Joined 2018
Akiko W.
Available Areas
Gifu (Living)
Languages
English
Response Time
3 hours on average
Availability Updated
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About Tour Guide Akiko W.
Hello! My name is Akiko from Gifu prefecture. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter.
I like going out with my family, talking with my friends over coffee at a cozy cafe, reading books, baking bread and cake when I have time.
I passed the national tour guide test in 2017 and have worked as a guide since then.
I have guided in Gifu city, Seki city, Takayama city, Shirakawago , Mino city and Nagoya city.
I have lived in Gifu for more than forty years. Gifu prefecture is rich in nature so you can enjoy the rural atmosphere. Gifu city has a beautiful river 'Nagara river' and Mt.Kinka which has Gifu castle on the top. You can go up the mountain on foot or use a ropeway. The view from Gifu castle is so fantastic. At the foot of the mountain , there are many places to visit such as parks, a temple having a big image of Buddha, and a street preserving the historic atmosphere.
At Nagara River, you can enjoy seeing a traditional way of fishing ‘cormorant fishing’ which is thought to have started 1300 years ago.
Many cafes have unique service called 'morning service' in Gifu along with Aichi
In the morning (until about ten thirty or eleven) when you order a cup of tea or coffee, they serve toast and salad ! Near Gifu park , you can find a nice Japanese style cafe where you enjoy good coffee and seeing a Japanese style garden.
Seki city is a small city but so famous for its cutlery. At Japanese sword museum in Seki, you can see authentic Japanese swords! Mino city next to Seki city is well known for its hand made Japanese paper 'Hon minoshi' designated as intangible cultural asset by UNESCO .
Until recently it was not easy to guide guests because of COVID-19 pandemic; however the situation is getting better. Some strict rules about COVID-19 have been lifted.
Please visit Gifu. I am looking forward to seeing you.
Please feel free to ask me when you need information about Gifu.
Thank you for reading my introduction.
Important
I can guide you in Nagoya city if you can pay my transportation fee.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Walking tour in Seki city
About one hour bus ride from Gifu station or Nagoya bus terminal brings you to Seki city area. Seki city is small but very famous for its cutlery. In this tour we visit some museums related to cutlery , a temple, a shrine and Seki terrace where you can shop high quality cutlery.
Gujo Hachiman walking tour
Gujo Hachiman is located in Gifu Prefecture. This town is well known as a town with clear water. You can spend a relaxing time walking around this town feeling tranquil atmosphere. Only 84 minutes bus ride brings you to Gujo Hachiman from Gifu station.
Walking tour in Gifu city
Let's enjoy walking! There are many places to visit in Gifu city area. Gifu park, Mt.Kinka , Shohoji temple, Japanese style cafe. Let's meet at Gifu station or your hotel .
Reviews
“Outstanding tour of Seki and Gujo Hachiman”
This tour is a real hidden gem for those who are after an authentic, off the beaten track, quaint, beautiful and very unique Japanese experience! Akiko is a local expert of this region, and she is such an attentive, kind and lovely guide whom I was sad to separate with when we finished the tour. This tour is actually jam packed with beauty and interesting sites starting from understanding Seki's past and present, Monet's pond, and of course Gujo Hachiman. The clear waters, carps, interesting story of the town and not to mention, the super fun food sample making activity in Iwasaki are unforgettable to us! Thank you Akiko san, for looking after us. Hope more people visit your beautiful town, see its beauty and experience what it has to offer! A truly wonderful day trip.
Akiko W.
I appreciate your feedback, which made me happy, Jeaney san！I am really glad to hear you liked Seki City and Gujo Hachiman . Both places were not so crowded and you seemed to enjoy the rural atmosphere. In Seki City, you looked at traditional Japanese swords and modern kitchen knives. Please remember Seki City when you use your kitchen knife made in Seki. I am sure carp and other fish will be waiting for you to come back to Igawa Komichi because you were so kind to them. I am happy you liked food sample making activity . Thank you so much for listening attentively to what I talked about at each place on the tour though my English was not so good. You were cheerful and kind. I am looking forward to seeing you in Gifu again! Thank you so much for everything.
“Incredible tours!”
Thank you very much Akiko san for the wonderful excursions! We planned our tours with her for many months. She solved all our questions and problems. She helped us with the purchase of bus tickets and organized tours to factories for us, booked lunches in restaurants. We spent 2 weeks in Japan but had the strongest impressions during these two days. Akiko san is an excellent guide and a wonderful person. Thank you very much! Dmitry and Victoria
Akiko W.
Thank you so much for your great feedback, Dmitry san , Victoria san. It was so nice and enjoyable to accompany you. You are such wonderful and nice guests. You visited many interesting places in Japan and experienced a lot . In Gifu prefecture, Sakura was in full bloom in Shirakwago(amazing!) and I was so honored to hear your saying ' Seki City is so impressive!' I am very happy to hear both of you enjoyed the tour for two days. I am really looking forward to seeing you in Gifu again ! Let me say this again, 'Thank you so much for everything and please take care.'
“A Hidden Gem”
Akiko-san is a friendly, attentive and sincere guide who is dedicated to her work. She went out of her way to provide regular updates and information about the tour and weather conditions, and to make sure that I arrived in Gujo safely. I am grateful to her for accommodating to my requests, changes in dates and addressing my many queries. This is the first time I engaged a local guide thru GwG and it was a very positive experience. I highly recommend Akiko-san to anyone looking to explore Gifu. Gujo Hachiman is a beautiful and tranquil town and the visit was the highlight of my 2 week Japan trip. Thanks to Akiko-san I had a wonderful day at Gujo. I look forward to visiting other parts of Gifu and to meet Akiko-san again.
Akiko W.
Thank you so much for your kind feedback, Connie san! I really enjoyed being with you and talking with you. I was so happy that you liked the peaceful atmosphere of Gujo Hachiman when we were walking along the river and strolling in the town . Igawa Komich is my favorite spot and I was glad to know you were interested in this place, too. Big carp were amazing! Though many cherry blossoms were not in full bloom,we were able to take pictures in front of one tree blooming beautifully. I am really lucky that I was able to meet you . Thank you very much for choosing me as your guide. Please take care and I hope to see you in Gifu again in the near future.
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