Kumano Private Tour Guides
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Popular Kumano Tour Guides
Hiroyuki T.
Hi! I had been working for Wakayama Prefectural Government for 38 years, mainly in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations. I am a national certificated English guide and I have a lot of knowledge and experience in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations. I am very good at cultural heritages. And Koyasan and Kumano in Wakayama Prefecture are inscribed in the World Heritage List as parts of “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". I was a project manager of "the Koyasan and Kumano World Heritage Inscription Project” at Wakayama Prefectural Government. I know inside and out of Koyasan, Kumano, Wakayama and other places in the Kansai area. I have a lot of experience of guiding as I was also in charge of international relations for a long time at the government. I will be able to provide interpretive guiding service for you around Koyasan, Wakayama, Osaka and other places in the Kansai area as I am a cultural heritage management and international relations professional. I am sure you will be able to get deeper understandings on Japanese culture and that your trip with me will be memorable one.
Keiji H.
I have traveled to more than 40 countries. I always have spent happy time with local people. To return their favor, I have become a Kumano Kodo guide to help tourists enjoy Kodos. I am a government certified guide and have guided over 50 international clients in 6 years. I can help you with Kumano expertise, risk management, and hospitality skills I am a plum farmer and make umeboshi now. So I would tell you stories of as well as Japanese farming and food. Only local guides help you finding spots to rest in today's weather, locating a clean public restroom, and choosing the best sashimi for the season. Most importantly, you can acquire useful information without having to glance at tiny screens, not with phones but with local guides.
Kiyoko H.
Hello, my name is Kiyoko. I am an English guide of Kumano Kodo. I live in Kushimoto, which is the most southern tip of Honshu (main island). I got my regional guide license in 2016. Since then, I have been practicing guiding Kumano Kodo in English. You will learn about ancient pilgrimage, shrines, temples, asceticism. You will be impressed by beautiful nature. You will also feel rejuvenated after walking Kumano Kodo. I want to share my experience with you.
Yoko M.
Hi＆Konnichiwa! I am "YOKO" live in Katsuura Wakayama near Nachi Katsuura town, a spiritual place where a big waterfall is worshiped. I am a certified English tour guide of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. Walking in Kumano, listening to the sounds of birds singing and leaves whispering, you will have a chance to revitalize yourself and get some inspiration to take back home. My family grows organic rice, tea and vegetables. I have had the good fortune to travel widely and experience a range of countries and cultures, including a trip to France, learning English in Florida, a working holiday in Australia, volunteer work in Bangladesh, and backpacking in India,etc. I love meeting and talking with people from all over the world. I like Yoga, hiking, traveling and snorkeling. I look forward to sharing the beauty of the Kumano pilgrimage routes with you, while also learning about your adventures!
Hatsumi S.
I am a tour guide for a world heritage site of Kumano kodo . You can see beautiful mountain range and seasonal flowers, get the fresh air and hear bird twittering . Also I'd like to show you Japanese culture and history by walking on ancient pilgrimage roads and visiting Shinto shrines. The nature of Kumano will help you to relieve daily stress and rediscover yourself. Why don't you enjoy walking in the beautiful nature and experiencing Japanese culture and history with me?
Noboru S.
Hello, everyone! Welcome to Japan. My name is Noboru. I’m a national licensed guide. I was born in Osaka and spent my university student life in Kyoto. And now I have been in Himeji for over 35 years. These cities are in Kansai aea. So,I'm very much familiar with the sightseeing spots and attractions in the area, especially Himeji and its neighboring cities. If you are looking for someone to show you around the area, please join my tour. I will show you special local dishes in the area as well. Looking forward to seeing your smile soon.
Yasuo H.
I was born and grew up in Wakayama prefecture. Since I was very young, I walked and run by motorcycle and car in the mountain region of Kii peninsula (Wakayama). I learned the nature of Wakayama well it’s tenderness and danger. I wish to make the only one trip for my customers. There are many natural and historical sites in Wakayama because of its unique geographical nature and the longest history in Japan. You can enjoy various type of trip as ancient road walk, spectacular landscapes of the coastlines, suspension bridges, mountains and hot springs.
New Kumano Tour Guides
Keiji H.
