Joined 2025
Steve R.
Available Areas
Kumamoto (Living)
Languages
English (Native), Japanese, Spanish (Native)
Response Time
Less than an hour
Availability Updated
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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’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
ONE PIECE 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.
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.
Kumamoto City Tour
This tour focuses on Kumamoto City and its nearby attractions. We will visit Kumamoto Castle, Suizenji Park, Musashizuka Park, and Mount Kimpo. Along the way, we can stop for a meal, let me know your preferred cuisine. Japanese convenience stores and supermarkets also offer a wide selection of delicious lunch boxes.
Amakusa Full Day Tour
Amakusa (天草), which means "Heaven's Grass," is a picturesque region located in the western part of Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, known for its stunning coastal landscapes, historical sites, and unique cultural heritage. It comprises a group of islands scattered in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Reviews
Chloe W.
“Customized Aso Tour ”
We had an incredible experience with Steve as our tour guide! He was wonderfully flexible, effortlessly accommodating our customized itinerary. Steve truly went above and beyond, bringing history to life with his detailed explanations and making every site visit more meaningful. He was incredibly attentive, even helping us navigate icy roads safely while exploring the breathtaking shrines. His humor and engaging personality kept us entertained throughout, and the conversations during the rides were a highlight of the trip! His thoughtful recommendations on routes and scenic spots enriched our experience even further. Steve is not only knowledgeable but also kind and personable—qualities that made this tour unforgettable. A massive thank you to him for making our journey so special! Highly recommended!
Steve R.
First of all, thank you both so much for choosing me as your guide and for your wonderful review. It was truly a pleasure meeting you and showing you around Mount Aso. Climbing up to the shrine was certainly a challenge, but we conquered it together as a team! The way down wasn’t without its difficulties, yet we persevered and made it through. I truly appreciate your kind words about me as a guide. But others should also know what wonderful guests you were! How can I put this? Simply the best, polite, understanding, and an absolute pleasure to have. Tour guides should be thankful to have you as guess.
Caren G.
“Fun and comfortable trip”
We had a lovely One Piece day trip with Steve. Very accomodating and considerate. Highly recommend. :)
Steve R.
Thank you Caren!, it was a great trip. It was a pleasure taking you both to the 9 statues. Please enjoy the rest of your stay in Japan :)!
Other Popular Tour Guides in Kumamoto
Mai T.
Thank you for reading my profile. I am Mai living in Kumamoto, Kyusyu. I grew up in Kumamoto and studied and worked in overseas, such as China, America, South America and Europe for the F&B and food business. Also I used to work as Kurabito (Japanese sake brewer) in the traditional sake brewery. So If you are looking for somebody, bring you to the best gourmet spots that are not in guide book, please contact me. I am the Sake sommelier, so if you are interested to experience and understand Japanese sake and culture, especially for I can be your guide. All my life until now I practice martial arts such as Kendo and Iaido. If you are Katana (Japanese sword) or martial arts lover, I can guide you to the right place. Beside of food and sword, Kumamoto has breathtaking nature and verity of Onsen. If you are interested, please contact me. I will be your best guide for Kumamoto. English and casual conversation of Chinese is available.
