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Hyogo Private Tour -
Hyogo Private Tour -
Hyogo Private Tour -
Hyogo Private Tour -
Hyogo Private Tour -
Hyogo Private Tour -

Zen & Hot Springs: Outdoor Calligraphy in Arima’s Serene Bamboo Forest

Art, Culture, & Historical
Hyogo Tour Guide - Ayumi S.

Joined 2026

Ayumi S.
5.00 / 5
(15 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Hyogo
English, Japanese (Native), Korean, Turkish
5 hrs 40 mins
Private tour (only you and Ayumi S.)
Up to 7 people

Explore Arima Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest hot spring towns, famously loved by the 16th-century samurai warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Walk the historic streets and enjoy a relaxing dip in the therapeutic waters.


Afterward, step into a serene, quiet bamboo forest for a private outdoor calligraphy session with a local master. Feel the ultimate zen as you paint your own masterpiece to take home as a perfect souvenir.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

10:00 AM

Meeting Point

Arima Onsen Hankyu Bus Terminal

- Arima Onsen Hankyu Bus Terminal

10:10 AM

Guided Stroll around Arima Onsen

Choose your own way to enjoy the town! If you would like to fully experience the hot springs, you can take a dip in one of Arima’s famous public baths (Soto-yu). For a more casual option, you can enjoy a relaxing foot bath (Ashi-yu), which is a wonderful way to feel the geothermal waters without undressing. Alternatively, you can enjoy shopping in the historic streets, and I will guide you through beautiful temples and shrines deeply tied to the samurai warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

12:00 PM

Lunch Time

Savor local culinary delights and enjoy a delicious lunch in the heart of the town.

01:00 PM

Traditional Calligraphy Experience

Enjoy a private, 2-hour outdoor brush-writing session in a serene environment with a local master.

03:00 PM

Cafe & Relaxation Time

Unwind at a cozy local cafe to wrap up our wonderful afternoon before heading back.

Ending Point

3:40PM Arima Onsen Hankyu Bus Terminal (4:35PM ETA OSAKA)

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

・guide fee

What‘s not included

・Transportation costs (for both guests and the guide)

Your guide will be waiting for you at the Arima Onsen Bus Terminal (Bus Stop).

*Transportation: Direct Highway Bus (Hankyu Bus or JR Bus) from Umeda/Osaka Station to Arima Onsen.

*Fare: 1,400 JPY (one-way per person)

*Duration: Approx. 55-60 minutes

The Hankyu bus departs Umeda at 9:00 and arrives in Arima at 10:00.

Please be careful not to miss it, as it will depart on time.


・Lunch and cafe expenses (for both guests and the guide)

(about 15 USD per person)


・Calligraphy experience fee: ¥8,000 per person (Please pay on-site)

Includes all materials, the workshop, matcha/tea with sweets, and your own final artwork to take home as a souvenir. You can choose to write your creation on a postcard, a hanging scroll (Kakejiku), or a folding fan (Sensu).


・Hot spring (Soto-yu) admission fees (if you choose to bathe / around ¥650–¥800 per person)

Tour Important Information

* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

*Calligraphy Experience Fee: ¥8,000 per person (Please pay on-site)

Includes Matcha or Hojicha (roasted green tea) and traditional sweets after the session.

Payment Method: Credit cards accepted.

*Flexible Calligraphy Venue:

The session will take place outdoors if the weather is clear. In case of rain or if you prefer a climate-controlled space, we can smoothly switch to a beautiful indoor atelier.


*If you would rather focus solely on exploring Arima Onsen without the calligraphy session, that is absolutely no problem at all! I can easily customize the itinerary to fit your preferences. Please contact me before booking, and we can discuss your ideal plan.

Important message from the supplier

My standard guiding hours are weekdays from 9:00 to 16:00. However, I am happy to adjust my schedule to meet your needs! If you are interested in a night tour or weekend availability, please feel free to message me for a consultation!

Cancellation Policy

  • Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
  • 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
  • No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Hyogo Tour Guide - Ayumi S.