I have traveled to more than 40 countries. I always have spent happy time with local people. To return their favor, I have become a Kumano Kodo guide to help tourists enjoy Kodos. I am a government certified guide and have guided over 50 international clients in 6 years. I can help you with Kumano expertise, risk management, and hospitality skills I am a plum farmer and make umeboshi now. So I would tell you stories of as well as Japanese farming and food. Only local guides help you finding spots to rest in today's weather, locating a clean public restroom, and choosing the best sashimi for the season. Most importantly, you can acquire useful information without having to glance at tiny screens, not with phones but with local guides.
Noboru S.
Hello, everyone! Welcome to Japan. My name is Noboru. I’m a national licensed guide. I was born in Osaka and spent my university student life in Kyoto. And now I have been in Himeji for over 35 years. These cities are in Kansai aea. So,I'm very much familiar with the sightseeing spots and attractions in the area, especially Himeji and its neighboring cities. If you are looking for someone to show you around the area, please join my tour. I will show you special local dishes in the area as well. Looking forward to seeing your smile soon.
Hiroyuki T.
Hi! I had been working for Wakayama Prefectural Government for 38 years, mainly in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations. I am a national certificated English guide and I have a lot of knowledge and experience in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations. I am very good at cultural heritages. And Koyasan and Kumano in Wakayama Prefecture are inscribed in the World Heritage List as parts of “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". I was a project manager of "the Koyasan and Kumano World Heritage Inscription Project” at Wakayama Prefectural Government. I know inside and out of Koyasan, Kumano, Wakayama and other places in the Kansai area. I have a lot of experience of guiding as I was also in charge of international relations for a long time at the government. I will be able to provide interpretive guiding service for you around Koyasan, Wakayama, Osaka and other places in the Kansai area as I am a cultural heritage management and international relations professional. I am sure you will be able to get deeper understandings on Japanese culture and that your trip with me will be memorable one.
Yoko M.
Hi＆Konnichiwa! I am "YOKO" live in Katsuura Wakayama near Nachi Katsuura town, a spiritual place where a big waterfall is worshiped. I am a certified English tour guide of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. Walking in Kumano, listening to the sounds of birds singing and leaves whispering, you will have a chance to revitalize yourself and get some inspiration to take back home. My family grows organic rice, tea and vegetables. I have had the good fortune to travel widely and experience a range of countries and cultures, including a trip to France, learning English in Florida, a working holiday in Australia, volunteer work in Bangladesh, and backpacking in India,etc. I love meeting and talking with people from all over the world. I like Yoga, hiking, traveling and snorkeling. I look forward to sharing the beauty of the Kumano pilgrimage routes with you, while also learning about your adventures!
Hatsumi S.
I am a tour guide for a world heritage site of Kumano kodo . You can see beautiful mountain range and seasonal flowers, get the fresh air and hear bird twittering . Also I'd like to show you Japanese culture and history by walking on ancient pilgrimage roads and visiting Shinto shrines. The nature of Kumano will help you to relieve daily stress and rediscover yourself. Why don't you enjoy walking in the beautiful nature and experiencing Japanese culture and history with me?
Yasuo H.
I was born and grew up in Wakayama prefecture. Since I was very young, I walked and run by motorcycle and car in the mountain region of Kii peninsula (Wakayama). I learned the nature of Wakayama well it’s tenderness and danger. I wish to make the only one trip for my customers. There are many natural and historical sites in Wakayama because of its unique geographical nature and the longest history in Japan. You can enjoy various type of trip as ancient road walk, spectacular landscapes of the coastlines, suspension bridges, mountains and hot springs.
Kiyoko H.
Hello, my name is Kiyoko. I am an English guide of Kumano Kodo. I live in Kushimoto, which is the most southern tip of Honshu (main island). I got my regional guide license in 2016. Since then, I have been practicing guiding Kumano Kodo in English. You will learn about ancient pilgrimage, shrines, temples, asceticism. You will be impressed by beautiful nature. You will also feel rejuvenated after walking Kumano Kodo. I want to share my experience with you.
