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Joined 2025
Aya N.
Available Areas
Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka
Languages
English, Japanese (Native)
Availability Updated
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About Tour Guide Aya N.
Hi! I'm Aya, now based in Sapporo area!
After growing up in Hokkaido, I graduated from college in New York and have lived in seven cities across three countries. These experiences allow me to connect with travelers from diverse backgrounds while sharing Japan through both a local and international perspective.
I love sharing the side of Japan that many visitors never get to see, from local culture and everyday life to hidden food spots and the stories behind them.
Over the years, I have guided travelers from around the world in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto and now in Hokkaido). I especially attract food enthusiasts and culturally curious luxury travelers looking for hidden gems, local flavors, and unique experiences that you can’t find online.
My guests tell me that spending time with me feels more like exploring with a knowledgeable local friend. Whether you are interested in food, nature, culture, art, or simply experiencing Japan from a local perspective, I tailor each experience to your interests, mood, personality, and life experience.
About me: I'm a huge foodie who loves cooking and baking. I'm also a coffee and wine enthusiast, play the piano, practice Japanese archery (Kyudo), and enjoy horse riding. I’m naturally curious and love learning from people from different backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life.
P.S. I've lived in Hokkaido, Vancouver, Upstate New York, New York City, Tokyo, Osaka, and Sapporo.
Important
I mainly guide in Osaka, but depending on your request, I can also do in Kyoto, Nara, or Hyogo.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
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Private Immersive Exclusive Osaka Food & Drink Experience
Osaka is known as Japan’s kitchen, but the real places aren’t easy to access. They often require local knowledge, connections, a Japanese phone number, and the ability to speak Japanese. As a globally experienced foodie, I’ll take you to places that match your preferences, your taste, and your mood that day. If you want to mix in a few tourist spots, we can do that too :)
Private Immersive Exclusive Osaka Food & Drink Experience
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Osaka and Beyond: A Personalized Full-Day Tour
This full-day experience offers a flexible and personalized way to explore Osaka at your own pace. The itinerary may include lunch, sightseeing, local neighborhoods, cafés, and an evening dining experience, all tailored to your interests and energy level. Whether you prefer staying within the city or exploring areas outside Osaka, the day is designed around your preferences, schedule, and travel style. This is a relaxed, immersive way to experience Osaka beyond fixed routes or standard tours.
Osaka and Beyond: A Personalized Full-Day Tour
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Kyoto Beyond: A Cultural & Zen Experience
This Kyoto experience is designed for travelers who want to explore culture, historic architecture, Zen, and tranquility at a refined, unhurried pace. The tour offers 5 hours of guided experience, focusing on selected areas rather than rushing through crowded landmarks. You’ll experience the balance of history and nature, quiet temples, and local neighborhoods, allowing time to slow down and truly feel Kyoto. Perfect if you are looking for authentic Kyoto experience beyond guidebooks.
Kyoto Beyond: A Cultural & Zen Experience
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Nara Highlights: A Cultural & Local Experience
This Nara experience combines famous destinations with local areas, offering a well-balanced introduction to the city. Along the way, I’ll guide you through Nara’s historic sites, quieter local spots, and recommend traditional local meals based on your preferences and the day’s flow. The tour is designed to be relaxed and flexible, allowing you to experience both Nara’s iconic highlights and its everyday atmosphere in one day.
Nara Highlights: A Cultural & Local Experience
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Kobe City Day Tour: Highlights, Local Food & Local Life
This one-day Kobe city tour is perfect for travelers who want to experience the city’s highlights while enjoying local food and everyday local life. Explore scenic waterfront areas, historic neighborhoods, and lively city streets at your pace. This tour focuses on atmosphere, culture, and food rather than rushing through tourist spots, offering a genuine local perspective of Kobe.
Kobe City Day Tour: Highlights, Local Food & Local Life
Reviews
Andrea M.
“The best way to experience Osaka!”
I can’t say enough good things about Aya. She made the tour feel less like a formal activity and more like exploring the City with a knowledgeable friend. Their passion for the area really showed, and they went above and beyond to make sure everyone felt included and engaged. This was one of the most memorable parts of my trip and I learned so much! I highly recommend Aya to anyone visiting the area. Thanks again!
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Aya N.
Thank you again!! It was my pleasure Andrea :)
Nathaniel J.
“An Awesome Foodie Tour in Osaka where the locals love”
My tour with Aya was AWESOME! She was so knowledgeable about the local spots to eat, shop and enjoy culture. In addition to being great company, Aya had an encyclopaedic knowledge of locals gems for dinner, dessert and sightseeing. As a tourist, I would never have had the courage or skills to try to the places we went to, and I'm so glad to have had Aya as a guide! I can't recommend her enough!
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Aya N.
Thank you for your kind review Nate!!
Joel B.
“Our guide was Grest”
Fun day. So easy with his car!
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Aya N.
It was my pleasure! Loved having you and your friends. Thank you for being nice and respectful towards our culture too :)
Other Popular Tour Guides in Hokkaido
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Asad J.
Hi! I’m a passionate traveler and photography enthusiast, eager to show you the best of every destination. From nature and heritage to city life, mountains, festivals, and local cuisines, I’ll help you discover it all. I speak English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Pashto, and basic Japanese, so we can connect easily. Contact me for a tailored tour, and let’s explore together to create unforgettable memories!
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Scott E.
I am an American male bi-lingual (English & Japanese)tour guide based/living in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. I have lived here several decades and I very familiar with the best places to see in Sapporo and outside of Sapporo/ other areas of Hokkaido. I can take you to the standard/well known sightseeing spots as well as "off the beaten path spots" that many overseas guests are unaware of. My tours are fun, on schedule, informative and transportation-wise very timely and smooth. Less time commuting and more time at location enjoying each point of interest. I have many years experience guiding tours in Sapporo and out to other areas of Hokkaido as well. Most of my tours are 1 day tours usually starting at 8 or 9a.m. and concluding at 6p.m. I basically use public transportation(buses, JR trains, and subways). I do own my own personal car and for guided tours with only 1 guest or small groups 2-3 guests, my private car is available for use. Meet up locations is usually at Sapporo Station in the morning but I can arrrange to meet you in the lobby of your hotel if requested. I look forward to guiding you here in Sapporo and throughout Hokkaido. Tour guide Scott. Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
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Kumiko N.
Hi,I'm living in Hokkaido,Japan.teaching English everyday,and sometimes working as a tour conductor or a tour guide both for Japanese and for foreign customers. and am a ski instructor in winter. So I can guide you to the many wonderful ski resort here in Hokkaido! My hobbies are tennis, swimming, movies, reading,and I am interested in history and culture. Hokkaido has so many attractive spots like beautiful nature, hot springs, active experience, and delicious seafood restaurant.I've been to Hawaii, Australia,Koria,and had exchange students from Canada for two months at my house several times.and I can offer you Kimono wearing experience.Hope having great fun experience together!.
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