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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

(80 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Date

People

Available Areas

Shiga (Living), Kyoto, Mie

Languages

English, Japanese (Native)

Response Time

10 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$331/ 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$191/ 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$382/ 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$331/ 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$191/ 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$382/ per group

Reviews

Kimberley G.

5 / 5

May 3, 2026

Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto

May 3, 2026

Kyoto

8 hours

“Kyoto Visit”

We spent a lovely day with Nori exploring Kyoto. He is a wonderful, personable, knowledgeable guide. His english is excellent, he was able to answer every question we had, and we really enjoyed his company. If we ever go back to Japan, we would definitely want him to be our guide again. I can't say enough good things! Highly recommend!!

Nori I.

Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate it. Though it was a short tour, I am really glad that you enjoyed it so much. As talked, hopefully you can come back in the future to enjoy the other areas of Kyoto!

Kimberly R.

5 / 5

Mar 28, 2026

Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto

Mar 28, 2026

Kyoto

8 hours

“Truly amazing experience with the best in the world tour guide Nori!”

Nori was the best tour guide as he helped guide us to and through the temples, shrines and sights, while providing us with history and insights. We had such a wonderful time, he answered all of our many questions. We wanted to understand the culture and history of Japan and Nori was full of valuable information for us. He even helped me try to find some skin care products that I was desperately searching! We would definitely hire Nori again and highly recommend him to all searching for the perfect guide!

Nori I.

Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate it. You two were so quick to understand what I was explaining, so it was an easy job for me. It was just too bad though that the cosmetic item you were looking for is not here in Kyoto. Hopefully you can find it in Tokyo. I really hope you can come back in the future. If you do, you know where to find me. Have a wonderful rest of your trip and safe flight home!

Julie B.

5 / 5

Mar 17, 2026

Fully customizable your own private tour in Kyoto

Mar 17, 2026

Kyoto

8 hours

“Excellent day with Nori”

We toured kyoto for the day with Nori. He was a great guide from start to finish. He speaks great English, is flexible, and very knowledgeable about the sites. I highly recommend spending time with Nori on your visit to kyoto. We hope to see him again when we return!

Nori I.

Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate it. It was a fun day for me as well. I don’t think I had visited that many anime shops in one tour before. I am really glad that you got some items that you really like. I was very happy to see Lily smiling all the time too. Have a wonderful rest of your trip!