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Eco H.

Kyoto's backstreets are an ideal photo opportunity.

German tourists in front of the Nanzenji main hall.

Tourists from the United States listening to my talk on the grounds of Nanzen-ji Temple.

Taking my students on a tour of Kiyomizu Dera temple.

Big architecture fan!

Joined 2023

Eco H.

4.89 / 5

(9 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Date

People

Available Areas

Kyoto (Living), Hyogo, Kobe, Nara, Osaka, Shiga

Languages

Dutch (Native), English (Native), Japanese

Response Time

10 hours on average

Availability Updated

3 days ago

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!

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.

Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour

FROM$375/ per group

Kyoto

8 hours

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 Day-trip to Miho Museum

FROM$468/ per group

Osaka

6 hours

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.

Osaka City Trip

FROM$593/ per group

Nara

6 hours

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.

Nara History Tour

FROM$531/ per group

Kyoto

1 hr 30 mins

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 Imperial Palace

FROM$156/ per group

Kyoto

8 hours

Jewish History Tour in Japan

This tour is a Day-Trip from Kyoto to explores the story of Japan's Jewish community, placing into context the interactions between cultures. During the tour, you will be joined by two guides, a professor of International Law at a nearby public university and a PhD candidate in the humanities. During the tour, we will particularly focus on the community rescued by Imperial Japanese ambassador Chiune Sugihara, awarded Righteous Among the Nations for his actions during the Second World War.

Jewish History Tour in Japan

FROM$812/ per group

Kyoto

4 hours

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.

Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour

FROM$375/ per group

Kyoto

8 hours

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 Day-trip to Miho Museum

FROM$468/ per group

Osaka

6 hours

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.

Osaka City Trip

FROM$593/ per group

Nara

6 hours

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.

Nara History Tour

FROM$531/ per group

Kyoto

1 hr 30 mins

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 Imperial Palace

FROM$156/ per group

Kyoto

8 hours

Jewish History Tour in Japan

This tour is a Day-Trip from Kyoto to explores the story of Japan's Jewish community, placing into context the interactions between cultures. During the tour, you will be joined by two guides, a professor of International Law at a nearby public university and a PhD candidate in the humanities. During the tour, we will particularly focus on the community rescued by Imperial Japanese ambassador Chiune Sugihara, awarded Righteous Among the Nations for his actions during the Second World War.

Jewish History Tour in Japan

FROM$812/ per group

Reviews

Karina V.

4 / 5

Apr 23, 2026

Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour

Apr 23, 2026

Kyoto

4 hours

“Kyoto with Dutch speaking guide”

We received a Very good explanation from the guide Lr Eco. Group 10 persons Belgium.

Isaac K.

5 / 5

Sep 5, 2025

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Sep 5, 2025

Kyoto

1 hour 30 mins

“A Superb Viewd of the Imperial Palace ”

An awesome tour, well explained and with a fair amount of trivia. The cafe at the end was a real treat as well!

Eco H.

Thank you very much, it was a pleasure to guide someone who already had such a wealth of background knowledge. I hope you had a great time during the rest of your trip.

Susann L.

5 / 5

May 8, 2025

Half-day Kyoto History and Culture Tour

May 8, 2025

Kyoto

4 hours

“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.