/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/b6ba00c2-9e38-4afe-88eb-84bd2ee187ac.png)
Joined 2025
Steve R.
Available Areas
Kumamoto (Living)
Languages
English (Native), Japanese, Spanish (Native)
Response Time
2 hours on average
Availability Updated
Today
About Tour Guide Steve R.
Hello! I'm Steve and I’m originally from Sydney, Australia, but I’ve lived in Kumamoto City for the past 28 years. I hold a Gold license. I’d love to take you on a tour of some of the region’s most historic and stunning sites. I took my profile picture on the balcony of my home, which sits high on a hill, offering great views of the city both day and night, with majestic mountain ranges in the distance.
I was a school teacher here for 25 years, starting in Japanese public schools before transitioning to an American institution.
I understand that when traveling abroad, many people prefer a local tour guide. While I wasn’t born in Japan, after nearly three decades here, I consider myself as local as it gets! Not only can I share insights about the local culture, but I can also offer a unique perspective as a foreigner who has grown to love this country as my own.
With our comfortable 4x4 full leather interior SUV, we’ll explore hidden gems that typical tour buses can’t reach, making your experience even more special.
On our way to the sites, I’ll describe anything that catches your eye so you don’t miss a thing. I know that returning back from a great trip can feel like the end of something special, so if there’s anything I can do to make the ride more enjoyable, just let me know. On the way back, feel free to play any music you like on the BOSE sound system in the car.
Important
It’s very important that you inform me of any food allergies you may have. This way, I can make sure to notify the restaurant staff and ensure your safety and comfort.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/17859/4c336011-fe8a-4f03-ab52-cc4a86fd2710.jpeg)
ONE PIECE Statues Tour. All 10.
All 10 statues in one tour. All your favorite ONE PIECE characters are in Kumamoto. As part of a collaboration with Eiichiro Oda, author of ONE PIECE born and raised in Kumamoto City, a total of 10 statues of the Straw Hat Pirates of ONE PIECE have been installed throughout Kumamoto Prefecture. The One Piece statues are part of a larger project to help Kumamoto recover after the 2016 earthquakes and are being built thanks to the cooperation of and extremely generous donation from Mr. Oda.
ONE PIECE Statues Tour. All 10.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/tours/17587/e1808ded-40a2-49b8-9b31-f5de4df3c6a8.jpeg)
Mount Aso Full Day Tour
Join me for a full-day tour of Mount Aso, the most active volcano in Japan. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to stop and capture photos or videos of anything that catches your eye. With a 4x4 SUV, we will be able to access places that tour buses are not capable of.
Mount Aso Full Day Tour
Reviews
Luca B.
“Perfect experience ”
We did the One Piece statues tour with Steve and it was truly what we where looking for. Quick disclaimer: if you arrived here because, like me, you are looking for a way to see all 10 statues of One Piece around Kumamoto be aware that doing so by yourself is virtually impossible, it would require several days and hours of walking in the cold. And this is where Steve comes in, he is a very nice guy, and will guide you around comfortably, while explaining the history and the life of Kumamoto. He will also arrange the tour on your specific needs, like we asked (we booked a night in a Ryokan in Aso, not far from Usopp statue and he took us to the Ryokan and helped with the check in), and takes you to buy all 10 status figure if you want. To summarize: really wonderful experience, let's you see all 10 statues in one day, driving around comfortably in a car, with a very nice guy. Thank you Steve.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/b6ba00c2-9e38-4afe-88eb-84bd2ee187ac.png)
Steve R.
Hi Luca! It was great taking you both around this city and outskirts. As you mentioned, some try the public transportation system to see the statues, I hope they have 4 free days to do so. I'd love to visit your city one day:).
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/83711/870658e3-65b1-4919-819b-286ecb982d23.png)
Tamal N.
“Amazing Tour”
I went with Steve for this tour and had an amazing time. He told a lot about the history of Kumamoto and about his experience living there and I really enjoyed the conversations with him. Would really recommend to others.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/b6ba00c2-9e38-4afe-88eb-84bd2ee187ac.png)
Steve R.
Hi! We had many great conversations. I'm glad you enjoyed your time here in this wonderful city. I hope you enjoyed the rest of your stay in Japan:).
Madeline T.
“One Piece Tour - Thank you!”
We had an awesome time on the One Piece tour with Steve in Kumamoto. He took us to all 10 statues and made the whole day super enjoyable. The views along the way were amazing, and Steve was friendly, polite, and easy to chat with. He also turned out to be a great photographer, which was a huge bonus for getting some memorable shots. Highly recommend booking with him if you’re in the area or looking to go on a One Piece tour!
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/160x160/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/b6ba00c2-9e38-4afe-88eb-84bd2ee187ac.png)
Steve R.
G'day! Thank you for choosing me to be your guide. We had some great conversations throughout the trip! If you are ever in town again, let me know :-). May our paths cross again!
