Joined 2023
Nori I.
Available Areas
Kyoto, Mie, Shiga (Living)
Languages
English, Japanese (Native)
Response Time
6 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.
Originally from Nagoya, I cover areas around the city and 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 store closings. Please check my availability on each tour page. 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. 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
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.
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.
Reviews
“Unforgettable Kyoto Tour with Nori”
We recently had the pleasure of an 8-hour tour in Kyoto with Nori, and it was nothing short of fantastic. From the moment we booked, Nori was incredibly responsive, working with us to tailor the itinerary based on our interests. His knowledge of Kyoto's history and culture was impressive, making each stop not just a visit but an educational experience. Nori's flexibility was remarkable; he easily adjusted our plans based on our preferences and the day's flow. His patience and sense of humor made the tour enjoyable, and he had an exceptional ability to read our cues, ensuring we were always engaged and comfortable. One of the highlights was his insight into the best spots for shopping—he guided us to delightful places for souvenirs, gifts, and delicious local desserts. Overall, we felt truly blessed to have Nori as our guide. If you're looking for a memorable experience in Kyoto, we highly recommend booking a tour with him!
Nori I.
(31 reviews)Hi Pia, Thanks so much for your kind comments. It was a fun day for me also. I just hope you didn't have any pain or anything after walking a lot that day. Hope you two can come back sometime in the future!
“AMAZING DAY AND GREAT TIME IN KYOTO WITH OUR GUIDE NORI I !!!!!!”
October 27, 2024 our GOWITHGUIDE NORI I. met us in the lobby of our hotel which was located near Kyoto train station. Our day plan was to include the Arashiyama area/Tenryui, the Bamboo paths, Okochi Sanso,and Gioiji . From there, The Golden Pavilion, Daitokuji and The Aburimocji shopping area. We traveled by subway, train, and sometimes cabs to save time. Nori is an exceptional tour guide with deep feelings about his country and culture. We were extremely comfortable with Nori from the moment we met. His communication skills are outstanding as he demonstrated throughout the day that he has mastered the English language. The Western side of Kyoto is very popular among tourists and is very crowded at times. We managed to walk the area at a moderate pace that was suitable. We spent several hours in this part of Kyoto and were properly guided through the district to view the sites and listen to Nori inform us about the history of Kyoto within Japanese culture and history. Nori is a very distinguished representative of GOWITHQUIDE and would highly recommend his services. We had a great time during our visit to Kyoto and learned so much about temples, shrines, and Japanese culture. Overall, a significant experience in Kyoto that my wife and I will always remember. We had time near the end of our day with Nori to do some serious shopping, so we took a cab to downtown Kyoto to Takashimaya Department store and what an experience. We made several purchases that included a quality Japanese stainless steel cooking knife as well as a hand -blown glass figure of a snake...Hence, 2025 will be the year of the snake in Japan. Overall, we had a great time in Kyoto and would highly recommend Nori as the perfect guide in KYOTO JAPAN! Sincerely, Robert and Ellen K
Nori I.
(31 reviews)Thank you so much for such detailed and kind comments! It was definitely fun to explore around Kyoto with you two. At the end I was not sure what you would find at Takashimaya but you were able to find really nice items there. You are very much prepared for the new year of snake! Again, thanks!
Robert B.
Private Car Tour - Enjoy the authentic castle towns and famous Oumi beef just outside Kyoto
“A Wonderful Day!”
I had the most wonderful day with Nori exploring the serene beautiful temples and stunningly powerful castles of Siga Prefecture right next door to Kyoto. The starting point can easily be reached by public transportation, and with Nori's car you can be taken to lovely spots you wouldn't know existed, which are beyond the crowds and tourists. Nori is a magnificent guide and so much fun, we were having a great time talking in between the sites. Many of the most meaningful moments of my recent trip to Japan happened with Nori while experiencing these wonderful places. You will really have a memorable and delightful time.
Nori I.
(31 reviews)Again, thank you so much for taking my tour in Shiga. I am really glad that you enjoyed so much! As you said, so close from Kyoto yet many people including Japanese do not know about some of the places we went. They are so tranquil and beautiful. As mentioned, there are many more in this region that are equally amazing and I am also still learning. I will prepare even better tour for your next trip! See you again!
