About Tour Guide Lisa W.

“Once in a lifetime tour”

I recently embarked on a walking tour of Kyoto, visiting some of the city's most iconic historical sites: Nijo Castle, Nishi Hogan-ji Temple, and the Golden Pavilion. The tour began at Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former residence of Tokugawa shoguns. Our guide's deep knowledge and engaging storytelling brought the castle's history to life, explaining the significance of its intricate woodwork and beautifully preserved interiors, including the famous nightingale floors. The surrounding gardens were equally impressive, offering a tranquil escape amidst meticulously landscaped greenery and serene ponds, all beautifully described by our guide. Next, we visited Nishi Hogan-ji Temple, one of the head temples of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism. The temple's grand architecture and serene atmosphere were awe-inspiring. Our guide's explanations of the ornate decorations and the temple's significant role in Japanese religious history added a profound layer of understanding to our visit. The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji). This Zen Buddhist temple, with its top two floors completely covered in gold leaf, is a sight to behold. Set against a backdrop of lush greenery and reflected in the calm waters of the surrounding pond, the pavilion exuded an ethereal beauty. Our guide provided insightful commentary on the temple's history and its symbolic importance, enhancing our appreciation of this stunning landmark. Overall, this walking tour of Kyoto was a deeply enriching experience, made exceptional by our outstanding tour guide. Each site offered a unique perspective on Japan's historical and cultural heritage, making it a must-do for anyone visiting the city. The combination of architectural splendor, historical depth, and natural beauty, all illuminated by our guide's expertise, made this tour truly unforgettable.

“Fantastic Guide”

Lisa W was the best guide we have ever had. Over 5 days she showed us around Kyoto, Osaka, Himeji, and Nara. Her knowledge of each place we visited was brilliant as was her English. Lisa has a very calm temperament and a good sense of humour which was perfect for a group of 8 Australians. She got to know us all very well and was always willing to help. Lisa W is the perfect guide - you could not find anyone better.

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Kevin R.

5 / 5

Apr 15, 2024

(2023 April 10th-12th) Private Tour for Kevin

Kyoto

3 days

Customized

Apr 15, 2024

“Excellent Tour Guide”

Our experience with Lisa was nothing short of excellent, Lisa has the 3 most important characteristics someone may look for in a tour guide. Primarily, she SHOWS you the sights you want to see. She doesn’t just take you to them, she shows you them, taking you to the site, showing you the best picture spots and best food. She steers you away from tourist traps and guides you along the best paths showing you everything you wanted to see and more that you don’t find online. Many times we found ourselves away from all of the crowds and in pristine photo taking opportunities. Secondly, she answers all of the questions you may have, especially in regards to historical or cultural aspects of your trip. Even random questions about certain cultural sites Lisa was ready to answer as if she had been preparing for our questions. Thirdly, she is timely, she shows up early and doesn’t ever have us waiting for her, and more importantly she keeps us on time. We didn’t miss any of our reservations and were able to shift our schedule to make all of our planned visits thanks to her help and time keeping abilities. All in all, we had an excellent time with Lisa and highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for an informative, and timely trip with someone who treats you like an old college friend you haven’t seen in a few years.