About Tour Guide Yosshi S.

Nara, Stroll through Nara Park led by the Deer

We go around a must-visit temple and shrine in Nara Park. In the 8th century, the emperor built a new capital (Heijo-Palace) and the Statue of the Great Buddha. A powerful aristocracy built a shrine adjacent to the Palace. They prayed for the Buddha to bring stability to the country and peace to the people. In the 19th century, their vast grounds were incorporated into Nara Park, creating a unique space where residents and tourists can freely interact with the sacred deer.

Nara, Stroll through Nara Park led by the Deer

Nara, Mixed Scenery with Temples and Mountains

The poem in the 8th century wrote that NARA is a province with supreme beauty enclosed by mountains. IKARUGA began as the temple town of Japan's oldest temple, Horyu-ji Temple, and preserves a rural landscape surrounded by mountains. NARAMACHI was a post town on the grounds of Gangoji Temple in the 18th century. Locals continue to make efforts to preserve the old townscape now. We feel the quiet and rich charm while strolling through the old town area.

Nara, Mixed Scenery with Temples and Mountains

Osaka, Experience the Birth and Growth of the Urban Development Area

The development of Osaka began in the 16th century when Osaka Castle and the castle town were built on a hilltop. In the 19th century, some railway lines were constructed in the city. Houses, commerce, and entertainment functions necessary for a big city have been provided around the railway stations. Thanks to the convenient location, new high-rise buildings and old wooden houses are used for shops, galleries, and cafes, and attract locals and visitors.

Osaka, Experience the Birth and Growth of the Urban Development Area

Eastern Kyoto, Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest

Experience the charm of tranquility in a mountain temple. Take a 3km walk around the foothills of the Higashiyama Mountain Range, visiting shrines and temples along the path. Starting at Seikanji Temple on Mt. Kiyomizu (242m height), follow the Uta-no-Nakayama Road to Kiyomizu-dera. Then, go through Sanneizaka and Nene-no-michi, and reach Maruyama Park and Yasaka Shrine. Along the way, we can feel old stories of tragic love while enjoying panoramic views of the Kyoto cityscape.

Eastern Kyoto, Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest

Western Kyoto, Film Tour with Matcha in Cine City

Aesthetic Sense and Matcha at a garden villa designed by a SAMURAI star. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Uzumasa/Arashiyama area had about 10 film studios (2 and a theme park still alive), and outdoor filming took place on temple grounds and riverbanks. A star (Ohkouchi Denjirou) built a garden villa to represent the aesthetic sense that he had. This tour takes you on the tram that runs through the center of the area, tracing the history of film production in the glory days.

Western Kyoto, Film Tour with Matcha in Cine City

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in the Temple Town

Osaka dates back to the 6th century, when the first official temple was built on the hilltop. In the Middle Ages, the emperor’s family and aristocrats believed that the Pure Land of Buddha was beyond the sunset and meditated in hermitages on the hill while watching the sun sink into the sea. Locals walked up(temples) and down (residences) regularly, enjoying life in this world and praying for a place in the Pure Land in the next life.

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in the Temple Town

Nara, Stroll through Nara Park led by the Deer

We go around a must-visit temple and shrine in Nara Park. In the 8th century, the emperor built a new capital (Heijo-Palace) and the Statue of the Great Buddha. A powerful aristocracy built a shrine adjacent to the Palace. They prayed for the Buddha to bring stability to the country and peace to the people. In the 19th century, their vast grounds were incorporated into Nara Park, creating a unique space where residents and tourists can freely interact with the sacred deer.

Nara, Stroll through Nara Park led by the Deer

Nara, Mixed Scenery with Temples and Mountains

The poem in the 8th century wrote that NARA is a province with supreme beauty enclosed by mountains. IKARUGA began as the temple town of Japan's oldest temple, Horyu-ji Temple, and preserves a rural landscape surrounded by mountains. NARAMACHI was a post town on the grounds of Gangoji Temple in the 18th century. Locals continue to make efforts to preserve the old townscape now. We feel the quiet and rich charm while strolling through the old town area.

