Hello! I’m Toshi, your local insider and itinerary planner in Kansai.

I’m new to GoWithGuide, but I’ve spent over 35 years helping people enjoy life’s most meaningful moments in beautiful places.

For decades, I was a destination wedding photographer in San Francisco. My clients came for the photos, but they remembered the whole experience: carefully planned journeys around historic City Hall and the city’s hidden viewpoints, with every detail handled so they could relax.

From 2016 to 2018, I led the Canon KelbyOne Worldwide Photowalk, guiding groups of up to 20 along scenic San Francisco routes to support the Spring of Hope Kenya Children’s Home.

Today, I bring that same warm hospitality, careful planning, and eye for beauty to Osaka, Kyoto, and all of Kansai.

Why travel with me?

A local’s eye for the special: I’ll take you beyond the landmarks to quiet side streets, the best viewpoints, and the everyday Japanese life most visitors walk past.

Smooth, stress-free days: After decades of managing tight schedules for international clients, I’ll handle the trains, the timing, and the details so your day feels relaxed.

Tailored to you: Family, couple, or solo, we’ll build the day around your interests and pace, whether that’s history, food, temples, or hidden neighborhoods.

A photographer’s instincts: I won’t run a photography lesson, but I always know where the light is best. I’m happy to point out a great spot or take your picture along the way.

Early start for photographers: Every tour offers an optional early start for the best morning light at the first stop, potentially before most visitors arrive: Fushimi Inari’s torii gates, Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, or Osaka Castle’s grounds before the tower opens at 9:00. I can’t guarantee empty sites, especially in peak seasons and on weekends and holidays.

Let’s skip the crowded, cookie-cutter routes and plan a day in Kansai that shows you Japan’s true soul. Send me a message, and let’s start planning!