About Tour Guide Toshi T.

Hello! I’m Toshi, your local insider and itinerary planner in Kansai.

I’m new to GoWithGuide, but I’ve spent over 35 years helping people enjoy life’s most meaningful moments in beautiful places.

For decades, I was a destination wedding photographer in San Francisco. My clients came for the photos, but they remembered the whole experience: carefully planned journeys around historic City Hall and the city’s hidden viewpoints, with every detail handled so they could relax.

From 2016 to 2018, I led the Canon KelbyOne Worldwide Photowalk, guiding groups of up to 20 along scenic San Francisco routes to support the Spring of Hope Kenya Children’s Home.

Today, I bring that same warm hospitality, careful planning, and eye for beauty to Osaka, Kyoto, and all of Kansai.

Why travel with me?

A local’s eye for the special: I’ll take you beyond the landmarks to quiet side streets, the best viewpoints, and the everyday Japanese life most visitors walk past.

Smooth, stress-free days: After decades of managing tight schedules for international clients, I’ll handle the trains, the timing, and the details so your day feels relaxed.

Tailored to you: Family, couple, or solo, we’ll build the day around your interests and pace, whether that’s history, food, temples, or hidden neighborhoods.

A photographer’s instincts: I won’t run a photography lesson, but I always know where the light is best. I’m happy to point out a great spot or take your picture along the way.

Early start for photographers: Every tour offers an optional early start for the best morning light at the first stop, potentially before most visitors arrive: Fushimi Inari’s torii gates, Arashiyama’s bamboo grove, or Osaka Castle’s grounds before the tower opens at 9:00. I can’t guarantee empty sites, especially in peak seasons and on weekends and holidays.

Let’s skip the crowded, cookie-cutter routes and plan a day in Kansai that shows you Japan’s true soul. Send me a message, and let’s start planning!