Joined 2023
Eco H.
Available Areas
Hyogo, Kyoto (Living), Nara, Osaka, Shiga, Kobe
Languages
Dutch (Native), English (Native), Japanese
Response Time
9 hours on average
Availability Updated
--
About Tour Guide Eco H.
Eco has called Kyoto his home for the last 7 years, and now he hopes to share with you all he has learned of this wonderful city and the surrounding area. Recent graduate with a background in Japanese history and religion, he is now a professor a university in nearby Kobe city. Therefore, if you are particularly interested in learning more about the history and culture of Kyoto he can provide exciting narratives to go along with visiting the delightful sites. Throughout his time in Kyoto he has been working as a guide for numerous organisations, including guiding around Japanese tourists visiting Kyoto, and has provided many with a unique view of the city.
Important
I can guide you in other areas around Kansai as well, such as Kobe or Wakayama, if you pay my transportation fee.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour
First and foremost, I do not want to provide a typical tour to the standard fair of tourist attractions. As with the majority of visitors to Kyoto, you do not really need a guide to visit such places. Instead, what makes my tour special is that I can show you the unique places of Kyoto with the addition of a historical and cultural background. Lunch at local restaurants, visit temples of the beaten path, go to local shopping arcades for unique products. Enjoy Kyoto without the crowds.
Osaka City Trip
Welcome to Japan's third largest city Osaka! A vibrant and bustling metropolis, the city is famous as a more rugged city experience compared to Tokyo. Known as the "Nation's Kitchen," Osaka is a city a history of international trade has shaped its version of modernity, offering a unique blend of rich history, cultural landmarks, and foods to try. Join on a journey to explore some of Osaka's most iconic attractions, and learn more about the dynamic energy that defines this incredible city.
Nara History Tour
You can go in blind and simply learn as much as possible about this phenomenal city, where you will be provided with a good encapsulation of the wonders of Nara.
Kyoto Day-trip to Miho Museum
In this tour we would like to take you to the most spectacular museum in the area, the Miho Museum by renown architect I. M. Pei. We will ensure you reach this difficult to visit museum hidden in the depths of the mountains of Shiga Prefecture. As there is little language support available, on this tour we will be joined by an interpreter.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Welcome to the Kyoto Imperial Palace, a symbol of Japan's rich cultural heritage and a site that has played a pivotal role in the country's history. Today, as we walk through these hallowed grounds, we will explore the palace's long and fascinating history, which stretches back over a thousand years. The Kyoto Imperial Palace, or "Kyoto Gosho" as it is known in Japanese, is not just a historic building, but a living testament to the traditions, politics, and culture of Japan's imperial past.
Kyoto Zen Meditation Experience
This tour package is designed for those interested in Zen Buddhism. For visitors who want to experience zazen (seated meditation), we would like to take you to the temple where we usually practise. The dates for zazen are fixed and 2024's schedule is as follows: 14 and 28 May , 11 and 25 June, 9 and 23 July, 10 & 24 September, 8 & 22 October, 12 & 26 November 10 December (None in August). *Held in the morning.
Reviews
Susann L.
“4h Tour Highlights of Kyoto”
Eco has a very good understanding and extensive knowledge of Kyoto itself, Japanese culture and the various interesting contexts and backgrounds of the country and its people. It was a very good tour and I would definitely recommend him.
Rick W.
“A treat , well organised and knowledgeable tour guide ”
Eco Tailored a personel historical and garden tour that suited my needs , he is extremely educated gentleman , and a generous on local experiences Would easily recommend him tp tourist that enjoy the individual guiding in Kyoto Regards Rick Tasmanian
Lilian K.
“Kyoto History Tour off the beaten path ”
We enjoyed our Kyoto History Tour very much. Eco showed us the Shokoku Ji Temple and the Imperial palace. We saw the beautiful Zen Garden of the Temple and learned a lot about Buddhism. We saw the nice living area of today’s life in Kyoto and a market and learned a lot about Japanese society of the past and today. We had matcha tea in a Tea house with tradition and then we went to the Heian Jingu. Due to the profound knowledge of Eco, I think he could show nearly every religious or cultural site in and around Kyoto. Especially he knows places of interest which are not overcrowded.
Other Popular Tour Guides in Kyoto
Yasuhisa K.
I have worked in the multi-national organizations including UN agency for around 30 years and stationed at various cities including Rome, Bangkok and Hanoi. Although I have retired from those international carriers, I wish to keep the international cooperation and develop the friendship with people who visits our country. As I like history and am practicing Noh song and wood curving of Buddha images, I have decided to live in Nara where is surrounded by many historical places and traditional cultures, when I returned back to Japan in 2017. I wish to offer you custom made trip ideas to be able to enjoy the atmosphere of old city, Nara. I am also planning to develop trip plans to enjoy the local cultures. Please call me Yasu.
Hiroshi Y.
Hello,I am HIROSHI YOKOYAMA. Please call me Hiro, not "hero". I have been lived in kyoto for more than 30years. So, I am very familiar with the city of Kyoto and a unique culture developed in Japan as well. I can offer you not only historic places like Nijo castle, Kinkakuji temple ,Kiyomizu temple etc., but also off the beaten track spots Nijo jinya house or nicknamed "ninjya house" ,Katsura Imperial Villa etc.. I am really looking forward to seeing you .
Koichi W.
Hi! I'm Koichi. I was born in Osaka, I studied in Kyoto when I was a university student. Now I live in Shiga next to Kyoto. I am a national government licensed tour guide. I have been guiding about 160 groups over the past twelve months. I usually guide my customers mainly in Kansai region including Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe and Shiga by public transportation systems. Well, I am curious about Japanese history, especially the history of Japan's ancient times since I was raised next to the world biggest mausoleum of the ancient Emperor called "Nintoku" in Sakai city Osaka which has just become one of the world cultural heritage sites. I dug out some ancient earthen ware vessels around there when I was a primary school student like the adventure archaeologist “Indiana Jones" (It’s our secret!!). That was my hobby. Now, one of my hobbies is outdoor activities such as mountaineering, kayaking, skiing and others. So I would like to take you to some good places where you can enjoy Japanese unique nature. I love to guide foreign visitors from all over the world. I think it is my calling or heavenly given job. Let's go and enjoy together! I hope to see you soon.
