I'll meet you at your hotel in Kyoto. And then we'll transfer to Himeji by the Shinkansen.
We'll visit firstly Himeji Castle designated as Japan's first World Heritage Site in 1993, and ranked #7 as a place to visit among others in 2019 by NY Times, and also ranked #1 by the National Geographic Traveler.
After Himeji Castle we'll head for beautiful Kokoen Japanese style garden nearby.
Finally we'll go back to your hotel in Kyoto by the Shinkansen.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe, or your convenient place
Meet at your hotel in Kyoto
Himeji Castle
Kokoen Japanese Style Garden nearby.
Lunch
See off at you hotel in Kyoto
Ending Point
At your hotel in Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe, or your convenient place
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee
Transportation fee to/from JR Himeji Station (you and guide), entrance fee (1, 040 JPY per person, you only), lunch (you only).
1 Himeji Castle has steep stairs up to the castle tower. No elevators. If you have infants with you this time,
please ask them to wait for the next chance.:)
2 After Himeji Castle you will visit Kokoen Japanese Style Garden nearby.
3 This is a private tour.
4 Hotel pick-up is also available in Osaka, Kobe and Himeji areas.
5 We are asked to take off our shoes when entering Himeji Castle tower.
I can also guide you in Hiroshima (Peace Memorial Park, Miyajima), 1-day tour. My transportation fees to/from Hiroshima cost about 20,000 JPY, return.
Hi! I'm Shogo, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English. "Shogo"? Looks a little bit hard to pronounce. So if you are interested in Samurai or Busho, call me "Shogun". (rather humble and hen-pecked at home, though.:)
Just a little bit information about myself. I was born and grew up in Himeji, about 50km west of Kobe. When a child I quite often visited world-famous Himeji Castle. So it's like "MY castle." As a student, I lived in Kyoto for four years. I'm a father of three, and have lived in Kobe with my family for over 30 years.
So I'm quite familiar with various tourist spots/attractions in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, Kobe and the like, all in western Japan. Also I've lived in Lawrence, Kansas, for two years in my 20s as a Jayhawk. Great old memory!:)
Here are some of my specialties.
First, I can show you around popular historical sites and relics in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Himeji. You'll surely feel the depth of Japanese culture by visiting these places. Second, I can offer you special tours of fancy sake breweries in Kobe, Nara and Kyoto. Third, I also guide you around Hiroshima, including magnificent Itsukushima Shrine.
My goal/dream as guide interpreter is to help you explore and understand Japan and its culture with warm hospitality or Omotenashi. So please reach out to me any time, 24/7. For your super memorable trip, "Always with YOU" Shogo!:)
Rebecca N.
“Wonderful Kyoto”
Had a fantastic day visiting the sights of Kyoto. Can’t believe we saw so much in one day. Shogo is a wonderful guide. Highly recommend
Rebecca N.
“Fabulous day in Osaka ”
Shogo is fantastic guide. Took us from port to many amazing sights. Highlight was a beautiful lunch of okonomayaki in beautiful restaurant. Osaka is lovely place to visit and Shogo is great.
Rebecca N.
“Fabulous morning in Kobe. ”
Even with wet weather we still had a wonderful time with Shogo. Visited China town and sake brewery. Shogo is a wonderful guide. Lots of patience when we stopped to look in shops. Highly recommend
$339/ per group