Joined 2026

Ayumi S.
5.00 / 5
(15 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Ayumi S.

Academic Knowledge & Global Mindset – Your Local Expert for Culture and Sports!


Hi everyone! I’m Ayumi, a local guide based in the Kansai area.


I studied Tourism at University, where I explore the deeper historical and cultural backgrounds of Japan's most famous sites. Having traveled to many countries myself, I know exactly what makes a trip unforgettable, authentic local experiences and stress-free environment.


Why book with me?


Academic Insight: I don’t just show you the sights; I share the "why" behind them, from the architecture of Himeji Castle to the rituals of a tea ceremony.


Active & Diverse: Whether you want to go hiking in Kobe, watch a professional rugby match, Baseball game, Soccer game, or find the best hidden yakitori spots, I’ve got you covered.


Flexible & Friendly: I understand the needs of international travelers and will help you navigate Japan (including your JR Pass) with ease.


Shopping & Sweets Expert: I am a huge fan of shopping! If you need recommendations for Japanese cosmetics or the best local snacks, just ask me. I especially have a "sweet tooth" for Apple Pie and Daifuku (mochi)—I’m always on the hunt for the best ones in town!


Let’s go beyond the guidebooks and discover the real Japan together.

I look forward to meeting you in Kyoto, Osaka, or Kobe!

Reviews

Kyoto Highlights in 1 Day: Fushimi Inari, Kinkaku-ji & Arashiyama

We had a lovely day with Ayumi. She was punctual, organised and very accommodating, made navigating public transport effortless, and booked us excellent local places for lunch and dinner that we would never have found ourselves. What we particularly enjoyed was talking with her about everyday life in Japan — schools, family life and the social system. She is naturally quiet and her style is more about helping you experience the city like a local. A great choice if you value good planning, local food discoveries and a genuine glimpse into everyday Japanese life.

Genna R.

Ayumi S.

Thank you so much for your kind words, Genna! I truly enjoyed our time together, especially chatting about everyday life and schools in Japan. I'm so happy to hear that you liked the lunch and dinner spots, too! Hope to see you again in Kyoto in the future. Say hi to Natasha for me, too!

Osaka Castle, Temples in Osaka and Dotonbori River cruise

would like to commend our wonderful tour guide, Miss Ayumi, for making our Osaka trip such a memorable and enjoyable experience. She was very hospitable, accommodating, and attentive to our needs throughout the tour. She even accompanied us to a lovely place for dinner, where we truly enjoyed the food and the experience. What made the tour even more meaningful was the way she shared the history, culture, and traditions of Osaka, especially while visiting the beautiful temples. Her knowledge and enthusiasm made each place more interesting and gave us a deeper appreciation of Japan. Thank you, Miss Ayumi, for your kindness, patience, and excellent service. We truly enjoyed our time with you and would highly recommend her to anyone visiting Osaka. She is an exceptional tour guide!

Vernette L.

Ayumi S.

Dear Vernette, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review after your trip! I am truly touched by your kind words. I also had such a great time spending time with you and your lovely family. It was a pleasure guiding you through Osaka! I sincerely look forward to the day we can meet again. Thank you so much!

Summer Festival

We had such a fun and enjoyable experience with Ayumi. This was our first time going to a festival in Japan. Ayumi was so patient and accommodating to all our requests. She’s very knowledgable and was able to answer all our questions. She’s quick on her feet and even found a great spot where we could enjoy the parade with no crowds. When we were tired from the heat, she recommended we go to a museum which was also super fun. Before the festivities, she took us to a delicious udon restaurant. I highly recommend booking Ayumi when you come here.

Maria louisa L.

Ayumi S.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! It truly means a lot to me. I had such a wonderful time spending the day with your lovely family. I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed your first Japanese festival and that I could help make it a special experience. Thank you again for choosing me as your guide. Please give my best regards to everyone in your family. I hope you had a fantastic rest of your trip, and I’d love to welcome you back to Japan soon!!!

Want to Personalize?

$167/ per group

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