Joined 2023
Kanae O.
Available Areas
Kyoto (Living), Shiga
Languages
English, Japanese (Native)
Response Time
7 hours on average
Availability Updated
Today
Tour Categories
About Tour Guide Kanae O.
Hello! I am Kanae, a nationally licensed guide. While working full-time as a lecturer at a local university in Kyoto, I have also been guiding for two years.
Born and raised in Kyoto, I am excited to share the beauty and culture of my hometown with my customers. Kyoto is an enchanting city, and even as a local, I am continually fascinated by its many charming spots. Whether it's the serene temples, vibrant markets, or hidden gems, there is always something new to explore and appreciate in this wonderful city.
Also, since my home is close to Shiga Prefecture, I am very familiar with the area. While Shiga may not be as popular as Kyoto, it offers a wealth of attractions for tourists. From historical sites such as temples and shrines to the stunning natural beauty of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, there is much to see and do. I am passionate about promoting Shiga and sharing its unique charm with visitors.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Kyoto Early Bird Highlights with Car Service
Join me on this tour as we explore four of Kyoto's must-see sights, starting early to beat the crowds. You'll enjoy the convenience of transportation between locations, with your knowledgeable guide driving you to each site. This allows you to save valuable time and energy for fully immersing yourself in the beauty and history of each location.
Serene Temples with enchanting Gardens Tour
Are you tired of the crowds at all the popular tourist sites in Kyoto? Join me on an excursion to my favorite region, Ohara, located in the northeastern part of the city, where you can experience the tranquil countryside ambiance. In Ohara, I will introduce you to three of the most charming temples, each offering a serene atmosphere and enchanting gardens in every season. Upon request, I can also take you to a local restaurant where you can savor traditional cuisine.
Kyoto Early Bird Trekking Ending with Ramen
Departing from Kyoto City Subway’s Keage Station, we will pass by Himukai Daijingu Shrine before making our way towards Mt. Daimonjiyama. As we ascend to the mountain's peak, you'll be greeted with panoramic views of Kyoto, stretching as far as Osaka. After descending towards Imadegawa Street, our journey will conclude at a charming local ramen restaurant.
Another Side of Kyoto: Exploring Uji and Wazuka – Home of Japanese Green Tea
This tour will show you a different side of Kyoto—peaceful, uncrowded, and surrounded by nature. We will explore the Uji area, often called the 'Kyoto of Green Tea,' where you can admire the breathtaking scenery of tea plantations. Along the way, we’ll visit Byodo-in Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as Shojyuin Temple, a small yet charming gem.
Kyoto Fushimi Sake & Food Tasting Experience
After visiting the renowned Fushimi Inari Shrine, we will explore some of the sake breweries in the Fushimi area, known for its long history of sake brewing in Kyoto. You’ll enjoy exploring the local neighborhood while tasting sake and sampling delicious food.
Reviews
“Ohara and Mount Hiei”
A few months ago, I booked Kanae's private car tour which takes visitors to Ohara . We went to three very lovely temples. They included Sanzen In, which has a beautiful moss garden. Kanae also adjusted the itinerary, and we went to Mount Hiei on the same trip. The mountain is magnificent, and the views it offers incredible. The templex complex has played a major role in making the history of Japanese Buddhism. The trip was extremely well-designed. Kanae is creative and well-organized. She has a lot of great ideas about how to enhance visitors' experiences in Japan. In addition, she is observant, knowledgeable, and kind. An amazing tour guide.
Kanae O.
Hung-yok, thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review! It brings me great joy to know that you enjoyed the tour to Ohara and Mount Hiei. Both areas are truly special, and I’m delighted that you found the temples and the moss garden at Sanzen-in so lovely, as well as the incredible views and historical richness of Mount Hiei. I learned a lot from your expertise in Japanese history, and I’m truly grateful to have had you as my guest. Thank you again for your kind words. I hope to have the opportunity to guide you again someday for more adventures in Japan!
“Perfect Afternoon In Ohara & Kibune With The Perfect Guide”
We didn't have any expectations of being able to book a tour with Kanae, given the official tour availability, but we were pleasantly surprised that Kanae was able and willing to accommodate our timing despite her busy schedule. And by the end of the tour, we knew instinctively that we would have missed out on a large part of our experience in Kyoto if we hadn't traveled with Kanae for the afternoon. Kanae has a naturally warm and friendly disposition, which made us feel at ease and comfortable from the get-go. Given the half-day time constraint, Kanae designed a customised tour which showcased to us highlights of key temples situated in Ohara (Renge-ji Temple, Hosen-in Temple, Sanzen-in Temple) as well as Kifune Shrine in Kibune. The itinerary ensured that we were able to experience all the attractions we had wanted to cover as well as certain lesser known hidden gems. Kanae has more than demonstrated herself to be the perfect guide. She was able to share interesting insights and valuable nuggets of information on each place we visited, thereby allowing us to understand and appreciate the essence behind each location without being overwhelmed. And Kanae's fluency in English has also helped us communicate effectively, thereby allowing us to share our viewpoints and ideas over a diverse range of topics, all of these add on to create a perfect afternoon for us. We would wholeheartedly recommend Kanae without any reservations to anyone who is looking to explore Kyoto, and most specifically North Kyoto, where we now believe peace and serenity will always await you.
Kanae O.
Daniel, thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful review! I’m truly honored that you chose to spend your afternoon exploring Kyoto with me and that I could contribute to making your time here memorable. It was a pleasure designing a customized itinerary that suited your preferences, and I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed visiting the temples in Ohara and the serene beauty of Kifune. North Kyoto does indeed hold a special kind of tranquility, and it’s wonderful to know that you were able to experience its peaceful charm. I also really enjoyed your friendly company and appreciated your eagerness to learn about our culture and history, as well as the insights you shared, for which I am truly grateful. Thank you again for your wholehearted recommendation. Your feedback motivates me to continue sharing Kyoto’s treasures with care and passion. I hope to see you again here in Kyoto sometime!
“Visit to Kyoto”
Intersting guide who guided 2 teenagers and 2 young adults in Kyoto. Arigatou gozaimasu
Kanae O.
Thank you so much for your kind review! It was a pleasure guiding your group through Kyoto. I’m so glad I could share the experience with such a wonderful mix of teenagers and young adults. Your curiosity and energy made the day truly enjoyable for me as well.
Other Popular Tour Guides in Kyoto
Ryuichiro M.
I am Ryuichiro, a 27-year-old who was born in Tokyo. For the past 12 years, I've been living in Kyoto, having moved there after high school. My university years saw me studying abroad at National University of Singapore, enriching my perspective of the world. I've served as a guide throughout my college years, volunteering for four years and assisting over 30 groups of tourists. My extensive overseas experiences enable me to empathize with travelers, helping to alleviate their concerns and ensuring they create delightful memories. I hope to have the opportunity to assist you on your journey. See you soon.
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.
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.
