Shogo K.
Available Areas
Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Mount Koya, Kobe (Living), Himeji
Languages
English
Response Time
3 hours on average
Availability Updated
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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
Kyoto Full Day Private Tour
This is a one-day tour of Kyoto. Kyoto is an ancient capital for over 1,000 years. You will visit Kinkakuji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari Shrine. All of these places are World Heritage Sites. You will also stroll around Gion in central Kyoto, where you might come across with a beautiful Maiko/Geiko by chance.
Bustling Osaka & Ancient Nara Full Day Private Tour
In this tour we will visit must-see places in Osaka and Nara. Nara used to be a capital of Japan in the 8th century. We'll visit Todaiji Temple, housing the gigantic Great Statue of Buddha, and Kasuga Grand Shrine. Let's go see nearby fancy Naramachi area, if time permitting. Osaka Castle was built in the 16th century. Let's go up to the top of the castle tower. You will feel as if you were a shogun. We also visit bustling Dotombori Downtown Osaka.
Himeji Full-Day Trip from Kyoto
I'll meet you at your hotel in Kyoto. And then we'll transfer to Himeji by the Shinkansen. We'll visit firstly Himeji Castle designated as Japan's first World Heritage Site in 1993, and ranked #7 as a place to visit among others in 2019 by NY Times, and also ranked #1 by the National Geographic Traveler. After Himeji Castle we'll head for beautiful Kokoen Japanese style garden nearby. Finally we'll go back to your hotel in Kyoto by the Shinkansen.
Discover Western Kyoto Full Day Private Tour
This is a full day tour of western Kyoto, ancient capital for over 1,000 years. We will visit must-see places in western Kyoto such as Nijojo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and Nishiki Market. Nijojo Castle and Kinkakuji Temple are World Heritage Sites. It will literally be great fun to stroll along Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and Nishiki Market as well where you’ll see a variety of Kyoto's signature foods/crafts.
Discover Eastern Kyoto Full Day Private Tour
This is a full day private tour of eastern Kyoto. We will visit must-see places in eastern Kyoto with over 1,200 years of history, such as Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka alleys, Kiyomizudera Temple, Sanjusangendo Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Fushimi sake brewery, and Gion area.
Shogo K. Japan Tour Reviews
“Perfect introduction to Kyoto ”
Ahogo met us at our hotel promptly. Since our tour was utilizing public transportation he had travel cards ready for us to use, the cost to be settled at the end of the tour. He had the stops well planned by area in order to avoid too much crisis crossing around the city. Ahogo gave us very in-depth explanations of the correlation between Shinto and Buddhism, and showed deep knowledge of historical events. He is a soft spoken man with great passion for sharing information about his country. His command of English is perfect and was always eager to share his knowledge with us. We definitely recommend you book with Shogo.
Shogo K.
(30 reviews)Dear Gigi, Thank you for the wonderful review. I'm so grateful to know that you enjoyed exploring inner reaches of Kyoto's historical sites. Because of your thoughtful cooperation and early blooming cherry blossoms coming out, I felt as if I were strolling in a beautiful paradise with good and old friends of mine.:) Many thanks to you, Gigi, your generous husband, and lovely friends.:) From "Henpecked"
Simona I.
Bustling Osaka & Ancient Nara Full Day Private Tour
“Very knowledgeable guide”
Shogo was an excellent guide. We enjoyed very much the itinerary prepared for us and the fact that he provided short documents for us to refer to for the trip. Very good! Thank you Shogo
Shogo K.
(30 reviews)Dear Simona, Thank you for the lovely review. I'm so grateful. Indeed it was a fun two-day tour in Osaka and Nara. It's always my great pleasure to do tours with such a cheerful and beautiful sisters, especially guiding with hand in hand among a herd of dear. Looked a bit envious of me? Again thank you for everything. Warmest regards, Shogo
Angus M.
Bustling Osaka & Ancient Nara Full Day Private Tour
“Very Hot Day”
The weather was very hot in Osaka and we had a good visit to Osaka-Jo. We then took the train to Nara, all well planned but there everything declined. The guide lost his way around the town and appeared ill prepared for this section of the tour. After wandering for some km we eventually found the restaurant but with the heat and exhaustion from the additional walking we abandoned the remaining part of the tour which was very disappointing.
Shogo K.
(30 reviews)Dear Angus, Thank you for writing a review full of useful suggestions. Indeed with heat wave into a third straight day across the country, Nara was sweating as well. We were having to take caution to not get dehydrated. We went rather slowly than usually and taking a water break/shade frequently, for which I think we might have lost enough time in Nara. Meanwhile, I understood early on that my guests' priority is Japanese cuisine. I booked a good restaurant for lunch with their consent. The lunch basically lasts as long as at least 1.5 plus hours. After arriving in Nara, I was focused on how best to get to the restaurant to save time for sight seeing. I tried taking a shortcut through historic Naramachi district, in vain. We accordingly ended up losing time for visiting a temple/shrine, and making them get exhausted. I'm very sorry for that. I felt like I learned a lesson ....."If you run after two hares, you'll catch neither." Hopefully my guests caught one of the best ever "hares" at the restaurant.:) Thank you so much for your huge patience and understanding. Best regards, Shogo
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