Joined 2016
Yoshihisa T.
Available Areas
Kyoto (Living), Nara, Osaka, Kobe
Languages
Japanese (Native), English
Response Time
4 hours on average
Availability Updated
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About Tour Guide Yoshihisa T.
Hi. My name is Yoshihisa. Call me "Yoshie", please. It means good or O.K. in Japanese. I live in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, located just in between Kyoto and Nara. I was born and raised in Iga, Mie Prefecture. Iga is a birthplace of ninja and a renowned haiku poet, Matsuo Basho. I might be a descendant of ninja. I aim at becoming a linguistic ninja, following a part of Basho's lifestyle with the incorporation of seasonal changes into my tours. In addition to visiting famous temples and shrines, I invite you to lesser-known places of historic interest.
Once in a month I go hiking or mountain climbing with some friends mainly in mountains surrounding Kyoto and Nara basins. Recently I have got intrigued by the charms of Buddhist statues, which are manifestations of people's wishes and prayers. I also like izakaya (Japanese-style taverns) hopping, tasting delicious dishes and locally brewed sake at reasonable prices. Especially I like communicating with people from home and abroad, talking face to face. Some of the above-mentioned elements are included in my walking tours. I hope you will discover new aspects of cultural and natural beauty in Kansai area through one of my tours which you could never gain otherwise.
One of my favorite phrases that come from Zen Buddhism is Ichigo Ichie or this meeting-but only once in a lifetime. My interpretation goes this way: This place and this moment never cross again. Each and every good encounter, however, lingers on like the sound of a temple bell. Won't you explore a deeper world of Japanese culture in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka with me?
Important
It is desirable to carry overseas travel insurance because the guide is not liable for any damage or loss incurred during the tour. It is also requested to bring enough Japanese yen with you because some restaurants and taxis do not accept credit cards.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
My Favorite Golden Route: Kyoto One-day Tour
This tour is designed for those who would like to visit major scenic sites in Kyoto and off-the-beaten spots as well in a single day. The route is the one that has been favored and admired by many of my guests for the past few years. The itinerary mainly consists of three areas; Kitayama, Arashiyama and Fushimi areas. You will surely have unforgettable memories through the tour with me.
My Favorite Silver Route: Kyoto One-day Tour
This tour is designed for those who have finished My Favorite Golden Route: Kyoto One-day Tour and would like to make a second-day tour in Kyoto. The tour covers most of the main tourist attractions in the eastern area of Kyoto. It also has a couple of choices according to your needs and wishes. I hope you will have a very pleasant tour with me.
Nara Sightseeing & the World of Buddhist Statuary
Through this tour you will be intrigued with the charm of Buddhist statuary, which represents people's wishes and prayers. Figures of statues vary according to the development of eras from Asuka period to Muromachi period. At the same time you can visit Nara Park, where you can feed deer. Also you can visit a nice sake tasting place after the tour if you like.
Izakaya Hopping & Sightseeing in Minami Area, Osaka
This tour is meant for those who would like to enjoy sightseeing in Minami ( South ) Area, Osaka and eating and drinking at three izakayas ( Japanese-style taverns ) for relatively reasonable prices in a friendly atmosphere.
Kobe Arima Rokko One-day Tour
This tour is designed for those who would like to enjoy a variety of experiences in Kobe in a single day. The tour includes a visit to Ijinkan Town ( a former foreign residence area ) in Kobe, hot spring bathing in Arima Onsen, an aerial cableway riding from Arima to Rokko and taking in a splendid view of Osaka Bay from the top of Mt. Rokko.
Cherry Blossom Viewing Walking Tour
The tour starts at JR Kyoto Station at 9 AM. You will go to Demachi Yanagi Station by JR Nara Line and Keihan Line. From there you will begin walking. The main tourist attractions of this tour are Ginkaku-ji Temple ( the Silver Pavilion ), the Philosopher's Path, Nanzen-ji Temple, Heian Jingu Shrine Garden and Maruyama Park. The tour ends at Gion Shijo Station of Keihan Line.
Reviews
Julie M.
“Wonderful Day on the Golden Route of Kyoto”
We enjoyed a wonderful day with Yoshi on the Golden tour. He is a former teacher and that really shows through in the way he clearly and patiently explains the sights and history associated with them. But more than that, he is kind and has a great sense of humor that leaves you feeling that you have spent the day with a new friend. He was more than willing to adjust the itinerary to our needs, and arranged for a meal at an izakaya for us that was the highlight of the day! If we return to Kyoto we will most certainly be in touch. Highly recommend his tour
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Julie. I appreciate your wonderful comment on my tour, revised My Favorite Golden Route. I also enjoyed myself guiding and talking with you two. I am pleased to learn that you enjoyed the izakaya experience a lot after the tour. I hope our paths will cross someday soon. With the best wishes. Yoshie
Joe R.
