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Hello, I'm Yuichi, an English tour guide in Hokuriku region.
If you are thinking about traveling to historical places
such as Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go and Takayama, I am willing to offer a tour.
I can bring you to those popular destinations
from my base, Toyama city.
These are the examples of my tour:
Kanazawa - Shirakawago - Takayama
Takaoka - Gokayama - Shirakawago - Takayama
Toyama - Tateyama Kurobe Alipne Route - Omachi (Nagano Pref.)
During the tour I like to provide simple explanations about Japanese history,
and small tips for using the Japanese language on your request.
My interests are food, cooking, sake and wine
as well as Japanese novels and movies.
It would be possible to add those tastes to our tour
including a visit to local wineries, movie scenes, etc...
Finally, I will do my best to give you a pleasant stay.
Looking forward to seeing you in Hokuriku!
Hirohiko S.
Hello! I’m Hiro, and I’m excited to share my love for Japan with travelers worldwide. I have a passion for anime and the peaceful beauty of the Japanese countryside.
Born in Japan, I’ve also lived in the U.S. and India, giving me a broad cultural perspective. While I have a reserved and easygoing nature, I enjoy meeting new people and building genuine connections.
I’m a car enthusiast and love exploring rural roads, though I’ve also worked in Japan’s bustling cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Whether you want a relaxed countryside tour or to discover hidden gems, I’ll help make your journey memorable.
I look forward to guiding you on an unforgettable adventure in Japan!
Tetsuji Y.
Hello everyone. I am Tetsuji. I worked as a public servant in the local government for 35 years. I belonged to the department of Redevelopment, Town-Landscaping, Preserving historical areas and Architectural Guidance. (I have a national 1st-class architect license.) I devoted myself to revitalizing the city by making plans and improving infrastructure for citizens.
Gifu is located in central Japan near Nagoya. As just being the crossroads of the West and the East, there are many unique attractions that are hard to discover in hectic big cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. I had a hand in restoring and preserving some of them throughout my career and want to introduce them to tourists from abroad. That’s why I became a guide-interpreter in Gifu.
I also enjoyed traveling around the world. My favorite part of each trip was walking around the city and talking with local residents. Traveling has taught me lots of things during my lifetime. Now, I would like to help others have similar experience in Japan. Shall we enjoy fantastic journey in Gifu?
Mao M.
Hi! I'm Mao. My home town is Takayama and I like here a lot! I’d like to show you! I love meeting friends, chatting, travel around, play sports, drinking and go to my favorite restaurants. I'll offer more local sightseeing spots,eateries,cafes,bars and leisure facility and also I'm familiar with suburban area.
I have an experience of living in BC, Canada and then taught Japanese and culture for kids in a school. After that, I have been working at a hostel in Takayama. I like to meet people and to know new things for me.
Feel free to contact me!
Yoko T.
Hi! I am Yoko, a friendly regional Licensed Guide Interpreter. This area is my home! This is why I've been sharing beauties of this prefecture with my guests from around the world.
This area is great fun: local, historical, culturally important, sometimes mysterious and beautiful! If you are already in love with Japan, then let me personalize your experience here. Visit the best places, venues, spots and locations with me. You will enjoy neighborhood full of hidden local treasures.
I am a mother of two girls. I'd be happy to welcome families and I can arrange a tour depending on your situation. Please feel free to ask me any.
I also translate and teach English. And I am a host of an Internet radio show. I like meeting people and all these experiences allow me to be good at communicating as a guide.
I look forward to exploring this beautiful culture with you.
Thank you!
Mika S.
My interests include art, architecture, food, sake, wine, and sustainability.
In the past, I had the opportunity to visit destinations around the world. My passion for traveling and experiencing other cultures helped me recognize the beauty in my own culture, and inspired me to become a tour guide. I’m a fun, energetic, and passionate guide who’s ready to show you an unforgettable time in Japan, whatever your interests may be!
Hida is a beautiful region tucked away in the Northern Alps, and its location helped preserve Takayama’s old town constructed by local master carpenters. On your tour, I’ll give you tips on what you should look for to appreciate traditional Japanese architecture. If you’re a sake lover, Hida is the place for you because the cold climate makes it suitable for brewing quality sake. I’m a licensed Sake Sommelier, and I’d love to take you to the breweries in town and give you some recommendations. I’ve also been trained to host art tours. If you’re interested in contemporary Japanese art, I recommend visiting Kanazawa, where you can find inspirational creativity in every corner!
