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Kurashiki and Okayama (Korakuen Gareden & Castle) from Osaka
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Joined 2019
We will visit Kurashiki and Okayama on this tour. Kurashiki is very well known for its beautiful Bikan Historical Quarters where the canal-side townscape has been preserved since the 17th century, and Okayama is very well known for Korakuen Garden which is one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan, and Okayama Castle, which is called Crow Castle from its black painted walls.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At JR Shin-Osaka station
- At the Main Ticket Gate
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
Kurashiki had been governed by the national government as a business center after the 17th century, and the Bikan Historical Quarter, which has been designated as an Important Traditional Building Preservation District, is lined with houses and warehouses with white walls and the townscape of the past is well preserved. In addition, the Ohara Museum of Art, the first Western art museum in Japan built in 1930, and Kurashiki Ivy Square, a tourist facility renovated from a former spinning factory, are also well known.
Korakuen Garden
Korakuen is a Japanese garden (daimyo lord garden) and is one of the three famous gardens in Japan. Build by the lord of Okayama in the 17th century, this garden represents the rich culture of those days and is designates as a special place of scenic beauty. It is a pond strolling garden centered on a building where the feudal lord entertained guests, and borrows Okayama Castle as a view.
Okayama Castle
The outer walls of the castle tower of Okayama Castle are covered with black-painted clapboard, which is also known as Crow Castle. In addition, according to excavations, gold leaf tiles from the 16th century have been excavated, and it is thought that gold leaf tiles were used throughout the main buildings in the castle at the time of construction, and it is also called Golden Crow Castle. The castle tower, which was built in the 16th century, was destroyed by fire in the air raids of World War II, and the one that exists today was rebuilt after the war.
Ending Point
JR Shin-Osaka station
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
guiding fee
transportation fee(you and guide); approx. JPY15,000 per person, lunch, entrance fee and insurance
I will have to ask you to pay my transportation cost of JPY15,000 between Osaka and Kurashiki
Tour Important Information
Tours are NOT covered by insurance.
Transportation fare (JR tickets); JPY 12,000 round trip. entrance fee; JPY 700 per person and lunch for guests and guide are NOT included. Ask for details.
I will have to ask you to pay my transportation cost of JPY12,000.
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
Joined 2019
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
Joann T.
“A great tour of Osaka”
For this tour, we visited Umeda Sky Building, Osaka Castle, and Shitennoji temple as per my request. Hiroyuki-san speaks very good English and ran the tour in a professional and friendly manner. He knows his way around Osaka well and is able to navigate the city subway system and streets very efficiently. He was articulate and knowledgeable, giving good background and historical explanations for all of the locations we visited. He also pointed out the best places to take photos and found several good options for lunch. I appreciated him adapting the tour to accommodate for my sore knee that day. There was a lot of walking, but the tour kept a comfortable pace. It was an enjoyable day. Osaka is a big city where you could easily get lost, so I highly recommend a tour like this. Thank-you Hiroyuki-san!
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Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for kind message. I hope that you liked both Wakayama tour and Osaka tour. I am sorry that I made you walk a lot. Are your knees good now? I also hope that you keep in touch with your relatives in Japan. Hiro
Joann T.
“This was a unique and very memorable tour.”
This tour was just amazing and I highly recommend Hiroyuki-san as a guide. Based on what information I had, Hiroyuki-san was able to track down my relatives. He then contacted them in a tactful and professional manner to see if they were interested in meeting me. They were, so he arranged for us to meet, handling numerous back-and-forth messages between me and the relatives beforehand. On the tour day he went with me to countryside, where my relatives are located. I had the opportunity to do a cemetery visit, and then spent some time chatting with my newfound family members. Hiroyuki-san patiently served as translator as my relatives and I learned about each other. He also helped to draw out a family tree for me. It was a very pleasant meeting. I never thought I would have the opportunity to meet any of my relatives in Japan, so it was an incredible experience that I will remember forever. Thank you so much, Hiroyuki-san!
Hiroyuki T.
You were happy. The T family was happy. I-san was happy. Obasan was happy. Your ancestors at the graves were happy Everybody was happy. I did a good job, I am happy!
Alison B.
“Very informative”
Despite the pouring rain, we had a wonderful day and learned so much about Buddhism and Shintoism from Hiroyuki san. Thank you so much!
Hiroyuki T.
Despite the rain, we had a wonderful time in Kyoto. Rain makes Kyoto more beautiful. I am glad you liked Kyoto, Eat Tohu next time!
$331/ per group
More tours by Hiroyuki T.
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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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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.
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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
Other Popular Day Trip Tours in Osaka
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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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Nara and Osaka in One Day
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Nara and Osaka in One Day
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A date with Sen Hime Princess in Himeji Castle
Himeji castle is the most peaceful castle in Japan,which makes her ranked the 2nd among 25 world heritage sites in Japan. A visit to Himeji castle would also remind you of the fact that you are the most peaceful tourist in the world because Tour guide Gary believes that like attracts like.There is a destined connection between you,your family and the most peaceful MainKeep of Himeji Castle.
A date with Sen Hime Princess in Himeji Castle
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