“lovely guide”
enjoyed the guiding, thanks Yoshi
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Joe. Thank you so much for your nice comment on my tour last week. It was nice meeting and talking with you two. I hope you have returned home safely with lots of good memories of Japan. Ichigo-Ichie Yoshie
Mary M.
“A Wonderful Day in Kyoto With Yoshi”
Our day in Kyoto with Yoshi was even better than we hoped it would be! He was so full of knowledge about every place he took us. He explained the background and relevance of every stop and told us about the people created the places or who lived there. He was charming and kind and friendly and a wonderful guide. He taught us so much about Kyoto. He also knew all the best places for great pictures! He even helped us plan what to do and see on our second day without a guide! I would recommend him to anyone who wants a tour guide in Kyoto or the surrounding area! You will be very happy you chose to tour with him!
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Mary. Thank you so much for your wonderful comment on my tour in Kyoto. I am very pleased to learn that you enjoyed every minute of the tour. I hope you will return home safely with lots of good souvenirs and nice memories of Japan. With best wishes. Yoshie
Posts By This Supplier
Tips for the Appreciation of Buddhist Statuary (4)
Kyoto, Japan
This time let's learn about myo-oh that is believed to be a messenger or an incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai in esoteric Buddhism. Myo-oh is characterized by angry facial expressions and multiple faces, eyes, hands and feet. By these strange and dreadful ...
Tips for the Appreciation of Buddhist Statuary (3)
Kyoto, Japan
This time let me write about bosatsu that is in the process of achieving enlightenment or Buddhahood. Bosatsu represents the figure of Shakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, who was disciplining himself to attain enlightenment. At the same time, bosatsu t...
Tips for the Appreciation of Buddhist Statuary (5)
Kyoto, Japan
This is the last section about Buddhist statuary. This time let's learn about ten-bu ( Deva ) deities that have a role of guarding Buddha's Law. Most of the ten-bu were originally deities of Brahmanism and Hinduism and were incorporated into Buddhism. ...
Tips for the Appreciation of Buddhist Statuary (1)
Kyoto, Japan
You may have visited Tohdaiji Temple in Nara and seen the statue of the Great Buddha. Probably you were surprised at the big scale of the statue, but maybe you didn't pay much attention to other Buddhist statues. That's mottainai (a shame) in Japanese. ...
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Yosshi S.
Thank you for visiting my page. I will guide you to the ancient capital cities with 1000 years of urban development and 100 years of filming and screening history. I grew up in Osaka, studied in Kyoto, and worked for 20 years as an urban planning expert for the national and local governments. During this time, I surveyed many community development sites throughout Japan. I welcomed business leaders to encourage investment in the cities. After quitting my career, I became a film-loving professional engineer. I visited unique cities in foreign countries to see urban planning and locations that appeared in picturesque film scenes and posted photos on social media (90 cities in 30 countries up to now). The more I saw foreign cities, the more I loved my hometown. I wanted to know about the travel industry and got a national license as a Guide-Interpreter and Travel Service Manager. I have started guiding based in the old capital cities. The entire area of old Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara has been a Metropolitan area centered on the Imperial Palace, and the actual location of the Palace has changed 15 times since the 7th century. This area has many historical spots and hidden attractions in different times and places: the townscape, temples, shrines, landscaped gardens, and historical drama locations (SAMURAI drama). I will create your favorite tour using my list, and guide you leisurely. I look forward to hearing from you.
Hiroyuki T.
Hi! I had been working for Wakayama Prefectural Government for 38 years, mainly in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations. I am a national certificated English guide and I have a lot of knowledge and experience in the field of cultural heritage management and international relations. I am very good at cultural heritages. And Koyasan and Kumano in Wakayama Prefecture are inscribed in the World Heritage List as parts of “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range". I was a project manager of "the Koyasan and Kumano World Heritage Inscription Project” at Wakayama Prefectural Government. I know inside and out of Koyasan, Kumano, Wakayama and other places in the Kansai area. I have a lot of experience of guiding as I was also in charge of international relations for a long time at the government. I will be able to provide interpretive guiding service for you around Koyasan, Wakayama, Osaka and other places in the Kansai area as I am a cultural heritage management and international relations professional. I am sure you will be able to get deeper understandings on Japanese culture and that your trip with me will be memorable one.
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.
