Understanding Zen Buddhism and Shinto - Everything You Would Like to Know - Private Tour

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.

Brian is erudite, esoteric and enthralling. We enjoyed every moment of the tour.

Gabriela Z.Mexico

Brian is an outstanding guide. He is incredibly sharp, intellectually curious, and has a remarkable ability to connect history, culture, and spirituality in a way that is both engaging and easy to understand. During our visit to Tofukuji and Fushimi Inari, he didn’t just explain the places we were seeing—he helped us understand the broader historical and cultural context behind them. The conversation flowed through many fascinating topics, comparisons, and reflections that will stay with us for a long time. Thank you, Brian, for sharing your knowledge, challenging us to think deeper, and making us laugh throughout the entire day. It was truly a memorable experience.

This was a perfect day the type of day you wished lasted longer. Brian is a gem of a human being. It's also so rare to have someone with his level of education and background to be the one showing your around a Buddhist Temple and Shinto Shrine. It was autumn when I took the tour so it was busy due to the foliage. We sat in various locations around the temple and he explained the history and the meaning behind what we were viewing. It was fascinating. If I get the opportunity to go back I'll want to book more tours with him. Thank you for a wonderful day! I appreciate it!

Samantha M.United States

Brian is very knowledgeable and passionate about Buddhism and religion in general. We had a lovely time learning what Buddhism and Shinto are really about, their differences and how they have shaped Japanese culture. We even learned a bit about Japanese history too! Brian is a wealth of knowledge and really goes over and above for his tours. If you are interested in immersing yourself in Japanese religion, I highly recommend a tour with Brian!

Brian was a great guide that provided amazing history and insight into Shintoism and Buddhism. His tour provided great context for the remainder of my trip in Japan.