Other Popular Tour Guides in Kumamoto
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/82112/260c9309-915a-4e5d-b731-6c57fe755fb3.png)
Venus K.
Hi! I am Venus, and I have been living in Kumamoto for over 12 years. Since I realized how amazing this region is, I have wanted people from around the world to visit, experience its beauty, and create wonderful memories. Kumamoto is full of stunning nature, rich history, and warm-hearted local culture. Whether it’s the breathtaking Aso Volcano, peaceful gardens, or delicious local cuisine, every place has something special to offer. I truly enjoy meeting new people from around the world, and I am happy to be sharing smiles, good times, and unforgettable moments with my guests. My guiding style is friendly, flexible, and easy to understand, so everyone feels comfortable and enjoys the journey. I can also take photos for you, so you can fully enjoy the experience and bring home beautiful memories. To make your trip even easier, I offer private car tours (ideal for 2–3 guests), allowing you to travel at your own pace and visit hidden gems not easily reached by public transport. I will do my best to make your trip to Kumamoto fun, memorable, and stress-free. I look forward to welcoming you, sharing smiles, and creating an unforgettable travel experience together!
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/27666/ae31ed4c-6557-4c2f-a633-24c46a787e1d.png)
Satoru O.
Bonjour, je m’appelle Satoru. Je suis guide certifié par l’Etat. Lors de votre voyage au Japon, vous aurez certainement quelques inquiétudes quant au fait de devoir vous exprimer dans une langue si différente de la vôtre. Vous serez peut-être aussi un peu stressé à l'idée de ne pas réussir à faire tout ce que vous avez prévu pour votre voyage. C'est avec plaisir que je vous apporterai mon aide pour que vous puissiez passer les vacances de vos rêves. Je ferai de mon mieux pour que votre voyage soit à la fois amusant et intéressant. Qu'aimeriez-vous manger ? Qu'aimeriez-vous acheter ? Vous serez surpris par la quantité de choix à laquelle vous ferez face. Je vous guiderai parmi toutes ces bonnes et belles choses. A chaque étape de votre voyage, vous vous poserez des questions telles que "Pourquoi?" ou "Comment?". Je serai là pour y répondre toujours de façon simple et rigolote. Je suis conscient que votre temps au Japon est précieux et qu'il représente aussi un gros budget. Je ferai en sorte que votre voyage soit inoubliable en partageant avec vous ma passion pour la culture japonaise. A bientôt au Japon.
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/50679/1532dc40-6f3a-48ec-8f25-885ee57fb2cf.png)
Sakie U.
Hello, I'm Saki. I am absolutely thrilled to be your guide to the enchanting wonders of Amakusa, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, and the broader Kyushu region. As a native of Amakusa, Kumamoto, I have a deep connection to this area, having lived until completing high school. After spending 15 exciting years in Osaka and Tokyo for university and work, I couldn't resist the magnetic pull of my hometown and returned to Amakusa, realizing just how irresistibly charming it truly is. With my National Licensed English Speaking Guide certification earned in 2018, I've led tour excursions, private tours, Christian tours, and FAM trips, primarily in the Kyushu area. Additionally, my experiences traveling for business and leisure in Europe and various Asian countries have allowed me to immerse myself in diverse cultures and meet incredible people from all walks of life. Kyushu, without a doubt, harbors countless hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered and popular tourist destinations that will leave you in awe. It is my heartfelt goal to share the allure of this region with people from all corners of the globe. So, prepare for an unforgettable journey as we embark on an adventure together. I look forward to meeting you!
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/480x480/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/73049/4facdb78-57c4-4658-bbf4-6a8e2fe5909c.png)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/d3d77dbe-6bea-41bf-9a28-5cdb6735ce8c.jpg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/6f031ee7-4c1c-45e7-89d5-b4ee69894674.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/652e8297-152e-4ee5-8a88-ddf93502169e.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/e2781dc7-981a-47bf-97b7-5430e53abc2d.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/1ccd29f4-6ee0-48e2-a299-ac82a509d23b.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/a4442f0e-2d67-4902-b361-0284d21f3d3e.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/e47d97b3-2dfd-4161-907d-500eeb639d02.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/8a294a4c-963a-49d3-8344-c5b40be4541e.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/d5e07d20-ab37-4a1b-8409-0ef6bdeecc92.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/ff584d89-4725-4d1b-a4b9-31de5be82c7d.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/0a243b7a-60c2-4195-8d4a-b611bd17ed27.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/653c1bfa-f1d7-4471-823d-2287e90f1da1.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/c89d64aa-630d-44e3-8c49-ff4b2b41f8ba.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/52a0e3e6-8dad-4833-896c-554266cd9642.jpeg)
/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/1024x1024/filters:quality(50)/gowithguide/profiles/67262/d21a21ee-20ed-4dbd-995e-f27aefd5248c.jpeg)