Kuniaki S.
Available Areas
Yamagata (Living)
Languages
English
Response Time
14 hours on average
Availability Updated
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Tour Categories
About Tour Guide Kuniaki S.
I've been involved in English education at public junior high school and prefectural board of education for more than 40 years as a teacher, teachers' consultant and a principal.Now retired, I’m very interested in introducing many places of historical interest and scenic beauty in my hometown to international visitors to Japan.My motto in life is ”once-in-a-lifetime encounter”. I'm more than happy to help make your trip the most impressive one.
Why don't you get off the beaten track and visit Shinjo and Mogami regions? Shinjo City is now world-famous for its Shinjo Festival, registered by UNESCO as an Intangible World Cultural Heritage, December in 2016. I’m sure that you can definitely enjoy both the festival and the subtle harmony between man and nature in this area.
Important
I'm available from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Saturday.
Transportation fee and lunch of you and a guide will be paid by the customer.
If you book me before making inquiries, please note that you may be requested to pay extra guide fee for hotel pickup (about 5,000 yen) depending on the location. So, please ask me first.
Tours
Exciting Experience Tour in Shinjo (EETS)
You can experience three exciting things in this tour. First, you can see Shinjo Festival float ( Intangible World Cultural Heritage), and play the "hayashi" music at the museum, wearing a "happy" coat. Second, you can enjoy a thrilling boatride down the Mogami River, like Matsuo Basho, a haiku poem master from about 400 years ago. Third, you can hike in "Genso-no-mori", Fantasy Forest.
Hands-on "Snow Experience " Tour
This tour is focused on the three wintery activities in the snowbound area of Yamagata. First you can enjoy shoveling the 3-meter-deep snow and digging the stored vegetables (turnips) out of the snow. Second you'd like to cook them with the help of a local cuisine specialist and appreciate the traditional food on the spot. Third we take a breathtaking boatride down the Mogami River.
Hands-on Exciting and Exploring Tour in Sakata (6.5 Hours)
This tour can give you chances to enjoy both Japanese traditional cultures and modern ones. We can visit a sembei rice cracker firm, rice storehouses, rice museum, Zen-sect Buddhist temple and a maiko teahouse. What makes this tour so special is that you can dive deep into ricce-related Sakata cultures, one of Japan's biggest rice production sites from long ago. You can't miss this amazing and unforgettable tour!
Kuniaki S. Japan Tour Reviews
Hedj J.
Evans Party Pick-up at Yamagata Station
Customized
“Perfect Service”
I am a travel professional that used Kuniaki for VIP clients I had traveling. His service was absolutely perfect. He provided the perfect service. I recommend him and will confirm his services in the future.
Kuniaki S.
(4 reviews)Thank you so much for writing a review for me. The tour was just a short period of time, but I really had the time of my life guiding and helping them carry their baggage. I hope that they felt the same as I did. Why don't you visit Yamagata again and delve into other places of scenic beauty and historical interest? The longer you stay here, the stronger your attachment to Yamagata becomes. I do wish that our paths will definitely cross again in the not-too-distant future. See you around! Pure Water
Kari L.
Authentic Snow Activity Tour in the Rural Snowbound Region, Tozawa Village
Customized
“Most authentic and wonderful tour guide!”
Kuniaki - aka Pure Water, the English translation of his name - planned an incredible two-day tour for us based in Yamagata. Pure Water went above and beyond in every aspect, planning everything thoroughly and precisely while also providing flexibility and options. He worked with us to create a fully customized itinerary including traditional activities such as harvesting winter vegetables, making soba with a soba master, a boat ride, and visiting the local onsen. He arranged all transportation and meals for us and even helped us find local authentic accommodation in a traditional Japanese farmhouse. We never would have had such a local or authentic experience without his help, and his passion and enthusiasm for tour-guiding and helping people experience Japan shone through at every step. As Pure Water says, we have left behind nothing but happy memories and will remember our time in Tozawa Village always! Thank you Pure Water!
Kuniaki S.
(4 reviews)Kari and Rob, I just can't thank you enough for writing such an unexpected review. It sure is my greatest honor that you both enjoyed OUR tour, "Authentic Snow Activity Tour in the Rural Snowbound Region, Tozawa Village," to the full! From the very scratch, we all planned our trip very carefully to meet our requirements, which was a lot of fun on my part, too. Despite the long journey you guys were amiable all the time and said "Arigato" in Japanese for any service you got, which made the locals around you very happy and comfortable. You're definitely one of the best couples I've ever met in my whole life! We miss you very much. Why don't you visit our place again to take another optional tour you missed this time. We, of course, roll out the red carpet for you both just like the Hina Dolls we saw at Farmhouse 'Ajiki'. Bon voyage! Wishing you a smooth flight to New Zealand, Kari and Rob. Poorest Water (Because we miss you so much!)
Spencer S.
Two-day Exciting Tour at Yamadera Temple and on Mt. Zao
Customized
“Very Nice Person”
Shimizu-San is a very nice person and we enjoyed his company. The first day to Yamadera was lots of fun but we could have done without the Basho museum. The second day was less interesting. Though the old Prefecture building was OK, it was not worth the time. Yamagata Castle was a bit of a bust. Lunch, however, at Gura was very good.
Kuniaki S.
(4 reviews)Thanks a lot for writing a review for me. I was very happy to have an opportunity to show you around Yamadera mountain complex and Kajo Koen Park. It was a pity, however, that we could not climb up to the top of Mt. Zao on the second day as originally scheduled becase of the weather and the cable car check-up. Maybe next time! I personally enjoyed your sophisticated talks and jokes all through the tour. You are definitely one of the best couples I've ever met in my whole life. Thanks again for choosing me as your personal guide for two days. Next time why not visit Mt. Zao and the Shinjo-Mogami region for another exciting tour? I'm very much looking forward to it. I do hope you'll enjoy the rest of your tour in Japan. See you again. Bon voyage!