If you are interested in local experiences, this is the BEST tour for you.
My home town is in Osaka City, about 30 minutes by train from downtown. Here you will communicate with my neighbors, walk through the local shopping streets, and visit unique town museums. You will spend the whole day with a smile on your face, feeling as happy as if you were a resident of this town!
At your hotel in Osaka
You visit "Hell hall" which you can learn hell as taught by Buddhism
They don't open regularly.
I will contact them to ask to open their place after your inquiry.
At your hotel in Osaka
Guide fee,Hotel Pick up in Osaka city
Transportation fee( for you about JPY800 if in Osaka ),Bento Lunch( about JPY1000 / person+for you and guide),Tea or Coffee with sweets(JPY600 / person for you and guide)
*Please request the date first to check availability.
*Some town museums do not open all the time since owners operates their museum as volunteer work, not for money.
So I will ask them if they can open it on your requested day,then I will feed you back.
Please do not worry , they are all friends of me and they are friendly and cooperative.
*You are required to take your shoes off in some spots
*It will be convenient for you if you have some small coins to temple or shrine
( some 5 yen is the best for donation )
*This is walking tour
Please request your date first.Better to avoid Wednesday if possible since some museum regularly close. But I can ask neighbor if you can visit only on Wed.
*I have several jobs.Please contact first to check availability.
*Please contact me a couple of days before your tour especially if you have specific request.
Because I would like to prepare or manage in advance to satisfy you as much as possible.
*I have kids.After your request I need to ask my family if they can take care of them during work.
Then I can accept your request.Most of the case it works since my parents live next to me and very cooperative.So please do not hesitate to request.
*Transportation fee from my home ( round trip )
-Within Osaka city : JPY1500. Kyoto or Nara: JPY2500. Nagoya : JPY8000
*I recommend to use private car or bus if you are 10 pax or more.
( of course I can follow your idea if you don't mind to take public transportation with big group )
I can arrange your car or bus.Please feel free to request.
“Our Amazing Tour Guide, Hiromi”
Our group of 4 people from Hawaii on a 3-week adventure in Japan started off by arranging a tour with Hiromi in Osaka. We thought that getting a glimpse of this city through the eyes of a local resident was the best way to go since we had only a few days here before heading down to Hiroshima. Hiromi met us in our hotel lobby and we liked her instantly. By her friendly smile and engaging manner, we knew that she was going to be a fun, easygoing, accommodating and knowledgable guide. We had a lovely time learning about Osaka and taking in some of the famous areas the city is known for. In the brief hours we spent with Hiromi, she gave us so much information and history about the city as well as taking us to places we wanted to explore. Hiromi is very accommodating and understanding since we were all not in the best shape to walk for miles and miles. Neither were we ready to climb stairs often. She worked out the itinerary perfectly for us. We also asked Hiromi if she would mind taking us on a tour of her hometown of Hirano the next day. Hirano Ward in Osaka City is known for being the most populated ward in the city, with old houses dating back centuries. Little did we know that visiting Hirano would be THE HIGHLIGHT of our 3-week adventure in Japan that spanned cities from Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa, Aomori, Hakodate and Tokyo. We enjoyed our casual and fun tour of Hirano immensely. Hiromi kindly introduced us to her lovely family and some close friends in town. We were mesmerized by the famous sword polisher at the Katana Research Institute Masumian/Katana Museum and spent some time there watching the master demonstrate some of his skills on a sword that was centuries old. It was fascinating and we wished we could learn more about the master and his incredible history. He is truly one of Japan's living treasures and we are grateful to have had the chance to meet him. Hiromi then took us to a bento shop where we picked up the most delicious, colorful and varied bento box! We took our bento and enjoyed it at a local cafe known for it's eco puzzle museum. What fun we had there with all the different gadgets, puzzles and knick knacks. The owners were especially kind to us and even played an old record for us on an antique phonograph because I mentioned liking Enka music. Then onward to visit the Senkouji Temple and its "hell hall" feature. How interesting that was and quite different! After paying a nominal fee to enter, we opened the door to a dimly-lit room and was met by the face of Yama, the Judge of the Afterlife. Go and have this experience too - I guarantee you it will be a first! We were then treated to some cool and tasty refreshments with Hiromi's sweet family - we shall always remember their hospitality and generosity. It was sad to part with this warm and fun-loving family. If you do go, maybe you'll get to see a martial arts demonstration by Hiromi's cute son. He is adorable and quite skilled at such a young age. Our adventure didn't end there. Believe it or not, we went to an eco cotton museum run by a friendly, energetic and talented Japan-born hula instructor. She was such a delight, dancing a hula for us, then taking us through her eco cotton museum upstairs which was extremely fascinating. We brought a hanger sample piece of fabric from Hawaii manufactured in Kyoto from the 1980's as a small gift to her and she was able to tell us the meaning of the design which was a festival being held in old, feudal Japan. She could even identify some of the traders on the design as being from Portugal. We didn't want to leave because the owner was so engaging and excited to meet us. We loved browsing through the many antique items in her museum - truly a once in a lifetime experience for us. We ended our awesome trip to Hirano visiting one of Hiromi's friends who owned a little shop with a picture of a surfboard in the front window, along with a sign that is a collectible for sure. It read, "THE LONG GROUP, KAILUA-KONA, TERRITORY OF HAWAII." The owner actually showed us a surfboard owned by her son and we chatted with her for awhile. Who would've thought that we, being from Hawaii, would meet up with people in Japan familiar wih hula, ukuleles and surfboards! We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Hiromi. You are a true representative of the people in Japan who are so very gracious, with warm hearts, passion, purpose and respect for their heritage. We hope to cross paths with you again in the future and hope that you continue your passion of providing tourists with memorable moments and experiences through your guided tours. Until then, fond farewell (aloha) and "matane"..............please take care and I shall stay in touch. Please also thank your family from all of us for their graciousness - we sincerely appreciated it. With Deepest Mahalo, Karen, Nathan, Susan and Aileen from Hilo, Hawaii
Hiromi(he-chan) T.
(10 reviews)Dear Karen, Nathan, Susan and Aileen Thank you for your warm message.I and my neighbors shared your review and we all very happy and appreciated ! By exchanging messages with you many times, I wanted to invite you to my home town because I was convinced that you are very nice person and trustworthy. And all you were exactly so! I was right haha! Thank you so much for greatest review for me. Your words encourage me a lot. I wish to see you again so please stay healthy. Regards, Hiromi
“Had so much fun! ”
Thank you we enjoyed our tour very much!!
Hiromi(he-chan) T.
(10 reviews)Thank you! I am happy to know that you enjoyed japanese cool culture tour. Thank you for sharing the time with me. HIROMI
Begum H.
Begum and Family 06&07Jan 2023 - Osaka & Kyoto
Customized
“The perfect way to explore Osaka and Kyoto”
Hirome was a very good guide. Always on time and met us at our apartment for both of our bookes tours. She helped us navigate the subway, which put us in a good position for the rest of our stay. We did a half day Osaka tour where we went to Osaka Castle and then the main shopping districts. Hirome also kindly book our dinner for us which was very handy as it was our first night in Osaka. The next day we went by train to Kyoto. We went to a tea ceremony, Kiyomizu temple, Gion district and a samurai museum. It was a full day but fun - and a lot more comfortable with our guide. I would highly recommend Hirome for your next visit to Osaka.
Hiromi(he-chan) T.
(10 reviews)Dear Begum Thank you very much for your review.I am very happy to hear from you again. I am glad to know that you enjoyed the tour with my assistance. Thank you for all your cooperation during the tour and please say hello to your beautiful family. regards, Hiromi