Kobe (Sake Brewer in Nada, China Town & Sorakuen Garden)
Kobe has developed as an international port city, and people from foreign countries have created their own unique culture there, which made Kobe an exotic city. Chinatown, and Ijinkan, former residences for early foreign settlers, are typical examples. Kobe is also famous for its sake, there are many sake breweries in the Nada area. On this tour, we will visit China Town and Sorakuen, a Japan garden which has an Ijinkan, and a sake brewery in Nada.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel in Osaka
Sake brewer in Nada
It is said that sake brewing has been carried out in this region, which was blessed with rice and water as raw materials, brewing technology and climate, since the 14th century. Even today, Nada's sake brewing industry leads the sake industry in Japan, with shipments accounting for one-quarter of the national shipment volume. In this tour, we will visit the Sake Brewery Museum, which has been renovated from an old sake brewery built in the early 20th century, and try sake tasting
China Town
Kobe Chinatown has more than 100 restaurants and shops within a range of 200 meters from east to west and 100 meters from north to south, and there are also many vendors selling dim sum, sweets and gift items. It is said that there are 10,000 overseas Chinese in Kobe, and it is recognized that many of them are good at business and that China Town in Kobe is the result that they have built very good relationship with the Japanese society.
Sorakuen Garden
Completed in 1911 by a former samurai and successful businessman in Kobe, this vast mansion consists of gardens and houses. The garden is a pond strolling style, but a plaza was added under the influence of Western culture. Many buildings were lost in the war, except for the former Kodera family stables, gates, and fences, but after the war, the former Hassam residence, ijinkan, and a 17the century boathouse used by the former feudal lord were relocated.
Ending Point
At Osaka station
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
guiding fee
transportation fare(you and guide);
lunch
entrance fee
insurance
Tour Important Information
Tours are NOT covered by insurance.
Transportation fare (train tickets); JPY 1,500 round trip per person plus guide, entrance fee; JPY 300 per person and lunch for guests and guide are NOT included.
Ask for details.
Direct payment for tickets, lunch and others will be occurred in CASH on the spot on the day of the tour.
IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE "JR PASS", PLEASE INFORM ME BEFORE BOOKIG.
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
About Tour Guide 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, Kyoto, Osaka and other places as I was 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.
If you need a good guide in the Tokyo area, I have a friend on GoWithGuide I can recommend you!
Reviews
Kerri N.
“Experience in Mt. Koya was beyond expectations. ”
We have been to Koyasan before and loved it so much we wanted to return. Hiroyuki was the perfect guide to provide history and information to make the day one we will always remember. Among other things, we enjoyed learning about the women’s pilgrimage trails and even spending time on one trail while in Koyasan. Maybe we will come back to tackle the entire trail! Thanks to Hiroyuki, we now understand so much more about a place we already had reverence for and loved. Bonus: Hiroyuki knows all of the best places to stop for lunch!
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Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for your kind message. It is good to know that you liked your second visit to Koyasan and the Shojin vegetable food there. I love Koyasan, it is sacred and quiet, it is special. I will have to stay fit so that I will the able to walk the entire Women’s Pilgrimage Route with you (haha). Thank you very much again for everything.
Kerri N.
“Kumano Kodo tour hit the mark”
We wanted to spend time on the Kumano Kodo trail while in Wakayama. Hiroyuki not only led us on a great hike, he also served as a photographer so we finally have pictures of the two of us together on this Japan journey. Plus, his knowledge of the area made every stop interesting and fun!
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Hiroyuki T.
I was a long day but I am glad that you liked the rocks, fishing villages, tuna lunch, the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route, Shrines and the Waterfall. I was very surprised to see that your husband is fit enough to walk through all the uphill and the downhill. He is 7 years older than me, but he is fitter than me. Tell him to stay fit so that he will be able to come back to Wakayama to stay at Marriott.
Kerri N.
“Finding Japanese relatives and putting together missing pieces of the family puzzle”
Hiroyuki was patient and wonderful for months leading up to our trip and then on the day of our tour. He was able to locate family members, find our family burial site, and translate koseki papers for us. He was also a patient translator helping to bridge the language divide as we learned more about each other. We truly enjoyed seeing a 300 year old family home where relatives who immigrated once lived. The day was special and memorable.
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Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for your kind message. It was very nice to be with you at such an important moment for your family. It was amazing that the family members came back to the roots after 125 years to meet their relatives and to give a prayer to their ancestors. As I explained, there is an ancestor worship in Japan. May your ancestors protect your family in the USA. Hiro
$290/ per group
More tours by Hiroyuki T.
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Osaka Highlights, Best for the first timer
There are a lot of places to visit, a lot of things to do in Osaka. From historical sites to food venders hopping. CHOOSE 3-4 places you want to visit from the list below and let me know. I will customize a tour for you.
Osaka Highlights, Best for the first timer
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Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
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Zen temples with beautiful gardens, Fushimi Inari and Bamboo Forest
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Historic Monuments of Ancient Capital of Nara - from Osaka
In Nara, eight Buddhism temples and Shintoism Shrines are included in the World Heritage as “Historic Monuments in Ancient Capital of Nara” as those represent close cultural exchanges between Japan and China, and even Hellenism culture in the 8th century. On this tour we will visit three of them in a day from Osaka.
Historic Monuments of Ancient Capital of Nara - from Osaka
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One day tour to Mt. Koya from Osaka. Be enchanted.
Mt. Koya is a very important part of the World Heritage site “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountains”. Mt. Koya is in Wakayama Prefecture and I used to work for Wakayama Prefectural Government as a general manager of Cultural Heritage Division and I was also in charge of the World Heritage Project. I know this sacred mountain very well.
One day tour to Mt. Koya from Osaka. Be enchanted.
Other Popular Day Trip Tours in Osaka
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Osaka Deep Dive Full-Day Tour – Classic Meets Local Life
Step into the vibrant energy of Osaka on this full-day walking tour! From historic castles to lantern-lit alleys, sizzling street food to pop culture hotspots, you’ll explore both iconic sights and hidden local gems. We’ll walk and use Osaka’s easy train system. Whether you're into history, food, temples, anime, or photography—this tour is fully customizable to match your pace and interests.
Osaka Deep Dive Full-Day Tour – Classic Meets Local Life
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Visiting Nara from Osaka ~truly the must-see place in Japan~
Nara: the must-see place in Japan. Nara was the capital of ancient Japan before Kyoto became the capital. In the Nara era, Buddhism played an important role in stabilizing the country. So you can see many big old temples there. Many of these are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and are concentrated in a small area. So, if you have only one free day to spend in the Kansai area, I highly recommend visiting Nara.
Visiting Nara from Osaka ~truly the must-see place in Japan~
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Exploring Osaka
8,000 years ago, Osaka slept under a large seashore lake. This city of lake later turned to a city of smoke and eventually grew into the 2nd key international city after Tokyo. Birth place of industry in Japan, such as bank, insurance, steel, machinery, spinning, medicine, ship building, electrical appliance, etc. Touching days of Osaka ,Then and Now.
Exploring Osaka
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Your most memorable tour in Osaka
The city of Osaka flourished around the eponymous Osaka Castle during the Edo era, and is now the third largest city in Japan. It is said to be the center of commerce and is a vibrant city with an atmosphere distinct from that of Tokyo or Kyoto. Please visit Osaka and get to know a different side of the country.
Your most memorable tour in Osaka
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