Joined 2023
Available Areas
Kyoto, Nara, Osaka (Living), Wakayama, Mount Koya, Kobe, Himeji
Languages
English
Response Time
4 hours on average
Availability Updated
1 day ago
Hi, I am Shuji, a licensed tour guide living near Kansai International Airport.
I taught world history in high schools for four decades. So, I can explain Japanese culture or history in an easier way tailored to you who have different cultural and historical backgrounds.
I also practiced Kendo, Japanese fencing, for more than four decades, and now I enjoy growing vegetables and going fishing. Therefore, I can also share some Japanese culture and its nature.
I have traveled to more than 25 countries and all over Japan. I’m also passionate about photography and know many photogenic places in Japan.
If you prefer to go off the beaten track, I can take you to hidden gems, including some cozy restaurants. Of course, I also know how to enjoy the crowded, most popular tourist sites. I am here to make your trip stress-free. See you soon!
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Kathleen S.
“Mount Koya and Koyasan Temple complex ”
Shuji was an exceptional guide for our excursion to Mount Koya. He met us in Kyoto and road the bus up with us (3 hours) then provided a very thorough tour. Sushi is very knowledgeable and a charming companion. Our tour included the Danjo Garan complex of temples, the Chuman and Daiman Gates, Kongobubuji and then an unexpected hike along a section of the Nyonin-michi Trail, which links the original 7 entrances into the complex. I had expressed an interest in doing this and he managed to incorporate a rather rigorous section of the trail for about an hour. We stayed the night in a Shukubo but Shuji helped us plan our agenda for the next day and purchased our tickets for us and made sure we knew how to get back on our own. The communication in advance of the trip was excellent. Shuji reserved the bus tickets and took care of all the details. It is an out of the way place and it was comforting to have him taking the lead. I always received a reply from Shuji very promptly as we planned the trip. It was an exceptional excursion and Shuji made it very memorable. He followed up with pictures and some additional advice for our travels. Highly recommend the destination and Shuji as a guide.
Shuji O.
I am so thrilled to receive such a wonderful review! Although the Mount Koya tour from Kyoto is inherently time-sensitive, you had done such thorough research on Mount Koya that I just needed to pull everything together to create the itinerary. It was like a treasure chest full of treasures. You certainly know how to enjoy a trip. You turned even a little hard Nyonin-michi walk into a nice hike surrounded by the sounds of wild birds. You also enjoyed the lunch, which made me enjoy it too. Yes, we had a great time! Travelling is really fun!
Beate H.
“„Wonderful Day“ in Kyoto”
My wife Beate and I had a wonderful day with Shuji. He is a perfect guide and very knowledgeable in respect of tradition and history. He took us to many wonderful places and hidden gems around Kyoto. The Tofu lunch was wonderful. We had such an enjoyable day. Thank you.
Shuji O.
Thank you for your great review. I also enjoyed this "hidden gem" that was the best time to visit there. Yes, we rarely experience such a beautiful tour. If it was not so crowded, we could have enjoyed more. I hope this would be a dream like memory for both of you.
Katherine L.
“Fantastic ”
Shuji is a wonderful tour guide spoke English very well. I would recommend him to anyone. He is very knowledgeable and excellent historian explaining the history of temples and shrines as we visited. Lunch was lovely. Thank you
Shuji O.
Thank you for your kind words. We enjoyed eastern Kyoto with the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Every place was so beautiful and you were so curious about the history. I also enjoyed the tour very much. It really was the best season to visit Kyoto!