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Hi! I'm Koichi. I was born in Osaka, I studied in Kyoto when I was a university student. Now I live in Shiga next to Kyoto. I am a national government licensed tour guide. I have been guiding about 160 groups over the past twelve months.
I usually guide my customers mainly in Kansai region including Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe and Shiga by public transportation systems.
Well, I am curious about Japanese history, especially the history of Japan's ancient times since I was raised next to the world biggest mausoleum of the ancient Emperor called "Nintoku" in Sakai city Osaka which has just become one of the world cultural heritage sites. I dug out some ancient earthen ware vessels around there when I was a primary school student like the adventure archaeologist “Indiana Jones" (It’s our secret!!). That was my hobby. Now, one of my hobbies is outdoor activities such as mountaineering, kayaking, skiing and others. So I would like to take you to some good places where you can enjoy Japanese unique nature.
I love to guide foreign visitors from all over the world. I think it is my calling or heavenly given job. Let's go and enjoy together! I hope to see you soon.
Makoto Y.
Hello, I’m Makoto (Mac) and I'm a national-licensed tour guide.
My previous career as an automotive engineer, gave me the opportunity to learn English and to live in the US, Germany, and England. After I retired, I learned more about the Japanese history especially focusing on Nara and Kyoto to become a historical specialist of the Nara area. I now live in Ikaruga town in Nara prefecture, where the UNESCO World Heritage, Horyuji temple is located. I regularly offer guides on the Fujinoki tumulus, which is located near the Horyuji temple. It contains very interesting Archaeological findings from the end of the Kofun Period.
Recently, there are many foreign tourists who come to Japan, and I hope they enjoy learning about the culture and history of Japan. I would like to help tourists have a broader and deeper understanding of the Japanese culture and that is the reason why I decided to become a tour guide to help and support their experience in Japan.
Nara is the place where Japan started. The capital was located in Asuka, Fujiwara and Nara before it moved to Kyoto. Therefore, there are many places to visit in Nara to trace the original history of Japan, which I have a depth of knowledge.
Let’s explore the roots of Japan together!!
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!
Naoki H.
Hi! My name is Naoki,
I was born and bred in Osaka. I have a reliable and friendly personality and always enjoy making people smile.
I am a full time Experienced Tour Guide organizing and managing tours, not just in Osaka but all over the Kansai-area including Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Hiroshima.
I have experience in directly managing groups of over 500 travelers so far and also designing specific itineraries for different needs and sights. If you have any specific sights that you would like to see then please let me know and I will accommodate as many sites as possible into any tour.
Outside of my tour guiding, I have had a career over 15 years in Japanese car logistics taking care of lots of international businesses which allows me to have a professional manner in face to face communication.
Osaka is a brilliant city with long history, amazing street food, unique accent (so we have lots of comedians here!) and also known as the most friendly city in Japan. I would love to be the perfect companion for your visit to one of the best cities in Japan! I look forward to seeing you soon!
Best Regards
Naoki
Kazuhiko G.
Hello, I’m Kazuhiko. Please call me “Kazu”. I'm a national-licensed tour guide. I have a wife and 4 children.
I was born in Osaka city near Kyoto, although I have lived in many places across Japan. I used to work for multinational electric company and I traveled to many countries (U.S., Thailand, Hong Kong etc.) on business.
I have enjoyed guiding many foreign tourists in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Mt. Fuji etc. for many years.
During your tour, you can discover a rich Japanese history spanning about 2,000 years, learn about and experience profound Japanese arts (tea ceremony, flower arrangement etc.), feel the spiritual atmosphere of Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines, see a breathtakingly beautiful scenery of Mt. Fuji, bamboo forest, Japanese gardens etc..
Moreover, you can taste Japanese cuisine that each season has to offer (Sushi, Tempura, Soba or ramen noodle etc.).
You can get close to nature and feed wild deer or monkeys or even a build snowman in winter.
I’m sure that I can provide a splendid tour of Japan that will be a lasting memory for you to treasure.
Experience the mysteries of Japan with 5 senses !!
Your memorable tour awaits you.
Please feel free to contact me!!
Takashi M.
Hi, my name is Takashi!!
When I go abroad, I think that how nice it would be to have a friend there and hang out together. I want you to feel like you have a friend in Osaka and we can go around and explore.
I was born and grew up in Japan. And I speak English, Spanish and Japanese. I can be the perfect guide for you!!
