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Nori I.

The mountains of Arashiyama

Cherry blossom at its peak

Weeping cherry blossom

Arashiyama bamboo paths

Fushimi Inari

The backside of Arashiyama

Kinkakuji

Kiyomizudera

Moss garden in Arashiyama

Ginkakuji

Beautiful camellias in Higashiyama

Kiyomizudera in the fall

Eikando's foliage

Arashino Nenbutsuji in Arashiyama

Komyoin garden

Aburimochi in Kyoto

One of the oldest tea houses

The Nishiki market

One of the most sacred shrines in Kyoto

Monkeys of Mt. Iwata

Great view of Lake Biwa

Hikone castle - National treasure

Hachimanbori moat

Moat in Shiga used for many movies

Kyorinbo

Kyorinbo 2

Kyorinbo 3

Kongorinji

Nara's Big Buddha

Todaiji

Nandaimon Gate

Deer in Nara

Charcoal grilled tofu with miso

Lunch with fresh local ingredients

Silk stole from Aizome experience

Joined 2023

Nori I.

5.00 / 5

(77 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Date

People

Available Areas

Kyoto, Mie, Shiga (Living)

Languages

English, Japanese (Native)

Response Time

11 hours on average

Availability Updated

Today

About Tour Guide Nori I.

I have lived in the US, UK, and India for approximately 20 years, and I’ve also traveled to about 30 countries. Living abroad for such a long time made me realize Japan’s value and sparked my interest in working as a translator/guide for foreigners. I’m truly passionate about introducing people to historical sites, authentic Japanese culture, and stunning natural spots that may not be widely known to people outside of Japan. There are countless places that I believe people would love.

I am a certified English interpreter guide certified by Kyoto City, Uji City and Otsu City. Plus, I passed the Kyoto Tourism and Culture Exam (the 3rd level). Originally from Nagoya, I cover areas around the Kansai region including Kyoto, Shiga, Nara and Mie. I’m here to ensure your trip to Japan becomes an unforgettable memory. Looking forward to meeting you!

Important

For some tours I can not guide everyday due to facility and store closings. Please send me a message and check my availability first before booking. Thank you!

Tours

All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!

Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto

There are so many great places in Kyoto that you probably want to visit but perhaps not enough time. It is best to have a local person guiding you to come up with a plan that suits your preference. I can create a tour with you which includes not only popular places like the Golden Pavilion and Fushimi Inari but small temples with wabi sabi such as those in Sagano and one of the oldest Japanese sweets shops in Murasakino.

Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto

FROM$334/ per group

Kyoto

4 hours

Fully customizable private half day tour in Kyoto

There are so many great places in Kyoto that you probably want to visit but perhaps not enough time. Also, Kyoto is getting very crowded due to a lot of foreigners visiting there. It is best to have a local person guiding you to come up with a plan that suits your preference. I can create a tour with you which includes not only popular places like the Golden Pavilion and Fushimi Inari but small temples with Wabi Sabi such as those in Sagano and the oldest Japanese sweet shop in Murasakino.

Fully customizable private half day tour in Kyoto

FROM$193/ per group

Private Car Tour - Enjoy the authentic castle towns and famous Oumi beef just outside Kyoto

Shiga

7 hrs 30 mins

Private Car Tour - Enjoy the authentic castle towns and famous Oumi beef just outside Kyoto

First, while it is early enough, we will drive and hike a little bit on the ancient steps to one of the oldest temples in Kyoto and Shiga called Hyakusaiji. After that, we will explore a castle that has a tower that is one of the five originals remaining in Japan, Hikone Castle. We will enjoy Oumi beef for lunch. Oumi beef is if not better, as good as Kobe beef known as one of the three best beefs in Japan. We will enjoy the scenery in Oumihachiman from the mountain top and the old moat.

