Wakayama Private Tours &amp; Local Tour Guides

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.

4.91 / 5

(11 reviews)

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.

4.50 / 5

(4 reviews)

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.

4.00 / 5

(1 reviews)

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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.

New Wakayama Tour Guides

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.

Noboru S.

5.00 / 5

(11 reviews)

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.

5.00 / 5

(3 reviews)

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!

Kayoko S.

4.00 / 5

(2 reviews)

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Soy guía licenciada gubernamental nacional. Nací y crecí en prefectura de Osaka, la capital gastronómica de Japón, asimismo el centro humorístico. Mi especialidad universitaria era historia, y me gradué con historia de Japón. Empecé a estudiar español a forma autodidacta para entender las letras de música latina. Desde 2000 hasta 2017 viví en Perú trabajando como guía de turismo y asimismo la encargada de counter de agencia de viaje. Por lo que domino historia del Perú y América latina más. Retornando a mi país me ha maravillado la belleza de Japón. Mi hobby es trotar y bailar marinera norteña, danza nacional de Perú en la cual he sido ganadora de algunos concursos. También soy aficionada de bunraku, marioneta tradicional de Japón. Como soy historiadora, me gustaría tratar lugares históricos dentro de una perspectiva histórica. Quisiera pedir a aquellos que desea guiado por mí que haga click de reserva después de comprender bien el circuito que ofrezco. Jamás no hagan reserva sin intercambiar mensajes. Espero con mucho entusiasmo comunicación de los amantes de historia y cultura de humanidad.

Popular Wakayama Private Tours

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.

Wakayama Highlight

7 hours

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

2 hours

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!

Kumano Kodo Nakahechi route and Nachi

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Start at Shirahama station. Short walks or drive through along Kumano Kodo ancient pilgrimage route. Visit hot springs and some attraction.

New Wakayama Private Tours

Yuasa-Town's Soy Sauce district of Japan's first birthplace

2 hours

klkEnjoy 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

FROM$32/ per person

Tadashi N.

Kumano Kodo Fujishiro-zaka, easy to access

3 hours

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

8 hours

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.

Kumano Nachi and Shirahama walking

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2 days

Yuo can learn Japanese nature, history and custom from walking ancient pilgrimage route in Kumano and coast line in Shirahama. Nachi is the final distination of pilgrimage to Kumano. Kumano Kodo in Nachi is the most beautiful ancient road from Kyoto or Ise. There are many beautiful sites in southern Wakayama. Nachi water fall, Sandanbeki and Senjo-jiki are the typical ones.

Popular Wakayama Private Cars

KOYASAN ( Mt.Koya, Wakayama) are so kind for wheelchairs

Although there is no mountain of Mt.Koya in Wakayama Prefecure,people generally call the places Mt.Koya ,literally heights. Why? Because they have peaceful atmosphere and are best suited for esoteric Buddhism at such an high altitude in the deep moutains.

Day Trips from Wakayama

Osaka

Nara

Mount Koya

Kumano

Wakayama Tour Reviews

Ruth H.

5 / 5

Mar 26, 2024

Two Nights and Three Days in Kumano

3 days

Customized

Mar 26, 2024

“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

Stephanie T.

5 / 5

Nov 16, 2023

Wakayama Highlight

7 hours

Customized

Nov 16, 2023

“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.

5 / 5

Nov 2, 2023

KOYASAN ( Mt.Koya, Wakayama) are so kind for wheelchairs