Lovely couple at Kyoto's Nijo-jo Castle where Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun announced the return of government power to the emperor in 1867, ending the Tokugawa shogunate government.
Kyoto's Kinkakuji Temple, Golden Pavilion, with its inverted image reflected in the pond might be the most beautiful.
Wonderful couple exploring Kaiten-zushi, meaning circulating sushi, in Kyoto
Lovely family at the time-honored Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Little rascal at Kyoto's Iwatayama Monkey Park near Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Over 10 monkeys are born every year.
"Leave us alone, please! Mom is now showing me how to meditate to the evening sun!!
Cheerful group at a bridge over the Kamogawa River in Kyoto
Bar on kawadoko, limited-time extended veranda over the Kamogawa River during the summer only
Nice couple with kimono clad women at Kyoto's Gion Shirakawa which still retains Maiko's traditional culture among others
Maiko at Kyoto's Gion which still has the atmosphere of a traditional Maiko neighborhood
Japanese style restaurant in Pontocho, downtown Kyoto with colorful umbrellas in front of its narrow alley
Nice group striking a pose in front of a Ninjya restaurant downtown Kyoto
Kyoto's 5-story pagoda near Kiyomizudera Temple
Experience of purifying oneself at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. Firstly, scoop some water with a ladle by your right hand and then pour some water over your left hand. Next purify your right hand. Secondly, rinse your lips slightly with water by your left hand. Finally, put the ladle where it was.
Lovely couple with Torii shrine gates at Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine which is dedicated to the god of "business prosperity" and "dreams-come-true."
One of 20 plus Japanese Sake breweries at Kyoto's Fushimi
How about sake tasting at a traditional Fushimi sake brewery?
Lovely family strolling along a quiet canal in Ohmi-hachiman city, near Lake Biwa, in Shiga Prefecture
Beautiful and gentle "Current Shoguns" against the backdrop of Osaka Castle
Strolling through Kuromon Food Market near Dotombori downtown Osaka
Dotombori downtown Osaka
Cheerful couples at Osaka Kuromon Food Market
Osaka's Umeda Sky Building with Sky Garden
Herd of wild deer in Nara Park, regarded as a messenger of the deities enshrined in Kasuga Grand Shrine
"Sitting beauties & their cool husbands" with Nara Park's friendly wild deer in the background
Great Buddha in Todaiji Temple in Nara, World Heritage Site
Lovely family photo in Nara Park
Lady enjoying feeding a herd of wild deer in Nara Park
Youngest-ever future movie star & his lovely family in Nara
Sake tasting at a cozy sake brewery in Nara
Would you like some Sake? .... Why not sake tasting at Nara Sake brewery? .... "KAMPAI(Cheers) !!"
Friendly group at Kobe's Nankin-machi China town
Himeji Castle in early April, Japan's first World Heritage Site which was also ranked #9 out of top 30 attractions in Japan by international travelers by Trip adviser, 2019.
Experience of a tea ceremony is available at Kokoen Japanese Garden in Himeji
Looks like the Mona Lisa in kimono!! Yes, indeed!! A lady dressed in a vivid Yukata (light kimono) at a long-established kimono shop in Himeji castle town.
Ninjya training experience in and around Himeji Castle, World Heritage Site
Udon noodle restaurant in Himeji: observing the process of cooking
Cozy couple standing at the expanded veranda of a mail hall of Shoshazan Engyoji Temple which was ranked #20 out of top 30 attractions in Japan by international travelers by Trip adviser, 2019.
Terrific demonstration by Joe Okada, an active guide aged 89, cutting off an apple & a radish on MY stomach with a SWARD!! I was almost yelling out like,"HELP me, pleaaaaase!!!" ......................... What's become of me?
I'm here, 100%, to HELP you explore Japan.:) (Note: I had this picture taken by a teenaged wannabe professional photographer at Kyoto's Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. I'm sure I look cool!?)
Joined 2018
Shogo K.
4.83 / 5
(36 reviews)
Identity Verified
Interview-Based Quality Checks
Date
People
Available Areas
Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Mount Koya, Kobe (Living), Himeji
Languages
English
Response Time
4 hours on average
Availability Updated
5 days ago
About Tour Guide Shogo K.
Hi! I'm Shogo, National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter in English. "Shogo"? Looks a little bit hard to pronounce. So if you are interested in Samurai or Busho, call me "Shogun". (rather humble and hen-pecked at home, though.:)
Just a little bit information about myself. I was born and grew up in Himeji, about 50km west of Kobe. When a child I quite often visited world-famous Himeji Castle. So it's like "MY castle." As a student, I lived in Kyoto for four years. I'm a father of three, and have lived in Kobe with my family for over 30 years.
So I'm quite familiar with various tourist spots/attractions in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Himeji, Kobe and the like, all in western Japan. Also I've lived in Lawrence, Kansas, for two years in my 20s as a Jayhawk. Great old memory!:)
Here are some of my specialties.
First, I can show you around popular historical sites and relics in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Himeji. You'll surely feel the depth of Japanese culture by visiting these places. Second, I can offer you special tours of fancy sake breweries in Kobe, Nara and Kyoto. Third, I also guide you around Hiroshima, including magnificent Itsukushima Shrine.
My goal/dream as guide interpreter is to help you explore and understand Japan and its culture with warm hospitality or Omotenashi. So please reach out to me any time, 24/7. For your super memorable trip, "Always with YOU" Shogo!:)
Important
I can also guide you in Hiroshima (Peace Memorial Park, Miyajima), 1-day tour. My transportation fees to/from Hiroshima cost about 20,000 JPY, return.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
Highlights
Day Trip
Shore Excursion
Kyoto
9 hours
Kyoto Full Day Private Tour
Kyoto Full Day Private Tour
FROM$495/ per group
Osaka
9 hours
Bustling Osaka & Ancient Nara Full Day Private Tour
Bustling Osaka & Ancient Nara Full Day Private Tour
FROM$495/ per group
Osaka
7 hours
Awesome Osaka Full Day Private Tour
Awesome Osaka Full Day Private Tour
FROM$385/ per group
Himeji
5 hours
Himeji Full-Day Trip from Kyoto
Himeji Full-Day Trip from Kyoto
FROM$343/ per group
Kyoto
7 hours
Discover Western Kyoto Full Day Private Tour
Discover Western Kyoto Full Day Private Tour
FROM$385/ per group
Kobe
7 hours
Discover Kyoto Highlights Full Day Private Tour from Kobe
Discover Kyoto Highlights Full Day Private Tour from Kobe
FROM$357/ per group
Reviews
R
Rebecca N.
5 / 5
May 6, 2025
“Wonderful Kyoto”
Had a fantastic day visiting the sights of Kyoto. Can’t believe we saw so much in one day. Shogo is a wonderful guide. Highly recommend
R
Rebecca N.
5 / 5
May 6, 2025
“Fabulous day in Osaka ”
Shogo is fantastic guide. Took us from port to many amazing sights. Highlight was a beautiful lunch of okonomayaki in beautiful restaurant. Osaka is lovely place to visit and Shogo is great.
R
Rebecca N.
5 / 5
May 6, 2025
“Fabulous morning in Kobe. ”
Even with wet weather we still had a wonderful time with Shogo. Visited China town and sake brewery. Shogo is a wonderful guide. Lots of patience when we stopped to look in shops. Highly recommend
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