“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.

“Best of Kyoto”

My sister and I had the best tour of Kyoto with Hiroyuki. He expertly guided us through several beautiful and historic sites, and shared historical facts at every stop. We highly recommend this full day tour of Kyoto with Mr Hiro.

“Smooth sailing and rewarding tour”

Hiro is knowledgeable about Japanese and Osaka history and culture. We learned a lot from his explanations. He is very accommodating when it comes to forming a customized itinerary. He provided solutions when urgent needs arose - need for water, bathroom, etc. He was truthful about what a Maid Cafe experience is, and advised us on whether to go or not. Overall, we had a good experience touring Osaka with Hiro as our guide.

Hiroyuki T.

(174 reviews)

Benjamin san, It was really nice meeting you and your family in Osaka. It is sometimes very difficult to deal with a family with young adults. But your family was not. You really have a nice family. Please say hello to each family member for me. Thank you very much once again, hope to see again in the future. Hiro