Mika S.

4.92(13) reviews
 

Available Areas

Aichi, Gifu (Living), Ishikawa, Nagano, Toyama, Kanazawa, Nagoya, Takayama, Shirakawago

 

Languages

Japanese (Native), English

 

Response Time

1 day on average

 

Availability Updated

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About Tour Guide Mika S.

I am a government certificated tour guide. I love cooking, eating, meeting new people, discovering new culture, finding fresh seasonal dishes at hidden restaurants and bars! I especially am good at guiding locally popular eateries and restaurants cooking local/fresh ingredients (Fresh seafood, mountain vegetables, locally grown vegetables) into wonderful dishes either traditional Japanese cuisine or great Japanese ingredients with modern flair.

I've traveled around the world twice and visited about 30 countries. When I think of my best memories in my past travel experiences, it's always meeting/ talking with the local people and experiencing new culture. Now, I'm in Japan! This is my time to prepare the wonderful experience to my guests! I'd love to show you around the famous places, as well as hidden gems or bunch of restaurants/bars/places loved by locals. I would be more than happy if I can help you to experience real Japanese life through my guide. I'd love you to have a great stay in Japan:-)

Important

I will guide in Ishikawa, Aichi area if you are ok to pay my transportation fee. In the case that I need to stay a night prior, please note that the hotel cost is need to be paid by customers. For Kanazawa, it is about 8,000yen for the transportation cost. For Aichi or Nagano, it costs around 6500yen depending where we go.

Tours

Takayama & Shirakawa-go Private Full-Day Tour

Takayama
6 hours

Start you day with morning market, one of the 3 largest markets in Japan. Take a walk in the old town, which has been preserved from 300 years ago. In the afternoon, you will trip to Shirakawago, famous for its traditional thatched roof farmhouses which is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage site.

FROM$392/ per group

Sake Tasting in Takayama

Takayama
1 hour 20 min

Thanks to its ideal climate for brewing sake, Takayama boasts a rich variety of local sake produced at 7 private breweries. These 7 sake breweries are all within a walking distance. This tour is about indulging in the world of sake with your guide, an International Sake Sommelier, who will give you detailed tips on how to enjoy Japan's national drink!

FROM$71/ per person

Eat Out like a Local in Takayama!

Takayama
2 hours

Feel like going out and exploring Takayama like a local? Takayama is not just a "touristy town." There's an endless variety of restaurants to pick from, making it difficult to pick out the perfect place for your special evening. On this exciting tour, you can dine with a local guide and enjoy a delicious culinary adventure! Vegetarian, gluten-free, as well as halal options are available. Please tell write down your food preferences and dietary restrictions when you book!

FROM$71/ per person

Takayama Highlights Private Half-Day Tour

Takayama
3 hours

This half-day walking tour is ideal for those coming to Takayama for the first time to discover the local history, culture, and beauty. The tour can be customized based on your interests.

FROM$356/ per group

Reviews

O

Olwyn J.

5.00
May 22, 2023

A fun and educational experience!

Spending the day touring Takayama and Shirakawa-go with Mika was one of the highlights of our trip. Mika is very knowledgeable and fun; she connected with us and our grown adult daughters as soon as we met, and we loved the time we had with her. She shared so much fun facts and history of the region that it made the experience very memorable. We tried many yummy local foods and lunched at one of the best ramen restaurants in town. Thank you Mika for sharing your love and passion for your hometown and for allowing us to see the region from the lens of a local.

Mika S.

Thank you for the kind review! It was my pleasure being your guide in Takayama, and I’m so happy I could help make your stay a memorable experience. I hope to see you again on your next visit to Japan!

C

Charles Y.

5.00
Jan 26, 2023

Super informative and very engaging

We had a great time with Mika on our afternoon. Not only is she very knowledgeable, she is super personable and paid attention to little things like providing heat packs given the frigid weather. The tour itself was an eye opening experience to the world of sake, as we get to learn everything about the production process, including the ingredients used and how to read the labels. We really had a great time walking through the old city and having things explained to us. Highly recomended, even if not for the sake tour, other tours with Mika, I'm sure will be great. Thanks Mika for a great time!!

Mika S.

Thank you so much for your review, Charles! It was a pleasure hosting the tour for you. I'm so happy you enjoyed learning about sake and had a good time in Takayama despite the cold weather. I hope you’ll get a taste of unpasteurized sake on your next visit and that you can enjoy being a professional at ordering sake at a Japanese restaurant!

V

Valeriya I.

5.00
Nov 20, 2022

Best guide in Japan

We spent 2 days with Mika and visited some places like Hida-Takayama and Shirakawago. Mika is the most professional guide, we really enjoyed our trip. I would like to recommend her to all tourist who plans to visit Ishikawa and Toyama prefecture. Wonderful experience! It was a pleasure to meet Mika!

P

Peter G.

5.00
Nov 2, 2022

Beautiful visit to Shirakawa-go

Excellent experience which Mika arranged for us to Shirakawa-go. Thank you very much. It was a special and memorable trip

Mika S.

Thank you so much for your review, Peter! I hope you enjoyed autumn Japan with beautifully colored leaves!