I can guide you in any city in Japan, just let me know where you wanna go :)
Natsuko I.
Hello!
My name is Natsuko.
Thank you for visiting my page.
I used to work for a trading company, which gave me the opportunity to use English with overseas business partners.
After leaving the company, I became an English teacher for children and I discovered that I really enjoy spending time with kids.
I also had the experience of being a host family for international students, and it was so fulfilling to show them around various tourist spots and see them happy.
I hope you can have a wonderful experience in Japan too!
Would you like to join one of my fun tours?
I look forward to seeing you again!
Shogo K.
Hi! I'm Shogo, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English. "Shogo"? Looks a little bit hard to pronounce. So if you are interested in Samurai or Busho, call me "Shogun". (rather humble and hen-pecked at home, though.:)
Just a little bit information about myself. I was born and grew up in Himeji, about 50km west of Kobe. When a child I quite often visited world-famous Himeji Castle. So it's like "MY castle." As a student, I lived in Kyoto for four years. I'm a father of three, and have lived in Kobe with my family for over 30 years.
So I'm quite familiar with various tourist spots/attractions in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, Kobe and the like, all in western Japan. Also I've lived in Lawrence, Kansas, for two years in my 20s as a Jayhawk. Great old memory!:)
Here are some of my specialties.
First, I can show you around popular historical sites and relics in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Himeji. You'll surely feel the depth of Japanese culture by visiting these places. Second, I can offer you special tours of fancy sake breweries in Kobe, Nara and Kyoto. Third, I also guide you around Hiroshima, including magnificent Itsukushima Shrine.
My goal/dream as guide interpreter is to help you explore and understand Japan and its culture with warm hospitality or Omotenashi. So please reach out to me any time, 24/7. For your super memorable trip, "Always with YOU" Shogo!:)
Shinichi E.
I have multiple jobs right now. One is a mediator and the other is an English teacher.
After working for some life insurance company for about 40 years, I got a job for some Family Court as a mediator and I enjoy helping those who get in trouble. I also teach English for beginners, especially for TOEIC TEST.
I love music. When I was in university student, I was a conductor for a male chorus. Since then I have been really into Opera.
I don't mean to be pompous, but actually, I'm good at entertaining any guests at any occasion, as I had worked as head of sales, human resources, and branch manager.
Almost a decade ago I had lived in Kyoto for 5 years and I have been enthralied by charm and attraction of Kyoto, such as history, culture, cuisine and beauty:as in cherry blossom in Spring, colorful leaves in Autumn
and GION festival and so on.
I'd like to share my experiences with everyone and guide all of you to Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe.
Yoshihisa T.
Hi. My name is Yoshihisa. Call me "Yoshie", please. It means good or O.K. in Japanese. I live in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, located just in between Kyoto and Nara. I was born and raised in Iga, Mie Prefecture. Iga is a birthplace of ninja and a renowned haiku poet, Matsuo Basho. I might be a descendant of ninja. I aim at becoming a linguistic ninja, following a part of Basho's lifestyle with the incorporation of seasonal changes into my tours. In addition to visiting famous temples and shrines, I invite you to lesser-known places of historic interest.
Once in a month I go hiking or mountain climbing with some friends mainly in mountains surrounding Kyoto and Nara basins. Recently I have got intrigued by the charms of Buddhist statues, which are manifestations of people's wishes and prayers. I also like izakaya (Japanese-style taverns) hopping, tasting delicious dishes and locally brewed sake at reasonable prices. Especially I like communicating with people from home and abroad, talking face to face. Some of the above-mentioned elements are included in my walking tours. I hope you will discover new aspects of cultural and natural beauty in Kansai area through one of my tours which you could never gain otherwise.
One of my favorite phrases that come from Zen Buddhism is Ichigo Ichie or this meeting-but only once in a lifetime. My interpretation goes this way: This place and this moment never cross again. Each and every good encounter, however, lingers on like the sound of a temple bell. Won't you explore a deeper world of Japanese culture in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka with me?
裕治
我是华人,从出生以后一直住在日本。最近我取得了翻译导游的批准,所以给你们介绍一下鲜为人知的好地方
跟美食的餐馆等等。(还有随行买土产品)
Nao O.
Hello! I'm Nao. I was born and raised in Himeji, which is famous for the Himeji Castle (egret castle).
