Joined 2019
Tohru S.
Available Areas
Kyoto (Living)
Languages
English, Japanese (Native)
Response Time
3 hours on average
Availability Updated
2 days ago
About Tour Guide Tohru S.
Welcome to Kyoto! My name's Tohru. Please call me Toh-ru or Toh-ru-san. I am a National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter. I was born and grew up in Kyoto, so I'm very familiar with many sightseeing spots and attractions in Kyoto. If you would like to enjoy walking around Kyoto in YUKATA or KIMONO, I'll be happy to prepare it for you in advance.
Kyoto is a fascinating and picturesque city visited by lots of foreign tourists every year. I can offer you unique experiences in this beautiful city, which can include visits to traditional Japanese gardens, ancient temples and shrines designated as world heritage sites, authentic Japanese cultural experiences such as exploring the traditional townhouse called MACHIYA, the food market called NISHIKI, shopping arcades and fantastic museums. With a flexible approach, I can help you personalize your agenda.
When you have a chance to visit Kyoto, please contact me anytime and anywhere!
I'll be looking forward to seeing you and spending wonderful time with you.
See you soon!
Certified as
- National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter
- Itinerary Control Manager
- Kyoto Expert Certification 2nd grade
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
Let's enjoy your One-day Kyoto Tour!
One-day Kyoto Tour would be personalized according to your interests and preferences. If you don't like the busy sightseeing spots, I'm happy to suggest the suitable itinerary for you on your requests. Let's enjoy your own tour to experience a wider variety of cultures in Kyoto! === I would appreciate it if you could visit my page on Facebook by my name "Tohru Shimagaki". ===
Let's enjoy your Half-day Kyoto Tour!
Half-day Kyoto Tour would be personalized according to your interests and preferences. If you don't like the busy sightseeing spots, I'm happy to suggest the suitable itinerary for you on your requests. Let's enjoy your own tour to experience a wider variety of cultures in Kyoto! The meeting time would be flexible based on your schedule, for example, 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM (or 1:00 PM) would be available. === I would appreciate it if you could visit my page on Facebook by my name "Tohru Shimagaki".
Let's enjoy your One-day Nara Tour!
One-day Nara Tour would be personalized according to your interests and preferences. If you don't like the busy sightseeing spots, I'm happy to suggest the suitable itinerary for you on your requests. Let's enjoy your own tour to experience a wider variety of cultures in Nara! The meeting time would be flexible based on your schedule, for example, 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM would be available. === I would appreciate it if you could visit my page on Facebook by my name "Tohru Shimagaki". ===
Reviews
Kathryn Y.
“Lots to see in Kyoto!”
Tohru is very pleasant and mindful individual throughout this tour. Although it's only a half-day tour, Tohru thoughtfully pre-planned 3 attractions starting out with Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle/gardens, and finale at Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama District. He is excellent in navigating to all these destinations via the subway, which could get pretty complicated, but he knew the best ways to get around the busy areas to avoid the crowds, which made us feel at ease on a Monday commuter crowd. We had hoped for a bit better communication in English, at times challenging, but he did his best to get us to these destinations packed in a half day....if we did this on our own...we probably wouldn't have seen half the site attractions we visited. He led us to a great Soba restaurant, Soba Tatsuichi, which we thoroughly enjoyed whether it was hot or cold soba noodles with a dipping sauce. Our ending highlight was walking (27k steps that day!!!)thru the streets after strolling thru the lush Bamboo Forest. We certainly ended our tour with our vanilla softee ice cream (pic attached) and trying out a Japanese donut that Tohru recommended was delicious! Overall, Tohru is insightful, respectful, and a professional guide, and hope he can accept this feedback to improve communication with his English speaking clients as I am sure he is knowledgeable about the local culture historical sites. Thanks Tohru, for a very delightful tour of Kyoto!!!
Tohru S.
Dear Kathryn-san, Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I truly appreciate for your cheerful personality. Moreover, you were so open-minded and friendly that I could spend a great time with your family in Kyoto. Hope you will have a great day in Japan. Best wishes!
Adam U.
“Half day private tour of Kyoto for four people”
Tohru San chose three sites that represents Kyoto. All three were accessible via train around the city. In order of preference my favorite was 1. Bambo Grove in Arashiyama 2. Golden Pavilion Temple 3. Fushimi Inari Shrine Overall a nice time.
Tohru S.
Dear Adam-san, Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I truly appreciate for your cheerful personality. Moreover, you were so open-minded and friendly that I could spend a great time with your family in Kyoto. Hope you will have a great day in Japan. Best wishes!
Karmen F.
“Nice walk on a hot day”
Perfect decision for a one day visit in Kyoto. Tohru was a patient and kind guide and we were very satisfied with this tour. Would recommend to everybody.
Tohru S.
Dear Karmen-san, Thank you so much for your kind comment! I truly appreciate for your cheerful personality. Moreover, you were so thoughtful that I could spend a great time with you. Best wishes!
Other Popular Tour Guides in Kyoto
Yasuhisa K.
I have worked in the multi-national organizations including UN agency for around 30 years and stationed at various cities including Rome, Bangkok and Hanoi. Although I have retired from those international carriers, I wish to keep the international cooperation and develop the friendship with people who visits our country. As I like history and am practicing Noh song and wood curving of Buddha images, I have decided to live in Nara where is surrounded by many historical places and traditional cultures, when I returned back to Japan in 2017. I wish to offer you custom made trip ideas to be able to enjoy the atmosphere of old city, Nara. I am also planning to develop trip plans to enjoy the local cultures. Please call me Yasu.
Koichi W.
Hi! I'm Koichi. I was born in Osaka, I studied in Kyoto when I was a university student. Now I live in Shiga next to Kyoto. I am a national government licensed tour guide. I have been guiding about 160 groups over the past twelve months. I usually guide my customers mainly in Kansai region including Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe and Shiga by public transportation systems. Well, I am curious about Japanese history, especially the history of Japan's ancient times since I was raised next to the world biggest mausoleum of the ancient Emperor called "Nintoku" in Sakai city Osaka which has just become one of the world cultural heritage sites. I dug out some ancient earthen ware vessels around there when I was a primary school student like the adventure archaeologist “Indiana Jones" (It’s our secret!!). That was my hobby. Now, one of my hobbies is outdoor activities such as mountaineering, kayaking, skiing and others. So I would like to take you to some good places where you can enjoy Japanese unique nature. I love to guide foreign visitors from all over the world. I think it is my calling or heavenly given job. Let's go and enjoy together! I hope to see you soon.
Hiroshi Y.
Hello,I am HIROSHI YOKOYAMA. Please call me Hiro, not "hero". I have been lived in kyoto for more than 30years. So, I am very familiar with the city of Kyoto and a unique culture developed in Japan as well. I can offer you not only historic places like Nijo castle, Kinkakuji temple ,Kiyomizu temple etc., but also off the beaten track spots Nijo jinya house or nicknamed "ninjya house" ,Katsura Imperial Villa etc.. I am really looking forward to seeing you .
