Rick I.
Available Areas
Kyoto (Living), Nara
Languages
Japanese (Native), English
Response Time
4 hours on average
Availability Updated
Today
About Tour Guide Rick I.
My nick name is Rick and Japanese name is Ryoichi. I was born and grew up in Kyoto. Kyoto has so many sightseeing spots based on its 1000 year history. I will propose you the "must see" spots from local eyes not only temples & shrines but also alternative side of Kyoto. As Kyoto certified English guide, I will guide you with high hospitality for your satisfactory stay in Kyoto.
1. For the first visitors
I will prepare the tour with selection out of the spots as Nijo-castle, Imperial Palace, Nishiki-market, Gion amusement quarter, Arashiyama area and some temples and shrines of World Cultural Heritage Sites based on your request and taste.
2. For the visitors who want to see more spots than regular tours
I will prepare some unique tours like visiting Fushimi area for Sake brewery and riding classical boat, visiting some traditional handicrafts ateliers, enjoying traditional performing art, etc.
Please make any inquiry for your preferred type of Kyoto guiding without hesitation. I would be happy to propose you with the type of tour that makes your visit in Kyoto unforgettable one.
Credentials:
National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter (EN01767)
Kyoto City Licensed English Guide (EN00004)
2nd Grade of the licensing examination on knowledge of Kyoto history & culture
Important
In case you want to book my tour for two or more consecutive days, please send me a message in advance.
Tours
Half Day Kyoto highlights tour plus optional Maiko dinner
By joining this tour, you can enjoy main 3 sightseeing spots of Kyoto in around 5 hours. After that you have an option to join Maiko dinner which you can enjoy Japanese cuisine and Maiko (apprentice Geisha) traditional performance in around 2 hours. This tour does not include the time for lunch.
Full Day Kyoto highlight Tour
This course has four choices. Please select one of the four courses shown below. Rick will guide you deep inside the Kyoto history, culture, tradition and nature in each course. Each course can be customized upon your request as far as possible. Every course has spectacular spots which will satisfy you with visiting Kyoto!
Summer early bird half day tour of Kyoto
The summer in Kyoto is so hot, especially in the afternoon. This is a 4-hour tour which starts at 7:30 AM (or 8:00) for avoiding the heat in the afternoon. The visiting spots are mainly in forests or indoor. Highly recommended to choose this tour from later July to Middle of September. Upon request, I will take you to a nice local Japanese restaurant for lunch without any extended guiding fee.
Extra Day in Kyoto: Explore Ancient Capital
This tour visits Kyoto Heian Capital museum to see the elaborate display of Heian Capital replica around 8th to 12th century including relics around the museum. You will slip back to ancient Kyoto with a detailed display including virtual 3D. All of them are explained in English by me. (Option) Visit the relic of wall which was surrounding Kyoto Capital called Odoi. This is another important relic in Kyoto history. Recommended to the history lovers or time travel lovers !
In Depth Analysis of Nijo castle plus Kyoto highlights
Nijo castle is not just an old castle but it is a great showcase of Japanese art, history and architecture. I will explain deep inside of this it taking double time including some secret stories, latest academic findings and so on which are not described in any guide book or online information. After that, we will visit Kyoto Imperial Palace where had been emperor's resident for hundreds years. Finally the tour finishes visiting Nishiki food market which has been said as "Kitchen of Kyoto."
Fushimi & Uji memorable full day tour from central Kyoto
This tour takes you to the two areas, Fushimi and Uji. Both are a little away from central Kyoto and have the specific atmosphere that makes you feel comfortable away from hustle & bustle in central Kyoto.
Rick I. Japan Tour Reviews
Alexander R.
Customized tour for Alexander R on Dec. 21, 2023
Customized
“Amazing Kyoto Tour with Rick”
I had an amazing full day Kyoto tour with Rick. We visited Golden Temple, Honnoji temple, Heian Shrine, Kiyomizu-dera temple, Sannen-Zaka, Ninnen-zaka and sutes relating to Ryoma Sakamoto and the Shinsengumi. Rick is very kind, knowledgable and willing to accommodate any changes in the tour. I certainly had a wonderful time in Kyoto thanks to his guidance and I would definitely use him again in future.
Rick I.
(56 reviews)Dear Alex, Thank you very much for the nice review! I'm very glad that you enjoyed the tour. Actually I like Japanese history very much and the sites you requested which relates Ryoma Sakamoto or Shinsengumi were exactly what I wanted to show to the history lovers. So I had enjoyed the tour with you, too and had a very nice time. I hope you will come back to Kyoto sometime in future for enjoying other more historical sites. Best regards, Rick
Cathy W.
Customized tour for Cathy W. on Nov.21, 22, 2023
Customized
“Personal concierge ”
Rick guided us around some of the hidden jewels in Kyoto for 2 full days. He was very flexible as I only gave him our wish list the night before but he planned both days so we would have enough time to see everything on the list. With his expert knowledge of the train, subway and bus systems - we were able to visit four destinations each day with enough time for a delightful lunch in quaint local restaurants. He was knowledgeable about our destinations and shared the history and importance of each one along the way. Rick was so very kind, polite and knowledgeable and made both days most enjoyable. Thank you Rick for being a great guide and helping us learn so much about Kyoto.
Rick I.
(56 reviews)Dear Cathy, Thank you very much for the nice review! I'm glad that you enjoyed the tour. I also enjoyed Sake tasting, Netsuke museum, etc. with all of you who are so nice and friendly. I hope all the places we visited will be your unforgettable memories in Kyoto and you will be back to this city sometime in future. Best regards, Rick
“Full Day in Kyoto”
We had a wonderful day in Kyoto with Rick. We visited some beautiful places including the Golden Pavillion and Nijo Castle and Rick had many interesting stories to tell. He was very knowledgable, friendly, polite and we would recommend him to everyone. Thank you again for such a lovely day! Katie and Andrew.
Rick I.
(56 reviews)Dear Katie and Andrew, Thank you very much for writing a nice review! I'm so glad that you enjoyed the tour. I also had a nice time of talking with you both. I hope Kyoto will be your nice memory and you will come back to this nice city sometime in future. Best regards, Rick