Akiko W.
Available Areas
Gifu (Living)
Languages
English
Response Time
4 hours on average
Availability Updated
2 days ago
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
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 .
Akiko W. Japan Tour Reviews
“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.
(7 reviews)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.
“Exceeded our expectations”
Akiko went above and beyond for us during our trip to the Seki Cutlery Festival. Before meeting, we let her know what we were interested in and she went to work right away, diligently keeping us informed on everything related to the festival- including advice on the hotel to stay in. She actually called the hotel for real time availability so we would be able to book before it’s too late. The morning of the tour, Akiko was warm and friendly, we knew we were in good hands. We wanted to ship a few things internationally and she facilitated our entire transaction with the post office which is beyond her responsibility to us. We are so grateful for her. Akiko-San was great company as well- between looking at knives we talked about our family and interests. At the end of the tour I felt like she was more of a friend than a guide. She made sure we knew how to get back to the hotel which is a testament to how much she cares about her clients. Thank you for everything Akiko-San! Seki is such a beautiful city and we cannot wait to go back and meet with Akiko-San again.
Akiko W.
(7 reviews)Hello Sarah san. Thank you so much for your kind and nice review. I am so happy to know you had a great time at the cutlery festival in Seki city. On that day, the festival venue was so crowded and it was hot. You kindly bought me such a cold , good and refreshing lemonade. I really appreciate your consideration. I enjoyed being with you while you were shopping. I hope you liked shopping and talking with local vendors and people there. I was also glad that you told me you liked the peaceful atmosphere of Seki city. It was a lot of fun to walk with you on a path which was off the main road. Thank you for talking to me about your beautiful family. I would love to see you again in Seki city in the near future. Thank you for everything, Sarah san.
“The perfect guide ”
Akiko researched and was prepared for my every request. Consequently I had an extraordinary trip to the cutlery festival in Seki, with emphasis on the samurai sword portion. But there was one thing she did that says it all. I had left a nice rain coat on a public train during a previous tour with another company. She took it on herself to run down that coat and have it shipped to me at a hotel later in my trip. It took a great deal of time and effort on her part. That’s what I call above and beyond, I can’t recommend her high enough.
Akiko W.
(7 reviews)Mike san Thank you very much for sending kind and great feedback for me.Thank you so much for coming to Seki city. I am honored to have such a cheerful and kind guest like you . I’m happy you enjoyed the festival. I learned a lot about Japanese swords from you. I still have many things to learn about katana. I’m also glad that your raincoat was found. When you have a chance to come back to Japan, please visit Seki city again. I am looking forward to seeing you. Please have a safe and nice trip! Thank you.