Nara, Mixed Scenery with Temples and Mountains

Osaka, Experience the Birth and Growth of the Urban Development Area

The development of Osaka began in the 16th century when Osaka Castle and the castle town were built on a hilltop. In the 19th century, some railway lines were constructed in the city. Houses, commerce, and entertainment functions necessary for a big city have been provided around the railway stations. Thanks to the convenient location, new high-rise buildings and old wooden houses are used for shops, galleries, and cafes, and attract locals and visitors.

Osaka, Experience the Birth and Growth of the Urban Development Area

Eastern Kyoto, Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest

Experience the charm of tranquility in a mountain temple. Take a 3km walk around the foothills of the Higashiyama Mountain Range, visiting shrines and temples along the path. Starting at Seikanji Temple on Mt. Kiyomizu (242m height), follow the Uta-no-Nakayama Road to Kiyomizu-dera. Then, go through Sanneizaka and Nene-no-michi, and reach Maruyama Park and Yasaka Shrine. Along the way, we can feel old stories of tragic love while enjoying panoramic views of the Kyoto cityscape.

Eastern Kyoto, Short Hike in a Peaceful Temple and Forest

Western Kyoto, Film Tour with Matcha in Cine City

Aesthetic Sense and Matcha at a garden villa designed by a SAMURAI star. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Uzumasa/Arashiyama area had about 10 film studios (2 and a theme park still alive), and outdoor filming took place on temple grounds and riverbanks. A star (Ohkouchi Denjirou) built a garden villa to represent the aesthetic sense that he had. This tour takes you on the tram that runs through the center of the area, tracing the history of film production in the glory days.

Western Kyoto, Film Tour with Matcha in Cine City

Reviews

Drew B.

5 / 5

Nov 9, 2025

Osaka, Spiritual Tour in the Temple Town

Nov 9, 2025

“Cultural tour of Kawachi/Osaka ”

Yosshi san created a unique tour to introduce us to the history of Kofun burial mounds and Haniwa clay pottery. We had an amazing day despite the weather visiting Shin-ike Haniwa Factory Park and the Imashirozuka Museum. Yosshi san has amazing knowledge & excellent English and was a pleasure to spend the day with. Also Yosshi san is a master of navigating Osaka transport, very impressed!! Thank you again Yosshi san for looking after us so well, Drew & Annie.

Yosshi S.

Dear Drew & Annie san Thank you so much for sending me your generous review. You read the explanations, took photos, and asked questions to the museum guide during the tour. I was impressed by your deep interest and knowledge, and it was a great honor to guide you. However, it's unfortunate that today's tour didn't go as planned due to the heavy rain all day. Here is the only imperial mausoleum in Japan that we can enter, so if we have another opportunity, I'd like to stroll around the 350-meter burial mound on a sunny day and discuss the Kofun age with you. Thank you so much for today. Regard Yosshi

James K.

5 / 5

Oct 21, 2025

Nara, Stroll through Nara Park led by the Deer

Oct 21, 2025

“Nara park and Todai-Temple Tour”

Wonderful tour with Yosshi. Really enjoyed both Nara Park and the Todai-ji Temple. Yosshi customized the tour for our needs, and made the travel to and from Kyoto seamless.

Yosshi S.

Hello James san Thank you for your heartwarming review. I was so happy to see you and your mother enjoying the deer in Nara Park. I was also touched by how much you always cherish your mother, and I learned a lot from you. I'm glad I was able to show you around Nara Park and the Great Buddha Hall. On the train ride there and back, you and your mother told me stories about your town and asked me many questions, which broadened my horizons. I hope you and your mother are in good health. I look forward to seeing you again. Thank you. Yosshi

Chuck Y.

5 / 5

May 1, 2025

Osaka : OLD & NEW Tour 6 hours

May 1, 2025