Joined 2019
Yoko M.
Available Areas
Wakayama (Living), Kumano
Languages
English, Bengali (Bangla)
Availability Updated
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About Tour Guide Yoko M.
Hi＆Konnichiwa! I am "YOKO" live in Katsuura Wakayama near Nachi Katsuura town, a spiritual
place where a big waterfall is worshiped. I am a certified English tour guide of the
Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes.
Walking in Kumano, listening to the sounds of birds singing and leaves
whispering, you will have a chance to revitalize yourself and get some
inspiration to take back home. My family grows organic rice, tea and vegetables.
I have had the good fortune to travel widely and experience a range of countries
and cultures, including a trip to France, learning English in Florida, a working
holiday in Australia, volunteer work in Bangladesh, and backpacking in India,etc.
I love meeting and talking with people from all over the world.
I like Yoga, hiking, traveling and snorkeling.
I look forward to sharing the beauty of the Kumano pilgrimage routes with you,
while also learning about your adventures!
Important
Please make a reservation 1 day in advance.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
②:Experience Dainichi-goe trail with YOKO! (～2hrs. 3.4km/ 2mi)
It's 2hrs walk, relatively steep trail over Mt.Dainichi. Please choose Plan A or B. A: Meet at Kumano Hongu Taisha-mae, take bus(830/1240) to Yunomine-onsen(300JPY/pp),walk back to Hongu Grand Shrine.Explore Hongu Town! B: Meet at Yunomine-onsen bus stop, take bus(856/1109/1326) to Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine(300JPY/pp)walk back to Yunomine-onsen. Enjoy hotspring village!
①:Experience Pilgrimage trail with YOKO! Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine
Meet at Kumano Hongu Taisha bus stop. Use Hotel shuttle to Hossinmon-oji (free of charge) or get the local bus at 9:20/10:10 to Hosshinmon-oji (460yen/15min). Pleasant walk form Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Grand Shrinne( 7.5km / 4.7ml, 4hrs). Enjoy local nature and flowers. Learn Kumano Pilgrimage history as well as experience local lifestyle in rural area.
③: Experience ①＋② pilgrimage trail with YOKO! (～6hrs,10.9km/6 mi)
If you feel like walking much longer than plan①, let's try plan② too！ Get a local bus from Kumano Hongu Taisha-mae ＠9:20/10:10 to Hosshinmon-oji (460yen/15min). Walk: Hossinmon-oji ～ Fushiogami-oji～Look out point ～ Kumano Hongu Grand Shrine～ Oyunohara ～ trail head ～ Yunomine-oji～Yunomine
Reviews
Susan grace M.
②:Experience Dainichi-goe trail with YOKO! (～2hrs. 3.4km/ 2mi)
“shes the best,,”
All l around the best experience.. YOKO one of the best over-all tour guides ive ever had in Japan.. She was mindful on my skills of hiking while engaging on all my questions.. Just a fun and informativve time all around- looking forward to more guiding from her in the future. She really is an expert guide in that region.
Yoko M.
I'm appriciate that Suzan left me the great review! Suzan showed me her respect to our country Japan which was very touched and impressed. I was so happy to share the time with her on one of my favorite Kumano Kodo routes. I enjoyed chatting with her and learnt a lot from her. I would love to see her again in near future! There are lot more to see and talk!! Suzan is one of the best visitors ever!
Janah B.
Oboreru Naifu Shooting Sights tour on 1Dec,2022
Customized
“Beyond expectation”
I'm so happy I took this tour because Yoko-san's thoughtfulness and itinerary for this tour is amazing. She had done so much research and I managed to visit most places in the movie. I highly recommend anyone who plan to visit Wakayama to choose her as tour guide! Thankyou so much Yoko-san!
Yoko M.
Hi, Janah! Thank you so much for the great review! It was in 2020 when you contacted me for the first time. I understood your passion and was so happy for you to made it happen. I also had a great time with you and learnt a lot from you. I hope you found your favorite places in Kumano and our town in Nachi Katsuura. There are so many places to see. If you or your friends ever come to visit here again, I would love to customize the tour with your request! Please enjoy the rest of time in Japan and I hope you can share the experience with your family and friends!
Malvis D.
Hongu Loop (Yunomine onsen--Hosshinmon oji--Hongu Grand Shrine& Oyunohara--Yunomine onsen)
Customized
“Fantastic trip along the Hongu loop”
I had the Hongu loop tour with Yoko. Yoko is a very considerate and knowledgeable guide who’s very familiar with the Kumano Kodo. She always provides a quick overview of the route for the next 1 hour to prepare me first, letting me know the elevation level and difficulty of the route, which helped me to be mentally ready. She also helped me to get lunch bento from a famous local hotel, and the Kumano beef lunch box was really delicious! We also chatted a lot and collected the stamps along the way. I learnt a lot more about the history and culture behind Kumano Kodo, and this is exactly what I wanted: a trip with learnings. I will not be possible to complete this trip without Yoko’s help. I’ll definitely recommend Yoko to whoever wish to learn a bit more about this cultural heritage on top of the trekking journey, and I believe you will love the experience Yoko provides.
Yoko M.
Hello, Malvis! Thank you very much for leaving me such a great review! I was so happy to share the time in one of the most beautiful pilgrimage routes with you. I also enjoyed chatting with you and learnt a lot about your culture! It was impressing to hear your beautiful Japanese! がんばってくださいね！ I hope next time you can complete the Dual Pilgrimage stamps on Kumano Kodo side and get more Goshuin seals. There are lot more to say about the history about Kumano Kodo!! The accommodation who provided us beef bento box, they use fresh local vegetables and home grown rice in fish or beef bento. It always makes hikers to enjoy eating on the trail. I'm happy to hear you loved it! If you can bring your parents or your friends next time, I would love to give you lots of tips about making the most of your stay here!
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