Wakayama Private Tour Guides
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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!
Kiyoko H.
Hello, my name is Kiyoko. I am an English guide of Kumano Kodo. I live in Kushimoto, which is the most southern tip of Honshu (main island). I got my regional guide license in 2016. Since then, I have been practicing guiding Kumano Kodo in English. You will learn about ancient pilgrimage, shrines, temples, asceticism. You will be impressed by beautiful nature. You will also feel rejuvenated after walking Kumano Kodo. I want to share my experience with you.
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.
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.
Yasuhisa N.
I was born in Osaka and now I live in Wakayama prefecture. I have visited more than 800 sightseeing spots in Kansai area including Koyasan. With my experience of visiting 15 foreign countries, I want to introduce Japanese culture and beauties of Koyasan. If my guests wish to take part in some activites, they can join the Ajikan meditation, Jukai and Trekkings. My guests are assured to have an enjoyable trip that is safe and comfortable.
Hideo Y.
Hello, I'm HIDEo YOSHIda. Please call me HIDEYOSHI, the same name as the famous shogun who built the Osaka Castle in 1585. I was born in Kobe and worked in Osaka for nearly 40 years. I would like to introduce the Kansai region to you ,including Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Wakayama. Kobe is one of the two largest ports in Japan, along with Yokohama. After the opening of the Port of Kobe in 1868, foreigners built their residences on the hillside of the Kitano-cho area, overlooking the ocean. Many of the foreign residences are now open to the public as museums, including the Weathercock House, with it's symbol weathercock on the triangle-shaped roof. In Meriken Park, the red Port Tower (the city's landmark), creates a beautiful contrast against the white Kobe Marine Museum. The museum's design was inspired by the waves and sailing ships. When you have a chance to visit Osaka, please join my tour. I'm sure you'll enjoy the interesting and historical, scenic spots. For example, Shin-Sekai is a downtown area with a strange mix of nostalgic atmosphere and contemporary energy. You can try local foods (kushikatsu, sushi, tempura) at a reasonable price. Billiken (a famous statue of the spirit of luck) will be waiting for you!!. Dotombori is a popular street with a lot of flashy signboards. Osaka is widely known as a "Kuidaore-no-machi", or literally "drinking and eating luxuriously to death." Osaka Castle was built by Toyotomi HIDEYOSHI in 1585. Oh, it's my residence, isn't it ! These days "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" area in USJ, or Universal Studios Japan, is also attracting more and more people. I'll be looking forward to seeing you !!
Masaki H.
Hello I’m Mike, a national licensed tour guide from Kyoto. Meeting with people is a gift of God for me. A new encounter inspires and enriches my heart. People sometimes ask me unexpected questions I can’t answer on the spot. It is the moment when I I am frozen. Indeed, guiding people is like a thrilling, adventurous journey. I would like to offer a memorable journey to you. I retired from work as a teacher at senior high school and then started this job in 2015. I’m familiar with Japanese history, culture, religion and architecture. My guide areas are mainly Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. But as a national tour guide, I guide around Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Wakayama, Shirakawago, and Takayama. Feel free to ask me anything.
Day Trips from Wakayama
Wakayama Tour Reviews
“Outstanding Guide for Bespoke Kumano Kodo Tour”
I am so grateful that I found Hiroyuki-San! He was the perfect guide to assist with planning and executing the PERFECT Kumano Kodo tour for my family. We only had 3 days available, and Hiroyuki was able to schedule a trip that allowed us to visit all 3 major shrines, do a bit of hiking on each of the 3 days, and even enjoy a river boat tour that was part of the original pilgrimage trail. He also helped us book amazing Onsen resorts for our overnights. Hiroyuki has deep knowledge of this area having worked with UNESCO on behalf of Japan to have the area designated as one of two important religious pilgrimage sites in the world (along with the Camino de Santiago in Spain). Memories of a lifetime. Thank you Hiroyuki-San!!
Hiroyuki T.
(92 reviews)Rush-san, It's very nice to hear from you. How are you? Are you back home now? I am so grateful that you found me. It was very nice to spend time with you and your family. I enjoyed the tour myself very much. Please come back to the Osaka area. There are a lot more that I want to show you Take good care of yourself and stay healthy, see you later. Sincerely, Hiro
“Wonderful day in Wakayama”
Hiroyuki was experienced in giving us a short history lesson on the Wakayama importance, the changes through times and the various highlights of Shogun era. It was a good day mixed with history, colourful scenic places and good food especially at the Tuna fish market. We chose the right guide.
Hiroyuki T.
(92 reviews)It's been a week since we meet in Wakayama. Time is going so quickly, isn't it? It was very nice spending time with you, as I was born and raised there. I hope that you liked my hometown. There are more to see here in Wakayama, Koyasa, Kumano and Onsens. Please come back to Wakayama to visit these wonderful places. I promise you will like them.
Ariane F.
KOYASAN ( Mt.Koya, Wakayama) are so kind for wheelchairs
“Magical Day at Koyasan”
The day with Zumi was just amazing. I booked the trip as I couldn’t have seen Koyasan otherwise, started in Kyoto with a late flight from Osaka. It was all very smooth, communication was great and Zumi speaks English very well. He customised the trip to my needs, Koyasan was beautiful and I even got to see the evening lights. It was just magical and a fantastic experience. I hope to book another trip Zumi when I return to Japan!
Takehiko O.
(36 reviews)Dear Ariane -san.Good afternoon. How"s it going with your flight? Thank you so much for the comment on the tour. I really appreciate it too much. 「つぎは」Osaka, Himeji Castle,Hiroshima, suburban Kyoto together with your father and boyfriend. Best wishes to you. Thank you. Zumi
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