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Joined 2025
Michiko N.
Available Areas
Kyoto (Living), Shiga
Languages
English, Japanese (Native)
Response Time
5 hours on average
Availability Updated
1 day ago
About Tour Guide Michiko N.
Hello, and thank you for visiting my page!
I’m Michiko, a local guide born and raised in Kyoto.
I love meeting people from around the world and sharing the spirit of Japanese hospitality.and I love fun things!
I went to the UK to watch musicals, and recently I spent a year living in Thailand — experiences that deepened my love for art, culture, and people.
Besides guiding, I also work in theater and performance art, creating unique shows in shop windows!
Let’s explore Kyoto together and find its heart — the beauty, people, and stories that make it special! with BIGLOVE!
Important
-Last-minute bookings (1 day before) are sometimes possible — feel free to ask!
-If you want me to make reservations for shops or restaurants, please contact me at least 1 week in advance.
-A walking tour is also possible, but to be honest, I wouldn’t recommend it. Kyoto is an extremely popular tourist destination, and buses and public transportation are often very crowded. For the places I would like to show you, I believe traveling by car would be much more comfortable.
-Please note: I love wine! But if I drink during the tour… I might forget where we’re going. So I’ll stay sober—but if you like, I can show you some great wine spots in Kyoto!
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
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Kyoto Spiritual Tour! – Half Day by Private Car
Visit 3 special places in Kyoto and feel the spiritual energy. You can relax in a quiet car. This tour is only on weekdays, It’s good to enjoy Kyoto slowly and peacefully. Each place has beautiful nature. The air is very clear and fresh. Your mind can feel calm and clean again. This is for people who want to take care of work, family, and themselves. The car can take 3 adults. If you come with kids, just tell us before!
Kyoto Spiritual Tour! – Half Day by Private Car
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Whispers of Kyoto
I will guide you to a quiet place with a beautiful garden. In autumn it can be a little crowded, but during other seasons it is relatively peaceful. For this tour, I would especially like to focus on lunch. Please let me know your preferences and budget. If you can make your reservation early, it will be easier to secure a table. Of course, even with a last-minute booking, I will do my best to find a good restaurant. Let’s enjoy the quiet atmosphere with both our hearts and bodies!
Whispers of Kyoto
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KYOTO A Sunday Breakfast Tour in Kyoto's Countryside at Ohara
Join us for a simple and peaceful morning in the countryside of Kyoto. We will leave early by car and visit Ohara Morning Market, a local farmers’ market held only on Sundays.And Let's visit beautiful moss Garden.(Sanzen in temple) This is not a busy sightseeing tour. It’s a small trip to feel local life, fresh air, and the slow morning of Kyoto.
KYOTO A Sunday Breakfast Tour in Kyoto's Countryside at Ohara
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First Kyoto! Visit 3 Must-See Spots and a Traditional Sweets Shop
Welcome to my hometown, Kyoto! In this tour, we will visit three famous spots that you should not miss when you come to Kyoto. We will travel by my small but comfortable private car. Along the way, we will stop at a traditional Japanese sweets shop, where you can either enjoy sweets on the spot or buy some as souvenirs. Please enjoy your first Kyoto experience with me!
First Kyoto! Visit 3 Must-See Spots and a Traditional Sweets Shop
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Kyoto with Heart – My Favorite Peaceful Places
Welcome to my hometown, Kyoto. I will take you to the special temples and shrines that I personally think are the most beautiful, among all the many places I have visited in Kyoto. Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, I’d love to show you the places I personally love — calm, friendly, and peaceful spots where you can truly feel Kyoto’s spirit. Let’s enjoy a relaxing time away from the crowds together.
Kyoto with Heart – My Favorite Peaceful Places
Reviews
Colette L.
“Experience the real Kyoto! ”
Spending a day with Michiko was a highlight of our time in Kyoto. Going with her to the temples gave us such appreciation for what we were seeing. She has such love and knowledge of Kyoto and is full of joy. We highly recommend taking a private tour with her. It's worth it!
Tommy L.
“Great tour around Kyoto”
Had a great experience with Michiko including communicating with her before the tour to refine the itinerary. Did the tour with elderly parents and she was great about choosing and modifying the itinerary to match their needs. I can’t remember the name of the place we went to for lunch but she made reservations at a very small counter-seating only restaurant where we had a “fisherman’s” rice bowl that was one of our best meals of our trip.
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Mark F.
“Superb Guide with a great personality.”
Michiko guided us in Kyoto for 2 days and we had asked for a gentle introduction to the City rather than a frenetic rush to cram as much in as possible. Day 1 was Imperial Palace and Philosopher's Walk with Eikan-do and Ginkaku-Ji at either end. Lovely weather with stops for refreshments ending in a Korean BBQ meal near to Dotonbori but not in the busy area. Rain affected Day 1 but managed to tour the Saga TO Toriimoto Preserved Street with the 2 very different Adashino Nenbutsu-Ji to Otagi Nenbutsuji Temples at either end. She took us to the family favourite Imamyia Shrine for toasted Mochi lovely way to watch the rain in the shelter of the Cafe. Michiko was a very warm and charming host with a sense of humor and energy to brighten our trip and felt more like a friend as we shared experiences of travel and family. Thank you for your help and care with Anin as she had fallen badly before Kyoto and needed some TLC.
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Syed atif Y.
A Local Friend in Kansai — Meet Atif Hey there! I’m Atif, a travel lover who’s been calling Osaka home for the past few years. What started as a curious adventure quickly turned into a deep love for this region — the food, the people, and all the little hidden corners that make Kansai so special. Now, I spend my days sharing those discoveries with travelers who want to see the real Japan — not just the postcard version. What I Offer Fun & Flexible Tours: No boring scripts here! I plan each tour around you — whether you love taking photos, tasting street food, exploring quiet temples, or getting lost in neon-lit backstreets. Local Secrets: After years of wandering Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe, I’ve found the best hidden gems — from tiny noodle shops to peaceful gardens and back-alley shrines. Laughs & Memories: My tours aren’t just about facts — they’re about fun. Expect stories, local legends, and maybe even a karaoke challenge (if you’re brave enough)! Why Travel with Me Because travel should feel like exploring with a local friend, not following a flag in a crowd. I love good food, spontaneous detours, and showing people the Kansai that most tourists miss. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, I’ll make sure you experience something new — and unforgettable. Let’s Start the Adventure! Ready to explore Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, or Kobe? Let’s laugh, learn, eat, and wander together — Kansai style!
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Akira F.
Hello, my name is Akira , and I am a private guide based in Kyoto. I specialize in creating customized tours that are tailored to your interests and travel style. Kyoto is a city rich in history, culture, and hidden beauty, and I would love to share its charm with you. Whether you are interested in famous landmarks like Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari, exploring peaceful temples and gardens, or discovering local food and traditions, I will design a unique itinerary just for you. My goal is to make your time in Kyoto not only enjoyable, but also meaningful and memorable. I look forward to guiding you and helping you experience Kyoto like a local.
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Yasuhisa K.
I have worked in the multi-national organizations including UN agency for around 30 years and stationed at various cities including Rome, Bangkok and Hanoi. Although I have retired from those international carriers, I wish to keep the international cooperation and develop the friendship with people who visits our country. As I like history and am practicing Noh song and wood curving of Buddha images, I have decided to live in Nara where is surrounded by many historical places and traditional cultures, when I returned back to Japan in 2017. I wish to offer you custom made trip ideas to be able to enjoy the atmosphere of old city, Nara. I am also planning to develop trip plans to enjoy the local cultures. Please call me Yasu.
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