-affiliated, traditional Japanese garden, featuring flowering plants, bridges, large ponds, and traditional teahouses. I will explain the history of Japanese gardens and teahouses as well as answer any questions you may have about Buddhist beliefs and practices in general. There is a garden entrance fee of ¥500 per person (US$5).
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Transport details
Type: Walking
Walking
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Meeting location
Central Entrance, Kyoto, Kyoto, 600-8216, Japan
We meet in the 2nd floor lobby of the Granvia Hotel located up the escalator in Kyoto Station
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