Kenji O.
Available Areas
Kyoto, Okayama, Osaka (Living), Shiga, Kobe, Himeji
Languages
English, Japanese (Native)
Response Time
2 hours on average
Availability Updated
2 days ago
Tour Categories
About Tour Guide Kenji O.
I lived in Seattle, WA US for several years to study public policy and urban planning at University of Washington and Washington State Department of Transportation . The US life has awakened me to realize its beauty and value of the Japanese nature and culture. After coming back from US, I have started my professional career of the infrastructure development in both developed and developing countries as a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) expert for more than 20 years. I have provided hospitality and honesty as a Japanese during my professional career.
I can give you not only sightseeing tours but also technical tours with my expertise.
I live in Osaka where an ancient capital city, Kyoto is located within a hour by train. I can show you how Japanese has developed the capital city with urban planning and infrastructure development. I look forward to seeing you here in Japan.
Important
I can introduce you interesting spots including temples and yummy places including local foods though it is not fancy. Please note the following conditions;
-admission fees and meal fees must be self-pay
-let me know if you have any food allergies beforehand
and
-let me know if you have any food you cannot eat for your religious reasons and others beforehand.
Tours
Golden Temple, Bamboo Forest, Nostalgic Tram Ride Tour
Keifuku Tram is beloved as "Randen" by Kyoto local. You can enjoy the nostalgic tram ride that takes you the Bamboo forest path in the precinct of Tenryuji temple. This tour takes you to Ryoanji temple that is famous for its rock garden and the Golden temple (Kinkakuji). This tour also includes strolling in the Geisya district of Kamishichiken.
Himeji Castle Day Trip by Shinkansen from Osaka
You can experience a time travel to the feudal period to encounter Samurai, Japanese warriors. Himeji Castle (姫路城, Himejijō), also known as White Heron Castle (Shirasagijo) due to its elegant, white appearance, is widely recognized as Japan's most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty and its well preserved, complex castle grounds.The first fortifications built on the site were completed in the 1400s. The castle complex as it survives today was completed in 1609.
Kyoto Alley Walking Tour (Full Day)
Kyoto served as a capital city where the Emperor resided between 798 and 1868. The ancient capital city has been designated as a UNESCO cultural heritage. This walking tour gives you a fun time to experience wondering in the backstreets where a few tourists visit. You can walk in the famous Geisya quarter including Miyagawacho and Gion, Keninji Zen Temple, Shirakawa riverside and more.You have a fun walking in the alley in Kyoto. You can encounter Geiko (Geisya) or Maiko if you are lucky.
Kyoto Alley Walking Tour (Half Day)
Kyoto served as a capital city where the Emperor resided between 798 and 1868. The ancient capital city has been designated as a UNESCO cultural heritage. This walking tour gives you a fun time to experience strolling in the backstreets where few tourists visit. You can walk in the famous Geisya quarter including Miyagawacho and Gion, Keninji Zen Temple and Shirakawa riverside.You have a fun walking in the alley in Kyoto. You can encounter Geiko (Geisya) or Maiko if you are lucky.
Great Buddha (Daibutsu)-Nara One-day Trip
The Great Buddha has been enshrined in Nara, a former capital city, since 752. Its size is 15m in height. You can imagine how people built such a great statue 1300 years ago. You can enjoy the infinite philosophy of Buddhisim in the ancient city of Nara.
River Town Osaka Walking Tour with Osaka Castle
City of Osaka is famous for its river and canal. You can see many historic buildings and bridges along Dojima river and Nakanoshima Park. This tour gives you historical insights how City of Osaka has been formed as a castle city with rivers. The goal of the tour is Osaka castle originally established in 1585 by Toyotomi clan.
Kenji O. Japan Tour Reviews
“Excellent Kobe tour!”
I booked a tour with Kenji to explore Kobe's sake brewery district and learn more about my favourite drink, and what a fun time we had! There was a festival happening at various breweries so we got to sample the many options and eat street foods while watching performances and learning about all the work that goes into crafting one of the most strictly refined beverages in the world. Kenji was a delight to hang out with and very knowledgeable about both sake and the city that produces some of the best in Japan. I told him about a couple of sakes I had tried earlier in my trip and he even found a place down the road that carried it, so we went and scored some truly special bottles that I am excited to open and share with my friends. Another goal I had was to try Kobe's famous wagyu beef and he found us the perfect hole-in-a-wall restaurant that served it in a very authentic and affordable style and ensured I got the full experience I hoped for and more! I'm so glad I was able to book with Kenji and hope we can meet again in the future when I return to the source for more amazing sake and wagyu! Thanks Kenji!!
Kenji O.
(6 reviews)Jack, Thank you for your message. I am happy to know you are a big fan of Japanese Sake. I hope you will enjoy other Japanese Sake breweries next time. Kenji
“A terrific day in Kyoto”
Kenji was a magnificent guide and made our visit to Kyoto unforgettable. We would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone looking for a tour guide in Japan. We are a family of 5 from Australia travelling overseas for the first time. Kenji was very friendly and welcoming. He organised a terrific itinerary for our day trip that was just right for the children but still satisfied all our cultural and culinary interests. He was very punctual and pleasant, full of interesting information and explanations about Japanese culture and traditions. He spoke excellent English and was entertaining to talk to - both for the adults and all the children with their endless questions about anything and everything. Kenji even went above and beyond by arranging an impromptu stop at a supermarket for us to experience an everyday Japanese shopping centre which was so much fun. Kenji even overstayed the end of the arranged tour time just to make sure we saw all we could for the day and left feeling very satisfied. We were all sad we had to say goodbye. Thanks so much for a terrific day in Kyoto Kenji. We very much appreciated seeing it with you. ;)
Kenji O.
(6 reviews)David, I enjoyed myself very much with your family in the end of year 2023. All of your kids are very smart. I hope their experience of Japan would certainly contribute to their feeling of diversity of the global culture. I hope to see you again either in Japan or Australia. Kenji
Andrea C.
Kyoto, Nara , Osaka Excursion for 3 days
Customized
“Wonderful Tour Three Day with Ken”
For anyone worried about communication skills, they won't have to worry with Ken-san because he was educated at the University of Seattle and also University of British Columbia. He is semi-retired but continues to globally travel and work in the area of urban & regional planning. He resides in Osaka, but will provide tours for Kyoto and Nara. Ken-san is a licensed guide, so there's no worry about his capabilities. He is a mountaineer and ski instructor, so for individuals who love to walk, he can walk. In fact, on one day we covered a lot of ground and walked for over 30K steps. However, as outlined in another review, if walking is a limitation for you, he can help to provide some alternatives. Ken-san also introduced us to some fantastic restaurants that only locals would frequent, and the food was very very good. We have no hesitation to recommend Ken-san to other visitors to the beautiful country of Japan.
Kenji O.
(6 reviews)Andrea san, Thank you for your honest and sincere review. I will wait for your next visit of Japan. Yummy Japanese food and Sake will also wait for you here in Japan (Smile). Big Thanks, Kenji