Wakayama Private Tours & Local Tour Guides
Discover Things to Do and Plan a Trip to Wakayama, Japan with a Local Guide
Popular Wakayama Tour Guides
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, Osaka and other places in the Kansai area as I am 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.
Shuji O.
Hi, I am Shuji, a licensed tour guide living near Kansai International Airport. I taught world history in high schools for four decades. So, I can explain Japanese culture or history in an easier way tailored to you who have different cultural and historical backgrounds. I also practiced Kendo, Japanese fencing, for more than four decades, and now I enjoy growing vegetables and going fishing. Therefore, I can also share some Japanese culture and its nature. I have traveled to more than 25 countries and all over Japan. I’m also passionate about photography and know many photogenic places in Japan. If you prefer to go off the beaten track, I can take you to hidden gems, including some cozy restaurants. Of course, I also know how to enjoy the crowded, most popular tourist sites. I am here to make your trip stress-free. See you soon!
Noriko I.
Hello, I’m Noriko, certified national tour guide. I live in Wakayama prefecture, where there are a lot of nature and historic places, hot springs and delicious food, such as seafood and fruits. Wakayama stretches from north to south on the Kii Peninsula, however, it takes only about one hour from Kansai International Airport to the north part of Wakayama prefecture. I’m sure I can help you learn Japanese culture, history, and traditions, and fully enjoy traveling in Wakayama. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon!
Keiji H.
I have traveled to more than 40 countries. I always have spent happy time with local people. To return their favor, I have become a Kumano Kodo guide to help tourists enjoy Kodos. I am a government certified guide and have guided over 50 international clients in 6 years. I can help you with Kumano expertise, risk management, and hospitality skills I am a plum farmer and make umeboshi now. So I would tell you stories of as well as Japanese farming and food. Only local guides help you finding spots to rest in today's weather, locating a clean public restroom, and choosing the best sashimi for the season. Most importantly, you can acquire useful information without having to glance at tiny screens, not with phones but with local guides.
New Wakayama Tour Guides
Akari Y.
It has been a year since I started guiding in the Kansai area last spring. I am passionate about introducing the beauty of Japan. I am happy to introduce guests from overseas to the Japanese culture established by our predecessors. I will introduce Japanese culture, food, cuisine, sake, nature, manga, spiritual culture, history, Buddhism, Shinto, Shugendo, pilgrimage paths, and other topics of interest. Let me introduce myself. I was born in Osaka and grew up in Osaka and Kyoto. I have lived in the U.S., China, and Australia when I was younger.
Miyuki O.
Hi! I'm an official English guide in Wakayama prefecture. However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, I got a job as a teacher. I love Koyasan, so I would like to help tourists as a guide only on weekends. I also obtained the national guide qualification.I would like to expand my guide area to cover the entire Kinki region, but I like Wakayama the most because of its spiritual nature.
Noboru S.
Hello, everyone! Welcome to Japan. My name is Noboru. I’m a national licensed guide. I was born in Osaka and spent my university student life in Kyoto. And now I have been in Himeji for over 35 years. These cities are in Kansai aea. So,I'm very much familiar with the sightseeing spots and attractions in the area, especially Himeji and its neighboring cities. If you are looking for someone to show you around the area, please join my tour. I will show you special local dishes in the area as well. Looking forward to seeing your smile soon.
Yoko M.
Hi＆Konnichiwa! I am "YOKO" live in Katsuura Wakayama near Nachi Katsuura town, a spiritual place where a big waterfall is worshiped. I am a certified English tour guide of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. Walking in Kumano, listening to the sounds of birds singing and leaves whispering, you will have a chance to revitalize yourself and get some inspiration to take back home. My family grows organic rice, tea and vegetables. I have had the good fortune to travel widely and experience a range of countries and cultures, including a trip to France, learning English in Florida, a working holiday in Australia, volunteer work in Bangladesh, and backpacking in India,etc. I love meeting and talking with people from all over the world. I like Yoga, hiking, traveling and snorkeling. I look forward to sharing the beauty of the Kumano pilgrimage routes with you, while also learning about your adventures!
Popular Wakayama Private Tours
Wakayama Highlights
On this tour, we will visit Wakayama Castle and Wakayama Marina City which are the most popular representative tourist spots in Wakayama. After watching the tuna filleting show and eating tuna lunch at Wakayama Marina City, we will visit Kishi station by the Wakayama Railway to see the famous CAT stationmaster. In the evening, we will eat the very well-known Wakayama ramen near JR Wakayama station.
Wakayama Castle 2 hour tour
Wakayama Castle is located in the city center and a symbol of Wakayama city. It takes only 40 minutes from Kansai International Airport. The grounds of the castle contain other features such as the Ohashi Roka Bridge , Nishinomaru Teien Garden , and the Koshoan teahouse , a traditional Japanese teahouse where you can enjoy a cup of tea. In every season of the year,different kinds of flowers and trees welcome you . You can enjoy not only historic spots but also a panoramic view of Wakayama city from the observatory of the castle. Also in and around the castle, you will find 'Ninjas’ . There is a small zoo in the ground, too. Please, come pay a visit to Wakayama Castle!