My goal is to help you discover the authentic Japanese way of life while feeling comfortable like a local rather than standing out like a tourist. Please let me know what kind of experience you’re looking for, and I will happily tailor a unique experience just for you.
Fun facts about me!
I was sponsored to travel around the world twice
I was a torch runner in the 1998 Nagano Olympics
I grew up in nature, eating wild plants and seeing many wild animals
Fujio N.
Born and having spent most of my life in Kanazawa, I went into the export business for a major high-speed and automatic loom maker, where I worked for 38 years.
When I was a university student in Kyoto, I occasionally worked part time as an English speaking guide. I have guided foreign tourists in Japan especially in my hometown for over 13 years starting soon after my retirement.
I joined Kanazawa Good-will Guide Network in 2000 and had been its coordinator for six years from 2002, currently being its senior adviser.
Furthermore, I organized Kanazawa Home-visit Association in 2003 that has received over 8,000 visitors from overseas, among whom 1,900 enjoyed experiencing Japanese culture in my own home.
In 2012, I established the group for the interpreter guide with my friends and currently I am its coordinator.
I am therefore very familiar with historical, cultural and industrial backgrounds of Kanazawa and its surrounding regions.
My hobby is golf and my current official golf handicap is 15.
Tour Guide Services:
Sightseeing tours with explanations of historical and cultural backgrounds of Ishikawa prefecture including Kanazawa city and Noto peninsula, and the surrounding prefectures such as Gifu (with Takayama city and Shirakawa village), Toyama (with Gokayama village) and Fukui (with Eiheiji Zen Temple)
Sample Itineraries:
Model Plans in Kanazawa:
Full-day tour (7~8h)
Higashi Chaya (Geisha) District including gold-leaf shops → Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park → 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art → Nagamachi Samurai District → Omicho Market
Half -day tour (4~5h)
Higashi Chaya (Geisha) District including a gold-leaf shop → Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park → Nagamachi Samurai District
Other popular optional spots are also available: Myoryuji (Ninja) Temple, D. T. Suzuki Museum, Oyama Shrine, Kaga Yuzen Traditional Industrial (silk kimono) Center, Nishida Family Garden (Gyokusen-en), Kazuemachi Chaya (Geisha) District, Ohi Pottery Museum, Kutani Porcelain Kiln, etc.
Home-visit (2 hours)
Visit a local home to enjoy talking with the host family over tea and to learn the distinctive Japanese lifestyle firsthand, where you might experience traditional culture such as a tea ceremony, flower arrangement, kimono dressing, calligraphy and paper- folding.
Model Plans of one-day round trips by highway bus from Kanazawa
1. Noto peninsula (world agricultural heritage site with Wajima Morning Market, Wajima Lacquerware Center, Wajima Kiriko (gigantic festival lantern) Art Museum, Senmaida Terraced Rice Fields, Sojiji Zen Temple, Ganmon and Chirihama Beach Driveway), etc.
2. Takayama city (old merchant town), Shirakawa-go and Gokayama villages (world cultural heritage site with thatched-roof farm houses)
Norman B.
Good day, everyone! I am Norman. I live in Japan since 2006 and currently residing in Gifu ken. My passions are playing competitive sports and traveling around famous and historical tourist destinations. If you are planning a trip, please do not hesitate to reach out. I’ll be more than happy to assist you especially here in Nagoya, Aichi ken/Gifu ken/Shiga ken and Kyoto. Let’s make your journey unforgettable.
Takashi M.
I was born and brought up in Kanazawa, and live in Kanazawa. So,I know every corner of this town. I am a national licensed tour guide. I started operating tour guide business in 2004 after retired from the local government office. I enjoyed hobbies when I found my spare time. In my twenties and thirties, I walked along many peaks of Northern Japan Alps during the summer mountain season. I travelled many places domestic and abroad. I also enjoyed skiing while I was in my forties and fifties. I have offered tour guides to over 1,000 tourists since I started tour guiding. I explain local history and culture, religion, traditional arts and crafts, and food, etc. I try my best to have customers' satisfaction, and make your tours enjoyable and memorable.Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet trains started operating between Tokyo and Kanazawa on March 14, 2015. It takes about 2 and half hours. You will be able to make one-day tour to Kanazawa from Tokyo. I look forward to having your application.
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