Day Trips from Kumano
Kumano Tour Reviews
“Pilgrims' Routes: Mt. Koya and Kumano”
Hiroyuki took my husband and I to visit several Japanese shrines and temples. We learned much from his well-organized presentations. He wrote and even illustrated the names, places and concepts related to Shinto and Buddhist traditions. He was always polite and on time, as well as flexible to meet our interests. When he learned that we could not take the normal river boat to the Kumano Hayatama Taisha Grand Shrine because the boats were being used in a traditional competition he arranged an alternative boat ride through a portion of the magnificent Dorokyo Gorge. He then drove us to the Hayatama Shrine; at the end of the day he brought us to the Kumano riverbank where we witnessed the end of the boat race -- its most exciting part! This was an unexpected bonus, one that attests to his many years of being a responsive, experienced guide. I also wish to acknowledge GoWithGuide for its process of selecting and listing guides. Hiroyuki was one of three GoWithGuide persons who took us around different part of Japan. All the guides were excellent.
Hiroyuki T.
(144 reviews)It was really nice spending three days in Wakayama with you. Koyasan and Kumano are special places for me. I worked for the Koyasan -Kumano UNESCO world heritage project some 20 years ago at the government. Now, it's a great pleasure for me to share my knowledge about Koyasan and Kumano with international tourists as a professional guide. Thank you very much once again. Take care of yourself and I hope that our lines cross again sometime in the future.
Alban D.
Kumano Kodo, Aug13-14, for Alban-san's group
Customized
“Kumano Kodo with Keiji-san”
We have a great time with Keiji-san in Kumano Kodo who guided us over 2 days in this spectacular environment. He took care of all logistic, was alway on spot with timing and managed to get us to see and enjoy all major sites. Keiji-san is fundamentally a kind person and took great care of us. He highly recommend Keiji-san as a guide and will look forward to seeing again in few years for a repeat.
Keiji H.
(2 reviews)Thank you for giving me a great opportunity to enjoy 2 days in Kumano Kodo. Even though it was extremely hot and humid, every one finished all itineraries and listened to my explanation carefully. The parents of this group did a great job leading their children kindly, and the children understood Japanese costumes and behaved in good manners at temples and shrines. While eating and resting, we talked about not only Kumano Kodo things but also French/Japanse culture things, which made me more interested in France. Alban, leader of the group, and I contacted me February of 2024 and started planning this Kumano Kodo trip(the trip was held August of 2024). Our communication via Internets was smooth and comfortable, therefore, I could suggest him walking courses and sightseeing spots, which were suitable for the group. I look forward to seeing them again, preferably, in spring/autumn, when we can enjoy beautiful cherry blossoms and autumn mountain leaves.
“A Perfect Private Tour”
Hiro is a wonderful, thoughtful, and considerate guide. I requested a custom 3-day tour starting on Mt Koyasan and concluding in Wakayama. Hiro rented a car and promptly picked me up at the temple I was staying at and we were off on our adventure. Hiro was a cautious and careful driver and I always felt safe. We headed to my first requested destination- a marvelous boat ride at Dorokyo Gorge. Next, Hiro arranged the perfect accommodation for me at an onsen resort in a room with a stunning view of the river. The following day we walked a portion of the Kumano Kodo trail and I very much appreciated that Hiro let me walk at my pace and enjoy the time on the path. Hiro also took me to several shrines, was knowledgeable about them all, and answered all my questions. I was pleasantly surprised by the incredible ocean view of my second accommodation. It was awesome! On our final day, we started to walk the final part of the Kumano Kodo leading to Kumano Nachi Taisha and the falls but the heat and humidity were just too much for me and I could not go any further. Hiro said, "It's okay, I have an escape." We were able to stop after just a few more stairs and he went back to the parking area, got the car, picked me up, and drove to the final shrine and falls. I was so grateful! After a beautiful visit to the falls, Hiro drove me back to Wakayama, walked me into the train station, helped me purchase my ticket, and ensured I headed to the correct platform to get me back to Osaka. Hiro is a great guide and I would not hesitate to hire him again!
Hiroyuki T.
(144 reviews)Thank you very much for your kind words. It was really nice to visit sacred site Kumano with you. It's always nice to travel with a person who understands the value of Japanese culture and pay respect to our religions. Please come back to Japan someday, there are a lot more to see and to experience. And thank you very much for protecting me from a snake!
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