Kurashiki and Okayama (Korakuen Gareden & Castle) from Osaka
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
Joel G.
“Excellent Guide”
Hiroyuki-san was a patient and thoughtful guide to Kyoto.
Arlene N.
“Osaka Hidden Gem”
This was another memorable day tour with Hiroyuki, and my sister and I had a great time exploring different parts of Osaka. In keeping with his story-telling style, Mr Hiro shared his knowledge of the city, its architecture and its history, adding to the richness of the tour experience. My sister walks with a cane and Mr Hiro took extra care with her while we were navigating through subways and train stations, and along garden paths and old city streets. Thank you for your kindness and patience. We can’t wait to return for more tours with Hiroyuki.
Hiroyuki T.
Yes, same here! I cannot wait to see you again. See you again next year! Hiro
Chris R.
“If you're looking for a deeper, more meaningful way to experience Kyoto, this tour is it.”
To start, Hiroyuki helped us navigate the complexities of Kyoto’s public transit system and translated at ticket counters and restaurants, allowing us to use our time more efficiently and focus less on logistics and more on appreciating Kyoto’s rich culture and beauty. That alone would have made the tour worth it. But what Hiroyuki offered went far beyond that. In just one day, we learned almost as much about Japanese spirituality, culture, and religious history as we would in an introductory college course. He gave us an engaging, accessible introduction to the core philosophies of Shinto, as well as Zen Buddhism, Pureland Buddhism, and their influences from Hinduism. His explanations struck the perfect balance: clear and compelling, full of insight without ever feeling overwhelming or academic. (He even wove in humor and pop culture references that resonated with our teenagers!) Thanks to that, each Shinto shrine, Buddhist temple, and Zen garden we visited carried deeper meaning---we weren’t just seeing beautiful places; we were beginning to understand what they represent. Hiroyuki also went the extra mile, helping us choose restaurants based on our preferences and even adjusting the tour route to end near our evening shopping and dining plans. We left Kyoto with a deeper appreciation of it, thanks to Hiroyuki’s incredible gift for bringing Japan’s history, spirituality, and culture vividly to life.
Hiroyuki T.
Thank you very much for spending time with me in Kyoto. Kyoto is the place! It is always nice to see people from Utah. I have a lot of beautiful memories there. It is good to know that you liked the tour and I like people like you who pay a lot of respect to our cultural and religions. Thank you very much once again, hope to see you again in the future, if I live long.
$352/ per group
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