I'm guiding in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Hyogo (especially Kobe and Himeji).
I'd been in the US for three years attending a university.
During the stay I went to the Yellow Stone twice, and visited California. I took a summer French class for a month in Canada, so I speak French a little.
I love travelling. I went to many places in Japan. I visited Hokkaido, Okinawa, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Nikko, Mt. Fuji and so on.
I love music ― pops, rock, gospel and classical music. I'm a fan of Beethoven.
Some day I'd like to go to Vienna and visit his houses and the forest, where he composed "the Pastoral Symphony".
There are lots of attractions in Japan. You can visit shrines, temples, deer park etc. You can enjoy USJ, river cruise, anime museum, Japanese sake, Onsen and of course delicious Japanese dishes.
Let's have fun together !
Nishi N.
Hello, I am a national government licenced guide in Hyogo. I will help you enjoy your travel in Japan. My guiding areas are mainly Hyogo, especially the Himeji area.
Spanish:conversational level
Kazumasa M.
Hi, my name is Kazu. I want to help people who are interested in Japan to enjoy their time here even more and have unforgettable experiences. I was born and raised in Osaka, studied abroad in the United States, and now live in Hyogo after getting married.
Atsuko T.
Hello. My name is Atsuko.I'm a licensed tour guide in Japan.
I have lived in Osaka since I was born.
I have guided many tourists all over the world as a volunteer for 6 years. I like showing my tourists my favorite places in Japan and talking with them. Osaka, where I was born and raised, is famous for foods, modern and ancient cultures. Nara and Kyoto, which are neighboring places, were ancient capitals in Japan. I'm happy to visit those places with you.
Kazu Y.
Please check "IMPORTANT".
Hi, I’m Kazuto! Please call me “Kazu”! I was born and raised in Osaka.
I’ve been working as a Japanese tutor and sometimes show my students around Osaka.
My students sometimes feel stressed in Japan due to the language barrier even though they study Japanese and I’ve decided to become a tour guide in Kansai to help tourists!
DO YOU WANT A STRESS-FREE TRIP?
I can be your private concierge for your trip.
Let me know if you need any help!
By the way, I like anime, manga, video games, I’m an Otaku :)
There are a lot of “otaku” places in Osaka like “Nintendo Osaka”, “Pokemon Center”, “Shonen-JUMP store”, “Universal Studio Japan” and so on.
I want to show impressive Japanese Pop Culture so much!!
Japan has limited-time anime, game or manga-collab cafes. You have to book for many of them and I can help you with the booking!
Also, I like eating out! I can offer bar-hopping tours, share good ramen restaurants, and so on!
I’m looking forward to seeing you! Let’s explore deep Osaka!
Yoshiharu K.
Hi! I'm Yoshiharu. Please call me Yoshi. Yoshi means "good" in Japanese! I'm a good man (^^);;;.
I was born in Kyoto but I lived there 3 months. Then my family moved to Osaka and I grew up in Osaka.
So I am almost Osakan.
When I was young, my hobby was traveling by bicycle. I went cycling around most part of Japan except Shikoku.
In my family rule, Shikoku is in bad direction because my grand father died just after his Shikoku pilgrimage.
So I want to have a cycling tour not only in Kyoto (coming soon!) but also all part of Japan someday.
I am interested in Japanese history.
I am a National Certificated Guide. And I have "Kyoto Tourism Culture Certification 3rd grade", "Osaka Expert Certification 3rd grade", "Nara Concierge 2nd grade" and "Karuizawa Web test 3rd grade".
So I have expert knowledge about Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Karuizawa and common knowledge about Kobe.
Besides I like gadgets, so I can guide you DenDen town in Osaka.
When you have a chance to visit Kyoto or Osaka or other city in this area,
please contact me anytime and join my tour!
I'll be looking forward to seeing you, spending wonderful time with you.
Jay T.
Welcome to my world of Small-group Private Walking Tours in Kyoto, Kobe, and Osaka, Japan! Each tour is meticulously designed to showcase the local area, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all. Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!
Below are just a few tantalizing samples of tours I have provided. Get ready to explore Japan like never before! Remember, all tours are completely private and can be customized at a moment's notice to suit your group's preferences. If you don't see what you want, please contact me. Let's turn your dream tour into a reality!
Although I'm not superstitious, I have a fascination with monster, ghost, magic, and horror stories. I find the Japanese versions of these tales especially intriguing, as they put their own spin on history and superstition. You can expect to hear some interesting tidbits about these cultural nuances during my tours.