Exploring Koyasan
Women were forbidden to enter Koyasan until 1872. Koyasan, literally means Mt Koya, a 900 high highland located in Wakayama Prefecture is a center of Buddhist study. A founder of Shingon Sect, Kobo Daishi Kukai who was granted by emperor Saga to use this land in 816. You can touch the Buddhist concept of vicissitude in a walk through the path toward innermost sanctum in deep ceder tree forest.
②:Experience Dainichi-goe trail with YOKO! (～2hrs. 3.4km/ 2mi)
It's 2hrs walk, relatively steep trail over Mt.Dainichi. Please choose Plan A or B. A: Meet at Kumano Hongu Taisha-mae, take bus(830/1240) to Yunomine-onsen(300JPY/pp),walk back to Hongu Grand Shrine.Explore Hongu Town! B: Meet at Yunomine-onsen bus stop, take bus(856/1109/1326) to Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine(300JPY/pp)walk back to Yunomine-onsen. Enjoy hotspring village!
New Wakayama Private Tours
One day tour to Mt. Koya from Wakayama
Mt. Koya is a sacred site for Esoteric Buddhism established by high priest Kukai in 816. He tried to build the Buddas’ world in a small mountaintop basin of altitude 800m. There are 117 temples there centered by the Temple Complex where the important buildings are located. People believe that the high priest Kukai is still alive to meditate in his chamber in the holy cemetery Okuno-in. They say there are 400,000 tomb stones, monuments, pagodas and other there.
Yuasa-Town's Soy Sauce district of Japan's first birthplace
Enjoy traditional cultural assets of importance in the first district of making Soy sauce and fermented soybean paste in Japan. These foods are introduced in Kamakura period by the Koyasan monk. Let's walk looking for and watching age-old town structure and composition. You can even find something new in tradiotinal and rural atmosphere coming from long history. Kansai air port ( KIX )-JR Tennoji station or Hineno station (transfer)-JR WAKAYAMA station - JR Yuasa station (here) -Kumano
Kumano Kodo Fujishiro-zaka, easy to access
This course of Kumano Kodo is easy to access from Wakayama City and even from Osaka City. We will walk up and down Kumano Kodo Fujishiro-zaka from Fujishiro Shrine to Fujishiro Pass of altitude of 250m. Beyond Fujishiro Shrine is the holy site of Kumano, and Kumano Kodo Fujishiro-zaka is blessed with beautiful legends.
For Japanese descendants
Japan used to be a country of emigrants. Many Japanese emigrated abroad. Currently, there are about 3 million Nikkei living overseas. Nikkei are now from the Yonsei to Rokusei generations, and in many cases contacts with Japan had already faded out. I would arrange a roots searching tour for you no matter your where your ancestors were from. Visit your roots and have conversations with local people, if you are lucky enough, you might be able to find your relatives.
Day Trips from Wakayama
Wakayama Tour Reviews
Delores W.
Visiting the Origins of Overseas Migration, MIhama Town, Wakayaka
Customized
“Mio, Wakayama- tour Canada history”
Keiji was an excellent guide to the village of Mio. He had done research on which trains and buses beforehand. He also found out information and contacted the museum and townhall for me prior to my arrival. He translated the entire time and was very helpful with my many questions. Highly recommend him.
Keiji H.
(2 reviews)This was my first time to attend a meeting, in which my Canadian customers and a museum president tried to research their family history in Japan, and assist in communications among the attendants. I think I learned how to identify important topics and documents necessary, and communicate with the attendants beforehand. Delores and her partner were so kind and flexible that we did not have serious troubles with transportation logistics or meeting procedures. Thank you again for giving me this great opportunity. I would be happy to help them find their family histories in the future, as well.
“Amazing experience”
Hideo Y was an amazing guide. He was knowledgeable about the places we went to. He was fun and you could tell he enjoyed showing those he guided about his country and its history. I would recommend him for any tour.
Hideo Y.
(171 reviews)In Nachi waterfall, this is the first time that I've ever seen a large mount of water enegetically flowing down. Three-legged crow called "Yatagarasu" is the symbol of Kumano region, and the symbol mark of Japan National scooer team. Thank you for joining my tour. I wish you all the best in the future.
“Yuasa soya sauce town and Shirahama ”
We had the best time with Hiroyuki. He suggested the itinerary, made special arrangement to let us experience a hands on soya sauce making class, tried soya sauce ice cream, brought us to the oldest and best soya sauce maker in yuasa to buy soya sauce, ate the famous whitebait (shirasu) with rice and soya sauce which was delicious. He then drove us to Shirahama to see the breathtaking scenery of Sandanbeki cliffs and sunset at the beach. He doubled up as our photographer as well. He also made sure to call up the restaurant in advance for our dinner and we had the most delicious local Japanese dinner in Shirahama. He also takes into consideration our likes and offers us options and alternatives on where we can go. A tour guide who is knowledgeable, thoughtful and with lots of initiative. My whole family agree that this tour with Hiroyuki was one of the highlights of our trip! We highly recommend a day trip out of Osaka to Wakayama with Hiroyuki.
Hiroyuki T.
(132 reviews)Many thanks to you and your kind message. It was a beautiful day and we had a wonderful time. As you mentioned,. Shirahama is a place to stay overnight for Oncen. Wakayama has more Onsen and sacred site Koya and Kumano are in Wakayama as well, Come back to Wakayama to experience more. I will be looking forward to seeing you again. Take good care of your Shoyu.
Wakayama Private Tour Guide
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