Joined 2016
Yoshihisa T.
Available Areas
Kyoto (Living), Nara, Osaka, Kobe
Languages
Japanese (Native), English
Response Time
5 hours on average
Availability Updated
Today
Tour Categories
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!
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
“Amazing Tour Guide”
Our tour with Yoshie was amazing! We did so many temples and Yoshie told us interesting information about each stop that we would not have picked up on without him. His tour was excellently laid out. He know the order and how much time to spend at each stop. He also had insider information on where to take the best photos and took so many good ones for us. Plus we had snacks and really great food for lunch along the way. We even went out to an izakaya after the tour. We were exhausted at the end of the day, but it was a really good exhaustion and totally worth it. I was wishing I had booked Yoshie for two days (with a rest day in between. If you get a chance, go with Yoshie, amazing tour guide. When we go back to Kyoto or the Kansai area, I will definitely be booking him again.
Yoshihisa T.
(222 reviews)Hi Kate. I really appreciate your excellent comment on my tour, My Favorite Golden Route. I also had a great time, guiding and talking with you two. I hope you have returned home safely with many nice memories of Japan. I wish you good health and lots of good luck. Yoshie
“Wonderful Kyoto Tour”
Yoshie was very helpful in guiding us to several beautiful and historic sights in Kyoto. He was quick in navigating the crowds and kept us on track to see all the planned locations for the day. Our stop for lunch offered the best soba noodles I have ever tasted. Not only did we get to explore a lot, from the Golden Pavilion to the Fushimi Inari Shrine tori gates, but he knew the best locations for photographs and helped capture my family in fun pictures along the way. All while sharing his knowledge of historic places and Japanese culture. Would highly recommend Yoshie as your tour guide.
Yoshihisa T.
(222 reviews)Hi Terry. I really appreciate your excellent words of thanks for my tour, My Favorite Golden Route. I also had a very pleasant time guiding and talking with you three. I am glad that you liked every site we visited and thank you for the beautiful pictures. I wish you good health and lots of good luck. Yoshie
“Great whirlwind tour of Kyoto”
We had a great overview of Kyoto in a single day to get a quick taste of the different parts that we would want to see in the following days in detail. Yoshi-san was flexible and very knowledgeable of the different sights as well as giving us a chance to view some things off the beaten path. Maybe sometime in the future will get a chance to continue with some other tours.
Yoshihisa T.
(222 reviews)Hi Rob. Thank you very much for your kind review for my Golden Route. It was a nice experience for me to guide and talk with people from Latvia. It was also a great fun to have dinner at the izakaya after the tour. The chef was very pleased to have served you all. I hope our paths will cross someday soon. 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