Private Car Tour - Enjoy the authentic castle towns and famous Oumi beef just outside Kyoto

FROM$386/ per group

Kyoto

8 hours

Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto

There are so many great places in Kyoto that you probably want to visit but perhaps not enough time. It is best to have a local person guiding you to come up with a plan that suits your preference. I can create a tour with you which includes not only popular places like the Golden Pavilion and Fushimi Inari but small temples with wabi sabi such as those in Sagano and one of the oldest Japanese sweets shops in Murasakino.

Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto

FROM$334/ per group

Kyoto

4 hours

Fully customizable private half day tour in Kyoto

There are so many great places in Kyoto that you probably want to visit but perhaps not enough time. Also, Kyoto is getting very crowded due to a lot of foreigners visiting there. It is best to have a local person guiding you to come up with a plan that suits your preference. I can create a tour with you which includes not only popular places like the Golden Pavilion and Fushimi Inari but small temples with Wabi Sabi such as those in Sagano and the oldest Japanese sweet shop in Murasakino.

Fully customizable private half day tour in Kyoto

FROM$193/ per group

Shiga

7 hrs 30 mins

Private Car Tour - Enjoy the authentic castle towns and famous Oumi beef just outside Kyoto

First, while it is early enough, we will drive and hike a little bit on the ancient steps to one of the oldest temples in Kyoto and Shiga called Hyakusaiji. After that, we will explore a castle that has a tower that is one of the five originals remaining in Japan, Hikone Castle. We will enjoy Oumi beef for lunch. Oumi beef is if not better, as good as Kobe beef known as one of the three best beefs in Japan. We will enjoy the scenery in Oumihachiman from the mountain top and the old moat.

Private Car Tour - Enjoy the authentic castle towns and famous Oumi beef just outside Kyoto

FROM$386/ per group

Reviews

Greg R.

5 / 5

Jan 19, 2026

Fully customizable private half day tour in Kyoto

Jan 19, 2026

Kyoto

5 hours

“Enjoyable and educational day in Kyoto”

Our day in Kyoto with Nori was exceptional. He’s extremely personable, knowledgeable and a true professional. We hired several guides during our time in Japan and without question our best experience was with Nori. Do yourself a favor, look no further and spend an easy day with an exception guide and a wonderful person.

Nori I.

Thanks for your kind words. I am really glad that you were able to enjoy the day in Kyoto! It was my pleasure. There is so much more to see here, so hopefully you guys can come back and enjoy more! Have a wonderful year!

Jennifer A.

5 / 5

Jan 7, 2026

Fully customizable private half day tour in Kyoto

Jan 7, 2026

Kyoto

4 hours

“Wonderful enlightening half day tour with Nori”

We just finished a wonderful half day tour with Nori. We learned so much. He knows so much about the history and made it come alive. This is our fifth trip to Kyoto. We have had many guides. Nori was the best! We would absolutely use him again.

Nori I.

It was a pleasure guiding you today. I really appreciate your kind words. It was our lucky day today as well to be able to see the backside of Ninomaru palace for the first time in the history. Being able to compare the replica vs. the real one in the gallery was great for me as well. Thanks so much for taking my tour. Hope to see you two again in 2027! Take care.

Natalie S.

5 / 5

Nov 29, 2025

Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto

Nov 29, 2025

Kyoto

8 hours

“Full Kyoto Experience with Nori”

My Mom and I spent two days with Nori and got a feel for Kyoto in a way that is simply impossible on your own. Nori was incredibly knowledgeable, personable, and went above and beyond to explain both grand stories and common legends that made us feel like we really had a grasp on where we were. We visited five cities and two countries on our trip, and Kyoto was our absolute favorite thanks to Nori. I could not recommend his guidance more. We visited at the busiest time of year, too, and never felt crowded, which was a feat in itself.

Nori I.

Thanks for your kind words. I really appreciate it. You two came at the best timing too to see the foliage. Plus it was a perfect day with the blue sky. Even I was amazed too to see the pictures I took for you. As you noticed, Kyoto is a beautiful place and there is so many more wonderful places to visit. Hopefully you can come back someday. I will gladly show you more places in and around Kyoto. Happy holidays!