My walking tours are all about providing a personalized and focused experience for my clients. I aim to take you to lesser-known sites, share hidden secrets, introduce you to cultural curiosities, and of course, let you taste some delicious local Japanese foods. I want to show you the most unique features of each area we visit.
While there may be quite a bit of walking involved, don't worry - I'll make sure to adjust the pace and frequency of rests to suit your needs. Everyone has different physical abilities and preferences, and I want to ensure that everyone has a comfortable and enjoyable experience. So lace up your walking shoes and let's explore Japan together!
I'm a professional entertainer and former teacher, so I may add a bit of flair to my tours by sharing some stories about myself and my background. I have taken dozens of cruises, love meeting people from all over the world and am a proud supporter of Ukraine, Israel and Democracy in general. Plus, I'm LGBTQ+ friendly!
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 !!
Yuri T.
I'm Yuri, a national lisenced English tour guide.
I was born and raised in Osaka. Now I live in the countryside of Nara. Also, I do love eating, traveling, meeting local people, and exchanging our value and cultures.
I'm flexible. Please tell and ask me if there are any places which you want to visit and anything which you want to do in Japan. I'll plan the trip only for you.
I am looking forward to seeing you in my tour, let's make your trip unforgettable!
Yui M.
Hello there, I'm Yui.
I'm original from Hyogo and now I live in Osaka.
I know Kansai area(Osaka,Kobe,Kyoto) quite well.
I will organize the tour every single guests.if you have any request like what would you like to do, what are you interested about etc.... please feel free to ask.
I will charge 5,000yen- per hour. I will charge extra for group( more than 4people).
It will be super helpful for cover my transport fee during the tour.
I love traveling, walking, circling, clime mountains, diving, snowboard etc... I love to spend time in the nature a lot.
I had experience to do working holiday in New Zealand, Australia and Ireland.
I was barista when I was in Australia.
I am flat white addicted.
I love to meet people from all over the world and share the culture.
I traveled more than 25 countries so far and I had such an amazing trip in there.
I went to South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Cambodia,Thailand,Malaysia,Australia,NewZealand,Italy,France,Spain,Gibraltar, Germany, Netherland, Czech public, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, England, Scotland, Ireland ,Russia, Canada, Hawaii.Philippins and Vietnam
Next destination will be Indonesia,Greece or Turkey. Well will see happens.
I wish I can introduce amazing part of Kansai area and you will have great time with me.
I used to work at Universal Studio Japan so the map is in my head. I am available to do some guide or help in there if you require.
I'm looking forward to receive the message from you and hopefully see you soon.
Thank you.
Kenji O.
I lived in Seattle, WA US for several years to study public policy and urban planning at University of Washington and Washington State Department of Transportation . The US life has awakened me to realize its beauty and value of the Japanese nature and culture. After coming back from US, I have started my professional career of the infrastructure development in both developed and developing countries as a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) expert for more than 20 years. I have provided hospitality and honesty as a Japanese during my professional career.
I can give you not only sightseeing tours but also technical tours with my expertise.
I live in Osaka where an ancient capital city, Kyoto is located within a hour by train. I can show you how Japanese has developed the capital city with urban planning and infrastructure development. I look forward to seeing you here in Japan.
Eric T.
Hallow ! This is Eric Tanaka.
I was born in Kyoto, and I have been living in Kyoto.
I am sure that Kyoto is one of the best city for sightseeing and living.
I wish if I can introduce some nice places for you by walking around city streets.
Also, in suburbs, there are a lot of nice sightseeing places such as Bamboo forest, Monkey park, Fushimi shrine, Zen practice temples and so on.
Let's enjoy Kyoto town and Kyoto food.with me.
Masahisa M.
Lived in Chicago (5 years), Toronto (1 year), Singapore (2 years), Indonesia (4 years) and Birmingham, UK (11 years) to construct business platform, now retired after 40
years employment in Japan. Dynamic tour guide who develops many different ways along with rich experience overseas to entertain large or small tour groups. Enjoys the interaction with tour groups, very strong group presentation and communication skills, finds each guest question as an opportunity to learn anything new. Constantly learning information about each tour spot to enhance tours. Guided 8,885 guests all over the world across Japan as of Dec 31, 2024 since Feb 2015.