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Nori I.

Kiyomizudera in the fall

Arashino Nenbutsuji in Arashiyama

Arashiyama bamboo paths

Fushimi Inari

Komyoin garden

Aburimochi in Kyoto

One of the oldest tea houses

Moss garden in Arashiyama

The mountains of Arashiyama

The backside of Arashiyama

Ginkakuji

Weeping cherry blossom

Cherry blossom at its peak

Beautiful camellias in Higashiyama

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

Charcoal grilled tofu with miso

Silk stole from Aizome experience

Lunch with fresh local ingredients

Joined 2023

Nori I.

5.00 / 5

(69 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Date

People

Available Areas

Kyoto, Mie, Shiga (Living)

Languages

English, Japanese (Native)

Response Time

10 hours on average

Availability Updated

3 days ago

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. Originally from Nagoya, I cover areas around the Kansai region including Kyoto, Shiga 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$342/ 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$197/ 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$394/ 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$342/ 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$197/ 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$394/ per group

Reviews

Wei G.

5 / 5

Oct 25, 2025

Fully customizable private half day tour in Kyoto

Oct 25, 2025

Kyoto

4 hours

“Best experience ever”

we spent a few days with Nori, and it was wonderful. He is professional, knowledgeable and considerate. He made our trip to Kyoto and surrounding areas better than what we had hoped for. If you are looking for a guide, you can’t go wrong with him.

Nori I.

Thanks again for taking my tour for four days. Every day was a challenge for me with all the interesting questions you guys had but it was a learning experience for me as well. Hope you will have a safe flight home. Hopefully we can meet again in Kyoto or NY/NJ! Take care!

Wei G.

5 / 5

Oct 19, 2025

Fully customizable private half day tour in Kyoto

Oct 19, 2025

Kyoto

4 hours

“A great day in Kyoto”

Nori was excellent, very knowledgeable and considerate. I highly recommend having him as a guide.

Nori I.

Thanks so much for the kind words. I appreciate it. We have more days left. I will make sure you guys will have the best time here!

Michael G.

5 / 5

Oct 16, 2025

Fully customizable private half day tour in Kyoto

Oct 16, 2025

Kyoto

4 hours

“Kyoto is beautiful even when it rains ”

Nori is a wonderful guide, perfect for a private tour. We enjoyed it even though it was a rainy day. We learned a lot about the history, architecture, horticulture, food of Kyoto. Be prepared to walk a lot, some of it uphill. There were a lot of people there. I so appreciate how polite people are, even in a crowd. The market was exciting to me, a foodie, but might be overwhelming for anyone who doesn’t like the number of people. Nori found us a beautiful, new restaurant where we had an excellent meal at the end of the tour.

Nori I.

Thanks for leaving such a kind review. I really appreciate it. It was fun for me also exploring Kyoto with you two. I am glad you were able to have a good time. I just hope John is ok. Hope you guys will come back to see different beautiful scenes of Kyoto sometime in the future. Take care!