Joined 2014
Takashi M.
Available Areas
Fukui, Gifu, Ishikawa (Living), Kanazawa, Takayama, Shirakawago
Languages
Japanese (Native), English
Response Time
1 day on average
Availability Updated
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About Tour Guide Takashi M.
I was born and brought up in Kanazawa, and live in Kanazawa. So,I know every corner of this town. I am a national licensed tour guide. I started operating tour guide business in 2004 after retired from the local government office. I enjoyed hobbies when I found my spare time. In my twenties and thirties, I walked along many peaks of Northern Japan Alps during the summer mountain season. I travelled many places domestic and abroad. I also enjoyed skiing while I was in my forties and fifties. I have offered tour guides to over 1,000 tourists since I started tour guiding. I explain local history and culture, religion, traditional arts and crafts, and food, etc. I try my best to have customers' satisfaction, and make your tours enjoyable and memorable.Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet trains started operating between Tokyo and Kanazawa on March 14, 2015. It takes about 2 and half hours. You will be able to make one-day tour to Kanazawa from Tokyo. I look forward to having your application.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Shirakawago half day tour from Kanazawa
Shirakawago village was designated as UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. There are 60 Gassho-Zukuri farmhouses and about 40 Gassho-style storages. The shape of big slanted roofs resembles in the gesture of bringing arms and hands together in prayer. This gesture is called Gassho in Japanese. We visit observation point, a typical Gassho farmhouse inside, and stroll the village.
Kanazawa one-day tour
During the Edo period ( for about 270 years), Kanazawa flourished as a castle town of the Kaga Clan. The lord Maedas , the second biggest lord after the Tokugawa Shogunate Edo central government, ruled the kaga domain for almost 280 years. Many traditional arts and crafts were developed by the support of the Maedas. Many historic sites , traditional arts and crafts remain in the town. Kanazawa is a gastronomic city, too. Various fresh fishes are landed from the Sea of Japan, and various vegetables are produced locally. Shinkansen bullet trains linked Kanazawa to Tokyo directly on March 14, 2015. It takes about 2 and a half hours. Visitors can make a day tour to Kanazawa from Tokyo.
Kanazawa half day tour
We visit Kenrokuen garden, Kanazawa castle park and Higashi Chaya Geisha district. We spend about one hour to visit many attractive points in the Gardens. We visit Ishikawamon gate and Kahokumon gate. We board on a bus to get to Higashi Chaya Geisha district and gold leaf workshop.
Kanazawa( old Samurai town ) & Shirakawago (World Heritage site) tour from Kanazawa
Kanazawa flourished as a castle town for the Kaga clan during the Edo period ( 1603AD - 1867AD ). Kenrokuen garden was constructed as a strolling style landscape garden by the feudal lord Maedas of the Kaga clan. This garden is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan. Shirakawago villages was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. A Gassho farmhouse is difined as a thatched farmhouse with big slanted roofs. The name Gassho means the gesture when people bring their hands together in prayer. The shape of the roof resembles the Gassho style. Most Gassho farmhouses were over 200 years old. There are 60 Gassho farmhouses in Shirakawago village. These houses are still used by families for their daily living. In the morning, we visit Shirakawago. In the afternoon, we visit Kanazawa.
Takayama half day tour
In the Edo period, for the first 107 years Takayama was ruled by the fuedal lord Kanamori. For the latter 177 years the Tokugawa Shogunate directly ruled Takayama. Takayama flourished as a merchant town since the Tokugawa ruling. Old merchant houses remain in Sannomachi district. The latticework windows are painted black Bengara color. The Takayama morning markets are held at two places every day. one is at the open space in front of Takayama Jinya, and the other is along the Miyagawa river side. In this tour, we visit Sannomachi merchant district, Takayama morning market, Takayama Jinya.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route tour
We visit Tateyama Murodo and Kurobe Dam lake. We walk Big Snow wall corridor during Spring time ( From Mid- April until Mid-June). We walk on mountain pathway around Mikurigaike pond in Summer and Fall. We board on trolley bus, ropeway, cable car, and arrive at Kurobeko Lake. We view spectacular water release operation during Summer and Fall.
Reviews
“Very knowledgeable and helpful”
Murakami-san was an excellent guide. He grew up in Kanazawa so he has a wealth of information about the city's history and culture. The itinerary he arranged was customized to our interests, and he was very attentive to our needs. Unfortunately we had to end our tour a little early due to some minor health issues. He seemed disappointed, so please make sure he knows that it was not because of anything he did--we were very pleased with his services.
Takashi M.
Dear Jackie, Thank you very much for 5-star rating and wonderful comment to my guide service. It was a fine day, and became cloudy in the afternoon. Overall it was a nice day for the tour. When you had your gold leaf experience at the workshop, the room was noisy because of the private section remodeling construction work of the shop. I am very much happy that you enjoyed the tour with me.. Best regards, Takashi
Peter K.
Kanazawa( old Samurai town ) & Shirakawago (World Heritage site) tour from Kanazawa
“Kanazawa 10 hr Tour”
Takashi was a very good & thoughtful guide. He provided a brochure that was waiting for us at our hotel when we checked in confirming all details. Our tour was amazing, wonderful scenery on bus to Shirakawa-go an amazing world heritage site. Then back to Kanazawa, visited Gardens, Castle & original Samuri area. So much culture & history. Takashi provided much information. Based on our experience we would thoroughly recommend Takashi's services & tour.
Takashi M.
Dear Peter, Thank you very much for 5-star rating and wonderful comment to my guide service. It was a nice day. A cloudy and moderate temperature. I am grateful to know that you enjoyed Shirakawago-Kanazawa tour. Best regards, Takashi
Mrs. oey dwi P.
Takayama ( old merchant town ) and Shirakawago ( UNESCO World Heritage site ) tour from Kanazawa
“Recommended guide tour”
On time, helpfull
Takashi M.
Dear Mrs. Thank you for a high evaluation to my guide service. We started the tour behind schedule because of your unsuccessful booking of train seats. So, I had to cancell seats of a highway bus originally booked. Seats of all highway bus after original one were all booked by other passengers. So, we took alternative route from Shin-Takaoka to Shirakawago and Takayama. We were lucky that we were able to vist both Shirakawago and Takayama as we planned. It was cold, cloudy and sometimes snowy day. Thank you again. Kind regards, Takashi
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Jorge S.
Originally born in Mexico City, where I spent the first eight years of my life, I grew up in Montreal, Canada, for 22 years. Fascinated by Japanese popular culture and history—I have a minor in Japanese history and am a history buff—I participated in the JET Program Canada, where I was placed in Shirakawa-go for three years as an ALT. Currently, I live in Kanazawa with my Japanese wife and son. As a tour guide in Kanazawa, I specialize in history, hidden gems, culture, shopping (especially Japanese popular culture products), and food. I strive to provide an excellent customer experience. Fluent in English (Native), French (Native), Spanish (Native), and a good grasping of Japanese. I can communicate effectively with a diverse range of guests. Thanks to my North American background and my extensive experience living in Japan, I offer explanations that are easy to understand for Western guests, enriching their understanding of Japan as a vibrant and unique living space. Additionally, I am currently studying to become an official National guide in Japan, further enhancing my expertise and ability to provide exceptional tours.
