Kobe come to a vital life again from intense earthquake that hit on Jan 17, 1995. Kobe always creates us a resplendent, exotic mood that the cosmopolitan city has. The old foreign settlement where sophisticated modern architecture still remains upper town must be the reason to ferment that atmosphere and give the period of cosmopolitan flavor. At Meriken Wharf, you can hear the whistles of ships and touch cultural history in this city.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
At your hotel in Kansai District (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara or Kobe)
We take you to Osaka METRO station or JR, private railway station whichever closer to your hotel. If you stay in Kobe, we can save 45 min travel by train to JR or Hankyuu-San No Miya station. We pop in City Loop bus that leads us to England House, Youkan-Nagaya (French) House and Ben's House on Kitano Ijinkan Street.
We take City Loop bus again at Kitano-Ijinkan bus stop, and get off next bus stop, Kobe Nunobiki-Herb Garden station. We take a ropeway to lead us to Nunobiki-Herb garden. (10 min ropeway ride).
We take City Loop bus again. 10 min walk from Hankyuu or JR San No Miya station to Nankin-machi (China Town)
At your hotel in Kansai District (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara or Kobe)
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Included:
*Guide fee, hotel pick-up fee in Kansai District (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara or Kobe)
*Travel expense as required for the guide to travel with customers by means of public transportation such as train, subway, bus.
Travel expenses for the guide included herein are limited within Kansai district (Kansai district = City of Osaka, Nara, Kyoto or Kobe)
*Admission fees, tickets for the guide as might be incurred at Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens, temples, shrines or the like.
*Meals , drinks or the like for the guide during the tour
*Any tax or the like as might be incurred by the guide in Japan
*Gratuity
Not included:
*Fees to cruise river or sea or the like for the guide
*Tickets for Universal Studio Japan, museum or the like for the guide as might be required at private or public entertainment facilities.
Visit the old foreign settlement and you can understand why Kobe is called cosmopolitan city. At Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden, here for sure, you will find best places for romantic chats in ropeway cabin or walks whichever you prefer and spend unforgettable time with full of 75,000 herb flowers.
Nankin-machi (China town) is always full of gourmet people. Kobe beef is also on the menu even at a hole in the wall restaurant, never let them down.
At Meriken Park, some attractions are romantic cruises that last 60 minutes. You can also admire beautiful panorama view of Kobe harbor from Kobe Port Tower or restaurant, art craft shop complex named Umie MOSAIC. Breath-taking sunset view is what makes this place so romantic
City loop bus runs every 10 to 15 min and takes you right on the spot. A one-day pass is advantageous, on sale in City Bus, at the Kobe Information Center (Sannomiya), Tourist Information Offices (JR Shin Kobe bullet train station)
- IMPORTANT -
Be quiet and respectful in Temples and Shrines complex
Remove hats and sunglasses in front of main sanctuary in Temples, Shrines.
Not to touch old buildings, old remains and objects
Not to take pictures where prohibited in Temples and Shrines complex
Take your shoes off before stepping on tatami
Lived in Chicago (5 years), Toronto (1 year), Singapore (2 years), Indonesia (4 years) and Birmingham, UK (11 years) to construct business platform, now retired after 40
years employment in Japan. Dynamic tour guide who develops many different ways along with rich experience overseas to entertain large or small tour groups. Enjoys the interaction with tour groups, very strong group presentation and communication skills, finds each guest question as an opportunity to learn anything new. Constantly learning information about each tour spot to enhance tours. Guided 8,665 guests all over the world across Japan as of Sept 30, 2024 since Feb 2015.
Annemarie W.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)
“A wonderful day in Kyoto guided by Masahisa (Mike) Makino”
Mike met us at our hotel and whisked us off for a fantastic tour, focusing on all of the places we most wanted to see in Kyoto. He shared rich and invaluable historical, cultural and social insights that greatly added to our enjoyment of this trip. His thoughtfulness, generosity and sense of humour greatly enhanced the day for us. We couldn't have asked for more and highly recommend him!
Masahisa M.
(44 reviews)Annemarie I, too, had a wonderful day. I was drawn to Tara Hill by Vivian Leigh's lines, and I remembered being astonished by the "Beware of Fairies" traffic sign when driving through the forests of Ireland, also the mishaps I made at the Guinness Storehouse, and the movie "The Quiet Man." Please not to forget the rain check I promised you the next time you visit Japan. Thank you again for traveling to us from such a long way. Thanks Masahisa
Stephen B.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakusai (West) and Rakuchu (Central)
“Top Notch! The "Must Have" guide!”
As a travel agent, I have a reputation for recommending only the best experiences to my clients. When planning their time in Kyoto, I knew I needed a guide who could provide not only expert knowledge but also personalized service. I found all of this and more in Masahisa. From our initial contact, Masahisa was a wealth of information. He went above and beyond to ensure my clients had an unforgettable experience. He advised them on lesser-known attractions, such as historical sites that require a lottery system for entry, and suggested hidden gems that other guides might overlook. Masahisa's meticulous planning was evident in his itineraries. He planned each day down to the minute, ensuring that my clients made the most of their time in Kyoto. He also assisted them with logistical details, such as collecting their rail passes and booking their Nozomi train seats. One of the most impressive aspects of Masahisa's service was his dedication to my clients' overall experience. He even escorted them to the meeting point for an evening activity with another company, ensuring a seamless transition. While I was only able to secure Masahisa's services for three days, I have no doubt that he would be an excellent guide for any length of stay in Kyoto or throughout Japan. His expertise, personalized service, and attention to detail make him a truly exceptional guide.
Masahisa M.
(44 reviews)Stephen Thank you. I am pleased to have been able to assist your company in some way. While living in Toronto, I frequently visited places like Casa Roma and watched Blue Jays games. When accompanying your guests here, memories of my visits to your country's beautiful cities, such as Montreal and Halifax, came to mind. I also enjoyed spending time with your guests this time. Their travels continue to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Dubai on and on, and while supporting their journey must be challenging for you, I pray for their safe and enjoyable return home. Japan still has many wonderful tourist destinations. If there is anything else I can assist with, please feel free to let me know. Thanks Masahisa
David C.
Exploring Kyoto in Rakutou (East) and Rakuchu (Central)
“Amazing Day Exploring Nara”
Started the day with a very informative briefing of the day at our hotel in Kyoto. Mike helped our family of 7 navigate our way to Nara most expeditiously, saving valuable time for our enjoyment of Nara. His knowledge of Kyoto and Nara was invaluable as our family utilized trains and buses to optimize our time at numerous sites throughout Nara. Mike shared his love of Nara and the Kyoto area with us and lunch at a local, traditional Japanese restaurant was a great meal. Mike also took great family photos of our day at the perfect photo spots along the way. We would highly recommend spending time with Mike as your guide, as we totally enjoyed our time. Thank you, Mike.
Masahisa M.
(44 reviews)David I am the one who should be thanking you for all allowing me to share such a wonderful time with your delightful family. I am deeply grateful that you traveled such a long distance to visit us all the way. I hope this trip would be one of your most memorable family vacations. I look forward to seeing you again sometime. Thank you again for visiting us. Masahisa
$259/ per group
Reserve