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Joined 2025
Nikki K.
Available Areas
Osaka (Living), Kyoto, Nara
Languages
English, Japanese (Native)
Response Time
8 hours on average
Availability Updated
1 day ago
About Tour Guide Nikki K.
I am a Kyoto City Certified Guide, recognized as a top performer in its official training program and also Certified by the Japan National Tourism Organization(JNTO) in the High-Value Travel Guide training Program.
Having lived in 7 countries for nearly 30 years — including 9 years in the U.S.(California, New York & Texas) — I offer a truly global perspective and an intuitive understanding of international guests.
As a descendant of Hijikata Toshizo, one of Japan’s legendary “last samurai,” sharing Japan’s history and spirit is deeply personal to me.
My background as a licensed New York City tour guide, the official VIP protocol at the World Expo 2025. British Airways flight attendant, medical interpreter, and TV reporter has shaped my ability to connect effortlessly across cultures.
I primarily guide in Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Uji, with bespoke journeys to Tokyo, Naoshima, and Himeji Castle available upon request.
I look forward to welcoming you and sharing the true heart of Japan!
Important
My days off vary each week, so I can't specify a fixed day I'm available, but I'm flexible and can adjust to your request.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
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Full-Day Kyoto Private Tour!! World Heritage and Local Secrets, Just for You!
Please feel free to share your interests- places you wish to visit, foods you'd like to try, or how long you'd like to stay at each location. I"ll create a fully customized 8-hour tour just for you, blending famous sights with local hidden gems!
Full-Day Kyoto Private Tour!! World Heritage and Local Secrets, Just for You!
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Osaka’s Top Must-See Spots in One Perfect Tour
This 8-hour tour is the perfect way to enjoy Osaka in one day. It’s carefully designed to show you the city’s must-see spots with a great mix of culture, fun, and local flavor. You’ll experience the best of Osaka—efficiently and comfortably.
Osaka’s Top Must-See Spots in One Perfect Tour
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Half-Day Kyoto Private Tour Made Just for You !!
This is a special private tour that can be fully customized to your interests — from UNESCO World Heritage sites to hidden gems loved by locals. I’ll take you to Kyoto’s special spots, sharing local tips and warm hospitality along the way.
Half-Day Kyoto Private Tour Made Just for You !!
Nara Day Trip from Kyoto / Osaka : Giant Bhudda, Friendly Deer & Timeless Charm
Cute Deer, UNESCO World Heritage Temples, Hands-On Memories ! Enjoy a perfect balance of nature, culture, and creativity on this unforgettable day trip in Nara!
Nara Day Trip from Kyoto / Osaka : Giant Bhudda, Friendly Deer & Timeless Charm
Reviews
Stefan L.
“What a wonderful day and a wonderful experience in Kyōto! ”
The day with Nikki was simply wonderful. Since the weather wasn’t really good, we were able to change our plans right away. What I especially liked was that she has already seen a lot of the world – that makes her not only a great guide, but also an experienced and very pleasant conversation partner. Thank you as well for the truly exceptional culinary experience – I will always remember it. Thank you, Nikki! I hope that on my next visit to Japan we can see the places we skipped this time because of the weather and the many tourists. Thumbs up, 5/5!
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Nikki K.
Thank you very much Stefan for your wonderful review. Your kind words truly mean a lot to me and are very encouraging. Although the weather was not ideal, I was so happy to see you experience Japan, Kyoto, and its food culture with such a positive and open spirit throughout the day. It made the tour very enjoyable for me as well. I hope you continue to have a wonderful time during the rest of your stay in Japan. I would be delighted to welcome you again next time!!
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Larry C.
“Nikki is a flat out star! ”
We cannot give high enough praise for Nikki. She is an absolute gem of a person, let alone guide. Her knowledge of Japan is fantastic, especially the Kansai region. Humble, funny, personable; you will be relaxed within minutes of meeting her. We are not kidding when we say she is practically family after spending the day together. FYI… This is a real post, not someone just writing a favorable review. Nikki is the real deal, and you will have a great time. .
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Nikki K.
Thank you so much Larry san for your beautiful review — it truly made my day. I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed my suggestions and that your time here made you love Japan even more. There is nothing more rewarding for me as a guide. I hope the rest of your stay in Japan is filled with even more special moments and unforgettable memories.It was such a pleasure spending the day with you both. I genuinely enjoyed our time together and feel very grateful to have met such warm and wonderful people.Wishing you safe travels and many more amazing adventures ahead!
Horacio R.
“Wonderful Kyoto Tour ”
Again, I had the pleasure to do a tour with Nikki and again I was fascinated by her knowledge about Kyoto and about the places we visited. She is also very kind and very patient and she is always looking for the best way to make the tour a complete success. This is also why I asked her to guide me for two additional days and I feel so lucky she was available and willing to continue guiding me in this beautiful country.
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Nikki K.
Thank you so much Horacio! I was truly delighted by your wonderful review and kind comments — it truly made my day :) On the first day, I began to get a sense of what interests you most and what brings you joy, so today I tried to create a more local, authentic experience for you. I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed it.I’m really looking forward to showing you even more of Japan and helping you continue to discover and enjoy it!!
Other Popular Tour Guides in Osaka
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Rina K.
Hi I'm Rina. Thank you for your interest, and welcome to Japan. I was born and raised in Osaka, and I’m truly excited to show you both the city’s famous landmarks and its hidden gems. Osaka is full of incredible food and fun places to explore. I’m always thinking about how to design routes that feel comfortable for each guest and what kind of scenery will make them fall in love with this city. Seeing guests react with surprise and joy to the little moments in everyday Osaka is one of the most rewarding parts of guiding. My hope is simple: I want you to enjoy Osaka with ease and leave feeling even more connected to this place. I’m confident in my stamina — I’ve guided an eight‑hour tour without lunch — but I also offer slow‑paced, relaxing tours. Together, we’ll create a plan that matches your interests and energy level so you can enjoy the day without stress. You can count on me for the best timing to avoid crowds, truly delicious local spots, and places only Osaka residents know. My goal is to give you a warm, memorable experience that makes you think, “I want to come back to Osaka again.” I look forward to guiding you through an Osaka you’ll want to return to.
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Kenji O.
I lived in Seattle, WA US for several years to study public policy and urban planning at University of Washington and Washington State Department of Transportation . The US life has awakened me to realize its beauty and value of the Japanese nature and culture. After coming back from US, I have started my professional career of the infrastructure development in both developed and developing countries as a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) expert for more than 20 years. I have provided hospitality and honesty as a Japanese during my professional career. I can give you not only sightseeing tours but also technical tours with my expertise. I live in Osaka where an ancient capital city, Kyoto is located within a hour by train. I can show you how Japanese has developed the capital city with urban planning and infrastructure development. I look forward to seeing you here in Japan.
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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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