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Joined 2018
Hiroko D.
Available Areas
Kyoto (Living), Nara, Osaka
Languages
English
Response Time
5 hours on average
Availability Updated
Today
About Tour Guide Hiroko D.
Hi, I'm Hiroko. I was born in Kyoto and currently live in its suburb. My parents are also from the ancient capital city, so some of its historic places were like my playgrounds when I was a child. Now, as a national certified tour guide, I would like to show you around not only Kyoto but also Osaka and Nara enjoyably and time-effectively. For your reference, I lived in New York, U.S.A. for about 20 years and worked there for about 17 and a half years, so I believe that I will be able to communicate and speak well with you in English. My motto as a guide: If you are happy, I'm happy. Please don't hesitate to ask me to customize your tour. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon!
Important
Please kindly note the following:
I basically conduct walking tours using public transportation.
Transportation, entrance fees and lunch for you and the guide are not included in the guide fee.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
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Reviews
Alison L.
“Great Guide Who Went Above and Beyond”
We had booked two days in Kyoto with Hiriko. Working with her in advance she planned an itinerary that included the highlights of Kyoto grouped geographically to make our tour as efficient as possible. She speaks and understands English extremely well as she lived and worked in NY for many years. Her pace was just right and her knowledge of the sights was excellent. Unfortunately I had picked up a stomach bug somewhere before arriving at Kyoto and was not feeling great, so we cut one scheduled stop on day one. On day two I decided I should try to go to a clinic for some medication. Some things that are available over the counter in the US require a prescription in Japan and the drug stores are a bit overwhelming. I found a clinic nearby and the reviews said they spoke good English. When Hiroko showed up for our planned day, she immediately agreed to walk to the clinic with me and when there helped me secure an appointment for an hour from our arrival. She was so helpful and understanding and it made me feel immensely better to have here with me. All in, we spent the first 2.5 hours of the day dealing with my medical needs. She was reassuring and happy to make these accommodations. Long story short, the doctor prescribed a couple of medications and we still made it to 3 out of four sites on our itinerary for our second day. Hiroko was flexible and kind as well as being a super-knowledgeable tour guide. I highly recommend her.
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Hiroko D.
Dear Alison, I am extremely honored by your kind and generous review. Hope you are feeling better now. Both you and your husband are nice, considerate and intelligent, and I really enjoyed being your guide in Kyoto. Please send my warmest regards to your husband for me. Sincerely, Hiroko
Britnee B.
“Incredible tour of Kyoto with an excellent tour guide! ”
Hiroko’s tour was the highlight of our Japan trip! We toured over 2 weeks with 4 different guides and Hiroko was by far the best! She was thoughtful and intentional with the itinerary, adjusted easily to our needs (traveling with a 2 year old), and was very knowledgeable about the shrines and temples we visited. If you have a chance to book Hiroko, do it! Her background as a teacher lended well to how she educated us throughout the day. She also used to teach English and was conversational and easy to communicate with. Hiroko was wonderful!
Hiroko D.
Britnee, I am truly grateful for your kind, generous and quick review. Thank you very much also for sharing your photo with me. All of you are nice and considerate, and your son is cute, active and amazingly well-behaved. You make such a beautiful family! I really enjoyed your company as a guide in Kyoto. Please send my warmest regards to your family for me. All the best, Hiroko
Vikas A.
“Hit the right spots”
Thanks to Hiroko for cramming a lifetime of beautiful Kyoto into seven flat hours. From the bamboo hush of Arashiyama to the serene golden pavilion to the delicious okonomiyaki to the technicolor food crawl through Nishiki Market every stop felt like insider access. Highly recommended.
Hiroko D.
Dear Vikas, I am truly honored by your kind, generous and quick review. You and your wife are so nice and intelligent, and I really enjoyed being your guide in Kyoto. I hope you will visit here again sometime in near future as there are more to see. Please send my warmest regards to your wife for me. Sincerely, Hiroko
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Michiko N.
Hello, and thank you for visiting my page among so many wonderful guides! My name is Michiko. I was born and raised in Kyoto, and I still live here. In my twenties, I lived for a short time in the UK, and recently I spent a year in Thailand. I love traveling to different countries, and I enjoy talking with people from all over the world. When we are in a country that is not our own, I believe it is important to show respect. I always try to respect your culture, and I hope to share the spirit of Japanese hospitality with you too. Kyoto is a beautiful and special place. It has a long history, many unique small shops, and charming hidden paths. In summer, it gets very hot, so I can guide you by car for comfort. But if you like walking, I’m happy to do that too. I can also take you to some delicious local food spots! Besides guiding, I work in the theater and performance art. I love telling stories and sharing emotions. I’m looking forward to showing you not only the famous places, but also the heart of Kyoto—its quiet beauty, kind people, and unforgettable stories. …Besides guiding, I work in the theater and performance art. I love telling stories and sharing emotions. Right now, I’m working on a new artistic project: I create theater-style performances inside shop windows. My dream is to show my work outside Japan someday. I’m still learning and growing as an artist, so if you’re interested, I’d love to talk with you about Japanese performing arts, like Kabuki! I really look forward to the day I can guide you around Kyoto. Let’s discover beautiful moments together! with BIG LOVE!
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Akira F.
Hello, my name is Akira , and I am a private guide based in Kyoto. I specialize in creating customized tours that are tailored to your interests and travel style. Kyoto is a city rich in history, culture, and hidden beauty, and I would love to share its charm with you. Whether you are interested in famous landmarks like Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari, exploring peaceful temples and gardens, or discovering local food and traditions, I will design a unique itinerary just for you. My goal is to make your time in Kyoto not only enjoyable, but also meaningful and memorable. I look forward to guiding you and helping you experience Kyoto like a local.
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Fumi U.
I have spent nearly 30 years working with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), contributing to development projects in Latin America and African countries. During this time, I cultivated strong cross-cultural understanding and effective communication skills. For the past 10 years, I have lived in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Guanajuato, Mexico, where I managed a guesthouse, operated a jewelry workshop, and provided guided tours. Through these experiences, I have developed a deep sense of hospitality and attentiveness, ensuring that visitors have a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Leveraging these skills, I am dedicated to sharing the beauty of Japan with international guests and creating unforgettable travel experiences.
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