Japan Private Tour Guides

“Excellent Correspondence with Masami M ”

Unfortunately, due to the weather our port call to Tokushima was canceled. We were so sorry not to meet Masami in person and see Naruto. However, in planning our tour day she was so helpful, include help in arranging for a taxi. Communication with her was so personable that I felt like I was writing to a good friend. Although we were not able to meet and tour with Masami, based on the wonderful communication I had with her, I am sure that anyone touring with Masami will have a great experience.

“History and Udon Noodles in Kurashiki”

Mack met me at Kurashiki Station for the start of our tour. We walked through the shopping street, and I was fascinated by the shops but decided to visit them on the return leg. Kurashiki is wonderful, so well preserved with the historical house and warehouses. We also walked along old, cobbled street in the quieter areas, away from the canal area which was quite busy with tourists. Mack explained the history of Kurashiki and the family that made it successful textile manufacturing centre. But not only that, it was an early model of social enterprise, hiring women and providing them with education opportunities. We stopped at a couple of shops along the way back to the station, with Mack obliging me with a visit to a Bizan ware shop and a local snack shop selling freshly made red bean pancakes. We then proceeded to the udon shop for Bukkake Udon which is a local speciality. Mack is a wonderful guide, full of knowledge about Kurashiki. He tailored my tour to suit my interests, and we had a great time chatting about many different subjects.

Mack H.

(28 reviews)

Dear Jeanette san. Thank you for having me as your guide to explore Kurashiki, small local city. As you mentioned during the tour major tourists places are too busy these days and I am happy to know you enjoyed this quiet and relaxing place. Because we ave four seasons I hope you come again to find another beautiful view in different season. Please take care and see you again hopefully.

“An amazing trip to Ino and the Yasui Valley”

Hiroshi met me at the Kochi Bus Terminal and off we went to our first stop, the Ino-cho Paper Museum. It's an amazing museum, full of information about the history of the manufacturing of washi paper. It has a wonderful workshop where visitors can make their own washi paper using traditional methods. It was great having Hiroshi as a guide as most of the displays were in Japanese. We then visited the Yasui Valley, following the Niyodo River. The river is amazing and Hiroshi timed our visit such that we were able to see the clear blue water that the river is famous for. The mountains were beautiful, and I learned much about the produce the area is famous for, Tosa tea. Back to Kochi, with a quick stop at Kochi Castle, and then Hirome market where we had Katsuo Tataki, seared skipjack tuna, and the best gyozas I have ever had. We ended the day, wandering Kochi's shopping street, visiting a small tea shop, which has been operating for three generations. The owner is a wonderful man who was happy to talk about the shop's history and the different types of tea in his shop. It's the one place where you can purchase Tosa tea. If you are ever in Kochi, Hiroshi is an excellent guide. He knows the area well, being local, and is able to tailor your tour to fit your interests.