Shuji O.
Available Areas
Kyoto, Nara, Osaka (Living), Wakayama, Mount Koya, Kobe, Himeji
Languages
English
Response Time
4 hours on average
Availability Updated
5 days ago
About Tour Guide Shuji O.
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!
Important
I can guide you in Hiroshima or Kanazawa if you pay my transportation fee.
Tours
Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.
Arashiyama is the hottest tourist destination. It is incredibly beautiful in spring and fall because of its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. In the fall, the leaves turn brown or red! In the outstanding Tenryuji, you will see a beautiful garden with beautiful mountains in the background. There are many other beautiful places with touching stories in this area. On the way back to downtown, we can visit two world heritage sites, Kinkakuji and Ryoanji. What a wonderful route!
Visiting Nara from Osaka ～truly the must-see place in Japan～
Nara: the must-see place in Japan. Nara was the capital of ancient Japan before Kyoto became the capital. In the Nara era, Buddhism played an important role in stabilizing the country. So you can see many big old temples there. Many of these are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and are concentrated in a small area. So, if you have only one free day to spend in the Kansai area, I highly recommend visiting Nara.
Day trip to Mt. Koya from Osaka ~ Another world ~
There are so many temples on Mount Koya. The famous graveyard is also massive. The scene is mysterious. It takes about two hours by train from Osaka, but you are in another world once you arrive. You can learn about Buddhism in Japan while immersed in a unique atmosphere there. Mt. Koya is the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese esoteric Buddhism. High Priest Kukai founded it and began building temples here. I will explain why the Japanese people love Kukai.
A day trip to Hiroshima from Osaka
The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is the place every human being should visit. Itsukushima Shrine, which looks like floating on the sea, is one of the best scenic beauties in Japan. We can eat the local food of Hiroshima, like Hiroshima yaki. You can make a day trip to Hiroshima from Osaka.
Half-day eastern Kyoto must-sees and a hidden gem
There are so many beautiful places for visitors in Kyoto. If you don't have enough time or don't want to be bothered with a lot of research, I will show you how to travel more comfortably by taking the non-standard route. This is an example of a half-day trip to Kyoto in the fall. You can easily visit hidden gems and must-see places when you book my tour.
Half-day eastern Kyoto off the beaten track
There are a lot of wonderful places in Kyoto, especially in the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons. But, because of that, such places are so busy. So I escort you to not busy, but still beautiful places. Sometimes I wonder why tourists don't visit those places. This tour is to visit such places and I don't walk on a busy road. In the end, I'd like to recommend a restaurant, considering your allergy or preference.
Shuji O. Japan Tour Reviews
Jee M.
Osaka Castle and waterfront view of downtown Osaka
Customized
“Osaka tour”
Suji is a responsible guide.
Shuji O.
(11 reviews)Thank you for your high rating. We found that Osaka Castle and Aqualiner can be enjoyed even if you use a wheelchair. Thank you for listening to some stories about Nakanoshima and Osaka Castle. I hope I could satisfy your interests. Have a nice time for the rest of your trip to Japan.
“Great guide with good historical knowledge ”
Shuji’s English was very good and we really enjoyed our conversations with him. As a former history teacher his in depth knowledge of the region provided us with a better understanding of Japanese history, religion, and culture. He was well prepared for our day trip to Nara. We would highly recommend him.
Shuji O.
(11 reviews)Thank you very much for your kind words. Even though we changed our itinerary drastically just two days before, we were very happy with our trip. Yes, I can be flexible. We had a lot in common that made me feel special. I'm so glad you had a good last day in Japan. I hope your long flight home is comfortable. Thank you very much.
Rita H.
Bamboo grove and Arashiyama area, three World Heritages.
“Super time in kyoto”
We had a great time in Kyoto. A beautiful city in every aspect. Shuji our guide showed us the beautiful highlights of the area and he also showed us lots of beautiful gardens which we love to look at. He was a very nice person and we enjoyed having him as our guide.
Shuji O.
(11 reviews)Thank you for the great review. We enjoyed lots of cherry blossoms everywhere, including a hidden gem. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip to Japan. Thank you very much.